Life after the Nightmare

On the surface his life was normal, mundane even, but fulfilling. He had a beautiful family and a job that he didn’t mind doing, and it even paid well enough for them to not struggle. A perfect scene of domestic bliss. That was all they were to anyone else, and that was all he wanted to be.

A few years back he’d been in an accident, he was a bit fuzzy on the details but thankfully his wife took care of everything. It was strange, even the hospital stay was blurry so he couldn’t remember any details of the incident or his treatment until after he was home again. She said he’d been in a car accident, something to do with a drunk driver. Honestly, he could do without remembering something scary like that, so he was fine missing some of those details.

He’d love to say that was that, but unfortunately there was more to it. Along with the details of the accident, he’d lost most of his other memories as well. He could remember the basics like his own name and how to walk and talk, thankfully, but having to be reintroduced to his wife and children was awful. He still loved his wife though, how could he not? She was gorgeous and kind and loving. He wished he knew how he’d landed someone like that in the first place. To think that she’d been afraid that he would feel differently!

He still loved both of his children as well, it must have been terrifying for them. First to nearly lose their father, and then to have their own father not even recognise them. He felt guilty every time one of their names slipped from his mind. They were such good children too, well behaved and polite. They were hard workers and did well at school without any need to nag. To suddenly wake up to a life like this was something to be truly grateful for.

His wife, Laura, always laughed and would playfully bat his shoulder when he said as much though. She always insisted that he didn’t just suddenly get this life, he made it. He’d earned it all. Still, it was unbelievable. How could anyone understand what this feeling was like?

One of the first things he’d done after the accident was rid the house of any alcohol that belonged to him. Apparently, he’d had a taste for beer before, and he was sure that he was sensible when he drank, but he just didn’t want to drink anymore. It made people act differently, and he’d been hurt because of someone else’s actions, he didn’t want the roles to be reversed. Of course, he didn’t mind letting Laura keep what was hers, and he never begrudged her a drink. She didn’t drink often and liked mixed drinks that smelled like candy. She didn’t drink heavily, though he didn’t know if that was her preference or whether it was for his benefit.

Going back to work afterwards had been very strange. He had been quite high up in his job, but he willingly agreed to a lesser role in the business while he learned how to do it all again. His bosses were considerate though and let him rise back up to his original position quickly. They insisted that it was his own skill that led him there, but he knew they gave him a hand.

His co-workers had been hesitant around him when he got back, but he could understand that. It must have been awkward for them. How do you speak to someone that’s lost their memory? It’s not something people have much experience with. He’d done his best to just be approachable and friendly, and he guessed people hadn’t really expected that from the way they’d reacted. He supposed they expected him to act more subdued maybe. Or they expected him to be more down about the whole thing. They all seemed used to him again now, and he would consider quite a few of them real friends, another thing he was thankful for.

As much as he didn’t mind his work, and liked some of his colleagues, home life remained his favourite. He loved to spend quality time with his family. He had been saddened to learn that he had no living blood-relatives. This fact had hit him extra hard because he couldn’t remember his parents, or any family before they’d passed. Laura had dug up some old photos, but none of it had brought anything back. He didn’t have the chance to make new memories with them, so he put all his efforts into making as many memories as possible with the family he did have. Lots of quality time and days out.  

They all enjoyed this too, they were all just as happy to spend time together as he was. Bliss. Though he may have seemed blinded by happiness, there were things he didn’t miss. He didn’t miss the way Laura used to flinch when he raised a hand to pet her dark, silken hair. He didn’t miss the way his kids would stiffen and shuffle if they brought back a grade lower than an A. He didn’t miss the unexplained scars that littered each of their flesh.

These days however, the flinching had stopped. Those downcast, tearful gazes had stopped too, instead replaced with determination to improve. The fear that once paled their faces gone. The scars wouldn’t fade, but they hadn’t been added to. That was all he could ask for really. He had the last, and the biggest of the scars, and he was certain there would be no more.

He didn’t remember what kind of man he used to be, but he must have been a lucky one to end up with a life like this. He didn’t remember his life before a few years ago, but none of that mattered anymore. He was sure he’d never seen brighter smiles than those in their latest pictures together.

He didn’t remember who he used to be, but he was happy now.