Chapter 5

Gabrielle stared at nothing in particular as she took the last dosage of her medication. She crossed her legs and sat by the fireplace trying to get a name for what caused the illumination she was viewing.

Her little mind wondered if the house was going to burn down. She got caught up in her sub consciousness when a familiar voice brought her back to reality.

“Sophie!”

“Hi Mom!”

Isabella clapped in excitement, her post traumatic amnesia adopted daughter remembered to call her mom today.

“Seems like you are in a good mood.”

“Yes….what's a good mood?”

“A good mood is like a mickey mouse shouting ‘o toodles!’ Means you’re happy.” Isabella made her voice high pitched to mimic the cartoon.

“Oh!” Sophie responded, happy that she too was in a good mood.

“Seems like daddy's prescription worked.”

“You are saying?”

“Don't worry. Daddy and I have thought about it, you are starting school very soon, you’ll get better.”

“I don't understand…”

“You will be starting school, Sweetie. Dad and I have decided since we do not know where you left off, and judging from your age, we will get you admitted to a school. They are open for the mid term admissions.”

“Okay.” Sophie finally said and Isabella was relieved that she didn't have to ask more questions.

“What's for dinner mummy ?”

“Greens.”

“Like the clothes you are wearing?.”

“Yeah…but we would eat rice and fish sauce.”

Isabella giggled like someone who was full of love and wanted to have it dished out, and Sophie was the one getting choked with such abundance of love.

“Mummy?”

“Yes baby.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For adopting me, don't worry daddy told me everything”.

“What did he tell you?" Isabella tried to keep her smile on. She didn’t want anything to upset Sophie or make her feel bad about herself. Her husband and his big mouth!

“That I came at the right time. He said you just lost a baby.”

Isabella stifled a tear and shook her head as they started to pour.

“She was our only hope darling. The doctor said that was my last chance to get a baby after I had a ruptured womb.”

Sophie stared blankly but for a post traumatic amnesia patient, she chose her words calmly.

“I will take care of you and you will be okay.”

“I hope so.” Amanda squinted, wiping away the tears in a way that would not ruin her makeup.

She turned back to what she was doing, but her mind was still on Sophie. Sure, she was sweet and so childlike now, but Isabella knew that it was only a matter of time before she got over it and started to be herself again.

What would she do then? What if Sophie wouldn’t want her anymore?

Sophie was her new name. She felt that it would be perfect for such a pretty young girl.

Her mind was always on something else. The medication had a strong effect on her as she was easily distracted. The doctor advised to always keep her engaged in conversation as that will speed up her healing process.

Isabella noticed that Sophie was no longer listening to her. She observed her gaze was on the cereal pack.

“You want some?” She asked, drawing her attention again. Sophie nodded.

“This is cereal, we drink it with milk and water depending on how hot and cold you want it to be.” Isabella’s sweet voice filled the room. She literally dotted on her new found human.

“What's this brownish weird thing?” Sophie asked.

Isabella’s eyes swept through the content of the bottle.

“Oh, that’s honey.”

“Honey?”

“Yes, it’s made from bees.” She explained further, waving her hand. Her silver polished nails seemed to shine, and the little girl merely focused on what was infront of her and not the words.

“Dearest Amanda, that girl is not listening to you” the masculine voice infiltrated the hallways.

Isabella’s husband, Lucas, had returned home. He was always the observant one. The logical description of a nice construed husband.

“I couldn't agree with you more.” Isabella said, seeing how Sophie was looking at her fingers, and for the first time, meticulous Amanda resigned to fate.

“Let's go visual on her darling, projectors, videos, cameras. The visual part will stick more, I think.”

“Alright.” She got enclosed in her husband's arms, as the man continued.

“Her brain is empty, she is like a child now, we need to take the baby approach, we have to lead her through the process of healing.”

Isabella sighed and turned to Sophie.

“Sweetheart, why don’t you go up into your room? I’ll be there with you soon, okay?” She said.

Sophia nodded and ran off. As soon as she was out of sight, Isabella started to sob into her husband’s shirt.

“Lucas…” She couldn’t complete her words, but Lucas sighed and wrapped his arms around her.

“I know honey… I know.”

“What if she doesn’t like us after she regains her memories? What if something goes wrong with our relationship?” Isabella asked.

“With how good you’ve been to her, I don’t think she’d abandon you. She loves you, and it’s obvious that you love her too.” Lucas said. “If there’s anyone she wouldn’t like, it would probably be me, given my schedule.”

“Sophie likes you, don’t talk like that.”

“Well you can assure me of that, but you can’t tell yourself? Don’t worry, okay?”

Isabella nodded and hugged her husband tighter. She wanted to talk about the child that they lost, but she figured that the would have to come another day. He had a busy day at work, and he hadn’t even had the time to sit down yet.

She let him go.

“Go take a shower so we can all eat. You stink.” She said, pushing him away playfully.

“I will, my love. Remember that the dance of the spirits is in two weeks, and I know you’d prefer to get your outfits earlier.” Lucas said, as he went up.

Night of the spirits. How was she to take Sophie to an event like that?