Just as he said that, Angie appeared from the kitchen, and just as quickly, she returned to the kitchen. Rory gave me a look. “I’m going to see if Angie has any questions about the food we brought.”
I nodded.
“You can have a seat.” Fisher lifted his chin, signaling to the sofa.
“Thanks.” I eased my butt onto the edge, gripping my knees to keep my hands steady. Everything was so weird, so awkward.
“What do you do?” He caught nothing Rory said to him at the hospital.
“I just graduated from nursing school.”
His lips twisted. “Did Rory tell me that? Is that something I should have known?”
“I think she mentioned it, but it’s fine. You sent me a graduation card.” With a goofy, tight smile, I shrugged. “So … thanks.”
He chuckled. That was the Fisher I remembered. That soft chuckle accompanied by a slight head shake. “You’re welcome. Did I put money in the card?”
“No money.”
“Hmm …” He frowned. “Kinda cheap of me. Sorry about that.”
Okay, maybe he wasn’t the same Fisher. It was really hard to tell at that point.
It was my turn to laugh. “It’s fine. I don’t think college graduations are like high school graduations.”
“Maybe. Did I write something nice in the card?”
I found his genuine interest entertaining. As heartbreaking as his accident was, as his memory loss was, I couldn’t deny the new Fisher brought a smile to my face. “Yes, I believe you wrote something nice in the card.”
“Was it lame like, ‘The future is yours,’ or ‘Much success?’”
On another laugh, I shook my head. “No. If I recall correctly, you were way more original than that.”
“It’s funny. I’m trying to remember if I ever recall Rory talking about having a daughter.”
“Well, if you don’t remember me, then it’s unlikely you’d remember her talking about me.”
He stared at the television, but I sensed he wasn’t focused on the show. “Did you like working for me?”
Biting my lips together, I gave that careful thought. That wasn’t an easy question.
“You’re hesitating. Is that a no?”
“You were focused and driven. I was young and, honestly, a little clueless in my life at the time. You hired me as a favor to my mom, but I’m certain you had some days that you questioned why you made that offer.”
“Oh? Why do you say that?”
Before I could answer, Rory and Angie returned. Angie’s eyes were red. She’d clearly been crying.
“Everything okay?” Fisher asked, concern etched into his face. “Did I mess up again?”
Oh, Fisher …
It was hard to fully put myself in his shoes, but I tried. I tried to imagine a complete stranger coming up to me and telling me they were my fiancé. We were in love. And I simply didn’t remember. How does one navigate that? Would I have been able to play the part? Pretend to be in love?
It wasn’t that I didn’t see it from her side—clearly, he didn’t remember me either—but I kind of saw it from his side a little more. Probably because I wanted to see it more from his side.
“You didn’t do anything, babe. It’s just been an emotional few weeks. You’re home now. Life will start to feel normal again, and I’ll get past my silly emotions.” Angie kneeled on the floor next to Fisher’s chair and held his good hand, giving it a kiss and pressing it to her cheek.