by J. M. Witt
“Cassidy!”
“JAMES! I’m at home. Dan’s here…”
“Cassidy? Cassidy answer me.” I listened as I heard a scuffle before the phone went dead. “FUCK! Dan has her, they’re at the townhouse.” I knew Smith heard me as Paul floored it. We were doing ninety on the freeway, headed toward her townhouse, Smith right behind us.
“How did this happen?”
“Paul. Don’t start with me.”
“Sorry, I just.”
“I let my guard down. I fucked up. Don’t you think I know that?” Smith confirmed over the speakers of the SUV and I directed my next words to all three of them, but specifically Paul. “Whatever happens, you get her out and to safety.” Paul looked to me and understood the gravity of it all. “No matter what.”
“I got it.”
“I’m talking to all of you.”
“We got it.”
Too many minutes passed before we were burning rubber down her street. I spotted a car swerve and saw her red hair in the passenger seat as her desperate eyes met mine. Paul spotted them too and turned the wheel as he slammed on the brakes. We were turning to follow them as Smith pulled down the street and followed suit.
“Ryan, he’s got her in the passenger seat. Call everyone you know.”
“He’s already on it.” Smith responded as we drove with more caution than Dan was exhibiting. We’d be lucky if he didn’t get in a car accident, of course maybe that was his plan all along.
We were driving for far too long. He was taking her to the country and dread settled over me. “He’s taking her to the old Reynolds Bridge.” Smith and Paul both questioned me. “It’s the bridge her mother died at all those years ago.”
“Jesus Christ.”
“You don’t think…”
“I, no, I can’t, Ryan tell the cops.” I put my head in my hands as I thought about what that sick motherfucker had in mind for her.
“We’ll get her.”
My phone rang and it was her. “Cassidy!”
“James, I’m so sorry. I love you, please know that. I choose you. It’s always been you.”
I tried talking to her, but it was clear she couldn’t hear me. Her voice was garbled and then the connection was gone. It took everything I had not to break down. I just looked to Paul, dread filling me. It was a goodbye call because she was convinced she was going to die.
“Do you have your tools?” He pointed to the back seat as I grabbed anything I thought might be useful. We had to stop him before Dan did something crazy.
We lost sight of his car for a few moments and found it as we approached the bridge. Paul floored it again once we hit a straightaway and gained on them.
“You don’t think.”
“No, I know.” We watched in terror, nothing we could do as we witnessed the car fly through the side of the bridge and into the water. “Paul, drive to the embankment. Remember what I said. You get her out.”
“What happened?” Smith came through the speakers and Paul answered him.
“The cars in the water…” Their voices faded away as I waited for Paul to get close enough.
Once Paul pulled a ways down the embankment, I jumped out of the SUV. I grabbed a crow bar and ran toward the water. Paul was right behind me with a piece of pipe in his hands. I prayed that the cops and Smith were close behind. The car was at least fifty yards away as it disappeared under the water. Before diving in, I turned and saw Smith. He knew to stay put, the cops would need to know where the car went under.
Paul and I began swimming out. Once we were above where the car went under, we took deep breaths and went under. My eyes burned against the filmy water, but I could see the car. The water wasn’t extremely deep and it was the only thing I was thankful for. We swam to the passenger side and all we could see was her green dress. It had swallowed her whole, but she was banging on the glass. We began smashing on her window and it finally broke. I grappled for any part of her I could reach and pulled her out. Dan’s body came into view and I was determined to finish it.
Paul grabbed onto her other arm and started pulling her to the surface as my body was tugged back violently. I was becoming fatigued, trying not to inhale water. I found him tugging on my leg and I smashed his face with my fist before wrapping my hands around his throat. There was no way he was making it out of that lake alive.
His eyes were bulging as something heavy smashed against my head. I couldn’t hold on much longer. I needed air. I started to become disoriented and as his body went limp, eyes wide, I pushed up with my feet and hit my head again and my thoughts went blank as my lungs caved and sought breath, finding murky water instead.
~<>~<>~<>~
When my eyes opened I was aware that I was in a hospital room. A gorgeous redhead in scrubs was leaning over me, calling my name. I looked around as a few people began standing around my bed. Smith and my father were there and another nurse walked in. What the hell was going on? I tried to sit up, but my head began pounding when I tried that.
“James. Thank God, you’re awake.” The redheaded nurse was being a little inappropriate as I pulled my hand from her.
“What’s going on? What happened?”
A doctor in a white coat came over as the redhead moved aside. Smith stood close to her and I wondered who she was. “James, you’ve been in an accident. Do you know where you are?”
“Clearly. I’m in the hospital.”
“Yes, that’s correct. Do you know the people here?”
I looked to the faces I recognized, “Smith, Dad,” my eyes went back to her as I drew a blank.
She stepped forward and whispered my name, “James? It’s Cassidy.”
“James, do you know who she is?”
I laughed, uncomfortable and confused. “I, sorry, I don’t.” She stared at me as Smith and my father flanked her.
“She’s your wife, son.”
Scrunching my eyes, I looked to the doctor, Smith and my father before my eyes went back to her. My wife? I took in her appearance again. No, I never planned on getting married. This had to be a joke.
"Haha, guys. Seriously. Who's the redhead? Where are the cameras? We all know I'm not the marrying type."
Chapter 17 ~ Amnesia
~ JAMES ~
The redhead gasped and turned into my father’s arms as they stepped further away.
“James, do you know what day it is, what year?”
My attention back on the doctor, I thought about his question. “Umm, yeah.” I racked my brain. “August 2011.” The doctor took a breath and asked to talk to my father and the redhead in the hallway.
Smith stayed with me. “Smith, what the fuck is going on?”
“Maybe we should wait for the doctors.”
“Tell me what’s going on. Who’s the redhead?”
He moved closer, running his hands over his face. It was then I noticed he was wearing scrubs, too. What twilight zone had I stepped into? “She’s your wife, Cassidy.”
“No, I…what?” I shook my head. “What happened, what day is it?”
Smith told me and I was shocked. It wasn’t August and it wasn’t 2011. It was July 5, 2014. What the fuck happened to me? The doctor came back in and confirmed what Smith had told me before I could ask more questions about the redhead, my wife.
“You need to rest. You’ve been through a trauma. Can you do that?”
“Can I get something to eat? I’m starving.”
“Sure. I’ll have your nurse bring you something.”
Everyone walked out of the room, leaving me to my thoughts. I closed my eyes, not sure what to think, say or do. Several minutes later, the redhead walked in with a tray of food. She set it on the table by my bed and avoided eye contact with me. She was extremely nervous and I couldn’t blame her. I was still trying to wrap my brain around everyone telling me that I was apparently married to her.
“I went to the cafeteria and got a few things I thought you’d like.”
“Thank you. You didn’
t have to do that.” She looked to me briefly and smiled. She had beautiful blue eyes and it was evident she’d been crying. It was then I noticed her bruised face. Had she been in the accident with me? I heard her own stomach growl and smirked. “Are you hungry? I’m sorry, what was your name?”
The emotion flitted across her face as she tried to keep her composure. “Cassidy, my name’s Cassidy. It’s ok. I can eat later.” I placed my hand on hers and insisted she eat, too. “Ok. Do you want the pizza or the lasagna?”
“No matter to me.” She took the pizza and sat on the edge of the bed by my feet.
I pulled the bedside table over and started eating. She seemed quiet and reserved and definitely submissive. That explained a little bit. But married? I still couldn’t wrap my brain around it. I caught her staring at me as the door opened again. A nurse came in and asked to take my vitals. She then asked Cassidy if she was staying overnight.
“Um. I, that’s up to him.”
“I imagine you probably want to sleep in your bed and not here.” The nurse looked at Cassidy sympathetically before leaving the room. “I’m sorry. I’m not quite sure what to do here.”
She attempted to smile, assuring me it was ok. “You’re right. I’d prefer my own bed. You’ve been through a lot and need your rest.” She looked around the room and then gazed at me stating, “I’ll be back tomorrow,” before walking out the door.
~ PAUL ~
I got dressed and headed out without waking her. She’d tried so hard at the bachelor party to be a friend and I’d pushed her away. I reached out to her later on and told her I couldn’t be more than friends. Well, that quickly turned into friends with benefits and she knew she wasn’t the only one warming my bed. If that’s all we were, why did I feel bad about sneaking out? Probably because I knew she deserved more.
When I walked down to the garage and hopped in my SUV, I had no idea that I’d run into James and Smith in the garage. Thank God I had. After all the chaos that came, I was second guessing my decision to leave town. I needed to decide if I was going to hop on that plane home or if I was going to stay.
The next morning I rolled over and saw her naked body, a curvier and more voluptuous one than from the previous morning. Her hair was a bit longer, darker and was fanned out behind her. It all made no difference to me, I wasn’t picky. She was asleep. She and I had started making a habit of warming each other’s bed, long before I cared to admit, and she understood it was casual. Hell, it’d been her idea. We’d left the hospital together after awaiting news on James, though no one else knew and we both wanted to keep it that way.
I had to visit the hospital to see how everyone was holding up before I made my decision. At least we were all alive, barely. Well, not everyone was alive, but I didn’t give a shit about his, hopefully, dead ass. I contacted Smith on my way home and he had confirmed that the body had been pulled out of the water overnight. Dan was dead.
At Cassidy’s insistence, we hadn’t contacted Cal and Jane. She wanted them to enjoy their honeymoon since it was only a weekend retreat up at the cabin. They’d left before everything went to shit and they’d be home on Monday, which was the next day. I had a decision to make. Stay or go. I sat in the hospital lobby later that morning, waiting for Smith while I reflected on the previous evening.
We were in the lobby waiting for word. Smith, J.J. and Cassidy walked in and we all grew silent. Melissa, Lena, Anthony, Frank, Annie, Ryan, Delaney, Jane’s parents and myself all stood or sat in our various places in the room as J.J. filled us in.
“He’s awake. His memory is a little off right now, but the doctor’s think he’ll make a full recovery.”
J.J. continued answering questions and I got the sense he was being vague. Smith had his arm around Cassidy and she wouldn’t make eye contact with anyone. I had a feeling something more severe was going on, but they didn’t want to disclose it just yet.
Melissa came forward, “Cassidy, you look exhausted.”
“She’s right. You’ve had one hell of a day.” Delaney seconded Melissa’s words.
“I, yes, but…Lena, did you get a hold of my dad?” Cassidy looked to Lena who nodded. “Is he coming down?”
“He should be here at any moment.”
Just as Lena finished her statement, Mr. Charles walked into the lobby. Cassidy ran to him and he checked her over as he held her. She was crying into his chest as he pulled her to a corner of the room, Lisa walked in a few moments later.
J.J. got our attention and thanked everyone for coming. “Please give James some time and privacy. Please check with Smith, myself or Cassidy before you pay him a visit.” We all agreed and began heading our separate ways.
I walked to my SUV and she was standing there waiting for me. We didn’t have to exchange words. I just nodded and she followed me in her car as we headed back to my place. It was one weekend I knew I wanted to forget and I’m sure she did, too.
Smith gripped my shoulder and pulled me from my thoughts. Shaking hands, he reiterated that Dan’s body had been pulled from the lake and his body was at the coroner’s office. I’d never been so relieved to hear that someone was dead.
“Don’t you have a plane to catch?”
I looked to Smith, “That’s what I’m trying to decide. Did he find a replacement for me?”
“Nope. He was planning to take it on himself. Before, all this.”
Sighing, I had my answer. “Alright. I’ll cancel my flight. I’m not sure how long I’ll stay, but I’ll keep things running so the projects are on schedule until he’s back to work.”
“It’s worse than that.” I narrowed my eyes at Smith, as he confided in me. “You can’t say anything. He has amnesia. He’s thinks it’s fucking 2011.”
“Jesus.”
We talked a while longer and I knew I had to stay. We shook hands again before I left. I pulled out my phone and dialed.
“Hey Mom. Yeah, I’m not coming home just yet.”
~ CASSIDY ~
I was in the hallway with J.J and the doctor. I couldn’t comprehend anything he was telling me. The only thing I knew was that James didn’t know who I was. Devastated was an understatement to how I felt. Dan was finally gone—I hoped—and everything had been falling into place.
“Mrs. Benedict?” I jerked my head to the doctor as he said my name again. “Give him time. Sometimes these things take time. Don’t put too much on him too soon.”
Nodding, I complied as J.J. rubbed my back. “Don’t worry dear. He’ll remember.”
“I hope so.” The doctor headed back in to see James as I murmured to J.J., “You heard him. He never planned on getting married.”
“He’s a silly boy. Don’t listen to him.”
Smith came out of the room followed by the doctor. “He’s hungry.” Looking to me he suggested, “Why don’t you go to the cafeteria and get him some of his favorite foods? It might help.” We all agreed and the doctor walked away.
“I don’t want anyone to know just yet. He’s fine and that’s all they need to know for now.” Smith and J.J. agreed.
“I’ll wait here while you and Smith go get him some food. We can talk to everyone together.”
“Ok.”
When I was in line getting food for James, Smith got a phone call. He looked to me as he gave generic answers that didn’t tip me off to anything. He paid for the food and took the tray from me as we headed back to the elevator.
“I don’t know how to do this.”
“How to do what?”
I looked to him, “Pretend I don’t know him.” I sniffed, “It’s not fair. After everything…”
He nodded and sighed, “They just pulled his body from the lake. He’s dead.”
A weight was lifted from me and immediately replaced with another. “And James has no idea.” Then it hit me. “Oh God.”
“What is it?”
“Smith, he has to remember. How far back does he remember?”
“I, he thinks it’s 2011.”
> My gut wrenched as I started crying. “His mom! He thinks she’s still alive.” The doors opened and we stepped outside and into another hallway. He set the tray down and pulled me to him. “I can’t do this, Smith.”
“Shh, yes you can. Just one day at a time. All you have to do is go eat with him, not fill him in on the last three years of his life.”
I knew he was right, but every memory that was ingrained in my soul, James no longer had. It hurt to breathe thinking about him suffering through all of that again. If he asked about his mom how was I going to explain it?
“One day at a time, Cassidy.”
I wiped my tears and took a deep breath. “Ok.”
I walked into his room, set the tray down, and we exchanged a few words. I was fidgeting and it took everything I had not to throw myself in his arms when his hand touched mine. I was so happy that he was alive and just wanted to imbed myself in his arms. He had to ask me my name and it cut me deep. After that the nurse came in and asked if I was staying, I knew I had to get out of there. I left more abruptly than I had intended to. Smith and J.J. walked with me to the lobby where our friends and family awaited news.
I vaguely recall J.J. filling everyone in, without telling them that James had amnesia. When my Dad walked in I rushed over to him. He was the only other man who could make me feel better. I filled him in quietly as he shed some tears of his own. Next thing I knew, everyone seemed to be gone except for the three of us, and J.J., Smith and Delaney.
“Has anyone called Cal and Jane?” Lisa asked and we all shook our heads.
“Please don’t. James is alive. Let them enjoy their honeymoon.” Reluctantly they all agreed and J.J. confirmed that Bev hadn’t called Jane either.
“Cassidy, can Lisa and I take you home.”
“Yes, but I don’t have my car or keys to get in.”
“Here.” Smith pulled out some keys and handed me one. “It’s for your place.” I nodded, knowing he wouldn’t need it anymore, I grabbed on to it. “I’ll try to get your car back to you tonight or in the morning. I need to find out if the cops impounded it or not.”
