“Father?” She called Harold Cassidy “father” instead of dad, because to her way of thinking, father was an insult. Satisfied that he wasn’t home, Aidan grabbed a garbage bag from the kitchen drawer, and quickly packed what few belongings she had, the ones that mattered the most to her. Like her mother’s diamond ring. It was the only keepsake she had of her mother. She found it one day, by accident, and kept it hidden from her father, all these years. He never even noticed it was gone. That showed her just how much he really cared about her mother.
She reached under the dresser drawer, and found the money she had saved for a rainy day. Stuffing it into her wallet, she glanced at the photo of her and Vicky in the wallet’s plastic window. It was the same picture she had given her earlier that day. Fighting back the tears now, because tears weren’t allowed in her house, she pulled up the board in the closet, taking out the stockpile of dry food that she kept hidden, in case her father forgot to buy groceries again. With that done, she sat down and quickly scratched out a note to Vicky. Taking bag in hand, she tiptoed out of the backdoor and climbed back into the treehouse. Leaving the note where she hoped Vicky would see it, she picked up the blanket, and never looked back.
While Aidan was running away, Vicky’s parents were screaming at her, demanding that she never see or speak to Aidan again. Once they calmed down, they had the sex talk that they had been putting off. Her father explained that love was supposed to be between a man and a woman, and if Vicky was going to experiment, she needed to get a boyfriend first. Then he realized what he had just said, and out of frustration, threatened his daughter with boarding school. But Vicky was defiant. She knew what she wanted, and she knew who she wanted it with. She informed her parents that she was going to marry Aidan, one day, and they would run away together. Later that night, Aidan’s note shattered those dreams.
Hey kid, I am so sorry. It’s all my fault. I hope your father won’t hurt you, now that I am gone. I just couldn’t bear the thought of him hitting you, because of me. It’s best this way. I probably should have run away years ago…, I just didn’t want to leave you…, I still don’t. Anyway, please don’t forget me. I won’t forget you, my first and only love. Maybe someday, when we are all grown up, uh…, anyway, don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. I Love you! Aidan
*
Just as she had done that night, Vicky read, and reread Aidan’s note. But try as she might, she could not wrap her mind around what all this meant. Suddenly, after fifteen years, Aidan was back in her life. Something Vicky had long prayed for, but given up hope on. Would she remember her? If she did, would she be happy about that?
Later that evening, over a glass of Irish cream, at O’Brien’s Bar and Grill, Vicky voiced her concerns to Dr. Kline. She admitted to being afraid of seeing Aidan again. Afraid the sight of her might set off memories of that horrible night. Terrified that she might hate her, because of it.
He acknowledged that when Aidan saw her, it could bring back those memories. But chances were, Aidan wouldn’t know who she was, right off. More than likely, over time, small memories could surface. Perhaps a whole chapter of her life would come back. There was just no way of knowing, until it happened. He explained that Aidan suffered a severe blow to the head from shrapnel, and had been lying in a coma for months. When she did find her way back to consciousness, the doctors thought perhaps she had post traumatic amnesia, because she had pockets of memory, where she could recall some events. But that seemed to dissipate over a short period of time, leaving her, essentially, a blank slate. They changed their diagnose to retrograde amnesia, which may, or may not, resolve its self with time.
“Vicky, they’re talking about a Congressional Medal for her, but I fear she won’t accept it, because she can’t remember why she deserves it.”
Vicky’s eyes welled up. Remembering her best friend, as a child, she had no doubt that Aidan deserved that medal. “Richard, I know that even if she could remember why, she wouldn’t want a medal for it. That’s just not who she is. Tell me, what can I do, to help her remember?”
“Let her get to know you, all over again. She’s ready to remember. Support her in that effort, but don’t pressure her to remember you. You can, and should, ask her questions that relate to your childhood, but only as part of the conversation. Don’t try to force her to remember certain times or places. It will only frustrate her more, if she can’t recall them. I tested that theory with her today, when I told her about being attacked in Iraq. I could see how distracted she became by it. No, let her find her own way to the memory. I can only imagine how difficult this will be for you, Victoria. But I believe that once Sergeant Cassidy feels safe around you, she will want to remember again. At least, that part of her life, anyway.”
“I…, I understand, and I’ll try, Richard.”
“That’s good, because she just walked in the door.”
Oh my God! I’m not ready!
Chapter 3
The restaurant was beginning to fill up with hungry patrons, as Kline stood up. Vicky sat absolutely still, afraid to look. “Did you ask her to come here, Richard?”
“No, I guess she found it on her own.” He replied, as he left to intercept Aidan at the door.
Vicky all but panicked. She fussed with her hair, moistened her lips, exhaled, and finally turned around. Oh my God! She drew in a sharp breath. She looks exactly like she did when she was fourteen! Those sparkling, sea green eyes, with that hint of playfulness in them. And that face, accentuated by short, thick, auburn hair, brushed away from perfect cheeks that were without blemish, and had no need for makeup. Not that Aidan would ever wear makeup, Vicky mused. She ran her eyes down Aidan’s long form, noting the loosely fitting gray t-shirt, with ARMY stamped across her chest, where the swell of her breasts, angry at the rush of cold ventilated air across them, seem to be taunting Vicky. The tail end of Aidan’s t‒shirt was tucked behind the cell phone cocked on her left hip, displaying her tight, black jeans, affixed snuggly to her butt. Jeans that stretched down her long legs, coming to rest on top of her tan, slouched boots. Vicky watched as Aidan tucked her car keys into her left jean pocket, dangling the Army emblem over the side. Everything about her conveyed confidence, strength and sensuality. For Vicky, it was love at first sight, all over again, and it took everything she had, not to run into Aidan’s arms.
From Aidan’s perspective, she saw her psychiatrist with a woman, whom she naturally assumed was his wife. She tried not to stare, but her memories were straining to tell her something. Something about the petite woman’s soft blond hair, those sparkling blue eyes, that shimmered all the way across the room, and her confident demeanor, that to Aidan, conveyed sensuality. She’s really gorgeous, but looks to high maintenance, for me.
“Aidan, I want you to meet your benefactor, President and CEO of St. Frances Health System, Victoria Montgomery.”
Vicky looked deep into Aidan’s eyes, willing her to remember. It’s me, Aid, it’s your best friend, your first love. The blank stare that looked back at her, felt so strange, as if Aidan’s essence, her very soul, had been surgically removed. If not for the presence of Aidan’s inner strength, a familiar and comforting presence, she would have sworn, this was not the same person as her childhood friend. She was ecstatic that Aidan was here, just a breath away. Yet, her elation was dampened by sorrow that her best friend was so lost, she didn’t recognize her.
“Mrs. Montgomery, thank you so much for this opportunity. I really appreciate it.” So she’s not the Doc’s wife. Still, she’s wearing a ring, that means she’s somebody’s wife. Aidan extended her hand, and noticed that Vicky’s small, warm hand, was trembling. Concerned, she looked into her eyes. Eyes that held a deep sadness. As if they were pleading with her, to take away that sadness. But how could someone so beautiful, have anything to be sad about, she wondered.
Dr. Kline nudged Vicky gently, bringing her back to reality.
“What? Oh yes, please, call me Vick, um, Vicky.” Damn it, we built a treeh
ouse together. We looked at the stars together. We kissed! “And for the record, I’m not married, I just wear the ring to places like this, to keep the wolves away.”
Aidan tugged on her collar, releasing the heat that suddenly flushed across her chest. She wasn’t sure if it was the fact that Vicky was single, or that she felt compelled to make sure she knew it, that cause her temperature to rise. “Yes ma’am, and the guys all call me Cassidy,” she hesitated for a moment, “but, I think I’d prefer it if you called me Aidan.”
“I understand that you’re a hero, Aidan.” This is so unreal. Please remember me. She wanted to remind her of everything they had ever done together as children. Catching fireflies and June bugs, on a hot summer’s night. Lying under the tree, making wishes on falling stars. Crying together, when Aidan’s father beat her, for no apparent reason. Never had there been two people bonded together as tightly as they once were, she thought, and yet, that bond seemed so easily broken. Vicky, mentally chastised herself for thinking that. My God, how selfish am I?
“So they tell me, ma’am, but I don’t feel like one. I can’t remember anything about that day, or any day before that, for that matter.”
Vicky could tell she was frustrated. It somehow made her feel better, knowing that they shared the same frustration, at least. “Well, I know that even if you could remember, you wouldn’t agree to it.” Her blue eyes sparkled with pride, enough that the sadness disappeared momentarily. Aidan looked at her curiously, but Kline intercepted the conversation.
“You are so right, Victoria. True heroes never accept that they are heroes.”
Aidan shrugged her shoulders. She wasn’t one for boasting, when it wasn’t warranted. Instead, she was beginning to feel the guilt of not saving the ones who didn’t make it. The feeling that she needed to go back, and find the captives, began to germinate in her subconscious.
Kline carried the conversation for a few more minutes, until he looked at his watch. “Victoria, I am so sorry to do this, but I’m going to have to run. My wife is expecting me for supper.” Both women looked at him with nervous apprehension. “I’ll leave you two to get better acquainted.”
Nervously watching Kline walk out the door, Vicky turned to Aidan, and asked, “So, um…, tell me about yourself.” She became flustered, realizing that probably wasn’t the best way to start, “Um, I mean, can you remember anything at all?” Like me, like us?
“Yes, ma’am. I remember waking up in the hospital last year, with a throbbing headache and a bullet hole in my shoulder. They say I had a pretty severe concussion, which I guess accounts for the headaches I still get sometimes.”
“You were shot too?”
“Yes, ma’am,” she pointed to her shoulder, “Right here. I had a few surgeries to repair the damage, but most of it is a blur, ma’am.”
“Please, Aid, don’t call me ma’am, okay?” It was bad enough she couldn’t remember her, but did she have to add insult to injury by calling her ma’am? That’s what they use to call the old people they didn’t know, when they were kids. Vicky knew she was being irrational, but she couldn’t help it. She wanted Aidan back.
Aidan’s green eyes flashed at the sound of her new nickname. She felt encouraged by the fact that her new boss, sitting across from her in a tailored blue suit that accentuated her curves so nicely, could so easily extend friendship to her. She was use to Army protocol, where you didn’t dare get familiar with your superiors. But this woman, who was so comfortable in her own skin, apparently never met a stranger, regardless of where they fell on the pay scale. Aidan appreciated that.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. I guess it’s the military training. It’s sort of expected of me, you know?”
“Yes soldier, I know. So, why is it you remember your military training, and nothing else?”
“Oh, I don’t remember my initial training, ma’am, just what they taught me in rehab. Once I was transferred from the hospital to rehab, they started teaching me the basics, like saluting, addressing my superiors, that sort of thing. Then, when I was strong enough, every morning, I had to muster out for roll call, and march over to breakfast. I loved it. It all seemed to come naturally to me. It made me feel like I belonged, you know?”
“I can relate to that, Aidan. That’s how I feel about the hospital. It’s home to me.”
“So ma’am, can I ask, what will I be doing in my new job?”
“Nothing terribly exciting, I’m afraid. Taking pictures at our Foundation events, social parties, pictures of employees for our newsletters, that sort of thing. You’ll be working out of the Marketing department. Breda Kelly will be your immediate boss.” As soon as I tell her about you, that is. A sudden brainstorm made her nose crinkled, and she grinned at her own cleverness, “And I would like you to follow me around, documenting my day to day activities in pictures. I’m um…, I’ve been asked to write a book on what it takes to be the youngest hospital system CEO in the nation.” Blushing at her own audacity, she suddenly felt unworthy, sitting here, next to this hero. “Um, this would include some evenings, weekends, and some travel, mostly to corporate headquarters in St. Louis. Still want the job?”
“Absolutely,” Aidan replied, “I think I would enjoy that, very much.”
“Well then,” she dug into her purse, and pulled out a jump drive, “This is a draft of my book. If you’d like to read it, you might get some ideas for photos.”
“Thanks, I’ll check it out. So, how long have you been the youngest CEO?” That didn’t sound quite right, so she asked it differently, “I mean, you’re still really young and…uh…,” When she was nervous, Aidan did one of two things. Either she stammered and mixed up her words, which she loathed, or her right knee began to dance around. And in cases of extreme nervousness, both reactions occur, simultaneously.
Vicky smiled knowingly. I’m making her nervous, but is that a good thing? “It’s only been a couple of years since I was made CEO. And that was more dumb luck, than anything else. Besides, I’m only fifteen months younger than you are.” Vicky had a sudden rush of déjà vu.
Both sat quietly for a moment, as the business discussion dwindled down. But Vicky wasn’t ready for the night to end.
“So, are you hungry? I’m absolutely famished. I was going to order something to eat. You’re welcome to stay, and eat with me…, if you have nothing better to do?”
“That sounds good, ma’am, I’d like that, very much. I mean, I’m pretty hungry, myself,” Damn it! I hope she doesn’t notice what an idiot I am.
A new friendship was formed over hamburgers and French fries, though Vicky suddenly had no appetite.
“Aidan, you’re holding your fork in your left hand.”
“Uh, yeah?”
“Well, how do you know you’re not right handed?” One of the things Vicky loved about Aidan was the fact she was left handed. As a child, she was the only left handed person Vicky knew, and that uniqueness mystified her.
“In rehab, they had to teach me the simple stuff all over again. And when they saw me pick up the fork in my left hand, they told me I was left handed. What can I say, it just feels natural.”
Vicky smiled. It was a small, but important, accession. A part of the old Aidan she knew and loved was back, and she was encouraged by it. “So, I understand that you were discharged from the Army, last week.”
“Yeah, I…”
Vicky watched, as Aidan’s eyes misted a pale green. “I understand, Aidan. The Army is all you have known, the only memory you have.”
Aidan looked up, grateful for her understanding, “You’re right, ma’am. The Army is the only family I have, the only home I’ve known. Well, at least, as far as I can remember.”
Vicky could empathize with that kind of longing. God, I wish I could bring your memories back for you. To have her so close, yet so far away, was a cruel joke reality plays on the hearts of the forlorn. Without thinking, she reached out and placed her hand on Aidan’s.
“We’ll be your family now, Aidan.
St. Frances will be your home.”
My God, she’s so kind. She totally gets it. I think I’m going to like it here.
“That is, as long as you stop calling me ma’am!” Vicky added with a smirk.
“Roger that, ma’am…, uh, I mean, Vicky.”
The evening came to an abrupt end, when the restaurant they’d been sitting in for hours, closed their doors. As they walked outside to their cars, Aidan struggle to give Vicky a compliment, fearing it might be inappropriate, “I uh, I really had a good time tonight. I mean, you’re not at all like what I expected from a CEO.” She raked her fingers through her thick hair, and tried again, “I mean, you’re a lot nicer boss than… uh…,” She gave up, balled her hands into fists, shoved them into her jeans pockets, then leaned against her car. The car that she didn’t remember buying.
Much to her surprise, the Army had informed her that she owned a classic, dark blue, Boss 429 Mustang. Though she couldn’t remember it, she had bought the car right after she got out of boot camp. She had coddled that car as if it were her child. Washing, waxing and pampering it, not to mention spending every last cent she had, to pay it off. When she was told that the car belonged to her, she thought she’d won the lottery. Learning how to drive again, was hard enough, but to learn in a muscle car, was not for the weak of heart. Yet, the first time Aidan drove the car alone, at one hundred and forty miles an hour, it became her baby, all over again.
Vicky’s eyes opened wide, her jaw dropped. Seeing Aidan’s tall, sensual, very handsome form, leaning against the hot sports car, caused quite a stirring in her, that both surprised and seduced her. To see Aidan’s long legs crossed in a casual way, the wind tossing her hair about, Vicky feared she might actually drool like a teenager. “Um, that’s all right, Aidan.” she shifted her hips, hoping for some relief, “I completely understand. That’s the nicest compliment you could give me, actually. Well, good night, then.” She extended her hand out to Aidan. They lingered for just a moment. Vicky holding Aidan’s hand with both of hers, looking into her eyes far longer than she should have, unable to break away, until it became to awkward to continue.
I Remember You Page 3
