something was missing though.” A faint image danced around the edges of his memory.
“What?” Noel prodded eagerly.
Sean thought about it for a minute. “The phone.
There wasn’t any phone.”
“Are you sure?” Noel asked.
“Positive. Why would I have a working desk with no phone?” Sean shook his head trying to clear the image further.
“You probably had your cell,” Noel concluded.
“But I have a telephone on both my desks. And I don’t have any photos of little blonde girls,” Sean insisted.
“What about the deck of cards?” Noel asked.
“That’s for Shanghai Rummy,” Sean answered, dismissing it as unimportant.
“Who do you play with?”
“Yana. Shit! Where did that come from? I haven’t played cards in years… not since college. And I sure as hell don’t know anyone named Yana!”
“With someone named Yana?” Noel asked.
“No. There were four of us; Jennifer, me, Marie, Steve and Carl. Why on earth would I be thinking of playing cards? And with someone named Yana?”
“That was five,” Noel pointed out the discrepancy.
“Huh?”
“You said four of you played and you named five people.”
“No I didn’t. There were just four of us. Jennifer, me, Marie and Steve.”
“Before you said Carl.”
“Carl? I don’t know any Carl. At least I don’t think I do.” Even as he said the words, he felt a vague familiarity with the name.
“Think about the name; does any face come to mind?” Noel suggested.
“No. Not a face… maybe a place.” Sean struggled to clear the foggy images that flittered across the back of his mind.
“A place? Where? Describe it,” Noel instructed.
“We were sitting at a table playing cards but I can’t see his face,” Sean said, a little disappointed that he couldn’t come up with more.
“Just the two of you?” Noel asked.
“Uh huh.” Sean searched his memory in vain.
“Look around. What do you see?”
“Other tables. I think we’re in… a mall or something; maybe a park. I hear birds and I can see lots of greenery and shops around.” Sean gave a little smile at this tiny scrap of memory.
“Where is this place?” Noel asked.
“I don’t know; I think it was a waiting room of some kind.” Again the blackness closed off any further memory for Sean.
“Anything else at all that you can remember?” Noel asked.
“No. This Carl was probably someone I met in the waiting room and we were killing time.” Sean shook his head and tried to clear the cobwebs.
“You want to try and sleep for a while?”
“No. I want to go home,” Sean said exhausted from all the confusion and just needing the security of being in his own place again.
“You will; in good time,” Noel assured him and lowered the bed down.
“Thanks. I am kind of sleepy. Maybe I’ll remember more when I wake up.”
“I’m sure you will.” Noel turned the lights down and exited the room.
“What is it? Is anything wrong? Did he remember something?” Yana assailed Noel with questions.
“He’s a little sleepy so he’s resting. He did remember something but it’s very little.”
“What? What did he remember? Did he remember me?” Yana asked.
Noel shook his head. “The last thing he remembered was sitting at his desk. So I asked him to think about that and to close his eyes and describe what he saw on his desk.
He said there were papers, files, and a silver picture frame with a photo of a little blonde girl.”
“That’s Evie! He remembered Evie.” Yana felt jubilant. “Did he remember anything else?”
“Yeah. A deck of cards. I asked him who he played cards with and the first thing he said was Yana.”
“He remembered me!” Yana grinned.
“The name surprised him. He didn’t know anyone named Yana and hadn’t played cards since college and there were four that played. But he named five people.”
“I was the fifth?” Yana asked hopefully.
“No. He named Carl,” Noel said.
“Yes! He plays sometimes with Carl. It’s working, Noel, just like you said it would. He just needs a little more time. Can we go in and question him some more?”
“Not right now. He’s trying to sleep,” Noel said.
“We should let him rest for a while. I know it’s tempting to try and push things but it might only delay Sean’s recovery.
Let’s let him rest.”
“Yes, of course. Maybe when he wakes up he’ll remember more.” Yana smiled for the first time since they had brought Sean in.
“I’m sure he will. That’s the way it usually works; it comes back in bits and pieces. You’ve just got to remember not to let whatever he says get to you. You know Sean and when he comes out of this, everything will be as it was before.”
“Yes, yes, of course it will.” Yana ran a hand through his uncombed hair as paced anxiously in the small waiting room.
“Why don’t you go for a walk—or better yet—go take a shower, freshen up; maybe take a nap come back later this afternoon. You haven’t been out of this room since you’ve been back. There’s no sense in you just waiting around here. He may sleep for hours; I hope he does; he needs it.” Noel shooed Yana out of Medical.
Yana walked aimlessly through the halls. Sean would remember him; he had to. His thoughts were interrupted by a small voice.
“Yana, Yana, Yana!” Evie came hurtling towards him and threw herself into Yana’s open arms. “I’ve been wanting to come see you and Uncle Sean but Momma said I had to wait until he got better.”
“Hey, sweetheart! How you doing?” Yana welcomed the six-year old with a hug.
“I’m fine. How’s Uncle Sean? Is he better yet? Can I go see him?” She asked with a toss of her golden curls.
“Not yet, I’m afraid. He’s resting and he’s still not well. Once he’s up to having visitors, I’ll come get you and take you to him. How will that be?”
“Oh, that would be wonderful! I hope it’s soon!”
“Me, too.” He hoped that his smile hid his deep concern for Sean.
“He hasn’t been my Uncle for very long but I love him a lot, and I’m always sad when he goes away.”
“I know, Evie.” Yana hugged her close.
“And when you and Uncle Sean are gone and I feel really lonely.”
“Well, we’re back now and soon everything will be back to normal,” Yana assured her.
“Maybe when he’s better we can have a party?
Okay, Yana?” Evie asked.
“I don’t know, honey. It might take a long while for Sean to get better.”
“Well, maybe you can both come over to our place and have spaghetti. You know how much Uncle Sean loves momma’s spaghetti!”
“I think he’d like that.” Yana grinned and set her down on her feet as her mother approached.
“There you are, Evie. I’ve been looking for you.”
Caroline smiled then asked, “How’s Sean doing? Any better?”
Yana’s eyes cut to Evie and her mother got the hint.
“Evie, honey, will you go check on your daddy for me. He’s over at the newsstand and I want to make sure he doesn’t over do it.”
“Sure, Momma.” Evie skipped off after her father.
“He has no memory of me at all except from before.
He called me Yates. He keeps asking to go home to his old condo. But he did have a few small breakthroughs.”
“Oh, good! I’m so glad. I remember one time when Aaron was just out of chamber; he was so confused it was frightening.” She shuddered.
“I remember that, Caroline. It only lasted a few days though. I’m hoping and praying Sean will come out of it soon.” He tried to muster a smile.
> “I’m sure he will, Yana.” She put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
“I’m so grateful to Aaron for going with me. I hope he didn’t overdo too much. We had to help carry Sean quite a long ways and we were pretty sure we were being followed. It was a real strain on both of us.” Sean begging for him echoed through his mind.
“He’s tired, Yana, but Noel checked him over and he’ll be fine with a little rest. You look like you could use some sleep yourself.”
“Oh, I’m fine.” Yana shrugged. “I just need for Sean to wake up and remember me.”
“I’m sure he will soon. And don’t worry too much about this confusion. It’ll pass.”
She gave him a reassuring hug and went on her way.
“Oh God, I hope so,” Yana whispered as he continued his aimless walk.
“Noel? I’ve got something I need to bring up. It’s kind of personal.” Sean said after Noel examined him.
“What is it?” Noel asked, pulling a stool up next to Sean’s bed.
“For some reason, each time I wake up, I have to make a dash to the bathroom to ejaculate.”
“That’s not uncommon with the drugs that were given to you.”
“They drugged me? Is that what’s causing this partial amnesia? Can’t you give me something to counter-act whatever it was?” Sean asked hopefully.
“I already have. It should slow down and eventually go back to normal.”
“It’s really strange. I mean, this hasn’t happened to me since I was a teenager and then it was usually accompanied by a hot dream.” Sean relaxed.
Noel considered him a moment. “I have something I’d like to try. I’ll explain it and you can choose to try it or not.”
“What is it? Will it help me get my memory back?”
Sean would jump at anything to assist remembering everything.
“It may. What it does is help you focus more clearly.” Noel explained.
“How does it work? Is it another drug?” He didn’t like the thought of more medication.
“No. It’s something I do. You close your eyes and I touch your forehead. Things will immediately become clearer.”
“Hypnotism?” Sean asked.
“No,” Noel explained. “Hypnotism is something totally different. What I do simply allows you to see things clearer, sharper.”
“Would it be a permanent thing?” Sean asked hoping this technique might clear his memory problem up once and for all.
“No. And you can control it yourself. If you want it to end, you simply open your eyes and the contact is broken.”
“Sounds simple enough,” Sean agreed, “I’m really not comfortable with anyone messing with my mind.”
“May I give you a small example of what I’m talking about?” Noel suggested. “We can do it right here or we could go into my office.”
“It would be nice to get out of this room for a bit. Is your office close by? I’m not exactly dressed for a long walk.” Sean was eager to leave but not sure he had the strength.
“The waiting room is through that door and my office is just off that. I think there should be a robe in here somewhere.” Noel got up and rummaged through the cupboards and came up with a robe.
Sean put it on, anxious for his first steps out of the room since he had gotten there two days before.
They settled in Noel’s office, Sean on the couch and Noel in a chair across from him.
“Are you ready?” Noel asked, pulling his chair up close.
“What do I have to do?” Sean asked, a little nervous now that he had agreed to the process.
“Just relax. We’ll try a little exercise first. See that bowl of fruit over on that table?” Noel pointed across the room.
Sean took a quick look then back. “Uh huh. What about it?”
“Close your eyes now.”
Sean followed the instruction and felt Noel’s finger against his forehead for an instant.
“Now, think about that bowl of fruit,” Noel instructed.
“Oh wow! I see what you mean.” Sean said eagerly.
“It’s perfectly clear. I can see each and every grape in detail.”
“Okay. Now, you can open your eyes and end this session or we can go on. Which do you prefer?” Noel asked.
“Let’s go on,” Sean answered as he relaxed a bit more.
“Okay. You said the last thing you remembered was sitting at your desk. Think about the desk now and describe it to me,” Noel said.
“It’s nice desk,” Sean said after a minute. “Looks like walnut. The top is polished to a fine sheen, the style is plain and sleek.”
“What’s sitting on top of the desk?” Noel asked.
“Papers, a file folder, the silver framed photo of Evie, and a double deck of playing cards,” Sean described easily.
“Take a good look at the file folder; what does it say on it?” Noel scribbled his notes.
Sean turned his head sideways like he was reading a label. “Rules for Shanghai Rummy,” he read.
“Can you tell me what that’s for?”
“It’s the rules for the card game we play. I had them printed out,” Sean explained.
“Okay. Describe the photograph in the silver frame,” Noel instructed.
“It’s Evie and she’s wearing a pink striped shirt and blue jeans. It was taken during a picnic we went on,” Sean answered.
“Is she alone in the photograph?” Noel asked.
“Yes. She’s wearing the locket I gave her. It has her name on the front.” Sean smiled at the thought of sweet little Evie.
“Do you remember Evie? Tell me about her. When and where did you meet her?” Noel asked.
“Of course, I remember Evie. I met her here, in Medical.” Sean said with great fondness for the little girl.
They were interrupted by Noel’s com going off and Sean opened his eyes, the link broken.
“I’m so sorry, Sean, but I’m needed elsewhere right now. We can continue this another time if you like.”
“Yes, of course.” He stood up and Noel escorted him back to his room.
Sean paced around his room before he got back into bed. His thoughts were still jumbled.
Evie confused him the most. He remembered the little girl clearly now. He could remember the picnic they went on, but everything else stayed blurry around the edges. Who was she and how did he know her? Why would he have a photo of her on his desk?
And how did he get that desk anyway? It didn’t look like the desk in his office, strictly government issue there.
And the desk he had in the living room of his condo had a lighter shade, made of pine. Yet he clearly remembered sitting at that desk, knowing it belonged to him. So many questions and so few answers.
Still, the thought of the little girl comforted him somehow. He smiled when he thought of her. A special child, he knew that for sure. He leaned his bed back and dozed off.
The next day Yana and Noel quietly discussed Sean’s condition in the waiting area when they heard a crash from his room. Hurrying inside, they saw him making a dash for the restroom. The bed-side table overturned in his haste Yana’s heart ached at the embarrassment on Sean’s face.
“Are you all right?” Noel went to him, assisting him back into his bed.
“I’m fine.” Sean wouldn’t make eye-contact with either of them.
“We were in the waiting area and heard the crash. I thought maybe you’d fallen,” Noel said.
“What’s he doing here?” Sean nodded towards Yana.
“He works with me, Sean. He’s been a big help in more ways than I can explain,” Noel said.
“I can leave if you’d rather,” Yana offered.
“I’d rather!” Sean said.
Yana nodded and headed out into the waiting area.
He stayed by the door, unable to move too far away.
“He saved your life, Sean,” Noel said.
“I still find that hard to believe. He must want something from me.”
“It’s complicated. But if not for him… you wouldn’t be here being cared for.”
Yana risked a quick look inside Sean’s room.
“I’ve never been more confused and mixed up in my life. I need to know what the hell happened to me, Noel.”
Sean massaged his temples. “And why is he hanging around. Does he expect me to say ‘thank you’ or something?”
“I think he’s probably just worried about you,” Noel answered.
Sean scoffed. “I don’t believe that for a minute. Do you know what kind of person he is? He’s as dirty as they come. You can’t trust a snake like him.” He locked gazes with Noel. “Why would you have someone like that working with you?”
“All your questions will be answered once you regain your memory,” Noel patted Sean’s arm and smiled.
“I’m still convinced if he knew where to find me, it’s because he was in on whatever happened to me,” Sean said.
Noel said nothing more, just made his way towards the door and exited. He closed the door behind him and came up behind Yana.
“You look miserable. I think we should try something a little more radical.”
“What do you have in mind?” Yana asked as he slumped in a chair, brooding.
“I think after dinner he should be taken to his quarters; maybe being in familiar surroundings will stir his memories,” Noel said.
“Are you sure that wouldn’t be pushing it?” Yana asked.
“Well, I think maybe he needs a little push about now. The focusing helped some and he has remembered a few things but he should be much farther along in his recovery.”
“Do you think he’ll believe you if you tell him that’s his room?” Yana asked.
“We don’t need to tell him that. We’ll let him figure it out for himself. We can tell him he doesn’t need to be here in Medical anymore and we’re taking him to a room.”
“That would probably work. He’s anxious to get out of here. But how can you keep him from seeing everything?” Yana asked.
“We won’t. Maybe taking a walk and seeing a few things is just what he needs.”
“I’d be just across the hall. I can keep an eye on him,” Yana offered.
“I think that’s what we’ll do then. After dinner, I’ll walk him to his room and have another focusing session with him then leave him there to poke around in familiar surroundings. Something might trigger his memory.”
The Missions Page 8
