Chapter 4

“She woke up & asked me who I was.” Yunho started, “Who she was. She was panicking. I was trying to calm her down. I held her hand & told her she had been in an accident & I told her her name & my name. I told her that I was her husband & she just freaked out.” Yunho got up from his chair, agitated “She was terrified & when I tried to help her, she started hyperventilating!” Yunho’s voice was getting louder & he found himself consciously fighting for control.

Taking in a deep breath, he shot the doctor an apologetic glance, “I'm sorry. This is just too hard.” Then taking another deep breath, he continued, “That was when I called for help. I didn't know what else to do.”

“Your reaction is understandable under the circumstances, Mr. Jung, but after a shock of this nature, it is not out of the realm of possibility for there to be some memory loss. Give her some time. In most cases, memory returns in a few hours or days. Normally, dealing with family triggers it. Does she have any other family in the area? It's possible that the combination of you & another close family member will trigger her memory.”

Yunho listened intently to the doctor's words, “Her mother is on the way.” He said hopefully, “She has a brother in Busan. I think she has a lot of cousins someplace.”

The doctor raised a hand, “Well, see how it goes with her mother. It really should be just fine, Mr. Jung.”

Mrs. Kwon entered her daughter's hospital room. The banks of machines lining one side of her daughters bed reminded her sharply of a time not so long ago when her husband, Joowon Kwon, had been in a similar situation. Pushing the uncomfortable thoughts away, she stepped towards her son-in-law who sat hunched in a chair near the bed. It was obvious that he hadn’t heard her enter.

She touched his shoulder softly & offered him the wrapped parcel of food she'd brought with her. She was sure he hadn't eaten.

Yunho looked up at her & a weak smile crossed his bow-shaped lips, “Hello, mom.” He whispered, standing up. He allowed her to envelope him in a warm hug before leading her out of the room.

“There's something you should know.” He said, once they were in the hallway. He quickly told her the facts concerning Yuri’s amnesia & what little he knew about the accident & about the baby they had lost. Yunho was having a difficult time dealing with the situation without her breaking down.

“We have to be strong for her, Yunho.” She told him, matter-of-factly, “& I don't think that now is a good time to tell her about the baby. It is enough to help her remember her life.”

Yunho sniffed & nodded, offering a genuine smile, “I'm glad you came.” He hugged her again, “I don't know what I would have done alone.”

“You would have been just fine.” Mrs. Kwon insisted, “You heard from a stranger. I heard from you.” She said, “Come on, let's go be with her.”

The doctor told them that the sedatives they had given her would last through the night & urged them both to go home & get some rest. Mrs. Kwon had been much more willing than Yunho. It took the persuasive power of both, Dr. Shin & Mrs. Kwon to convince him that Yuri would need for him to have all of his strength the next day. They arrived back at the hospital at five o'clock the next morning.

To both their surprises, Yuri was already awake, having breakfast.

“Yuri, I have some people who have been very anxious to see you.” Dr. Choi Minho said gently.

Yuri’s wide eyes settled on Yunho & Mrs. Kwon, a moment of confusion dancing in their depths.

“Oh, my little Yuri.” Mrs. Kwon said softly, “It's your mom. I even brought your mickey mouse.” Mrs. Kwon pulled out the little stuffed mickey mouse from her roxy sun brown sugar purse.

Yuri reached out for it, tears welling up in her eyes, “Oh, mom.” She cried, going into Mrs. Kwon’s arms.

“I'm sorry, I just couldn't remember.”

“Shhh.” Mrs. Kwon said, “It's alright, honey, it's alright. You've ha