A week later, Ethan was allowed to go home.
His family was happy to have him back, but things were not the same. He could not remember many events from the last two years.
One afternoon, Ethan was sitting in his room when he noticed the photo Lily had given him.
He picked it up and looked at it carefully.
The smiles in the picture looked real.
He wondered, How could I forget someone who made me smile like this?
The next day, Lily met Ethan at a nearby park.
"I thought you might like some fresh air," she said.
Ethan smiled.
"Thanks for asking me."
They walked slowly through the park.
Lily showed him the bench where they used to sit after school.
"We spent hours here talking," she said.
Ethan looked around, hoping something would feel familiar.
But nothing came to his mind.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
"You don't have to keep saying sorry," Lily replied with a smile. "We'll make new memories."
Ethan looked at her.
"You really haven't given up on me, have you?"
Lily shook her head.
"No."
As they were leaving the park, they passed a small ice cream shop.
Ethan suddenly stopped walking.
"I know this place," he said.
Lily looked at him in surprise.
"You do?"
"I... I don't know how, but I remember buying chocolate ice cream here."
Lily smiled.
"You always bought chocolate. And you always stole a bite of my strawberry ice cream."
Ethan laughed.
"That sounds like something I'd do."
For a moment, a quick image flashed through his mind.
He saw Lily laughing with an ice cream cone in her hand.
The memory disappeared as quickly as it came.
Ethan held his head.
"I... I saw something."
"What was it?" Lily asked hopefully.
"I don't know. It was only for a second."
Lily's eyes filled with hope.
"It means your memories are still there."
Ethan smiled.
"Maybe."
As they walked home, Lily felt hopeful for the first time since the accident.
Maybe Ethan wouldn't remember everything right away.
But perhaps...
One memory at a time...
He would find his way back to her.
END OF CHAPTER 8
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