Always Tried and Proven

by Nancy Hopper

  "You want to come along? And can you reach her family?" the man asked, with affirmative answers from Sam on both counts.

  Sadie took Sam’s arm. “Sam, let me drive you in.” she suggested worriedly. “I’ll just take along some clothes, and change at the hospital. I had Jeannie get you a shirt, and some shoes.”

  “Okay.” He agreed. “Please hurry.”

  Sean and Dalton insisted on driving in, as well.

  They had a very long wait, once they’d arrived at the hospital. By eight o’clock, Sadie was trying to talk Sam into eating some breakfast, but he wouldn’t budge. She sent Sean and Dalton for take-out, and stayed with Sam.

  Finally, around nine, the doctor came out to talk to them. “Her x-rays show a small depressed skull fracture. I don’t see any chips inside the cranium, nor is anything terribly displaced. She’s conscious now, but still pretty disoriented. I’ve given her something for her headache, so she may be pretty groggy when you see her. I am going to have to keep her for observation for a day or two. She’s got a concussion, and we’ll need to watch carefully for any seizure activity. We’ve got her scheduled for an EEG this afternoon.”

  “What can I tell her mother?” Sam asked worriedly.

  “Tell her it looks like she’ll be fine, but we’re going to watch her for a couple of days.”

  “What do you think this hole in her forehead is going to do when it heals up? Is it going to leave a big scar?” Sadie asked worriedly.

  The doctor shrugged. “No. Not really. There could be a scar, or a slight depression, but she didn’t lose much skin. I suspect it will heal up just fine. Her biggest complaint will be the headache, for awhile. It could be that you will encounter some behavioral changes for awhile with the severe concussion, but she’ll most likely straighten out in a few months, at most. While she’s here, let her get a lot of rest and keep your visits low key, please.”

  Sam nodded. “Thank you.” He said quietly.

  Calling Rose was difficult. Sam didn’t like having to break this kind of news, but Rose was wonderful. She took it calmly, and she was as concerned for Sam as she was for her daughter. She could tell that this had been a significant strain for him. They agreed that Sam would call her again that evening or the next day to tell him how Callie was doing. Rose was ready to catch a plane or train, but Sam talked her into waiting until they knew more.

  Sadie talked Sam into getting something to eat, while they waited for Callie to be transferred to her room and settle in. He didn’t eat much. He just couldn’t help it. He wasn’t going to be able to relax, until he saw Callie for himself.

  He went up first, by himself, when he couldn’t stand it anymore. Sadie knew better than to push Sam, or argue at that point. When he got to her room, there were still hospital personnel inside. He waited until they left, and then he went inside.

  She was sleeping. They’d put a few stitches in her forehead, and she was very pale; but otherwise, she looked all right. In fact, he was exceedingly glad to see her. He sat down beside her bed, and just watched her rest. He wondered how much of the morning she remembered. Had she ever been aware of the smothering branches? Or had the tree swept through and slapped her unconscious immediately?

  She opened her eyes and looked at him, as though aware of the questions rattling around in his head. Sam took her hand in his, and gave her a hint of a smile.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey.” She answered faintly. “What, did you get tired of my lip and finally decide to slap the dickens out of me, Sam?” she teased. “I think I’ve learned my lesson.”

  “Yeah, right.” He growled. “You know better than that, much as I may be tempted, sometimes.”

  “What exactly did happen?”

  “You were attacked by a tree.”

  Callie looked at him as though he’d lost his mind.

  “We had tornado warnings last night. At four this morning, the winds came up and a tree fell into the trailer. The branches knocked out the window, and you just happened to be in the way, too.”

  “I feel like I’ve been shot in the head.”

  “Just slapped.” He corrected. “But it looks like you’re going to be fine. I don’t mind telling you that you had me very worried.”

  She smiled wanly. “Sorry.”

  “Oh, good. You’re awake again.” A nurse said briskly. “Let’s check your blood pressure.”

  “Didn’t you just do that?” Callie asked tiredly.

  “We’ll be keeping a close eye on it.” The nurse responded evenly.

  When she was gone, Callie rolled her eyes at Sam. “They are making me crazy.” She sighed.

  “You won’t be here too long.” He promised. “I’ll have you back at the trailer as soon as possible, and you can sleep just as much as you want. You could even take some time off and go home to Rose’s, if you want to.”

  “No. No, I don’t want to go home.” She assured him immediately.

  “Good. I’ll keep you close to me, then.” He said with a smile.

  Callie got a funny look on her face.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked gently.

  “I don’t know. I just feel strange.” She answered uncertainly. “I just told you I didn’t want to go home. But you said something about going to Mom’s. And I don’t live there, I have an apartment. And you’re talking about a trailer, and I don’t have a clue what you mean. But I guess … I should.”

  “Callie, what’s the last thing you remember?” Sam asked softly.

  “I don’t know.” She answered, looking a little wild around the eyes. “I feel like there’s some kind of mental vacuum, or something. I can answer questions, but when I think about the answers I give, they don’t make sense to me.” Tears poured from her eyes. “Sam, I’m scared. What’s the matter with me?”

  Sam scooped her up and sat back down in the chair, with her in his lap. His arms held her tightly, and his hand stroked her hair.

  “Shh.” He said against her temple. “It’s going to be all right. Don’t get yourself worked up, sweetheart.” He kissed her softly, and held her the way he’d been longing to do. She calmed herself, and allowed herself to experience this man’s lovemaking. It was exquisite. He went deeper, despite his better judgment. He was very hungry to taste Callie’s charms.

  Callie felt the possessiveness in his manner, and wondered at it. But she said nothing, did nothing to stop it. She was very content to let him have his way. He kissed her neck, and sighed heavily.

  “I was worried, honey.” He said quietly. “I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost you.”

  She just looked up at him, uncertainly. She could see the honesty in his eyes, the worry. But she didn’t understand for certain what was happening.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked at last.

  “I don’t know. I guess I’m confused.” She answered tiredly.

  Sam looked very worried. “Let’s get you back in bed, so that you can rest.” He said gently. After accomplishing that, he sat down and took her hand.

  “Callie, I need your help.” He said gingerly. “I think you have a few pieces of missing information, and I need to let your doctor know. Can you help me by answering a few questions?”

  “Sure.” She agreed hesitantly.

  “You live in an apartment?”

  She seemed confused. “Yes.”

  “Where do you work?”

  “I’m a singer.” She said emphatically. “And musician.”

  “But, where are you working?” he persisted gently.

  “The new club on Meridian?” she said fuzzily. “It’s called the Village?”

  “How did you meet me?” he asked worriedly.

  She shook her head. “I don’t have a clue, Sam.” She whispered fearfully.

  “Do you remember who introduced us?”

  She looked at him, torment shining in her clear eyes. Finally, she shook her head. She remembered nothing about that.

  “Tell me something about … your dad.”r />
  “He’s dead.” She said coldly. “Let’s leave him in the grave, all right?”

  “You have a friend named Sadie?”

  Callie looked confused, and then a light went on. “Sadie Hamilton. I went to school with her. I haven’t seen her in several years.”

  “Jimmie.” He challenged.

  “My bass player. Oh, no -- Wait. Jimmie doesn’t like you.” She stammered. “He quit.”

  “What about Sean and Dalton?”

  “Gone.” She said, as though it were a revelation.

  “Does the word ‘tent’ mean anything to you?” he asked hesitantly.

  “No. I get a picture, kind of, of a big tent like a circus tent.”

  “No idea what it’s used for?” he prompted gently.

  “No. Sam, answer something for me. We are obviously not just friends. Who exactly are you, and what in the world has happened to my life? I’m without a band, and I don’t know why. You’re kissing me, and I don’t know why. Why don’t I know?” she gasped, tears pouring freely.

  He sighed heavily. “I guess, Callie, it’s because you took a blow to the head. You know what, I’m going to answer a few things so you won’t be so scared. But then, I need to talk to your doctor. You’re still working with Sean and Dalton. You haven’t lost them. They did quit the band, but you’re all working together again.”

  “You and I are more than just friends, Callie. A lot more than just friends. I’m here for you, and I won’t run out on you. It’s going to be all right. Everything in your life is okay, except for this bump on the head. And I’m sure it’s going to resolve, too. But right now, I can understand why you’re upset.”

  “Well; yeah! How does a girl have a man like you in her bed, and not remember?” she asked incredulously.

  Sam looked at his feet, and smiled in embarrassment. “Callie, honey. No. It’s nothing like that.” He said in a strained voice. “Not yet, anyway.”

  “I’m obviously not holding you at arm’s length.” She accused.

  “No. But don’t jump to any conclusions, all right?” he said gently.

  Callie paled. “I didn’t go and get married or anything, did I?” she asked, horrified. “Holy crap!”

  Sam gave her a funny look. “No. Not at all.” He said quietly.

  “Oh, Sam. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like it sounded.” She said immediately.

  “It’s all right. Callie, I need to see your doctor. I’ll be back, soon.” He promised. He kissed her cheek. “You just get some rest.”

  “I’m such a thoughtless idiot. Sam,” she protested.

  He winked on his way out the door, and kept going.

  She cursed soundly. Sam heard it, and winced. It was just one more fiery barb in his heart. A number of them had been driven in deeply this morning, and he was finally coming to the realization that Callie really didn’t remember much except his name. She didn’t remember Jesus, or the tent, at all.

  Sadie saw Sam getting into the elevator, and went after him. The doors closed before she could get there. He was going down. The look on his face had warned her that she’d better follow him. She went down the stairs and got to the first floor, just in time to see him going out the front door.

  She chased him, and caught him at the traffic light. “Sam!” she chastised. “Please! Stop and tell me what you’re doing.”

  He gave her a cursory glance. “I’m going across the street to that park.” He answered coolly.

  “May I ask why?” she ventured cautiously.

  The light changed, and Sam started walking. Sadie bit her lip, and followed him. This was not encouraging, at all. She caught up with Sam and fell in step. He finally sighed heavily, and slowed down.

  “What would you say, Sadie, if I were to tell you that Callie does not remember seeing you for several years? She doesn’t remember where she met me, can’t figure out why I’d want to kiss her if I haven’t been in her bed, doesn’t remember anything about a tent, and has lost all memory of her salvation?”

  He sat down on a park bench with a sigh, and covered his eyes with his hands

  “That’s preposterous!” She denied. “You can’t be serious.”

  “She didn’t get really upset until it occurred to her that she might have been foolish enough to marry me.”

  Sadie put a hand on his arm. “Sam. Sam, stop. She’s disoriented. Listen to me, you can’t hold her responsible for her ramblings this morning.”

  “I know. Sadie, she could get a visual of the tent. She thought perhaps it was a circus. I think perhaps, I will simply go mad.”

  “Sam, she’s going to remember. She’s going to be all right. Amnesia isn’t usually permanent, but we need to talk to her doctor, immediately.”

  “I know. I just had to get away for a minute. Why don’t you go see her? Talk to the doctor again. I’ll be back up in awhile.”

  “Oh, Sam.” She whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.

  “Please.” He asked, with a pointed look. She could see that he had to be alone. But it was breaking her heart. He’d been through so much with Callie. He was obviously shattered.

  She went back to the hospital, and got the nurse to page Callie’s doctor. Then, she went in to visit her friend.

  “Sadie Hamilton! I can’t believe it! This is wonderful. I should have known you were around, since Sam mentioned your name. When did you get to town?”

  “Oh, it’s been a while.” Sadie evaded.

  “Sadie, I need your help. You must know Sam, right? Because he mentioned you. I’m so embarrassed! I mean, I know Sam. I recognize his face, and I know his name, but I don’t know why I know him, or how we met. How involved am I with this guy?”

  “Wow.” Sadie sighed. She sat down hard in the chair. “Callie, listen. I’m sure that you’re going to remember everything, given a little time. Honey, you are disoriented. You took an awful blow to the head. It’s all going to come back to you and be in order. But right now, you’re scared. I can understand that. Don’t ask me to tell you my version of you and Sam, or anything else, until I talk to your doctor. I don’t want to confuse or upset you. I mean, information can be a shock, and you’ve had enough already, for one day.”

  “But Sadie, I have to know a few things about this guy. I don’t want to hurt him, any more than I have. Please, you’ve got to help me.”

  Sadie sighed, and bit her lip. She gave Callie a pensive look. “Callie; he’s in love with you. You are in love with him. He’s wonderful and you’re perfect together. If you’re very, very lucky, he’s going to ask you to marry him in the near future. So just relax for now, and be your sweet self. Everything is going to work out all right.”

  “But I can’t marry anybody, Sadie.” She objected. “I’d take that babe home with me in a minute, but I can’t marry him.”

  “I beg your pardon? Callie, why not?” she asked incredulously.

  Callie folded her arms, and took on a very stubborn look. “I don’t give men power over my life. I can’t. Marriage is out of the question for me.”

  “Oh. Well, Callie; do us all a favor, will you? Just don’t make an issue of your opinion about marriage, for awhile. Roll with the punches until you get completely back up to speed, will you?”

  “Why?”

  “Because yesterday, you didn’t have any problem with the idea of marrying Sam. You and I have been waiting for him to ask you. You never wanted anything so much as that! So sit tight, and don’t blow it.”

  “I can’t even fathom that.” Callie gasped.

  “Well, honey, please just believe me. It’s true, and this whole thing has been very hard on Sam. You guys had had an awful breakup, and you were just getting Sam’s trust back; your relationship is at a very sensitive point. So now, he’s at the breaking point.”

  “Have a heart, girl, and play it smart. Please. For now. You’ve got all kinds of options to consider later, but for now, don’t make the choice. You don’t have all the information you need, to choose wisely.”
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  Callie shook her head. “Me, married? I can’t even get there from here. It’s very un-Callie-like.”

  “Maybe the old Callie. But you and Sam are simply perfect for one another. He’s a one in a million man, Cal. Be careful! He’s got his heart hanging out today, and you’ve already stomped on it a bit.”

  “Ladies, I’m Dr. Adams.” A man interrupted. “How are you feeling?” he asked Callie, as he checked her pulse

  “I’ve got a headache and a sore forehead.” She answered lightly.

  “I’ll just bet you do. Any other symptoms?” he asked.

  “Well; I’ve already managed to hurt my boyfriend’s feelings. It would seem I’ve got a few lapses in my memory.”

  “Like what?” the doctor asked keenly.

  “Well; when Sam walked in here, I knew his face and his name, but I didn’t remember anything about our relationship. I kind of put my foot in my mouth, it seems.”

  “And Sam is?”

  “For all intents and purposes, soon to be her fiancé.” Sadie answered wearily.

  That raised the doc’s eyebrows. “Anything else?”

  “You’d have to ask Sam. He asked me a lot of questions that I couldn’t answer, but I don’t even remember them now. Except about the band. I remembered that my band members quit. Then, Sam told me we were all working together again, and not to be upset. But I can’t for the life of me remember anything about that. And I feel like I have this awful, gaping mental void.”

  “Well, Callie. Though you certainly have some obvious gaps, it does sound like you thankfully, do have pieces that make sense. I suspect that you will remember more, as you give yourself time to recover. Take it easy while you’re here. You can sit up in the chair if you want to, but don’t overdo. And don’t worry too much. But please, buzz the nurse at once if you feel at all dizzy, or strange.”

  “Okay.” Callie agreed meekly.

  The doctor smiled at her, and indicated for Sadie to follow him.

  Sadie kissed Callie’s cheek and admonished her to get some rest.

  Dr. Adams waited for her at the nurse’s station. “She’s got a heck of a case of amnesia, does she?”

  “Big time. Sam was pretty devastated.”

  “I can understand. How far does this lapse go back?”