Blast From the Past

by Nic Saint

  “Not even what?”

  Mom swallowed with difficulty, then willed herself to go on. “Your… father. Don’t you remember what happened to him?”

  Amy started to feel a strange sensation in the pit of her stomach. As if someone was grabbing it and squeezing it tightly. She didn’t much care for it. “Daddy? Something happened to Daddy?”

  Mom merely nodded, her face screwed up in grief. She’d retrieved a handkerchief from the pocket of her housecoat and was now dabbing it against her cheeks. It was one of those lacy ones, Amy saw. She’d always liked them, though they were a bit flimsy and small for her taste. She liked the bigger hankies better, the brown and beige checkered ones. She could really blow her nose in those. “Tell me, Mom. If something happened to him I should know, right?”

  “He was… in an accident, just like you.”

  She jerked back, both surprised and annoyed. “Why didn’t anyone tell me? Is he all right? Where is he? In the hospital?”

  Mom shook her head again, remaining infuriatingly silent. Getting information from her mother was like pulling teeth, Amy decided. “So where is he?”

  “He’s…” Mom shook her head again, incapable of speech.

  “He’s dead, Amy.”

  The voice of Jackie had Amy look up. “What?” she uttered feebly. “Dead? What are you talking about?”

  Jackie took a seat on the couch. “He died ten years ago.”

  “Ten years! But that’s impossible! I saw him only yesterday—this morning—” She rubbed her eyes, suddenly not sure when she had last seen her father. Then she remembered. She’d been showcasing her prom dress to him, showing off the satin pink dress with the bows and the feathery neckline, and he’d whooped and hollered as she swung round and round, her skirt whirling. She smiled at the recollection. “Why, I only saw him last night. I was showing him my prom dress, don’t you remember, Jackie? He said he loved it and wouldn’t let me stop twirling around.”

  Jackie’s face suddenly looked pale and drawn, Amy thought, same as their mother’s. What was wrong with the people in this house? They were all acting so strange today. “Tonight’s the night, isn’t it?” she asked softly. “Tonight is prom night. We—I have to get ready. Brad is picking me up in his car, and we’re going to have the best night ever.”

  Now she remembered why her sister was so upset. Her date had fallen ill. The flu. She was forced to go alone. She spirited a comforting smile on her face. “It’s fine, Jack. You can ride with us in the car. I’m sure Brad won’t mind. The three of us can go together.”

  Jackie’s eyes betrayed so much sadness it shook Amy. “But that’s not what happened, is it, Amy?” her sister slowly whispered. “Dad took me, remember? He dropped me off and when he came to pick me up he was hit by Brad’s truck when he skirted the bypass in the wrong direction. You’d been drinking. You’d both been drinking. Dad’s car tumbled off the bridge and he was slung from the car. His head hit a rock and he died instantly.”

  Amy shook her head, not comprehending. “What are you talking about? Is this some sort of nightmare you’ve been having?”

  Jackie nodded emphatically. “It is. A nightmare we’ve all been living for the past ten years now. And each time Brad Fuller blows into town again, we get to relive it all over again.”

  Amy laughed, unsure how to respond to this lunacy. Her sister was obviously either crazy or pulling some sort of bad joke on her. “I don’t think this is very funny, Jackie. I think you should stop right now or you’ll jinx the prom.”

  Suddenly her sister’s temper flared, her eyes shooting sheets of flame. “Our lives were jinxed the moment you hooked up with Brad!”

  So that’s what this was all about, decided Amy. Jealousy. Plain, old-fashioned, ugly jealousy. She shrugged. “Why didn’t you just say so? You’re still upset that Brad chose me, huh? I’m sorry but what can I say? I guess he just likes me better.”

  With a sudden roar of anguish, Jackie reared up and flung herself on her sister, her hands grabbing at her throat and pushing her down. Her head hit the floor as Jackie hauled off and slapped her on the cheek.

  “Jackie! No!” yelled their mother.

  But then suddenly blackness enveloped Amy, and she knew no more.

  Chapter 10

  “Amy… Amy, wake up…”

  The voice drifted softly into her consciousness, and stirred her back to wakefulness. Brad, she thought. Clear as a bell, it was Brad’s voice calling out to her. “B-brad?” she murmured, slowly opening her eyes.

  When she looked up, she found herself drowning in a pool of dangerously dark eyes, and a smile snuck up her face.

  He returned the smile. “Hey, you.”

  “Hey, you back.”

  He helped her up, and now they were both seated on the rug. Searching for her sister, she discovered she was nowhere to be found. Even her mother had left.

  “You all right?”

  She held her head for a moment. “I think so. Jackie… she knocked me down. I must have fainted or something.”

  “Or something is right. You passed out, just like you did yesterday when you got hit by that car.” He touched her head gently. “You should take better care of that noggin of yours, honey. I know you think you have a thick skull but I wouldn’t tempt fate if I were you.”

  She groaned. “I’m fine. Jackie was talking trash, as usual. I think she’s still jealous of you and me, you know. She just can’t get over the fact that we’re together.”

  “She’ll have to accept it sooner or later.”

  She grinned, relieved to find herself alone with Brad. She threw her arms around his neck and moved in for a quick peck on the lips. As usual, though, the peck turned into something a lot more, and when they came up for breath ten minutes later, Amy’s cheeks were burning and her hair was a mess. Pushing at the blond strands, she sighed deeply. “I should get going. Gotta get ready for tonight.”

  “Me too,” he said, getting up and pulling her to her feet in one fluid move. He brushed his lips against hers and smiled. “Pick you up at eight?”

  “Sounds perfect. Don’t be late. I want to show you off to Mom and Dad before we leave.”

  “I’ll be here. Can’t wait to finally meet your folks as your official prom date.”

  “You’ve met them plenty. Dad will tell you to be careful and take me home on time, and Mom will swoon over you the way she did when you first came over.”

  “Yeah, but now it’s official, which is a really big deal.”

  He was right, she knew. On previous occasions her folks had always greeted Brad as a friend of the family. This was the first time he was coming over as her boyfriend, even though they’d been together for going on two years now. “I just hope Jackie won’t be a bitch about it.”

  “I’m sure she won’t,” he assured her, though she wasn’t so sure herself. Jackie could really fly off the handle sometimes, and this thing with Brad had soured their relationship.

  She led Brad to the hallway and waved him off with a light heart. Tonight was the night, she knew. Tonight was the night they’d present themselves to the world as a real couple. No more necking in the backseat of Brad’s car. From now on he was taking her out properly, and he could come up to her room with her parents’ permission.

  She took the stairs two at a time, and as she passed Jackie’s room stuck out her tongue at her evil twin sister. Once upon a time, the three of them had been best friends, but that was before puberty had hit and Brad and Amy had drifted closer together than mere friendship permitted. Jackie had never forgiven her sister for laying claim to their friend like that, having had a crush on the boy same way Amy had.

  When Brad had opted to take things with Amy to the next level, Jackie had never forgiven the two, and their friendship was over.

  She entered her room and slammed the door behind her. Gazing down on the bed where her prom dress lay, she found her mood magically lifted once again. Who cared about silly old jealous sisters when there was all thi
s pink fluffiness to wear later on? More than the prom dance itself, however, was the moment afterward, when Brad would come up to her room and strip off the dress and bed her for the first time in her own bed.

  She’d dreamed about this night forever, lying awake at night fantasizing about Brad sleeping with her in her very own bed, like a real couple. And tonight it would finally happen…

  She slipped out of her jeans and shirt to her slip and bra, and stepped into the dress her mom had made herself. Reaching back to zip herself up with some effort, she gazed at the image of her gauzy self in the mirror. She looked simply stunning, she decided. Brad wouldn’t know what hit him when he first laid eyes on her.

  She heard the door slam downstairs, and the voice of her father drift up the staircase. “Anybody home?”

  With a whoop, she threw open the door of her room and raced down the stairs, her dress dancing around her ankles. Arriving downstairs, she reveled in the look of surprised amazement in her father’s eyes.

  “Amy, honey, you look fantastic!”

  She threw him a wide old smile and did a little curtsy. “Glad you like it, Daddy. Would you like to dance?”

  Her dad, a big guy built along the lines of a linebacker, grinned. “Don’t mind if I do.”

  Taking her by the hand, they strode across the living room like one of those couples featured in a Jane Austin story, then he suddenly dipped her to the floor, and she yelped in delight. “Daddy!”

  Twirling her around with practiced ease, he then let go and she stood on tippy-toes while she demonstrated the swirl of her hem, her hands raised above her head like a ballerina, her eyes twinkling with delight.

  “You’re gorgeous, honey,” he sighed as he stood back and watched with proper amazement.

  “Thank you, Daddy,” she said deferentially as she bent at the knees in an attempt at her favorite ballet pose. She wobbled a bit but finally came to a stop, her feet turned out. “Glad you like it.”

  “That boyfriend of yours is one lucky guy.”

  “Oh, I know he is.” But so am I, she thought. Very lucky indeed.

  Just then, Jackie came prancing down the stairs. When she saw her sister in full getup, she frowned. “What are you doing all dressed up? Prom’s been canceled, didn’t you know?”

  Amy stuck her tongue. “You wish.”

  Jackie merely shrugged and flung herself onto the couch, then turned on the TV with the remote. “See if I care,” she grumbled.

  “Why don’t you show me your dress, honey?” Dad said in an attempt to lighten the mood.

  Jackie didn’t look up. “I ain’t got no dress cause I ain’t going.”

  “You do, too.” Mom had made them matching dresses, Amy’s pink and Jackie’s a nice cerulean blue.

  “I’m not going to dress up like no circus freak just to please a bunch of bozos.”

  “Brad’s no bozo,” countered Amy, taking offense.

  “Brad’s the head bozo. Bozo number one. That’s why he’s taking bimbo number one to the prom.”

  “I thought you just said prom was canceled?”

  “It is, but don’t let that stop you from making a fool of yourself.”

  “The only one making a fool of herself is you, Jackie.”

  Jackie arched a single eyebrow, her gaze still fixed on the TV screen. “Is that so? At least I don’t look like a second-rate Barbie.”

  “Well, at least I’ve got a date for the prom.”

  Jackie’s eyes darkened, and her fists clenched. “You know what? You can take that Ken of yours and stick him where the sun don’t shine.”

  Amy grinned. “Oh, but I plan to do just that, honey.”

  With an anguished cry, Jackie flew up from the couch and threw herself at her sister. They both went down in a cloud of pink satin and gauze.

  “Girls, girls!” Dad cried, holding up his hands like a referee.

  But then Jackie had closed her hands around her neck and was throttling the life right out of her, bouncing her head against the floor.

  “Amy! Jackie! You stop this right now!”

  Chapter 11

  “Nothing wrong with a bit of sisterly rivalry,” grumbled Jackie. She stared down at her sister as she blinked confusedly. The moment she saw the deathly pallor on Amy’s face she regretted having flown into a rage, and quickly knelt down beside her.

  “What… happened?” Amy was saying. “Where’s Dad? He was just here a moment ago.”

  Jackie’s face fell. “Dad’s not with us anymore, Ames. Remember?”

  Amy brought a hand to her head and scrunched up her face. “Ouch. My head hurts. What did you do to me, Jackie?”

  “It’s not your sister, honey,” interjected Mom. “You got a nasty hit from that car. You better lie down.”

  “Car? What car?” Reluctantly, Amy allowed herself to be led to the sofa and sank onto it, then rested her head against the soft embroidered pillow. Each time Jackie saw the pillow, she was reminded of better days. Days when Mom still used to do needlepoint. After Dad died, she’d given up on all of that, as she’d given up on a lot of things.

  She stroked her sister’s head. “You just rest a bit.”

  “But I can’t rest,” exclaimed Amy, eyes wide. “Brad will be here soon. He’s picking me up in his car. We’re going to the prom, remember?”

  Jackie exchanged a distraught glance with her mother, then decided to play along for now. “You have plenty of time to get ready, honey. Brad won’t be here for a while.”

  Amy stared at her with a pained expression. “Sis. I’m so sorry for all the horrible things I said. I really didn’t mean any of it. I want you to have just a good time at the prom as I will.” She clasped her sister’s hand in hers and pressed it to her chest. “I really want us to be friends again, Jack. I really do.”

  Tears filled Jackie’s eyes at this heartfelt confession, and she nodded. “We are friends, Ames. We’ll always be friends no matter what.” She was relieved to see the frown on Amy’s brow relaxing and soon her eyes had drifted closed once again, and she was asleep.

  “What are we going to do?” whispered Mom behind her. “What are we going to tell her when Brad doesn’t show up?”

  “Oh, but he will show up,” Jackie assured her mother.

  “You can’t be serious. That man isn’t setting a foot inside this house. Ever. Did I tell you he came by the other day? Wanted to offer his belated condolences. I kicked him out.”

  “I spoke to the doctor. This type of amnesia isn’t likely to go away any time soon. The only thing that might trigger her memory is a great emotional shock, just like the one she had yesterday when she ran into Brad again.”

  Mom’s eyes went wide. “That’s what happened? She saw Brad?”

  “She bumped into him at Saint-Michael’s. God knows what they were both doing in there at the same time. I don’t know what happened, but he must have upset her so much she ran across the street without looking and…” She stopped abruptly, her mother’s painful gaze too much to bear.

  “That spawn of the devil,” hissed Mom. “Why can’t he crawl back to the hell whence he came?”

  “He’ll crawl back when he’s managed to bring Amy’s memory back. I suggest we invite him over. Perhaps the shock of seeing him again will be enough to trigger something in her.” Somehow, she doubted this theory of hers, however. Amy had seen Brad, at the hospital. Had ‘seen’ him in the biblical sense, even, and it hadn’t done much to jog her memory.

  Perhaps seeing him in familiar surroundings like their home would do the trick?

  Mom pursed her lips censoriously. “I refuse to let that son of a bitch set one foot inside this house.”

  In spite of herself, Jackie had to laugh. “Mom!”

  “Well, he is a son of a bitch, isn’t he?”

  “I guess he is, but he’s the only hope we’ve got of bringing Amy back to us.”

  Mom sighed. “I really don’t see how you hope to accomplish this, honey. That boy has brought us nothing but mise
ry and grief.”

  “I think he’s changed. I think he’s not that reckless good-for-nothing anymore. I saw him at the hospital and…”

  “And?”

  “I dunno. I just think he might help us.”

  She didn’t know how to explain it, but the Brad Fuller she’d seen today wasn’t the same man she’d known for the past two decades. It was if he was finally done sowing his wild oats and had had some sense knocked into him. Though she had to admit his behavior at the hospital had been despicable—fucking her sister—taking advantage of the fact she didn’t remember the last ten years of her life—she had the impression he really cared for Amy.

  Did he care enough to help nurse her back to health, though, that was the question…

  Mom hesitated, chewing her lower lip. Jackie saw how hard it was for her to let the man responsible for the death of her husband back into their lives. Finally, she relented. “Give him a call. Invite him over.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  “And tell that no-good SOB that if he puts one foot wrong I’ll have his hide.”

  “I’ll… tell him.”

  “Good,” Mom grunted. She smiled. “I’ve wanted to say that since forever, honey.”

  “Feels good to have it off your chest?”

  “Not as good as it will feel when I repeat it to Brad Fuller’s face,” hissed Mom.

  “Oh, boy.”

  She gazed down at the sleeping form of her only sister, and just hoped it was all worth the aggravation. Then she took out her phone and quickly found Brad’s number. She’d never quite known why she’d kept it all these years. Perhaps for this exact occasion? She now realized she didn’t even know if he still had the same number and listened intently as the call connected.

  “Yes?” a gruff voice spoke.

  “Brad? Jackie. I need you to do me a favor.”

  Chapter 12

  “What do you think? Should we do this thing or not?”

  Brad shrugged. “It might work. It mightn’t. I mean, I’m not a brain expert and neither are you, Jackie.”