by Dee Stone
I raised my eyebrows at her question, surprised. “Ummm––good?”
“I can’t find anything wrong with you. We can do a CAT scan but I don’t think it would find anything. It would be a waste of time––yours and mine,” she paused and I waited for the punch line.
Finally I couldn’t take it anymore. “And the bad news?”
“I think this memory loss is you mentally fighting something you don’t want to deal with. Something happened, and you need to deal with it. I’m not a psychologist, just a neurologist,” she said, resting her hand against mine for a moment. She was looking into my wide eyes as if she was trying to pull the ‘something’ from my mind. Nodding, she turned and left the room I was in.
I need to deal with the elusive something. How am I supposed to find this something and get my memory of that half hour back? I know it wasn’t much time, but it was my memory.
A discreet knock on the door revealed a nurse, peering from the other side. In her hands were my clothes. With a slight smile she laid them on the bed and left, closing the door firmly behind her. I jumped up and bounced, hurrying to the bathroom, as the soles of my bare feet hit the cold tiles of the floor. Hurrying to change to my clothes and get out of the paper gown, I couldn’t help but think, How could I forget how awful those gowns were? Yuck.
With a deep sigh of relief at the feel of my own clothes on my body, I escaped the room to stroll down the hallway, trying to figure my way out. We had made so many turns on our way in that I was completely lost. Spying a nurse I asked, “I’m trying to find the nurse’s station––my friend might be there waiting for me.”
She was unusually cute with honey-blond hair, cut in a pixie with warm brown eyes. Her smile was blindingly bright…and so was mine. “You’re almost there––come with me, I’m going there anyway. By the way, my name is Nicole.” she said, slipping her arm through mine. “Were you a patient here that they let out?”
I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped my lips. “Let out is a good way to put it. I’m Grace, by the way.” We both continued giggling as we made our way to the nurse’s desk, with the waiting room to the left.
Oh joy! I thought, seeing my dad and Markus standing on separate sides of the large room, glaring at one another. Both were standing stiffly, with their hands fisted at their sides, and I could practically hear growls coming out of their throats. I was waiting for them to lift their legs and piss against the walls. If they only knew how much they look alike.
I had to giggle at the thought. Covering my mouth with my hand so they couldn’t see, my new friend, Nicole, did the same. I was hoping she would turn out to be an actual friend because I didn’t really have any. Sure, I had rich friends that only cared about what clothes they would wear that day, but that wasn’t real friendship.
Failing at hiding our laughter, both men turned their glares upon us for our silliness. They were right, we shouldn’t be acting like silly teenagers, but with what I had been through with my father and Markus, I deserved it. And yes, my memory was trickling back.
Hurrying over to the nurse’s station, Nicole collected the insurance paperwork for me to fill out so that I could leave.
After I completed the paperwork we exchanged numbers, and I slowly turned to the men, painting the ugliest scowl I could imagine on my face. With my hands on my hips, I waited for them to approach like troubled schoolboys.
“Bella,” Markus began before being interrupted by my father.
“Stop with all the stupid Italian. You’re as American as I am.”
“I have been living in Italy for ten years with my Italian grandparents. They spoke limited English, so we spoke mostly Italian at home. So I will use occasional Italian words. So grazie, Paul, grazie.” I could see the smirk on Markus’ face as he taunted my dad. I could also see my father’s corresponding scowl.
“Come on, children––I’m the one that was just released from the hospital, remember?” I said, stomping my stubborn ass out of that hospital and out into the parking lot, with two disgruntled, grown boys behind me.
Chapter Twelve
MARKUS
I can’t believe she treated us like recalcitrant children. We are grown men and have a right to disagree…with our fists, if necessary. Besides, that’s the best way I’ve found to iron out disagreements.
Leading Grace by her elbow to my Jag, Paul tagged behind, grumbling to himself. However, it didn’t take long to reach my rental before Paul exploded. The problem ensued when he grabbed Grace’s other arm, trying to pull her toward him.
That pissed me off something fierce. I ripped her away from him, the two of us treating her like a bone. But I had no choice in the matter––I had to get her away from him, even though he was her father.
Of it’s own volition my fist found Paul’s jaw. I don’t know what happened, it had a mind of it’s own. This time Paul didn’t go down. Rather than letting go, Grace was pulled further away from me by her father. So, doing the only thing I could think of, I let go of her elbow, afraid she would get hurt.
Paul’s stumbling backwards made my heart feel good––especially when he finally let her go.
Grace stood, with her hands on her hips, a deep scowl painted on her face. Her breaths came fast and hard in her anger. Uh oh. To my shock, I was in luck, rather than turning her anger on me, she was turning her anger on her father.
“Dad––what were you thinking? I’m not a bone between the two of you.” She tried to keep her voice low since there were people around, but I could hear the anger quavering her voice.
“Princess,” Paul started. That was as far as he got before she gave him the look. The look women have given men through time immemorial. A cant of the head, with lips pressed firmly together. I imagined I could see her blond hair rising about her head, floating.
“Dad, you were going to say?” Grace raised both of her eyebrows and widened her eyes in question.
“Nothing, Gracie. Nothing.”
Smart man. Finally. Though I couldn’t help but smirk at him in satisfaction. However, that got me the look. I stepped back in defense, but quickly glanced around to see if anyone had noticed. Of course Paul did, a slight, satisfied smile playing on his face. It was only a slight smile, due to the blood oozing from his split lip. Huh––maybe Grace was right. We are schoolboys.
“Come on, bella––let me take you home. We have work tomorrow.” I said, trying to save the situation with my Grace. I had hoped maybe herding her to my car might work, but I could see her mouth opening to give me a stinging retort.
“Hey, Grace,” a female voice called out. As the three of us turned to look we saw Nicole fast walking toward us, a bright smile on her face.
“Nicole. Hi.” Grace gave her a relieved smile in return.
“Whatcha up to? Going home? Why don’t you come over to my place, I’m off work now?” Nicole then stretched her arms over her head and weaved her body back and forth. Grace gave a short huff of laughter at her antics.
“Sure,” Grace agreed, nodding violently. I couldn’t help but think, If her head were a bobble doll, it would be a cute one.
“Boys, you’re on your own. Please don’t kill each other. And if you do, make sure there’s plastic on the floor to protect it.” Grace bounced over to Nicole waving to us as they walked off, heads together, arm in arm. Fast friends.
That left Paul and I, standing like idiots, staring at each other. “Come on, Paul. Let’s get a drink. Maybe we can hash this out.” I decided to try being reasonable. Standing with my hands in my back pockets, I waited for Paul’s answer.
I could see his wheels turning as he thought about the idea before finally nodding. Still not having said a word, I didn’t quite trust the way he was acting––especially with the devious glint in his eye. But I had to try. This was Grace’s father after all.
I opened the passenger door for him and he slid into the butter soft leather seats of the Jag. After sliding the seat back to accommodate his long legs, he leane
d his head back on the headrest and sighed in relief.
Out of the corner of my eye I glanced at Paul resting against the seat as it soothed him. I leaned forward, fiddling with the controls that controlled the seat and backrest, heating and massaging his butt and back.
After watching him for a few minutes I knew he was asleep, so I pulled over to check out upper scale restaurants that served a good meal and alcohol. For me it was still too early for strong liquor, but a beer certainly couldn’t hurt. I stretched my neck, the stress of the morning making the muscles tight.
Ah––there we go! The Smokehouse Brewery––breakfast, lunch, dinner and a collection of beers. That sounds perfect!
Making sure about the directions, I checked all my mirrors for cars or cops and did my illegal U-turn.
***
Trying to wake up Paul was for the birds. He slept like the dead. “Paul!” I shouted in his ear, shoving him hard. He snorted and shook his head as he blinked his eyes rapidly, trying to come to his senses. His slack face rapidly became hard again as his sharp eyes settled on me.
“Come on, Paul. Are you awake yet? Man, you’re a hard guy to wake up. You sleep like the dead. Does the Smokehouse Brewery sound good for breakfast? I pulled it up on my phone. It has five stars and raving reviews. Sound good to you?” It certainly sounded good to me. I was looking forward to a fine steak with eggs as well as a crafted beer.
He wrinkled his fine nose in disgust at the thought of a brewery. The twenty-five years of upper-scale living had turned him into a snob. I guess living with my grandparents and their modest requirements kept me balanced in the real world.
Paul shook his head at first, but shrugged his shoulders in acquiescence. We both exited the car at the same time and entered the restaurant. I liked it, with its presence of understated elegance.
At the hostess station I gave my name, but when Paul gave his we were immediately seated. Well––I guess that could give a guy a big head.
After we ordered our specialty beers we sat in an uneasy silence and studied the menus. I was awfully hungry and decided on the huge porterhouse steak breakfast with three eggs, over easy. And coffee––black.
Paul heard what I had ordered and decided on the same thing. Still silence reigned. I didn’t know how to discuss things with Paul. We had been friends when we were kids, but after ten years apart and being in different countries, it was safe to say things were strained.
Well, here goes nothing. “Paul, we need to talk this out. Grace and I need each other. There is a connection we don’t understand. We both feel it.”
Paul had been staring at my face, so I knew he heard the sincerity in both my voice and the sincerity plastered on my face as I leaned forward.
He sat back in his chair, sipping his dark beer. Our coffees were delivered and I took a sip of that. Hmmm––smooth, yet strong. I need to find out what company makes this, I thought to myself as I closed my eyes and savored the taste.
Paul harrumphed as he leaned forward in his seat. “Markus, my daughter is so young. She doesn’t know what she wants yet.”
Good, he’s being reasonable. I can deal with that. “Paul, I can understand your reservations, but she is an adult.” He opened his mouth to respond, but I held up my hand, “I know now that she’s only twenty. She lied and told me she was twenty-one…as of yesterday. Twenty is an adult––she’s old enough to make her own decisions.” With that our breakfasts were delivered.
An uncomfortable silence ensued as we attacked the food until all that remained was yellow, smeared across the plates from the eggs, and bones from the steaks.
We sat back, replete, sipping on our second frosty mug of superior beer, which Paul even had complements for, saying he would be ordering some for his house.
Finally, Paul pushed back the plates and silverware with a scowl and leaned on his crossed arms. “Markus, there is no way I can condone what is happening between the two of you. You must realize this can’t last. If you must continue with this reckless behavior I will call a meeting of the Board of Directors and have you ousted. And I really feel like it, I can foreclose on Grace’s townhouse.” He had a satisfied smile on his face, as if he had me over a barrel.
He obviously didn’t know me very well, and it made me laugh. I shook my head as great guffaws of laughter escaped me. The sound had people in the restaurant looking to see what was so funny. If only they knew.
Paul’s scowl returned, after having his threat being laughed at. “Paul, I don’t need your company. Or our company. I have made millions on what I have thought of and worked for. Do you think I was stupid enough to place all of my work in the company? I have done even more than you can possibly imagine.” Mimicking his previous motion, I moved the plates and silverware. Placing my hands on the edge of the table, I leaned in his direction, lowering my voice. “I have made millions more in Europe with my apps and software that you haven’t even seen. So go ahead and oust me. I can take care of Grace. She’ll never have to work again if she doesn’t want to. Or she can continue whatever studies she wants––it’s up to her now. It’s you who will regret it, not me.” I lowered my voice to a whisper at the last two words, but I knew Paul heard me.
He stood up so fast and violently his chair fell over backwards. “You haven’t heard the last of this,” he shouted, shaking his clenched fist at me. All I did was lean back in my chair until it creaked, laughing the whole time.
Paul stomped off, muttering curses at me as he walked out the door.
I handed my black credit card to the waiter as he righted the chair, staring at me nervously. I ignored him as I mentally began putting my plans in motion.
Chapter Thirteen
GRACE
After we got to Nicole’s apartment in her light blue, 1968 Volkswagen Beetle, we had a morning of eggs and toast, and for lunch, pizza with beer. I think it was the best day of my life. We watched rom-com movies and laughed our heads off.
An overabundance of food and movies later we decided to walk over to a nearby park with a pond, walking along the edge, watching the ducks play and search for food. Nicole had brought bread and seeds for them, saying she came every day to feed and commune with nature––as she put it. I could definitely see what she meant.
After a while, we strolled over to a cart that sold ice cream and picked up a strawberry for her and a cappuccino nut for me. Have I mentioned that I love ice cream?
As we walked, I knew I needed to deal with the problems between Markus and I, I just didn’t want to just yet. I didn’t even know where he was. He could be at his hotel or somewhere else. I need to call him.
As if reading my mind, Nicole said, “I know you need to talk with your man and work things out.”
I felt a bit guilty for ending our girl’s day. “I’ve had so much fun with you today. I’ve never had this with my hoity-toity, so-called friends.”
“I feel the same way. It’s like our friendships with others were waiting until we crossed paths,” she said quietly, as if the concept was beyond her understanding. “So back to your man––do you want to talk about it?”
Leaning my back against a large oak tree I could feel the rough bark against the thin t-shirt I was wearing. Nicole had taken me back to my house first, so I could change. The back of my head rested against the old tree and I stared at the wispy clouds skittering against the expanse of the blue depths of the sky. It is so clear today. If I stood on a mountain I could see forever, I thought to myself.
“Grace?” a worried voice questioned my musings.
“I’m fine. Just thinking. I don’t know what’s happening to me,” I said in a far away voice. “This thing between us is happening so fast. He only arrived from Italy a few days ago and last night we had sex, but I feel like it was the right thing to do.”
“If you feel it was the thing to do then that’s great. I don’t want to be a party pooper, but I hope you were careful.”
“Careful?” I asked, my back still against the tree. I tur
ned my head to look at her, the bark pulling at my hair.
“Careful––you know, condoms.” Nicole stood facing me, her hands on her hips, impatience in her stance.
Uh oh! Even though the night had been planned I don’t think either one of us were thinking clearly. We had only had one thought and everything else had taken a back seat.
“By the way you’re acting, I’d say no. It’s too late for the morning after pill, so all you can do is hope. I’m not going to tell you what to do about your new relationship––it’s not my place as your new friend, but I think you know what you feel and what you should do. I have confidence in you.”
I nodded. I had so much fun today, but as they say––life goes on.
“Come on, let’s get you home.” Nicole gave me a quick hug and then started walking away. I quickly followed.
“I need to know where he is.” I pulled my phone out of my bag and saw I had twenty missed calls from both Markus and my father. I rolled my eyes and gave a huge sigh.
“I know. Men, huh?” Nicole commiserated with me, nodding knowingly.
I clicked on Markus’ number first as we walked back to her apartment waiting for him to pick up.
***
“Grace? I’ve been getting so worried.” I couldn’t believe how his voice gave me such a warm, loved feeling all over. I wanted to clutch the phone over my heart like a simpering teenager.
“I’ve been with Nicole, trying to think things through.” I smiled reassuringly at her. “We need to talk, Markus.”
“I agree, Grace.” I heard a deep sigh. “I took your father to breakfast.” Well good, I thought. “Things didn’t go well at the end. He threatened you and I.” Well shit, Dad. “That’s what we need to discuss. What you want to do? Maybe you should think about it on your way over. Grace, he said he would foreclose on your townhouse if we stayed together.” Well double shit.
“I won’t let him threaten me, Markus. I have some money saved and an inheritance from my mother. He can’t do anything. If worse came to worse, I’d pay the townhouse off. Don’t worry about me––I have his number. I’ll see you in a bit. Let me go home and change first. Bye.” I hit the end button as I huffed a breath at what my father thought he could make me do.
