Brain Damage

by Freida McFadden

Goodbye, Jamie. Thank you for being my friend when I didn’t even know who I was. Thank you for turning my tray around during meals. Thank you for making me feel attractive again, even if it was just for a short time. Thank you for saving my goddamn life, whatever it’s worth. Thank you and goodbye forever.

Then he returns, holding a simple but beautiful basket of flowers, which he deposits on my right side. He winks at me then leaves me alone to search for the card. It takes me a couple of minutes, but I finally find the white card nestled between a tulip and a lilac. It’s handwritten, using shaky lettering: Dear Charly, Good luck! I can’t wait to see your hair! Love, Jamie I close my eyes as I hold the card in my hand. I hope he does get to see my hair. I really do.

And then I feel something hit me on the back of my hand. And I see it too. A tiny green ball. I stare at it in confusion for a minute, then I pick it up to examine it further. It’s a pea.

“You have beautiful hair, Charly,” he says, then adds softly, “I knew that you would.”

There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t wonder what you’re doing and wish I could see you.

HELP ILY JAMIE

My life is back together, as much as it ever was.” He pauses to take another deep breath. “The only thing missing is you.”