Chapter Five - Tanya

Before I knew it, it was time for me to be discharged from the hospital. One of the nurses who has been with me since I woke up, named Maybell, enters my room. “Good morning, dear.”

“Good morning, Maybell.”

“How are we?”

“I don’t know. I think I would be doing well if I could remember who I am.”

“I know it must be difficult for you, but you can’t rush things. Things happen in their own time. In the meantime, here are some clothes for you to wear.” Maybell hands me a stack of clothes while informing me. I take them and place one of the articles of clothing on my bed. I unfold the clothing and find that it is a plain black t-shirt. I place the shirt on the bed and lift the pants off. I unfold them and inspect them. They are a pair of ash-washed blue jeans.

“Are they okay?”

I shrug my shoulders. “I guess. They look comfortable, and I think I like them comfortable. Are they mine?”

“No, honey.”

“You don’t have any clothes from when I was brought in?”

Maybell sits on the edge of my bed at the foot. “We couldn’t save your clothes.”

“Why not?”

“They were too bloody, from the accident.”

“What accident?”

“You were in an accident, dear.”

“What kind of accident?”

“You were hit by a car.”

“Where?”

“On Kraft Street.”

“Where’s that?”

“We’re on Kraft Street. You were hit in front of the hospital.”

“What was I doing here at the hospital?”

“I don’t know. I can’t tell you that. I probably told you too much already. I don’t want to affect your recovery.”

“Thank you, Maybell.”

Maybell places her hand over my foot through the covers and gives a light squeeze. “Anytime. You need to get dressed. Dr. Clark will be here soon.”

I nod my head as I watch Maybell walk out the door. Once the door shuts behind Nurse Maybell, I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand. I turn to grab the clothes that she gave me. As I pick up the shirt off the bed, the pants fall off. I bend down to pick them up. As I do, something falls out of them. I reach down and grab what falls out. It’s a small piece of paper. Once in my hands, I unfold the tiny item. In someone’s handwriting, it says

“YOU CAN’T TRUST HIM.”

I lean against my bed, trying to figure out whether the paper is for me or not. Then, if the paper is for me, I’m wondering who it is talking about?

I walk into my private restroom with the clothes in my hand. I place the clothes on top of the closed toilet seat before turning on the shower. I take care of cleaning my body and everything else. As I cleanse my body, the note keeps running through my mind. Maybe it’s somebody who knows something about the doc that I don’t. That thought sends chills running over my body.

I quickly finish bathing and step out of the shower. I decided to hurry and dress. Once I dress, I walk out of my room and down the hall to the elevators. I keep my eyes open as I make my way out of the hospital. I have no idea where I am going, but I know I need to get out of here.

The chill from the air blasts me in the face. I wrap my hands around my arms. Before I begin to walk down the street, I see an elderly gentleman walking past. I extend my hand to stop him.

“How may I help you, dear?”

“I was wondering if there’s a police station anywhere around?”

“Sure, it’s one up the street. Not far from here, going that way.” The gentleman states as he points up the street.

“Thank you, sir.”

The man nods his head before walking off. I follow behind him since he seems to be going in the same direction. After a few blocks, the police station comes into view. I walk into the upscale-looking place. When I enter, I head left to the front desk. No one is there, so I shout for someone. “Hello, anyone here?”

“Yes, ma’am? What can I do for you?” A young black male officer asks me.

“Yes, I’m not sure how to put this, but I don’t have anywhere to go, and I don’t know my name.”

“Excuse me.”

“I don’t know who I am.”

“Where are you coming from?”

“I was just released from the hospital.”

“So, you are saying that you were released from the hospital without anyone to help you?

“You could say that,” I answer between shivers.

“Why don’t you have a seat while I get an officer to talk to you. I’ll also find you a blanket.”

“Thank you,” I tell the officer as I move away from the desk and toward the bench against the wall.

While waiting for an officer to come and talk to me, another officer walks through the front door of the precinct. “Tanya.” I hear someone call. I look up, and it’s the officer who walked in. He walks toward me as he keeps calling my name.

“Do I know you?”

“I forgot that you lost your memory.”

“Did you know me from before? Is Tanya my real name?” I ask while standing.

“No, calm down and let me explain.” He tells me while palming my hands and guiding me to sit back down. “I am the officer who was called to your accident. I have been back and forth to the hospital to see you over the past year. I know the nurses gave you the name Tanya. That’s why I called you that. I don’t have any other name for you.”

“Did you run my fingerprints?”

“Excuse me?”

“Did you run my fingerprints? Maybe I have a record that no one knows about, or maybe I have a job that requires me to have a background check.”

“Good thinking, and yes, we ran your fingerprints. We haven’t got a hit back. Why are you here?”

“I need to find a place to go.”

“Why don’t you stay here while I take care of something. I will be back.”

“Okay.”