Justin watched Eve walking into the building. Then his eyes filled with tears. He felt desperate and lost, but also angry at himself and the rest of the world. With squeaking tires he left the situation. His heart was beating fast. With shaky hands he grabbed his phone out of his pocket and dialed Lance’s number.

„Dude, hi… I… good lord… Michael and I are still processing…“ Lance said in deep excitement. 

„I know… it’s unbelievable.“ Justin sobbed. 

Lance immediately noticed what was going on.

„T? Where are you?“ 

„I’m just cruising around…“ 

„Okay. Let’s meet somewhere and talk.“

„There’s nothing to talk about.“

„You called me. It means you need to talk.“ 

Eve knocked at Josh’s door, being deeply excited to see him again. She was prepared that he still wouldn’t remember her and forced herself making peace with the circumstances. She was aware of that she needed to keep her expectations low. Instead of feeling pity for herself, she needed to be grateful that he woke up and returned back to life. 

„Hi.“ She said calmly, entering the room.

„Hi.“ Josh replied, forcing a smile. 

He felt uncomfortable being alone with her and didn’t know how to behave. She noticed and felt the same, not knowing what to do next. 

„Ehm… I brought you some clothes and toiletries. And glasses. Unfortunately your favorite ones broke when you fell down the stairs.“ She said nervously. 

„Thank you.“ He replied. 

Eve put the bag with his stuff aside and gave her attention to Jake, who was busy with his teether. She opened his belt and put him out of his seat. Hoping their baby would be the ice breaker, she came few steps closer.

„You two didn’t have the chance saying hi to each other, yet.“

She sat down at the edge of Josh’s bed with Jake on her lap. It felt so natural for her sitting close to her husband. But she noticed, that he was terribly tensed. 

Instead of saying hi to his son, Josh just stared into his big blue eyes. He realized these eyes weren’t his. No feature in the baby’s face seemed to be his. 

„How old is he?“ Josh asked just to say something. 

„He was born the day of your accident.“ Eve answered. 

Josh gave her an irritated look, waiting for more explanation. 

„I had lunch with Justin. Then my water broke on our way back to my office. You’ve been at home working, when we called you. Short time later the earthquake happened.“ 

Josh was processing hard. 

„So… I missed his birth?“

„Yes. You never met him before.“ 

The imagination how she must felt giving birth on her own and learning about his accident was brutal. This was surely what the doctor meant when he said, that she went through a lot. 

„This is… wow… I’m sorry…“ Josh stammered. 

„Don’t worry about it. All what matters is, that we have you back.“ 

Josh looked at her for a moment, forcing himself to remember anything. But it was hopeless.

„Are you German?“ He asked next.

Eve cracked a smile and nodded. 

„Looks like I’ll never get rid of that accent.“ 

Josh thought she was having a beautiful smile. He smiled back without even noticing. Then he suddenly changed the subject. 

„Oh ehm… the nurse gave me my phone and a charger. But I can’t unlock it.“ 

Eve took his phone from his bedside table and entered the code. Then she gave it to him, still smiling. 

He raised his eyebrows. 

„You know my code?“ 

„Yes. It’s my birthday.“ 

„Oh.“ 

This was just another topic at Josh’s long list of open questions. Why did he change his code into her birthday and let her know? He never shared his code with anyone before.

Justin was waiting in his favorite diner for Lance to arrive. He was sitting in a quiet corner and sipping a cup of coffee. Lance showed up short time later. Both hugged each other, before Lance sat down opposite of him. The waitress brought Lance another cup of coffee. When they finally were undisturbed, he started talking. 

„You’re looking not good, man. But I understand…“ 

Justin took another sip and didn’t reply. 

„Nobody expected this would happen.“ Lance continued talking. „Absolutely nobody…“ 

„I know…“ 

Lance turned nervous, having a burning question on his mind. He knew it wasn’t his business, but he just needed to know. 

„Did you have sex with Eve?“ 

Justin shook his head slowly, avoiding eye contact.

„We’ve been very close. But then the doctor called…“ 

„Are you serious?“ Lance asked in disbelief. 

„Yes, I am…“ 

„Honestly spoken, I feel relieved… I mean… it’s good you didn’t sleep with your best friend’s wife, right?“

„Right…“

Lance felt incredibly pity for him. Justin didn’t deserve suffering like this. But Josh didn’t deserve losing his wife to his best friend, either. 

„He doesn’t remember her…“ Justin continued talking. 

Lance frowned. 

„What do you mean?“

„He’s having amnesia and doesn’t have any clue who she is.“

„Are you kidding me???“ 

„The doctor said it’s temporary. But for her it felt like losing him all over again. He simply forgot her…“ 

„Holy shit… this is cruel…“

„It is…“ 

„Does it mean he doesn’t know who he is, either?“

„No, it’s not that bad. He believes we’re having 2018.“

„This is weird.“ 

„I know.“ 

Lance looked at him for a moment.

„And the doctor was sure this is just temporary?“

„That’s what he said…“

„So, it’s just a matter of time till his memory comes back?“ 

„Right.“ 

Lance took a deep breath. 

„I really wished there was a happy end for you and Eve. But C is back. And I couldn’t be more grateful for that miracle.“ 

„Please don’t think I’m not grateful that he woke up.“ Justin immediately said. „I wished for nothing more than that. You have to believe me.“

„I believe you. Still it’s okay, that you feel shitty because of losing Eve. The whole situation is… just… unbelievable…“ 

Justin’s eyes filled with tears again.

„I don’t wanna feel this way, man… it kills me…“ 

Lance felt awful, not knowing how to help his friend out of this. 

„Did you have the chance talking to her?“

„I told her not to worry about me. Then I started distancing myself.“ 

„How did she react?“

„She was hurt.“ 

„Do you think this is the right way dealing with her feelings for you?“ 

„I know this isn’t fair. But I want to make it easy for her to go back to him without any regrets.“ 

„Everything looks good.“ The doctor said, after making a MRT of Josh’s head. „Still you need to be patient. You’ve been in coma for a very long time. Don’t force yourself remembering things. Your memory will come back when your brain is ready.“ 

Josh nodded.

„Good. All you need to do right now is focusing on your physiotherapy. I want to see you walking to the bathroom on your own by the end of the week.“ 

Eve was waiting for Josh to come back from the MRT in his patient’s room. Suddenly she realized that she completely forgot informing her own mother about the sudden events. Hectically she grabbed her phone and dialed her number. 

„Before you say anything, I’m sorry that I upset you when we spoke the other day.“ Kristin said, as she picked up. 

„Josh woke up.“ Eve replied, ignoring Kristin’s apology. 

There was silence on the other side. 

„Mom?“

„I knew this would happen. I felt it…“ Kristin said quietly. 

„You’re kind of scaring me…“

„It wasn’t my intention scaring you. This are amazing news, darling. I’m so relieved… you have no idea how relieved I am…“

Eve informed her mother about the current situation, trying to sound positive that Josh’s memory will be back soon. No one of them mentioned Justin. Kristin didn’t want to upset her daughter again and Eve didn’t want to explain, how awkward the situation between them suddenly was. 

When she finished talking to Kristin, the door got open. Lance and Michael came inside. 

„Where is he???“ Lance asked in deep excitement. 

„MRT. He should be back any moment.“ 

Both hugged Eve tightly. 

„How are you doing, dear?“ Michael wanted to know. 

„I wished I knew… I’m still processing, to be honest…“ Eve answered. 

„Justin told me about his amnesia.“ Lance said carefully. 

Eve focused on not starting to cry again.

„Everything feels so… unreal… I don’t know how to explain…“ She stammered. 

Lance hugged her again. 

„I know, honey. I know…“

In the next moment two nurses wheeled Josh’s bed back into his room. 

Lance and Michael immediately freaked out and fell around his neck. Josh was grateful seeing some familiar faces. 

„You gave us such a tough time… you have no idea what we went through.“ Lance said. 

„Believe me, I wished I didn’t…“ 

„It’s so good to have you back. I’m so incredibly grateful…“ Michael added. 

Eve watched the scene, envying Lance and Michael. Josh was truly happy to see them and felt completely comfortable in their presence. 

Suddenly Mateo rushed into the room. All eyes were on him. 

„I still can’t believe it!!! Oh my fucking goodness!!!“ He squeaked. 

Josh stared at the stranger, not knowing how to react. 

„Matty, ehm… Josh has trouble remembering current events.“ Eve said, before he hugged Josh. 

„What the hell are you talking about?!“ 

„He doesn’t remember you.“ 

Mateo stared at Josh, not believing what he just heard. 

„Are you kidding me?!“ 

„It’s true. I have no idea who you are.“ Josh replied. 

Mateo’s confusion reached its peak. 

„What?!“ 

„It’s temporary.“ Eve explained. 

Mateo sorted his mind. 

„Wait… does it mean he doesn’t remember you, as well?!“

„I don’t.“ Josh answered. 

Mateo’s mouth got open. 

„How can you not remember your wife?! This must be a joke!“