You’re not buying it

Just as you are about to believe that you are suffering the after-effects of some head trauma, you remember all of the fear and suspicion you experienced over the past few days. You look skeptically at Dr. Burbank and Amy.

“Are you trying to tell me that I’m just imagining what you did to me back at the lab? That the past couple of days of me bouncing from one body to another didn’t really happen?”

They exchange troubled looks. Dr. Burbank places a hand on your arm and says, “I know this must be pretty overwhelming, son, but just relax. I’m sure your memory will come back to you soon enough. You just need to get some rest.”

You grow aggitated and sit up, throwing his hand off of your arm. “Don’t give me any of that crap! I want to know what you’ve done to me, and I want to know what you’ve done with my parents, and I want to talk to Zack!”

Amy looks at you wide-eyed, but Dr. Burbank assumes a calming manner and says, “Of course, Justin. I understand. And I believe Zack will be here any minute.”

This calms you significantly. As strange as it may seem, Zack is actually the most normal, stable part of your life right now. Even with his perpetual horndog demeanor and childish antics, he is one guy you can depend on. Whatever is happening to you, you are certain that you and Zack together will be able to face it and figure it out.

A man in a white coat enters the room. “Hello, Justin. How are you feeling?”

You look at him and exclaim, “Dr. Hotstetter!”

Dr. Burbank looks pleased. “Well, that’s an encouraging sign! It’s good to see you recognize your doctor, anyway!”

“My doctor?” You let the words hang in the air as you look at Dr. Hotstetter consult the clipboard at the foot of your bed.

“Well, Justin, I am so pleased that you are awake. I understand you are feeling a bit fuzzy in the memory department. Not surprising... You had a nasty injury. I really don’t think it will last long, though. I’m going to have the nurse give you something to help you rest.”

“No!” you protest. “I’m not going to sleep. I need to talk to Zack.”

“Here I am, Justin!”

You turn to look at the latest visitor to enter your room. A girl your age, with shoulder-length brown/blonde hair, rushes into the room, looking at you, wide-eyed and with great concern.

You stare at her, mystified, wondering who it could be. She sees your expression and turns to Dr. Burbank with questioning eyes.

Dr. Burbank looks at you for a moment before making a decision and standing. He turns to Dr. Hotstetter and says, “Perhaps we could step out and give Justin some time to rest. Could we talk outside?”

Dr. Hotstetter looks at the young woman who just arrived and then asks Dr. Burbank, “Of course... But I typically would only discuss a patient’s situation with his family.”

Dr. Burbank responds. “She might as well be family. Dr. Hotstetter, this is Rene Zacharias, but we know her as ‘Zack.’ She is Justin’s girlfriend.”

His words hit you, and you sit there, in stunned silence. The girl called “Zack” steps to your side and places a hand on your cheek. She looks at you with deep concern and with tears in her eyes.

“I was so worried about you, Babe! I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you awake and sitting up. Let me see what the doctor has to say, and then I’ll be right back.”

She leans over and plants a kiss right on your lips. Under any other circumstances, you would have welcomed and savored the experience, but at the moment, it is just one more bizarre element of a totally surreal experience.

Zack, Amy, and the two doctors leave your room, and you sit there, wondering what you should do.