Page 79 of Forgotten
“Teaching makes me feel alive.” Ash shrugs and with one last hug, he moves to stand up.
Sliding on a black blazer, Ash winks at me and adds, “Also, someone’s gotta keep the money coming.” He lifts his brows pointedly but I see right through him.
“Get the fuck out, you love it.”
Ash grins at me, all bright and sunshiny and ridiculously handsome. “I do love providing for you, mylove.”
Winnie doesn’t take it as well. She holds her arms up until Ash gathers her in his arms, and then she hides her face in his chest. “Papa’s gotta work today, honey.” A pause, and then, with a reassuring tone, Ash adds, “You will have so much fun with Dad.”
Winnie mumbles in his shirt. “No fun.”
“Of course Dad’s fun, peanut. He plays with you all the time. You sing your song all the time, don’t you likethat?”
“fun befowe.”
“I know, sweetie. I know. But Dad loves you so much, he’s still the same Dad. We gotta be patient with him until he remembers us, alrighty? Do you like my tie?”
Winnie shakes her head and for some reason, it brings tears to my eyes.
“Rude. It’s a perfectly good tie.” Ash places Winnie down and nudges her towards me. “Be good. Both ofyou.”
Later that night, I carry Winnie to bed. I kiss her goodnight but before I can leave, she opens one sleepyeye.
“Da wemembe?”
For a moment I’m not sure what to say. How do you explain to a toddler that yes, she is my whole world. Yes, I wouldn’t change this life with anything else. And yes, I forgot her, I have no idea how I came to be her dad.
“I don’t know, Ashwin.” I walk back to her crib, leaning in so I can whisper against her little ear. Her soft curls tickle my nose and tomorrow, tomorrow I’ll braid her hair. “But I love you. Even if I forget some sh-… some stuff and I never remember you, this will never change. I won’t leave you.”
She grasps my arms and holds me together. “No leave me, Da.”
This time, the memory is like a slap across the face.
A cold hand around my wrist. “Don’t leave me.” There’s panic in Ash’s eyes and I’m confused, why would I leave?
“Why would I leave you?”
“Cause I’m about to do something.” He’s got something in his hand.
Something that he’s hiding.
“What something?”
“I’m about to ask you to marry me.”
Chapter 24
2024 - Ashley
When I see the red truck, it’s too late.
It’s a rather small one and they seem in a hurry, just as we are. Possibly just as careless. It speeds up at the crossroads, ignores the stop sign, doesn’t check right nor left. The truck sprints on, surely there is enough space, enough speed, enough time. There is not. I’m still looking sideways at Ford, smiling gently at something he’s said. His left hand is still on my thigh, caressing the flesh sweetly. He doesn’t see the truck. The truck doesn’t see our car, either. When I notice, it’s too late. The impact cannot be avoided and is loud on the street.
I scream as the front windscreen smashes into a million little pieces and the metal of the car crumples with a piercing rumble. Ford slams on the brakes and I feel my body bouncing forward before the seat belt abruptly yanks me back. My neck hurts but I try to turn towards Ford anyway.
When I do, I see it. The front of the truck is pivoting from the speed and, in slow motion, I watch the back of the red truck crash against the side of our car at full speed.
As I struggle to keep my eyes open, I see Ford’s terror, his mouth twisted in shock and the frozen, emptyglare.
