Remember Jamie Baker (Jamie Baker #3)(78)
I went from zero to pissed off so fast that Ryan yelped and yanked his hand from mine. Two words that I really needed to add to my dislikes list—condescension and pity. I can’t tolerate either, and I was getting a whole lot of both. “Just because I have no memory doesn’t mean I’m an idiot.” I shot to my feet, glaring at everyone in the room. “I’m not gullible, either. A) I’d already been injected with the nanobots before I met him. Someone must have swapped syringes in the hospital when they pumped me full of that stuff for the scanning machine, because that’s when I first started feeling the impulses to bolt. Why do you think I took off the way I did? And when I left, I went out that specific exit because I felt compelled to go that way. Chen was waiting there for me as if he knew I’d show up. And he was really surprised when I didn’t just automatically leave with him. He expected me to go, no questions asked. Offering me the serum was his backup plan.
“And B) I know there’s a miracle serum because it worked. I had a dream after you guys tranqed me into oblivion. I haven’t dreamed since the explosion. I couldn’t. That part of my brain was damaged, just like my memory. Ask Dr. Haggerty, or have her scan my head again if you don’t believe me. You’ll see that at least part of me is healed. Dr. Chen gave me his number because he knew I’d be desperate to call him after his serum worked. I’m sure Donovan’s sitting around waiting by the phone right now. But hey, if you guys don’t want to believe me because you think I’m a desperate, na?ve moron, fine. I’ll go without you.”
I stomped out of the infirmary, slamming the door behind me so hard I pulled it right through the door jam. I needed to stop doing that, but it always felt too good. Plus, it made for quite the impressive exit.
“Come back, Sunshine.” Ryan’s voice was slightly louder than normal, but still calm. He knew I’d hear him even though I was all the way down the hall already. “Please? Everybody’s really sorry, and you know I believed you. Of course we want to go with you to stop Donovan. Come back so we can hash out a solid plan.”
Curse Ryan and whatever magical hold he has over me! I was so angry, but he said please and called me Sunshine… I couldn’t ignore his request.
I stormed back to the infirmary, kicking the door in when it appeared to be jammed shut. “Fine,” I hissed to the shocked people gaping at the splintered door on the ground. “If you’re all ready to take me seriously, we can hash out a plan. In a while. I need some time to cool off first. I’m also starving, and I’d like to meet my parents for more than five seconds.”
I stomped out of the room again, yelling over my shoulder as I left. “Someone better open the front door to this damn cave for us, because I am not eating that sludge you’re trying to pass off as food in the cafeteria!”
I wasn’t completely pissed anymore, but I was still angry enough, and now I was just sort of being a pain to remind them whom they were dealing with. I hated being underestimated. So much.
“She’s quite volatile, isn’t she?” Geek mumbled after I’d gone.
I believe it was Shortstop who added, “Is she always that cranky when she’s hungry?”
Ryan’s chuckle was the last thing I heard before I made an effort to ignore them and find my parents.
Dinner ended up being a party of five—my parents, Becky, Ryan, and me. Part of me was surprised when Major Wilks gave Ryan the keys to a military-issue car and let us drive away from base. Deep down, I’d still wondered if he’d treat me like a prisoner. My parents felt the same way; I could tell. They relaxed a lot on the short drive into Colorado Springs.
We followed my nose—literally—to a cute place that served country home-cooking style food. We intended to go to a restaurant Ryan was familiar with, but when I caught the scent of stuffed bell peppers, dumplings, and baked cinnamon apples I forced them to pull over until I found the source of the deliciousness.
It wasn’t until we were seated—and I had an impossible time trying to choose just one thing to try—that everyone laughed at me. After giving the server my order, I noticed all of the smiles and frowned. I was out of the loop again. Freaking amnesia. I hated that. “What?”
“It’s nothing, sweetheart.” Mom’s eyes glossed over. She’d been randomly tearing up on and off nonstop since I met her. “It’s just comforting to see you acting like yourself.”
Her comment threw me off guard. I thought it would be relieving to hear that I was acting normal, but it was unsettling. What had I done that was so Jamie? And what if I’d done something different? I couldn’t win. Acting like my old self or acting like someone new, either way all of them were comparing me to my old self—a person I simply wasn’t anymore. I didn’t like the way they all constantly watched me, but I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to upset them. “What did I do?”
My father smiled. “A good, hearty home-cooked meal has always been your favorite, after an excellent slice of pizza. You take after me in that department.” He gave his stomach a proud pat. “Obviously.”
He wasn’t overweight, but he definitely had a soft middle.
“After the accident, when we realized eating was going to be a problem for you, I spent a lot of time learning how to cook,” Mom said. “It’s one of my favorite things to do now. It took me a while, but eventually I figured out your quirks, and you preferred a home-cooked meal rather than going to most restaurants.”