Josh Callahan's Story

She was shaking.
She knew this day was going to come. She did and she dreaded every moment of it. She knew that one day she was going to get the call. That's what military, firefighters, police wives or girlfriends called it. The call, telling you that that you're loved one was hurt or worse.
She thought it was going to be the latter, Josh was always headstrong, so she knew one day he'd do something to save someone else and die in the process, that's why she begged him not to go, but he felt it was his duty. It nearly killed her. In more ways then one.

She knew this day was coming, but what she did not expect was to get the call directly from his doctor, and she didn't expect him to be alive. That was the good news, bad news, She was his only emergency contact. worse news, he couldn't remember a damn thing.

He had no where else to go, no one else to go to, and he didn't know who he was or who she was. The doctor believed that if he stayed with her, she'd be able to "jog his memory" like he'd just forgot his car keys or some nonsense like that. She wanted to be a doctor, but humans were too complicated so that's why she stuck with animals. She couldn't become so desensitized that she would ever say something so...trivial in regards to a persons memory.

Now she sat in the waiting room, for the doctor to let her see him. She was shaking so hard, she wasn't sure she was ready.

"Madeline." called the doctor as he exited the room and entered the waiting room. She jumped to her feet. "Yes." She said, swallowing her nerves. "He's resting now but you can come see him, try not to startle him." He said, as if he were a wild animal. She could only nodded and walk behind him.

Once in the room, she was taken aback. "J-josh...."she breathed with her hand over her mouth.

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Josh woke up when a nurse entered his room to check on him and his medication. Whatever they had given him made him very drowzy and he had been drifting in and out of consciousness over the past hour. Before that he had been out of bed to walk around the rehabilitation center a bit. He had to leave this place soon and he just wanted to practice a bit before going out in the world again.
Considering the other people he saw, he really shouldn't be complaining. Although some bones had been broken, and were still healing, at least all his limbs were there. Unlike my memories...

Looking at the time Josh felt a tinkling in his stomach. The doctor had told him his emergency contact would be picking him up today, one Madeline Lewis. He had trouble remembering the faces of his parents, but for her he did not even know where to start. The name was completely unfamiliar, but the doctors hoped that seeing a friend would help jolt his memory.
One of the marines he worked with had already stopped by, but it hadn't sparked anything. The doctor was very positive it would work out differently this time, since Josh had known Madeline before him joining the marines.

The person listed as his emergency contact had been surprising, not the person or the name, but the relationship between them. Personal friend... not a parent, not an uncle and no cousins. One of the things he did remember was his childhood. So he knew there was no brother or sister, and that his dad had died long ago. There were little references to family throughout his childhood, but he had a mother. But she was not here, Madeline was...

Josh reached for the glass of water on the little table next to his bed. While reaching he could see some fingers in bandages and he could see his hand shaking vigorously. It had been like this ever since he woke up out of his short 2 weeks coma. Shaking his head he dropped his hand net to his body. The nurse must have noticed as she handed him the glass with an encouraging smile on her face. A look that seemed to say: It will get better, don't worry. Finished with her duties she left the room only for the doctor to enter it.

"Good morning, Lieutenant Callahan. How are we feeling today?" as he asked, the grey haired man grabbed the chart from the end of Josh' bed. He felt like replying that he felt like shit, but his manners persuaded him not to do so. "Everyday a bit better, I guess."
The doctor continued explaining this was Josh' last day here. The medication now coming through a tube would be provided in pill form. The local hospital was informed and his next appointment was already planned.
"Of course, I will also explain all of this to Miss Lewis. 2 minds remember better than 1." the smile on the man's face confused Josh. Was that a sarcastic comment towards amnesia? It seemed inappropriate for a man of his status.

While in thought Josh started paying attention again upon the doctors next words. "Madeline is waiting outside. Would you like me to bring her in?"
Josh nodded his head. "Yes, please..." It was planned for today but still it was unexpected. While the doctor called her from the waiting room, he adjusted himself and sat up a bit more straight. He didn't know what to expect and so his eyes were set for the door. He might have gotten up a bit too fast as he got a bit dizzy and light headed within seconds.

A girl came in and the first thing Josh noticed was that she was African American. Does that make me a racist? God, I hope I'm not a racist... He was confused, and the medication wasn't helping. The next thing he could think of, was that he didn't remember her. There was no spark, no magical moment where he remembered their first meeting, or their last for that matter. Seeing him was a shock to her. Even his dazed state he could see it on her face, although she tried to hide it. She stuttered out his name.

The doctor excused himself, leaving the 2 alone in the room. Almost forgetting his manners he quickly pointed at the seat next to the bed. "Pl..Please have a seat."

"Pl...Please have a seat." He said, and if Maddie had any doubts that Josh had lost all of his memory, they were gone just then. He would have smiled, perhaps even sheepishly. Make some comment about how she shouldn't look like that, it was 'just a scratch'. He would have played this whole thing down but instead he looked dazed, confused, and unsure of himself. He wasn't her Josh.
Taking a few stuttered steps, Maddie made her way to the seat he'd offered to her.

"Um," She began. "The doctor...he um, he told me, everything...uh...." She said then she shook her head. "I'm Madeline, You call me---you can call me Maddie." She said, trying to remember that she was basically meeting him for the first time. Which was strange, she knew him basically all there lives, they'd met in middle school, having been friends for a while and it wasn't until high school did they start dating. They and by they, she meant, he broke up with her, so that he could do his duty as a marine, something he's always wanted. She knew his heart was in the right place, he didn't want to hurt her, but she didn't know why she had to lose him, she would have been able to handle it. He'd be able to come home, see her, they'd have their time together, but he honestly, felt he couldn't have his cake and eat it too.

Looking at him now, she couldn't see any of that man behind those blue eyes, they seemed clouded. She wasn't sure if it was the drugs or not. This is all so strange.

She looked down at her hands before a raising one to him, offering it too him to shake. "You're alright with staying with me?" She asked. Not that it really mattered, he couldn't remember her so it shouldn't be too awkward for him. she was an entirely different story.

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As Madeline sat down she spoke softly:"You can call me Maddie." It sounded shy but resolute at the same time. It felt strange, this girl, whoever she was, knew way more about him than he in fact did himself. He had so may questions, as if her answers were the paint on a white canvas. Should I tell her she can call me Josh?

Josh must have been staring in the distance while overthinking his questions as she raised her hand in front of him. "You're all right with staying with me?"
He brought his hand up to meet hers, as good and as bad as it goes with his hands still shaking, and he tried his best to give her a firm handshake. "Not at all, as long as you'll have me. In any case I don't see a lot of others getting in line to take me in." He hoped he wasn't rude. He didn't now what he could and should say in front of her.

He felt the tension between the two of them. Like 2 strangers were being forced to have a sparkling conversation right from the start. Should I say I like her hair? Tons of questions came into his mind, one stranger than the other. He didn't feel much for the silence between the two of them. "Okay..., I'm...you know... just between the two of us..., this is weird, right?" He said as he felt a light smile on his face. In pain he raised his shoulders a bit. "I have so many questions about you, but even more about me. Let me not drive you crazy straight away, but just ask you one thing for today." He raised his eyebrows as if he was asking her permission to continue.

As he heard no objection, he started his question. "On the emergency contact form you were listed as personal friend. What does that mean? How do we now each other and how did you end up being my emergency contact?" Waiting in utter impatience he had not even noticed his one question turned into 3.

Maddie took a small breath as his hand came up to greet hers. He was shaking just as much as she was but he shook firmly. He was trying, at least that.
"Not at all," He replied. "As long as you'll have me. In any case I don't see a lot of others getting in line to take me in." He said, and she gave a small shrug. He had a point but she wanted him comfortable.

Then silence, neither of them knew what to say it seemed.He knew nothing, and she didn't know where to start. "Okay...I'm...you know...just between the two of us...this is weird, right?" He said and she gave a small smile, with a bashful nod. " A little." She said quietly. "I have so many questions about you, but even more about me. Let me not drive you crazy straight away, but just ask you one thing for today." He said, with a look that asked permission, she nodded and he continued. "On the emergency contact form you were listed as a personal friend. What does that mean? How do we know each other and how did you end up being my emergency contact?"

Maddie couldn't help but smile a little, albeit nervously. That was more then one question but it was only fair.
"well...first, you can ask me as many questions as you like, that's what I'm here for..." She told him gently. "As for the ones you asked..." She shifted in her chair. "...We....um...you and I...before you went off to fight....um....we were...together." She said, she wasn't looking at him, but down at the floor as if the right words were there and all she had to do was read. She looked up at him. " Your parents...well, you're father, he'd passed away when you were a kid, I never met him, but you're mom, she's okay but she's in a home....as you why you listed me....that I don't know....I didn't know that you listed me, last thing you told me was to find some boring husband, have a bunch of kids, get fat and old and die happy." She said, with a small chuckle in her voice but there were tears in her eyes, that she blinked away, though one fell before she could catch it. She inwardly kicked herself for that but she wiped it away and smiled at him.

"So yea..." She said, not sure where to go from there.

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His eyes might have grown just a little bit when she told him that they weren't just friends,but in fact each others ex. To him it made it all the more strange that he listed her as his contact. Of course he couldn't exactly remember how it came to be, but putting an ex as emergency contact didn't sound like the logic thing to do.

Somehow Josh was not surprised to hear about his father. In the few things he could remember from his early childhood, his father was not one of them. For his mother to be in a home does not seem to be strange for someone that age, whatever that age exactly may be. He wondered if his mother was made aware of his condition.

Josh saw the tear falling from Madeline's eyes and instantly felt incredibly guilty. Just by putting her name on the form years ago he was causing her grieve now. He thought about the last words he spoke to her. find some boring husband, have a bunch of kids, get fat and old and die happy. Josh thought about the words and figured that the tone can change a lot,depending on when it was said and in which manner. Was she sad about the break up or sad about seeing him again and being thrown in an
emotional roller coaster.

"I'm really sorry..." He felt bad, he had hurt someone he had loved. Had he felt the same way after the break up? Were there ulterior motives to him leaving her. Going to war seems a legit enough reason, although he had a hard time to see the logic behind his choice now. What had driven him into the army? "I'm really sorry for everything. I'm sorry you are upset, and very sorry it's me, or maybe past me, causing it."

He felt silly apologizing, but he felt he needed to. Maybe she rather wouldn't have heard from him at all, for the rest of her
live, and than this. He would try his best to recover as soon as possible, so he could leave her alone, and let her live her life.
He tried to lighten the mood. "Well, it seems to me you did not listen to my advise at all." He paused for a moment before he continued. "I don't see a wedding ring, so I think there is no boring husband. Your hair looks awesome and if you would have had a bunch of kids you would have had no time to keep that up. And old and fat are not really words that come into my mind when I see you."

"I'm really sorry." He said causing Maddie's somewhat fake grin to fall. He had no reason to be sorry, not this him, the old him, hell yea, but it was pretty clear that man was gone and yet..."I'm really sorry for everything. I'm sorry you are upset, and very sorry it's me, or maybe past me, causing it."

Maddie started to shake her head, but took a breath instead, it shook in her throat. The sincerity in his apology made her heart clench. She wished even a little part of him remembered why her, why did he place her name down, surely he's made some friends, or maybe he knew he didn't. Maybe he intended to die over there...that thought gave her pause. He'd always wanted to be a solider, always, every since she'd known him, but he always thought he'd do well at it. So well that perhaps he thought he'd die doing something heroic and thought she should know? That it was worth it?
"Well, it seems to me you did not listen to my advice at all." He said, pulling her from her thoughts. She cocked her head. "Huh?"
"I don't see a wedding ring, so I think there is no boring husband. Your hair looks awesome and if you would have had a bunch of kids you would have had no time to keep that up. And old and fat are not really words that come into my mind when I see you."

She stared at him for a long time before laughing, it wasn't obnoxiously loud, but it was loud, and enough that it brought tears out of her eyes and caused her to snort a little. She didn't know why she laughed that hard but perhaps it was because she needed to, perhaps it was because of that tension, confusion and suddenly sense of loneliness she'd felt since she got the call that laughing, elevated all of that, maybe in that single solitary moment..he sounded like himself.

"I'm--Haha---I'm sorry, I just...I did not expect that..." She said, still chuckling but calming down. "No, I don't have children, Jesus Christ I wouldn't even know what to do with that..and I'm glad you like my hair?" She said, her hand reflexively touching a curl. He'd once use to play them when he thought she was sleeping.

Before her thoughts turned dark at the mention of a husband, she straightened herself and looked at him, a genuine smile on her face this time.
"You must be starved, how about we get out of this place and find the biggest greasy burger we can find, yeah?" She offered, standing up from the chair. She wanted out of the hospital, now. He still liked burgers right?

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His comment seem to hit the right note as Madeline started to laugh out loud. The tension was pouring out with every sound and every breath. Her laugh was contagious and the smile on his face grew wider. It was the situation, the hospital, the build up to it all. All of it was coming out now. Of course there was plenty more of weirdness between them, but some of it was elevated now. After her explanation to most of his comment she made one of the best suggestions he'd heard all week. "You must be starved, how about we get out of this place and find the biggest greasy burger we can find, yeah?"

Josh' mouth started to water just from the idea. "That is a great idea. I'll get dressed and then we can finally get out of here." He removed the sheet from his legs and put them on the ground on the opposite side of where Madeline was sitting. The moment he stood on his own two feet he got a bit dizzy again from the medication, but he steadied himself by holding the bed.

He walked over to the white closet that hadn't been opened yet in a week. There was only one set of clothes in it, his uniform. He grabbed it from the hanger and threw it on the bed. "Uhm..., Madeline? Would you excuse me while I get dressed?" He felt uncomfortable asking, but even more uncomfortable if she would stay for the show.

There was no mirror around to look at himself, but the clothes felt strangely familiar, even comfortable. Although he couldn't remember anything about his Marine life, it felt more realistic now. He sat on the chair and strapped on the boots, that were no doubt scrubbed clean. When he was ready he stepped out the door. "Well, how do I look? Is it now finally time to get that greasy burger you promised?" After all that hospital food he could surely use something tasty.

He was ready to leave this place, ready for the fresh air and for the change of company. "So, where do you live?"

"That is a great idea. I'll get dressed and then we can finally get out of here." He said, and she watched him swing his legs over, and try to stand but sway a little as if he were dizzy, that caused her to gasp a little, moving to help him but he managed and made his way to the closet. She watched him closely, the doctor in her, needed to keep a close eye on him in case his injuries made things difficult. "Uhm...Madeline? Would you excuse me while I get dressed."

"Oh!" She said, blushing red on her tawny cheeks. "Yea, Sorry....I um....Yea, sorry." She said with a nervous laugh and made her way out of the door. Once there, she dropped her head in her hand. He must have thought her so strange. After telling him she was his ex, and then she just sat there while he wanted to change. She must have looked like a voyeur. He didn't know she was a doctor, or well, a vet, but the same urges to help where there, that's why she watched him so closely, although thinking on it now, he still had the same hard body she'd remembered, even if it was hidden behind the hospital gown.

"Well, How do I look? Is it now finally time to get that greasy burger you promised?" He asked and she smiled. She'd never seen him in his uniform. He looked....amazing. She had to swallow before speaking. "You look great." She said, trying to say it as casually as possible. "Let's get you checked out and we can head right on over." She said and lead the way, she headed over to the receiptionist and signed him out.

He was offically in her hands. "So where do you live."

She smiled over her shoulder as they walked out to the parking garage. "Not far, it's a small town, honestly, no one's far from anything." She said as she walked up to her car, a Prius, and unlocked the doors. She wondered if he remembered how to drive. She wondered how much he remembered over anything. "The burger joint is a few steps from my place...we can eat in or we can take it to go, which ever you like?"

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The receptionist greeted them with a smile. There were some forms to sign for both him and Madeline, although it seemed she had a lot more to sign. One of the things he had to sign for was his duffle bag. The receptionist mentioned that Josh' fellow Marines packed the bag with everything they could find. One other form he had to sign was to forward his post from his army mailbox in New York to Madeline's address. When finally ready they could make their way to the parking garage. Josh put the duffle bag over his shoulder, and although a bit painful he followed Madeline to her car.

The car was not far and looked quite nice. She must have a good job... "The burger joint is a few steps from my place...we can eat in or we can take it to go, which ever you like?" Josh softly let the bag on the ground when they arrived at the car. He asked Madeline if she could open the boot. A few moments later he put the bag in the boot and closed it carefully. He walked over to the passenger side and took a seat. Instinctively he knew he could drive a car. He knew the workings of an engine and he would have been able to change the tyres, the oil and make a jump start. Josh was sure he would enjoy the ride, but he was happy to sit passenger side.

The moment they drove away Josh sat back in his chair and relaxed a little. He felt his eyes close the moment they hit the freeway, but he tried desperately to keep them open. He had slept long enough, and now that there was finally someone with some answers, he couldn't just doze off again. "Do you mind if we do take away? I am not sure if I am ready for a full restaurant." Josh felt disappointed in himself. Whatever character he had, it didn't feel right to give up. It didn't feel like something a Marine would do. "Wait, I've reconsidered. Let's eat in. The food is usually better when you stay in any case." He felt instantly better the moment he said it. He just hoped they would have some pie for after the burger.

As Madeline drove on feelings of anxiety started coming back. He felt his heart starting to race and his breathing become heavier. He had no idea why, but he had a bad feeling. He started rubbing his eyes as if there was something in them. He attempted to get some fresh air by opening the window, but after a minute he noticed it hadn't helped a bit. In a strange attempt he put his head between his knees and started balancing back and forth, all while remaining in the same position. Suddenly he couldn't hold it anymore. If Madeline had said anything he hadn't taken notice of it. He didn't want to scare Madeline, but he felt he needed to scream it out. "PLEASE STOP THE CAR!" His breathing had only become heavier, he felt himself gasping for air. He needed help, his mind started to blur and he saw images, flashes of the Sun. The sweat was dripping from his back. Why doesn't it stop?

It was quite for a moment, as she pulled out of the parking lot. She glanced over and smiled softly seeing him relax in the seat and slowly drift off. "Do you mind if we do take away? I am not sure if I am ready for a full restaurant." He said, and she shrugged. "Yea sur-"
"Wait, I've reconsidered. Let's eat in. The food is usually better when you stay in any case."

"Alright, whatever you," She said encouragingly, her eyes still on the road. Suddenly, she felt him shift beside her, she glanced overa few time, rubbing his eyes, and then opening the window. "Josh?" She asked, looking from him to the road and back again. Suddenly, he dipped his head, behind his knees, rocking. "Josh?" She called again, and suddenly, he screamed
"PLEASE STOP THE CAR!" Maddie wasted no time, she pulled off into the nearest exit, and into a relatively empty park. His breathing was heavy and he seemed to be someplace else. The doctor warned her about this, flashbacks. She got out of the car, and opened his door, reaching around him, she undid the belt. If he fought her, she wouldn't let it stop her. He needed fresh air.

She knew this, she had a patient once, a lab named Rocket who'd been in a house fire, trapped. After they freed him, he couldn't handle tight spaces, the carrier he was in, made him nervous, and panicked. It took her a while and a few scratches and bites to figure it out, but he just needed out.Once he was out of the carrier, he was able to breath. She figured it would be something similar.

She helped him out of the car. " Josh," She said, grabbing a hold of either side of his head. "Josh, Look at me, You're okay." She told him, her voice was calm but firm, no fear in her eyes, no hesitation. "You're okay, just breathe, deep breath, in and out." She told him, making him look into her eyes, to focus on something. "Focus and breath." She said softly. "You're okay."

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He knew his eyes were closed. He could feel how he held his eyelids stiffly closed and he knew his hands were covering his eyes as well. Still in his mind he was looking at the Sun. He could see himself lying in the sand in the very same uniform he was no wearing. He heard a loud bang that rang in his ears into his brain. The dust was flying and he could feel blood spatters falling on his hands and face. Voices were screaming, a language he couldn't understand. His knee all of a sudden hurt like hell. He felt he was no longer in control of his own body, as he was being lifted. Then it went dark, completely. There was no light, no heat and no screaming anymore. He heard a voice from the distance, soft but resolute. "Focus and breath. You're okay."

Josh didn't know if it was the sudden dark that calmed him down, like a bird in a cage with a towel thrown over. It could also have been the voice that brought him back. The voice became more clear with every breath he took. His breathing became slower, more consistent. It took a minute before he realized who was talking and where he was. When he finally opened his eyes he stared straight into Madeline's. She was holding her hands on the sides of his head. There was a look in her eyes that showed she was dealing with the situation like a pro. She was not squeamish, panicking or scared. She was here, ready to deal with the situation as it was presented to her.

As he was finally calm again he felt his cheeks turn red of embarrassment. He was told this could happen, but he was no way, shape or form prepared for this. In the hospital he had never had one of these attacks. He felt guilty towards Madeline. What am I doing messing up her life? "I am so sorry...I haven't had that before." He felt he was going to stumble over his words. He saw she would be a great person to help him, but he didn't want to put this task on her life. "I would understand if you want to drop me off at the hospital again. I am not sure why I put down your name, but I cannot imagine the old me wanted you to go through this. From my last words to you it was meant as a farewell, not a 'put me together in a few years'." Josh put his hands on hers, which were still on his face. With his own he dragged her hands down, but didn't let them go.

It took a while, but Madeline didn't move, she just watched him, syncing her breath with his. Finally, he calmed, and in that same moment, he blushed red. "I am so sorry...I haven't had that before." He said and she shook her head. "I would understand if you want to drop me off at the hospital again. I am not sure why I put down your name, but I cannot imagine the old me wanted you to go through this. From my last words to you it was meant as a farewell, not a 'put me together in a few years'." He said and removed her hands. She doubted it, she did, that she'd ever get her Josh back, but now, she didn't. He was still in there.
He just proved it.

She smiled at him, gripping his hands, still intertwined with hers. "I am going to say something, that I should have said then, I love you." She told him. "There is no old you, there's what happened then, and what 's happening now, and all you did right now was just prove that you are, whether you know it or not, the same bull headed Josh Callahan I've known and always loved. The same fool that thought if he ended things with me, I'd be safe from heartbreak when he came home hurt or worse, the same fool that thinks this is going to scare me away." She said, smiling sadly at him. "I think I know why you put my name down....because even subconsciously, you knew, I'd be right here for you, hell or high water but you know I love you, and I always will." She said and slowly rose so he'd come up with her.

"So, I''ll be damned if I take you back to the hospital now..." She said, looking into his eyes. "Besides, I really want that burger." She added with a chuckle.

She had to admit that it wasn't going to be easy, but she had hope now. She had hope that maybe his memories would return, or maybe, he'd fall in love with her again, like he had before. Just maybe.

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His eyes widened as he could see the smile appear on Madeline's face. He had expected worry, fear and maybe even a tear like
before in the hospital. But now he got this smile, warm and encouraging. The grip she had on his hands became tighter as if she just realized something important, something he had no clue off. She pulled him a bit closer and explained her smile to him. She told him she loved him and that he was definitely him. "I love you and I always will."

She got up slowly and he followed suit with her pulling his hands to help him. He didn't know how to respond, didn't no if he should say something, do something or just stand there. So he went for the easiest thing, just standing there. How can I follow something like that? She said he was Josh Callahan in every sense, but even if she was convinced, he didn't know what that meant. He felt attracted to her, but then who wouldn't. She was the only one that spoke to him in a more or less normal fashion. She was taking care of him and she looked beautiful. Everyone in his place would be attracted to her, but then that was the problem. He could be anyone and feel the exact same way, he didn't need to be Josh to feel that. He couldn't tell her he loved her back, it wasn't fair to her, or to him. What would happen when either of them started to like someone else, or what would happen if he regained his memory and realize he didn't love her. Saying it now would cement something that hadn't been evened out yet.

Lucky for him, or maybe a preventive measure from her side, she continued before he could reply. "So, I'll be damned if I take you back to the hospital now... Besides, I really want that burger." Her quick comment broke the tension he had felt in himself. He let out a soft chuckle."Well, I guess we can't run the risk of you missing that burger then. I feel better, so I think we can try again." He let go of her hands and they walked back to the car. He fastened his seatbelt and made himself comfortable once again. The moment they started driving again he turned to look straight at Madeline. "Thank you..." for everything.

Back on the road his mind slipped back to the flashes he saw when he had his panic attack. It's weird that even though it was only a few moments ago, he could barely remember a thing. Like a dream that you can't remember the moment you wake up. He remembered the burning heat and the Sun. Had there been an explosion? He couldn't get it clear, but he thought there was. Was that where I slipped into the coma? Although extremely uncomfortable he longed for the same experience to see if he could remember more. Was that a bad thing? Were the things he saw real, or were they just in his mind? The confusion got the better of him and after 5 minutes he wasn't able to tell the difference between what he had seen and what he had speculated afterwards. All of it had given him a bit of a headache. He decided to stop thinking about it, for now at least.

"So.... not to sound impatient or anything, but how far is it to the burger place?" he said with a smirk on his face. Not only was he hungry he could also use a rest stop, before there would be another incident in the car.

"Well, I guess we can't run the risk of you missing that burger then. I feel better, so I think we can try again."[/b] He said after a chuckle. She smiled but it faded some when he let go of her hands. She took a breath. Josh was in there, somewhere. Just like the sensation of his hands on hers, he lingered.

She climbed back into the car and buckled up and began to drive.

"Thank you..." He said and she only smiled in response. The drive was quiet, as they made their way into the commercial area of the town, where all the dives and diners were, there weren't a whole lot of mainstream businesses around, though a Walmart was a few miles out. This was where the community worked, mom and pops shops, barbers, family clinics and even her animal clinic was here and her two bedroom apartment was over top of that.

"So....not to sound impatient or anything, but how far is it to the burger place?" He said with a handsome smirk. "Just up ahead, my place is right there." She said, nodding with her head to his right. "The animal clinic, that's where I work, and my apartment, where you'll be staying is over top of that." She said. "The old owner of the place left me the building, clinic and all after he retired, He'd rented the apartment for cheap during college in the condition that I worked there with him, and after so many years, I couldn't even think about leaving ." She said, making conversation mostly, to keep his mind occupied. He used to know all of this, she'd been living in that same apartment since college. "So you don't have to worry about anything but recovering." She said, and they pulled into the parking lot of the burger place. "If you want, we could just pick up the food and go over to the apartment." She offered. "It's a not a far walk if you wanted to do that too, get some fresh air, Sadie won't mind if I leave my car here." She said, before she could catch herself. Sadie had owned that burger joint since they were both really small, and they all pretty much spent every birthday party each other, or classmates who invited them there. "She owns the place." She said before shutting off the car. "It's up to you." She added with a smile.

---

---

Josh was curious to the surroundings, so he was happy when Madeline gave him a quick tour. He hadn't expected anything, or in fact he had not even thought about it yet, but he could see her as a veterinarian. It would explain why she stayed so calm when he had his episode, she was used to working under stress. He tried to absorb as much of the surroundings as he could. I better, if this is where I will live for now. He was thankful for the conversation as his headache seemed to subside as well.

"I would appreciate the walk. I'll enjoy seeing the neighbourhood up close." The way Madeline spoke about the burger joint it wouldn't be her first visit. A strange idea suddenly occured to him. Is this my first visit? As they got out the car he asked her the question. "Madeline? Do I know Sadie...or anyone else in there for that matter?" He felt comfortable with Madeline knowing more about him than he did, but an entire room full of people that know him better than he does himself was a step too far. Maybe in a few days, but not this quick.

If the people inside did know him, he wondered how much Madeline told them. Were they aware of his condition. Were they mad at how he had left Madeline behind a few years ago? There is only one way to find out. He walked up to the door of the diner and opened the door for Madeline to go inside. The moment she went through the door he followed. He didn't know what to expect, but the scent of the fresh hot food that greeted them at the door was promising. Okay..., here we go.

"I would appreciate the walk. I'll enjoy seeing the neighbourhood up close." He said and she nodded with a smile. They climbed out of the car, and she grabbed her bag, and locked up, dropping the keys into her bag. " "Madeline? " She looked up from her bag, "Do I know Sadie...or anyone else in there for that matter?" He asked and Maddie nodded, solemnly. It hadn't occurred to her, but she should warn Sadie, and anyone else that they knew of his...situation. She'd dealt with the shock of it all her own and she hadn't realized that she should have at least told people that he was back. Before she had time to decide how to deal with this, he walked up, and opened the door for her. She took that as a sign that he just wanted to go for it, so she walked through the door and into the unknown.

Once inside, they got a couple of looks, most either smiled at Maddie, or ignored her, most knew of her, having either gone to school with her, had a pet treated by her, or seen her around, then their eyes went up to the tall man behind her, dressed in his colors.

"Look, Mommy, a Solider!" called out, Lucas, a boy no older than 4, who's eyes were wide and his grin matched, He and His mother, Dana, was seated to their left, the woman shushed her son before smiling apologetically, looking like they were just about to leave.
"That's Dana Delaney and her son, Lucas, he's pretty much obsessed with anyone in uniform." Maddie told him, softly. "You've never met, They moved here a few years ago, I'm met her once or twice, she's nice and Lucas is a sweetheart." She said, and waved at Lucas. Dana looked up at Josh, and smiled as she approached them, Lucas almost falling over to look up at Josh, amazing that he'd was standing there. "Thank you." She told Josh before, taking Lucas' hand and giving it a quick shake. "Thank you!" Lucas said, being reminded of his manners, before they made their way out of the doors. Maddie smiled. She probably should have thanked him too, but she didn't want him to go so it would have been somewhat condescending, in her opinion.

"C'mon." She said, and lead him up to the counter, waiting in line for their turn to order.

---

---

If he had any hopes of not standing out, they were out the door the moment he stepped in. Before he could look for anything familiar he heard a sudden sound from one of the tables. "Look. Mommy, a soldier!" The excitement had come from one of the occupied tables in the diner. A young boy was so excited to see him, he was standing on his seat, his finger pointed at Josh. Behind the little boy Josh could see the mother, half embarrassed, half happy to see her son so excited. From the side he heard whispers from Madeline explaining him he shouldn't feel guilty about not recognizing the lady.They never met before. Still, the lady stood up, took her son by the hand and walked up towards them. Josh didn't know what to expect, he felt he became
nervous. His hands started to shake lightly, but he hoped nobody would notice if he kept them alongside his body. When they stood right in front of him he had the feeling he would vomit if something didn't happen quickly.

With a anti-climactic deafening blow the lady softly spoke: "Thank you" and after a quick jerk on his hand the little boy followed suit. Shivers went down his spine when the little boy looked at him in amazement. He was grateful for the heartfelt thanks, but he realized that not only the boy, but also the woman had no idea about the war or the condition that it had left him with. The least he could do was to be polite and he responded. "You're welcome." With the words he also brought his hand to the boys head and he gave him a pat on the head. The boy's smile grew, if possible, even wider. After the short encounter they left the restaurant.

His thoughts remained with them till Madeline remembered him of where he was. "C'mon," she said shortly, before they joined the line. There weren't many people in front of them, but enough for Josh to have a look at the menu. He was distracted when the door to the kitchen opened and a large lady came stepping out, still drying her hands with the towel she was carrying. She looked at the cashier, nodded, and then took her eyes to the guests waiting in line. A smile came on her face when she saw Madeline, but her jaw absolutely dropped when she saw Josh. She let out a booming voice for the entire establishment to hear. Her arms flew open wide. "OH MY WORD, if it isn't little Joshua Callahan." In the time it took for the woman to come from behind the counter to Josh, he quickly confirmed with Madeline. "Sadie?" Although he couldn't be sure, it looked like she gave the smallest of nods.

Just after the apparent confirmation he was thrown into a bear hug of proportion. The woman was smaller but somehow still lifted him into the air. Josh did not know what to say, so he simply said: "Hi Sadie, good to see you." He felt a bit guilty saying it was good to see her while he had no memory of the woman at all. She let him go but held his shoulders at arms length to get a good look at him. "My goodness, it's good to see you. Go sit down, I'll get you your favorites." With that she backed slowly towards the kitchen door. Even with the kitchen door closed they could here her in the kitchen. "Joshua Callahan of all people."

Josh stood there, silently, still surprised. "I guess we should go sit down.... Do I really have a favorite order here?" He walked over to one of the tables and took a chair back for Madeline to sit down.

Finally, after a moment of waiting in line, Sadie came out from the back, drying her hands. She spotted Madeline and smiled, to which Maddie smiled back, but her attention was snatched by Josh's tall formed behind her.
"OH MY WORD, if it isn't little Joshua Callahan." Before Maddie had time to prepare, Sadie came from around the counter and all she could do was confirmed Josh's question, "Sadie?" with a nod and a small apologetic smile. With that, Sadie swept Josh up into a epic bear hug, something the large woman was known for.

Maddie watched with a small laugh behind her hand, watching Sadie "glomp" Josh, before sitting him down. After a moment, they were given permission to take a seat.

" "I guess we should go sit down.... Do I really have a favorite order here?" he said, walking to the tables and she followed behind. He pulled out a chair for her and she smiled up at him, mildly surprised, before she took her seat. Habits, apparently weren't something you forgot, maybe because it's not something you think about after a while. "Yea, We all do, Most everyone comes here, Some for breakfast lunch and dinner. Sadie knows everyone and somehow in a town of 1200 or so, she remembers everyone's favorites-" She said and stopped before she made a joke about not remembering if she turned the lights off before she left, it would have been tasteless and inconsiderate. "We don't have to stick around if you don't want, Like i said, she won't mind if I leave the car here, I can just pick up during lunch tomorrow." She said, softly, reaching across the table for his hands. "Sadie can be a bit much and this had got to be overwhelming, if you want, I can tell her what's going on, or make up some excuse for not sticking around, it's okay. Whatever you want."

---

---

Josh worried about Sadie coming back. She obviously had no idea what happened to him. He couldn't blame Madeline, she probably hadn't even thought about warning others. It must have been quite a shock for her as well. He smelled the nice food in the kitchen and his mouth started to water. He felt very tempted to stay and eat right away, but he would take Madeline up on her offer. "I think for now I would be more comfortable if we would just eat together. I don't think we should lie
to Sadie though, truth will out eventually."

A few silent moments extended the uncomfortable feeling Josh had. Madeline had offered to tell Sadie, but he thought it might be
better if he told her himself. "Just excuse me for a moment, please." Josh got up and walked back to the counter where the cashier was still standing. "Hi again, excuse me, but is it possible for us to have the food for take away?" The cashier told him to just hold on for one moment while she checked with Sadie. Maybe for the best, he thought. At least he could explain her the situation.

A few seconds later Sadie came back from the kitchen with a unpleasant expression on her face. "Everything all right dear? The question was soft and nice and a big change from the loud woman that talked to him a few minutes ago. He wasn't entirely sure how to play this. "Sadie, I am not sure how to explain this properly, it's quite new to me too." He sighed a bit, thinking of how to continue. Maybe honesty is the best policy... "When in the Marines I was in a big explosion. And somehow it has caused me to have amnesia. I... I can't remember you or anyone else for that matter. I am only here because Madeline is my emergency contact. I am sorry for pretending to recognize you earlier, to be honest, this is still a bit new to me."

He was glad to have it all out. Should I explain further? he thought before Sadie took the thought out of his head. She came from behind the counter and gave him a hug, this time less painful, but still heartfelt. "I am so sorry my dear. Of course I'll wrap up the food for you, all these new things for you must be exhausting." It was a great relief to hear she understood a bit how he felt. "Just take a seat while we finish here." Just before she went back she grabbed his arm softly. "Just one thing dear. I don't want to tell you what to do or what to think, but you always called her Maddie, not Madeline."

Josh walked back and took his seat again. "It will be finished soon. It went better than I thought it would. They'll wrap it for us to go." He felt a bit guilty about leaving, but Maddie did say she wouldn't mind. It didn't take long for the food to finish and 5 minutes later Josh held open the door for Maddie with a bag of food in his hand. "Thank you Sadie." he called back to the woman. Once outside they started walking back to the part they drove past before to get to Maddie's apartment.