Keep in Mind

by C. M. Steele

  “Blossom.” I look at the man that came up behind her, who looks pissed that we know each other. He’s eyeing me with violent designs.

  “Devin. Please come here.” He takes Connie’s place holding Brooke’s arm. Devin’s his name, but I don’t recognize him. “I don’t know what’s going on but I’m getting tired, so can I sit somewhere?” I’m pleased that he doesn’t smile at Connie because I’m too weak to kick his ass.

  “Oh, certainly.” One of the nurses brings out a swivel chair from their station and Brooke takes a seat.

  With everyone around, I plead, “Brooke, I need answers.”

  “Ok, David. I don’t know what’s happened to you or why you’re in here, but I’ll tell you what I do know. You’re David Parker, from Cincinnati, Ohio just like me, and you’ve been a family friend and lawyer for the past ten years.”

  “A lawyer?” Both Connie and I repeat, playing the thought in my head. A few more images hit and I’m picturing a building with my name on it.

  “Yes. The last time we spoke you were getting ready to go out of town. I didn’t get all the details because I was…”

  I cut her off when a memory hits me. “Because your parents died, and you needed something. It’s starting to come back.” My eyes focus on Connie over and over as I feel threads of memories start to fill in the blanks. The guy Brooke is with is territorially stroking her hair and back while standing directly behind her and eyeing me jealously.

  “How long have you been here?” she asks, taking my hand in hers and giving it a gentle squeeze.

  Connie responds with confidence, “Twenty-nine days.”

  “Okay, so you’ve been here since the day after you left for your trip.” Something is off about this. Wow, she knew I was supposed to be here, but why didn’t she come looking for me.

  “We’ve tried finding out who he is, but we’ve been unsuccessful. Until you said his name, he didn’t have any memories of his past,” the doctor adds.

  “Is there anything important I need to know?” I ask. I stare at Connie, then back at Brooke, hoping for the right answer. My feelings are telling me that I have no one but Connie.

  “Nothing aside from the fact you have your own law practice. You don’t have any family to speak of. And as for the last time we spoke, you didn’t have a girlfriend either.” Brooke gives my Connie a pointed look, letting her know that I’m single. It’s a relief, but internally I knew I was. There’s no way I could care for someone else like that. Brooke was the girl that popped into my head and she’s just a friend. “So what happened to you? Why are you here and unable to remember anything?”

  “It’s kind of fuzzy, but according to Connie and Dr. Bill,” I pause to look at my Connie, “I was brought here after being found in an alley. I’d been beaten and stabbed, then left for dead and all my identification was stolen. It wasn’t until a week ago that I woke up with no idea of who I was or why I was in Chicago. It’s making a little more sense now. I was going to attend a conference here. I don’t know which one or when, but that’s why I was here.” Connie squeezes my hand, a new sense of relief shines through her and I love it. I’ve fallen for my nurse and have plans for us when I get my act together.

  “I’ve been wondering why you haven’t returned my calls. I thought you were just making empty promises when you said you’d help me out.” The guy behind her stiffens.

  “I’m really sorry, Brooke. But it looks like you have someone in your corner.” I eye the guy I can’t remember and say, “I must apologize, but I can’t seem to remember you. Have we met?”

  “No, we haven’t,” he grumbles. I laugh because I don’t think of Brooke like he does. My territorial thoughts all surround Connie.

  “Woo…that’s good to know. The more that comes back to me the better.” A sense of hope fills me up.

  “Um…David, it’s great to see you, but I’m really tired.” She's pretending to be fatigued, but I let it go because my mind is cluttered with chaos.

  “Oh, shit. I forgot you were hurt too. Are you going to be here in the morning? I’m sorry, but I need to pick your brain until mine starts operating better.” I don’t know what happened to her or why she’s in here, but I’ll let her rest. I’m sure she’ll let me know later.

  “Absolutely,” she says before the big guy takes her back to her room.

  I mindlessly walk back to mine, moving straight to the chair next to the bed. I have a lot to think about, but the first thoughts are how Connie’s now mine to chase.

  Chapter 5

  Connie

  David’s a single, sexy lawyer. I could totally see it. Shit, I finally know his name. David Parker. I repeat it over and over in my head, thinking it suits him. I watched as he spoke to Brooke and felt complete jealousy until I figured out she was just a friend and client. Plus, his eyes are locked on mine the whole time.

  “Connie, are you going to speak? I asked you a question at least three times now,” he asks. I shake myself out of my petty thoughts. That woman was freaking beautiful though.

  “I’m sorry, David. It’s a lot to take in. What did you ask me?”

  “I asked if you’re going to marry me one day?” I blanch, and my eyes widen in surprise. I wasn’t expecting that question.

  “What?”

  “Now I know you heard me that time,” David says. I did, but how am I supposed to answer that? I want to scream “Hell yeah,” but he doesn’t even know himself. What if he doesn’t like certain things I do and runs screaming when he learns I love dogs.

  “Yes, but it’s not the right time for an answer. You can’t even leave the hospital to go on a date with me.”

  “Well, let’s do a lunch date here. Now that I know I don’t have a girlfriend, I won’t feel bad. You’ve put me off all week because you thought I could be in a relationship and now we know I’m not—so no more excuses.” He gives me a determined stare. I could totally see him as a lawyer. I can imagine how persuasive he could be in a courtroom.

  “Fine, but I still have more patients to see,” I tell him.

  “I’m here all day, angel.” I laugh and leave him in his room. I’m giddier than I should be as I see the next patient. It’s hectic here. Brooke wasn’t our only new patient today. Several emergencies swept through the hospital, as usual, most from car accidents and two gunshot victims. I have to go from floor to floor, and worry I’ll miss my lunch time with David.

  Chapter 6

  David

  I close my eyes, knowing things are starting to look up. As I do, more memories flood my mind. I see my office, even a little dog figurine I got from a client’s child once. It sits on a bookshelf in plain sight for all to see. Sluggishly more fuzzy moments dance in my head. Nothing majorly detailed such as actual cases or statutes, or things I’m going to need in order to keep my license. They brought me lunch, but my lovely Connie couldn’t make it. The food didn’t taste so good this time. After choking it down, I lean over and grab my table, sliding it to me so I can drink some water and like a fucking goof, I dump the ice-filled pitcher on me. “Son of a bitch,” I howl. It’s cold as fuck and all over my hospital gown and pants. I quickly push it away and stand up. Tugging off my gown, I missed that I now had an audience. I spin towards them. “I swear I didn’t piss myself. I dropped the pitcher on my clothes.”

  “You scared us,” Connie stammers out, staring at my chest. Apparently, I hadn’t lost much definition. She darts her eyes when I wink at her.

  “Can I get some dry clothes? Or just stay in the buff?” I smile at her in particular because that pink stain is sexy. I feel free now, knowing I had no ties to anyone. Connie is the only thing that matters to me. Even if I couldn’t be a lawyer again, I would be happy doing whatever necessary to have her.

  “You’re already buff,” the other nurse says which garners a dirty scowl from my angel.

  “Thanks,” I say, eyeing Connie for a reaction. Damn, I want to kiss her pouting mouth so desperately. Good, there’s been moments this week wh
ere I felt we were on the same page. Now, I can see she most certainly is interested. I get that this kind of start to a relationship is a bit unorthodox, but I wouldn’t have met her any other way.

  “Here you go,” she bites out, handing me a pair of clean garments with a little more force than necessary. “We’ll step out, so you can change.” She’s fighting the urge to continue staring. My angel makes me want to beef up some more, just to get that look from her.

  “Or you could stay,” I say to her, snatching her hand before she could leave, pulling her close to me.

  “I don’t think that’s appropriate,” Connie scolds which makes the other nurse laugh.

  “I think it’s more than.” I nod, loving the idea of her being in here at all times. I wish we could be alone for more than a few minutes a day.

  “Sorry, Mr. Parker. We have other patients to handle.” She tilts her head over to her co-worker. I’d like to tell the other nurse to handle them, but that’s not right.

  “Then come back after your shift,” I tell Connie, tilting my chin with authority.

  “That I can do.” She pulls her hand out of mine, pivots on her heel, and scurries out with her nurse buddy. I change, which isn’t as easy as it should be since my body is still extremely fucked up. The head injuries are getting better and the others are like shitty bruises now.

  Another nurse comes in with a new pitcher of water. “You know you and Connie are the talk of the hospital. Be good to her or you’ll be back in this place.”

  I laugh at her threat. It’s good to know my angel has support. We didn’t get to talk much about her life because she did all she could to avoid me throughout the week. “You have my word. If that’s good for anything.”

  “The way the other patient spoke about you, I’d say it is. It’s time for you to rest. I know it’s getting boring in here, but Connie will return—eventually.” I nod and lay back on the pillow. She’s right. I could use some rest.

  Chapter 7

  Connie

  “Connie, can I have a word with you?” Dr. Bill asks as soon as I hit the nurse’s station. I nod and follow him into his office. “Close the door.”

  I do, hoping he isn’t firing me. “Connie, you’re not in trouble. I know there’s something going on with you and Mr. Parker, and in truth, if it wasn’t for you he’d have no one to turn to according to our other patient. I just want you to keep it professional in the hospital. He’s likely to put the moves on you.” I gasp because it’s shocking that he would say that.

  “I don’t think so,” I deny, fully aware he did just that. I look at my watch and see it’s been an hour since the mini peep show he gave us.

  “The man just asked to marry you,” my boss fires back.

  I scrunch my face, feeling completely embarrassed. “You heard?”

  He smirks at me while shaking his head. “I turned around the second he said it to give you some space. The man could hear us in his coma and fell for you. It’s not hard to see that he would try to take it further.”

  “He’s too injured to try,” I argue.

  “I doubt that. His future looks a lot brighter now that he knows who he is.”

  There was a knock at the door. I open it and two men in suits come in.

  “Hello, I’m Detective De La Torre and this is Detective Sanders,” they say, showing us their badges.

  “How can we help you?”

  “Do you think Mr. Parker is stable enough to talk to us?”

  “Yes, but he really can’t tell you anything. He woke up with retrograde amnesia. May I ask what this is regarding?”

  “Your patient, Brooklyn Bennett, informed us of some details that may relate to Mr. Parker’s injuries, but she hasn’t shared them with him.”

  My boss nods, giving them the green light. “Connie, please escort these gentlemen.”

  “Okay, I’ll tell him that you’re here to speak with him,” I say, leading them out to the corridor. We walk over to David’s room and he’s sitting there watching the television.

  His eyes widen when he sees me, giving me a great big smile. “Hello, angel, who are these guys?”

  “David, Detectives De La Torre and Sanders have some things to go over with you regarding your attack.” He gives me a curious look that I’m not sure how to interpret, so I make myself say, “I’ll leave you to talk.”

  “No, you don’t. Get your ass over here, angel,” he scolds me. I come to his side easily, wanting to know everything they have to say. What else had Brooke told them about David?

  “Mr. Parker, your friend down the hall called us because she had some information she wanted to run past us before she told you. We already have people contacting the police department in Cincinnati.”

  “What is it?”

  “She believes your assistant is the one who set up your attack.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Ms. Bennett said she called your office and your assistant said you’d returned, but was too busy to call her back.”

  “Wow, that’s crazy.” I can see the look of anger wash over his face.

  “We are already looking into the matter for you.”

  “I want to ask if you can check my accounts. If money’s been missing or accessed since I’ve been here now that we actually know who I am.”

  “We’re already on it. If you want access for your own needs, we’ll do that after we contact your assistant. We don’t want to let on that we’re watching her.”

  “We’ll have people talking to you later to help you out.”

  “Thank you.”

  They leave, and I stare at him, wondering what he’s thinking. “I’m sorry, David.”

  “It’s fine. I think I’m just going to take a nap,” he says.

  “Okay, I’ll stop by before I leave.”

  “I can’t wait. Before you go, come here.” He wags his finger, summoning me closer. “You look so beautiful. I thought you should know that, angel.” He leans forward and places a soft kiss on my cheek, making me blush. “Thank you for being here, Connie.”

  Chapter 8

  David

  They left me alone as I think about the news. My world was just tilted again, and more things are popping into my head. Just before I left on my trip, I’d forgotten something at the office. When I went back in, she’d been digging through the trash I’d placed outside my office door. I asked her what happened, and she explained that she’d dropped her earring. I arched my brow and tried to help her find it. She didn’t see me notice her taking it off her ear.

  I pretended to search, looking at the receipt I’d dumped earlier and tucking it into my pocket, before reaching for the earring. She thanked me profusely, making up some story that they were a gift from her grandmother or something. I nodded, then cleaned up the mess. I came back and stepped into my office to get a file I’d forgotten, then left to catch my flight. I called a PI friend of mine but had to leave a message. That’s all I could remember about her.

  It infuriates me that she’s more than likely behind the near-fatal attack on my life. I wish I could remember more than that. Until I knew more about this, I couldn’t be sure Connie would be safe. Fuck, my brain shuts down before I can put more pieces together and I fall into a fitful sleep.

  I wake to a knock at the door, then Connie walks in. “I’m off for the day,” she says, walking over to my bed. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better now that you’re here.” I grab her hand, running my thumb across the back of her hand. “Do you work tomorrow?” I ask, looking into her perfect blue eyes.

  “I don’t, actually. Why?” I feel her tense up, but can’t be sure why. She’s closed off her expression. I continue rubbing her hand, hoping to ease her tension and get her to see me again.

  “I want to see you.”

  “I can come back in the morning,” she offers. I don’t want her to leave, but don’t have any recourse to keep her here either.

  “You could stay.”

  “I can�
�t.” She walks out, and I’ve had enough of laying in the damn bed. Shitty thoughts of another man gut check me, sending me on a mission to remember. I start pacing the room, then out in the hallway, several nurses and doctors stare at me, but don’t ask because the look on my face has to be enough. I’m determined to get back to normal. When my body starts tiring, I walk back to my room, crawl into bed, and am out completely.

  ~~~~~

  Dreams haunt me throughout the night. I startle myself awake and recall so much more. I need to speak to the police. I recall what happened the day I was attacked. Within thirty minutes, both Connie and the detectives arrive. God, she looks perfect. I stare at her until one of the detectives coughed to get my attention. Oops. I suppose it would help if I told them what I remembered.

  “Mr. Parker, can you tell us what you remember?”

  “Yes, I landed at Midway and a large goon-looking guy picked me up. He had to be about six-seven, close to three-hundred pounds. I felt off about it but went ahead anyway. Then he didn’t take me to the hotel Molly booked for the trip, telling me my assistant had changed my hotel. When they all attacked me, I asked why. He said that money talks.”

  “When you say they, how many are you referring to?” Detective Sanders asks.

  “There were two other cars. One was blocking the alley exit when we arrived, and another pulled in behind us. I saw at least two more guys. I did what I could, but was no match.”

  “Yes, well, we’ll get the footage from Midway and see who picked you up. I’ve already pulled some strings and got a warrant for your assistant’s bank records. She had to have known something was up since she never reported you missing and even lied to your clients.”

  “What am I supposed to do in the meantime? Can I go back to Ohio or even access my bank accounts?”

  “We just had a conference call with the bank. They sent over a copy of your picture and confirmed your identity. They also sent your records and our forensics team is going over it. One account has no activity since your attack, but your business account has had some which could be just general business charges, but we doubt it.”