Saturday
She walked into the ward and met Henrietta's tear streaked face.
"You're making me feel bad about a situation I've got no control over".
"Azalea I don't want you to go!"
"Do you think I want to?! I've overstayed. I can't stay here and incur more debt for the man who's ran away".
"My dad can help".
"Your dad", she swallowed, "Doesn't want me".
Henrietta whimpered and then sighed. "I got you this".
She furrowed her brows and stared at the silver locket Henrietta held out.
"I didn't put my picture or yours so that you can put the pictures of the people who mean a lot to you".
She breathed out softly. "I don't understand".
"I want you to put in the pictures of the two people who mean a lot to you and you wanna keep close to your heart".
"I don't think I'll ever get such people".
"Oh you will Azalea. Trust me. Here's one more thing". She slipped an emerald studded ring into her finger.
She gasped. " Henrietta".
" It's a promise ring. A promise to meet again, as friends".
Tears slipped outta her eyes and she hugged her friend. " I'll never forget you Henrietta. Your beautiful blue eyes, strawberry blonde hair and freckled face will be etched into my mind forever".
" Yours too Alea".
" Lisa's here", Molly called out to Azalea from the slightly ajar door.
She sighed. " That's my time. Get well soon, okay?"
****
"Ava", Jack knocked on the door of the nurse's wing and walked in. "Heyyyyyyy", he called out in a soothing voice and held her in his arms.
"Why's Molly doing this? Why? Azalea has been through a lot already. Why send her to a rowdy place that isn't even gonna help her regain her memories?"
Jack sighed and rubbed circles on her back. "She's doing what's best for Azalea".
Ava shoved him away. "How can you say that?! Molly never does anything that'll benefit Alea. It might seem that way but Molly hates Azalea's guts".
Jack chuckled. "You're so full of emotion right now. Calm down. You should go bid Alea good bye, you'll feel a lot better".
Her lips quivered. "I can't. I don't wanna say goodbye. I don't want her to go".
Jack laughed. "You sound a lot like Henrietta. But if you want her to be with you so bad, why don't you adopt her?"
"Cause I don't have any money", Ava wailed like a toddler. "Besides,the state won't see me as parent enough, you know why".
" Yeah, yeah. I know. I'm really sorry Aves". She plopped down on a chair and sobbed.
Jack stood over her and rubbed her back.
****
She stood in front of Lisa West.
Lisa had dark brown hair and a nude glasses was perched on her nose. She was very beautiful but that beauty was flawed by the dangerous scowl on her face. Lisa's 5'6 frame towered over her 4'5.
"Alea, are you sure? This woman's very scary", Henrietta whispered into her ear.
She gulped.
"Hello, you must be Lisa", Molly greeted, "I'm Molly O'Brien. The head nurse. And this is your charge", she pushed her over toward Lisa.
"Hi", she squeaked.
"She's got amnesia so she doesn't remember anything from before her accident".
"You said that before in our previous meetings".
She trembled in fear. Her voice sent shivers down her spine. It was melodious but it held a dangerous note of warning. She made to step back but Lisa's hand gripped her shoulder blade.
"Hello agnellino", Lisa said sweetly with a beautiful bright smile on her face.
She was put immediately at ease.
"What's your name?"
She gulped. That was a tricky question.
"She can't remember her name. So everyone here calls her Azalea".
Lisa scowled. It made her blood ran cold. She'd seen that look before but she didn't know where.
"Tell your friend goodbye because you won't be seeing her again", Lisa said and her heart dropped to the soles of her feet.