Once Found: The Pocket Watch Chronicles by Ceci Giltenan Page B

scared.
    “Don’t be ridiculous. You’ll come with us to Baltimore.”
    She turned terror-filled eyes to Gabe. “I don’t want to do that.” She glanced again at her father before asking Gabe, “Is what Dr. Levi said true? Do they need my permission to do this?”
    “Yes, but Elizabeth, your parents are worried about you. Your father is on staff at Hopkins, so I’m sure he would be more comfortable with you there.”
    “But they need my permission?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then I don’t give it. I want to stay here.” She looked at her father. “Please don’t ask this of me. I don’t know you yet.”
    “You don’t know anyone,” said her father.
    “I know Gabe.”
    “Darling, we know your memory is foggy, but we only want what’s best for you,” said her mother.
    “Is there something at this place…this Hopkins …that is certain to bring my memory back?”
    Her father stood, clenching his jaw but her mother said, “Of course not, but it is a stellar hospital in Baltimore, close to home.”
    “I thought I lived in a place called Cincinnati .”
    “You do, but our home, your childhood home, is in Baltimore.”
    “Then, forgive me, but it seems it isn’t necessarily what’s best for me. I know it might be more convenient for you—”
    “Elizabeth, you are being exceedingly thoughtless. You know I have a busy surgical schedule. Your mother has important clients. Why would you choose to make things difficult?”
    Elizabeth visibly recoiled as if she had been struck. “I’m sorry.”
    Gabe had remained silent during this exchange. It wasn’t his place to interfere, but his heart fell when he heard her apologize and appear to capitulate. He reckoned this conversation was very like the heated discussion she had appeared to have with them after graduation.
    Her father nodded. “I’m glad you see things our way. This is for the best. I’ll make arrangements to have you transferred immediately.”
    Just like that, she was going to be gone from his life again.
    She shook her head. “No. You misunderstand me. I’m sorry that my choice to stay here will make things difficult. But you have no idea what I’m going through. Everything is strange enough already. I don’t know anyone there, and I don’t remember you.”
    “As I said before, you don’t know anyone here, either,” countered her father.
    “I know Gabe. I know we were friends—close friends. I have fleeting memories of him and a deep sense that he is important to me. I understand you have things you must do. Don’t feel as if you need to stay here with me.”
    Gabe was speechless.
    Her mother sat on the bed beside her. “My darling, it will really be better if you come to Baltimore. However, if it would make you more comfortable to delay moving a little, I’ll arrange to stay for a day or two.”
    Her father frowned. “No, Charlotte. She has profound amnesia and is not mentally capable of making this choice. I will see that she has a psychiatric assessment and then we will move her to Hopkins. I’ll call Howard Jacobs and have him put me in touch with the chief of psychiatry here.”
    “James, I’m sure when she’s had some time, she’ll come around.”
    “She’ll have tonight. Considering how late it is on a Sunday evening, I expect it will take until tomorrow anyway. I’ll get us a suite at the Fitzwilliam.” He strode out of the room without another word.
    Tears filled Elizabeth’s eyes. “Can he do that, Gabe?”
    “If he believes you aren’t mentally capable of making a decision, he can attempt to have you declared incompetent. But he can only take the decision out of your hands if another doctor determines that you aren’t able to make sound choices.”
    She blinked, clearly trying not to cry, but her lower lip trembled. “He must hate me.”
    “No, Elizabeth,” said her mother. “Your dad doesn’t hate you. He just thinks this is best and, really, it is.”
    The tears finally spilled down Elizabeth’s cheeks.