Nine hours had never felt so long.

Sander tipped his head back and rolled it left to right, attempting to work out some of the tension. Chey, Emily, Erick, and Eliana had all passed out in chairs around Elias’s bed. Two hours before, they’d gotten word that Elias had tried to wake up. The news had sent them all running into the recovery room. Sander was as anxious as the rest to see Elias alert and speaking.

The doctor was optimistic but also pragmatic; they needed Elias to fully come around before assessing his state of self.

Sander thought Elias coming around at all was a gift from God.

His son was going to make it. He could feel it in his bones. This was just the beginning. Once Elias recovered, perhaps in a few weeks’ time, Sander imagined them taking a last canoe trip for the season. Just father and son, spending a night or two in the hinterlands before the harsh winter set in. It was a ritual, those trips together to the outback, and he couldn’t wait to do it again.

He glanced at the bed and locked eyes with Elias. Shocked to find Elias awake, he stepped up next to Chey’s chair—she was still sleeping—and braced his hands against Elias’s bed.

“Hey, son. How are you feeling? It’s great to see you awake.” Sander spoke quietly so that he didn’t wake anyone else. Not yet. He wanted to give Elias a moment to come up from the haze of anesthesia. Give him a minute to center himself before being set upon by the family.

Elias studied his face, a mild frown building between his brows.

“It’s okay if you can’t fully hear me yet. It’ll come back.” Sander thought it was Elias’s hearing. A rush in the ears, or perhaps like being underwater. “How is your head? In a lot of pain? I can call the nurse.”

Sander set his callused palm on Elias’s hand.

Elias drew back. Broke physical contact but not eye contact.

“Where am I?” Elias asked. His voice was a husk of its former self.

“The hospital.” Sander did not reach out again. He understood Elias was probably confused as hell and needed a few more minutes to figure things out. “You were in an accident.”

“The hospital?” Elias echoed.

“Yes. In Kalev. Your mother, brother, and sisters are here. We’ve been here all night.”

He just needs time, Sander thought.

“Kalev?” Elias asked.

“It’s all right, son. Don’t worry. It’ll all come back the longer you’re awake. The doctors relieved some pressure on your brain overnight. There was some swelling from the car accident. But we’ll think about that later, okay?” Sander wanted to cover Elias’s hand with his own again, wanted to draw his son into a hug.

“I don’t remember an accident,” Elias said.

“But you remember how to talk, you know your language. That’s an excellent start. Don’t expect too much right away, you know? Sometimes it comes back in pieces. Maybe when you wake up again, things will be clearer.”

Elias continued to frown. His lashes fluttered, as if he was trying desperately to stay awake and aware.

That’s my boy. Fight hard, son. You can do it. Sander nodded, as if approving of Elias’s struggle.

A struggle the young man lost several minutes later.

Elias slipped back into sleep.

“He wasn’t awake long. And he was confused about where he was, what had happened,” Sander said to Chey. She had woken an hour after Elias had fallen asleep.

“You should have woken me. I would have loved to talk to him,” Chey said, sounding dismayed.

“I would have, except he was still so confused. I didn’t want to overwhelm him.” Sander sank into the chair next to Chey, within touching distance of Elias’s hand. He reached out and stroked the rough pads of his fingers across Elias’s skin.

“I wish he would have said more. Did he ask after Inari?”

“No. He didn’t. He didn’t remember anything about the accident either, but I think that’s normal in the beginning. Maybe next time he wakes up he’ll remember more.” Sander looped his arm around Chey and drew her against his side while he continued to methodically stroke Elias’s hand. Keeping the family connection.

“I hope so. I’m anxious to have him back.”

“I know.” Sander understood Chey’s anxiety all too well.

“Hi, honey. It’s Mom. How are you doing?” Chey asked the next time Elias surfaced from sleep. Emily, Eliana, and Erick were all gathered around the bed wearing anxious expressions.

Sander stood next to Chey, watching his son’s face closely. Any second now he expected the proverbial light to come on. He didn’t know what to think of the way Elias looked from face to face, a familiar frown denting his brow.

“Mom?” Elias asked.

“Yes, it’s me. We’ve been waiting for you to wake up again. How are you?” Chey appeared to physically wilt with relief.

And then something happened that made Sander’s gut twist. Elias arched his head away as Chey leaned over to stroke her fingers along his cheek.

“I don’t know you,” Elias said.

“It’s probably the anesthesia.” Chey drew her hand back. “Sometimes coming around can be a little disorienting.”

It’s just temporary, Sander thought. Confusion was to be expected after such a nasty head wound.

“It’ll come back to you, son,” Sander said, adding conviction and reassurance to his words. “Like your mom said. Sometimes everything is hazy at first.”

Elias looked from Chey to Emily, Erick, and Eliana. His gaze landed on Sander last. “Why don’t I remember any of you?”

“Give it a little more time, all right? We’re here and we’re not leaving,” Sander said. He felt the weight of several stares. Chey, Eliana, Erick. He remained steadfast for them all. “You’ve had a bad head injury, Elias. The top of the truck caved in and you took a pretty hard hit to the skull. Lots of stitches and brain swelling. The doctors have relieved the pressure, though, so it’ll just take some time for everything to return to normal. Don’t worry, try not to stress. It’ll come back.”

Elias didn’t seem to know whether to be worried or relieved. He did not return touches or reach out for anyone.

“Why don’t we leave you to rest a while? We’ll be back when it’s not so overwhelming,” Sander said. He could see that Elias needed space. Needed to think about things. Come to terms with his temporary memory loss. “We’ll just be outside the door, all right?”

Elias nodded hesitantly.

Sander guided Chey away from the bed to the door and gestured for the others to follow.

In the hallway, Sander resisted the urge to curse. The memory loss was a temporary setback. Elias would be back to himself in no time.

I don’t know you. Elias’s words echoed in Sander’s head. Such haunting words.

He’ll be fine. It’s only a matter of time. Don’t panic.

Don’t panic.