Extended Epilogue

Lazaro

I'm often asked what it's like to not know anything about my life before I awoke in a hospital bed three years ago. To be honest, I don't know. It is what it is. If I really think about my situation, I have to wonder what it was about me that I could be in an accident and no one cared. No one noticed I was missing. No one came looking.

And then, a woman who I don't know, yet seems familiar, has walked into my auto mechanic shop. No, not walk. She runs into my arms, calling the name "Lazaro". What is that? Italian?

A name slips into my head. "Lana." I don't know if that's Italian, but it's pretty. It fits her. And although I have no reason to feel this, I know deep in my soul that I love this woman. Not like a girlfriend, though. More like a little sister.

I'm not a touchy feely man, so the way she clings to me is a little weird, but I don't stop it. It feels like this moment is important for her.

"Where have you been?" she asks me.

"Here." Where else would I be?

"I've been looking so long for you. Everyone thought you were… well… here you are."

I can only interpret her statement to mean people thought I was dead. Was I the sort of person who would make people think that?

"This is Henry. He believed me when I said you were alive. He helped me find you."

I reach out and shake the man's hand, only realizing after that I've got grease all over my hands.

"He used to be a cop, but don't hold that against him."

I raise an eyebrow. "Okay. Is there a reason I would?"

Lana lets out a sigh. "You really don't remember, do you?"

I shake my head. "I'm sorry. I mean, I have a sense that I know you, but?—"

"I'm your sister. Twin sister. Lana." She hugs me again like she's worried I'm going to evaporate into the ether. "We have another brother, Elio. He can be an asshole sometimes, but now that he's married and had a daughter, he's mellowed some. At least at home. And our cousin, Matteo, works for Elio. He's like a brother. He's awesome. Funny has hell."

I nod. I look at Henry, who's watching Lana like she walks on water. The sun rises and sets by her. If there's so much love, why have I been missing?

She looks at me. "How did you get here?"

I shrug. "I woke up in the hospital. I didn't know who I was, and no one else seemed to know. When I got out, I saw this place, felt I knew my way around cars, and I've been here since."

"Does it feel like home?" she asks.

"I guess. I don't know."

She smiles up at me, and I have a sense that the smile gets her whatever she wants. She probably used it on me as a kid. A weird fullness fills my chest. "You need to come home, Lazaro. We miss you. Will you come?"

Henry steps forward, putting his hand on her shoulder. "It might be a lot to take in."

But she stares up at me with the expectation that I'm going to follow her home.

"I need to let my boss know."

"Excellent."

"I need a day or so."

"We'll stay in town, won't we, Henry?" she says more than asks.

"Of course."

I walk them out to their car, a vintage Aston Martin that feels nearly as familiar as Lana. "Nice car."

She grins up at me. "When you're ready, you can drive it home."

It takes me a few days to get what little affairs I have in order. I don't get to drive the Aston Martin, but that's okay because I don't know where home is except Chicago. I never pegged myself as a big city boy, but I guess I'll figure it out.

As we pull up to the house, my stomach turns over. I'm a mechanic, living in a studio apartment, mostly eating beans and rice. This house is a mansion.

"This is home?" I step out of the car and take it in. A part of me wants to get back in the car and go back to Lafayette. What the fuck do I know about being rich?

"Yep. It's big. You have your own space. Everyone is waiting. Welcome home, Lazaro."

For a minute, I have to remember that's my name.

Lana bursts through the door. "He's home! Lazaro is home!"

Henry puts his hand on my shoulder. "Deep breath. Just let Lana take care of you, and you'll be fine."

I appreciate that he recognizes how I feel like I've landed in Oz.

"Lazaro. God, it's so fucking good to see you." A man steps forward, extending his hand.

"That's Elio. He's our brother. The one who's an asshole sometimes."

Elio smirks at her, but there's no malice.

"My wife, Piper and daughter, Elysse."

"It's lovely to meet you," Piper says. They keep their distance, which I appreciate. The house is huge, but I feel like the walls are caving in.

I glance around and see many other people. Family? Staff. One woman watches me from the end of the room. She's got wild red hair and she's looking with pity. Can she tell I'm about to go running and screaming out of this place?

"Matteo is out right now. How about I take you up to your room? You can settle in, get something to eat." Lana hooks her arm through mine and leads me upstairs. I watch the redheaded woman disappear into another room.

Lana guides me to a large suite. "We've mostly left it the way you had it."

I look around. While Lana is familiar, even Elio to a certain extent, this house, this room isn't.

She smiles up at me. "You look overwhelmed."

"I am."

She gives me a hug. "I'm so happy you're home. I'll leave you alone for now. Give you some space. I'll have Diana bring up some food."

"Thank you."

As she starts to leave, I take her hand. "I'm sorry I'm not the brother you remember. I do appreciate all you've done."

She pats my head. "Your memory will return. Or maybe it won't. I don't care. I'm just glad my other half is home, safe."

I toss my bag of what little I own on the bed. My room is bigger than my apartment. My bathroom is nearly bigger than my apartment. The closet is filled with suits. Fucking hell. Will I have to wear those now? What does the family do?

A knock sounds on the door. "Come in."

The redheaded woman enters carrying a tray. She sets it on the table near the window. "Ms. D'Amato said you like BLTs with milk."

I do. I guess some things about me haven't changed. I move toward her, watching her, wondering if I should remember her. She's so pretty. How could a man forget?

"I'm sorry. I don't know if I should be remembering you."

Her smile is radiant, offering me assurance. "No. I'm new. I'm Diana Young." She extends her hand. I take it and have this urge to never let it go. Like I'm flailing in the wind, but her hand is tethering me to earth.

"Danny—ah… Lazaro."

"Welcome home, Lazaro."

I watch her leave, missing her before she's even shut my door behind her.