Booktree.ng_Forgotten-Witness

“She doesn’t remember she asked to go for a walk.” Amelia
nudged Emily up, turned her, and handed her off to Josie.
“She’ll go slow. You’re going to have to judge whether or not
you’ve gone too far. If she gets tired she’ll just sit down. Or if
she zones she’ll just stand in one place. It will be hard getting
her back, so you really have to be aware.”
“I’ll be careful. Thanks.” The transfer was made but Amelia
watched until the two women were through the front door.
Outside, Emily and Josie stood on the porch. Stopping and
starting was exhausting and they had only gone across the
room. Josie couldn’t imagine how long it would take them to
walk The Strand at home if this was how things went.
“Okay. We’ll wait a minute,” she said.
As she waited for a sign from Emily, Josie thought of
Stephen. No doubt he had an unpleasant journey back to Maui
on the No Problem with Danny at the wheel, but she was
happy she had insisted that he go home. It was nice to have
quiet time with Emily. She opened her mouth, ready to share
the story of Stephen and his seasickness, but one look at her
mom told her that would be a waste of breath. Instead, she
said: “Let’s walk now.”
They went down the steps and Emily was surprisingly surefooted.
Josie laced her arm through Emily’s, not to keep her
from falling but to keep her from wandering away. She
squeezed a little closer. The contact felt so right.
“I’m sorry you won’t remember that we took this walk
together, mom.”
They walked on steadily. Emily remained silent so Josie
made her own conversation.
“I’m sorry there’s nothing I can do to make you remember
me. I hope you would be proud of me. I think you would love
Archer and Hannah. I think you would love me.”
The wind blew. The trees and flowers trembled and then
stilled. A raindrop fell.