Chapter 3 A case of lost memory

• The doctor succeeded at getting Jimmy to relax but he still didn’t remember anything, even after they showed him pictures of themselves together. The doctor tried to know his identity but he doesn’t remember any of that either, he can’t even say his name.
• The doctor had to run quick tests on him again and then he took Mr. Queen to his office to discuss with him. James was scared, he feared that the accident had resulted in a major damage to his son’s mental health and even though he tried to look confident, the fear of losing the family’s heir was very much visible on his face.
• “Sir, from the tests I conducted on him, it turns out that your son has suffered from a memory loss, he must have hit his head on something in the accident. I can’t say for sure what led to this condition but it was related to the accident because the little shift in his brain cells had occurred recently.”
• “Doctor, he was very much healthy this morning, and he still knew who I was, he still recognized his mother and his sister even though they always fought each other, so if you are suggesting that this could have occurred as a result of something other than the accident, then you are wrong.” James replied.
• The doctor sighed and picked up some paperwork. “It is fine, sir… the good news is that this isn’t permanent. It is a short term memory loss and he will remember everything in a few weeks or months, he just needs rest and love and attention. If he is around people he knows and places he recognizes, there is more possibility that his memories would return quickly. Now, I understand if you wish to take him to a better hospital, but I would advise you to take him home. He is physically and mentally healthy as he had not suffered any major health issues. And honestly, I am surprised by that… I mean, he fell off a bridge in a very nasty road accident and somehow, he didn’t get a cut or even a fractured bone, that is amazing,” the doctor complimented.
• “Alright Doctor, if being at home is what will help him regain his memory, then that is what we shall do. When can we get him discharged?” Mr. Queen asked.
• “Oh, right now is fine, unless you want him to stay for longer.”
• My James thought about it, he knew Jimmy very well, the last thing he would want is to get clipped to a hospital bed for days. He couldn’t even sit on a couch for an hour, let alone lie on one bed for days.
• “Okay Doc, I think we will take him to go with us, but we are going to need a little help convincing him that he is a member of our family. My son can be really stubborn, he suffers from ADHD so I fear what he can do in this state.”
• The doctor paused and rubbed his chin in thought. “Well, that wouldn’t be a problem Sir, you all just have to be patient with him, and please be nice to him while he is in this condition or he might just try to run off someday. If you take him to a place he is familiar to, or the person he is closest to, I am sure he would remember something. The process might be slow, but with time he would remember everything. For now, he needs the one person that he is closest with, even without his memory… he would still feel the bond they share.” The Doctor advised again.
• Mr. James Queen nodded, he knew just the right person, even though he would disapprove of them usually, but not today… he needed his son back and he would do anything possible to make that happen.
• “Alright Doc, I would do everything you say.”
• Mr. James Queen signed the discharge papers and then headed back to the hospital room. He noticed the silence as he stepped in, everyone was still trying to digest the latest development. There were mixed feelings in the room, some were sad, some were worried while strangely, some didn’t feel bad at all.
• Well, let’s just say that Jimmy wasn’t the best big brother anyone could ask for, nor was he the best fiancé either. He failed as a brother and as a lover as well.
• “What did the doctor say?” Susan asked and hurried to her husband’s side.
• Mr. Queen stared at poor Jimmy who was still looking confused on that hospital bed, and then he turned back to his wife.
• “Honey, our son has suffered a temporary memory loss, but he is completely fine aside from that. The doctor said we can take him home, I already signed the papers for his discharge.”
• “What? Our son has lost his memory? Well, they should fix him, if they can’t do it here, then we should just take him to a better hospital. Let’s fly him to another country, India? London? Wherever they have the best hospitals,” she spoke in a sputter of words.
• “Shhh,” Mr. James Queen hushed silently and cupped her face, “Our son doesn’t need health care, he just needs our love and support to get through this. The doctor suggests we take him to an environment he is familiar with, and people he is very close to… the doctor is assured that with those things, he would regain his memory in a month or less.”
• Mrs. Susan Queen shook her head, she didn’t seem convinced about this and she was back to crying already. She looked at her son and then hugged her husband in tears; Jimmy might be a very stubborn child but he was her son and she loved him, she couldn’t watch him in this state.
• Mr. Queen pulled her closer to his chest and hugged her while Rebecca took Susan’s hand as consolation; she was the least affected of them all. At least she wouldn’t have to fight with Jimmy every morning now that he has lost his memory, since it was temporary; she planned to enjoy it while it lasted.
• Two nurses walked in shortly and began to unplug all the wires on his body, the computers could be heard beeping as the lines were disconnected, Jimmy just lay there staring in total confusion, he had no idea what was going on. It felt like his life had only started because the only thing he remembers was waking up on this bed with strange faces staring at him. The harder he tried to remember what happened before then, the more it hurt. One thing he knew was that things were never going to be the same again.
• To be continued!!