VALERIE OPENED her eyes to see a bright, white light. She squinted at the sudden illumination, then rubbed her eyelids with the side of her hand. She then looked down at her hands, seeing that she had an IV attached to her.

Where was she? And why was she covered in a blanket with wires?

  Just then the door opened, revealing an older man with a white coat. He held a clipboard, walking in with a gentle smile.

"Hello, Valerie," he said slowly. "do you know where you are?"

Valerie shook her head. She was lost completely. She didn't even know how she got to this odd-looking, disheveled place.

"You are at Union State Hospital," he said, "you were involved in an accident with your husband, and the paramedics brought you here."

Valerie felt her heart skip a beat in fear. She was married? This couldn't be right. Last she checked she was out of high school, in Texas, living with her father.

  "Husband?"

Before the doctor could reply, Dylan ran inside, the back of the door slamming slightly against the wall as the young man held a bouquet of red roses.

  "Love!" he shouted happily. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her feeble, petite body. "I'm so glad you're awake! I missed you so much!" he kissed her cheek multiple times, then planted a small love bite on the edge of her shoulder; causing the young woman to tense up.

  Valerie pulled back, furrowing her eyebrows as she looked at this man standing in front of her; giving her affection only he should give to his wife.

  "Who are you?"

…

    From a full-blown smile to a frown, Dylan's mood began to go sour. He tried to keep his composure. Surely she was kidding, right? He married a comedian. Comedians always make jokes.

"Baby girl, it's me," he said, placing his hands on her shoulders. "it's me Dylan. Your husband. Come on babe, stop playing around!"

  Valerie shook her head. Everything that came to her mind when she heard the name Dylan went blank.

  "I'm sorry but I don't know anyone by the name Dylan."

Oh my God. . . Dylan thought to himself in shock. She really doesn't remember me. . .

He looked at his wife and tried to find a hint of a joke planted on her face. A smirk, a teasing glance hidden in the irises. Nothing. She really wasn't kidding.

What was he going to do?