Secrets of the Weeping Willow

by Kathleen Anastasia

  Yet, it was what happened next that warmed Roger in spite of the cold rain soaking him to the skin. He chuckled as he watched Elizabeth fight Leo off, her anger now directed at him. Even though he was unable to hear what was being said, he could see the tension between the two of them, realizing the problem he had only just recently started to think about could be solving itself before him. The show quickly ended when she slipped back into the house once more.

  Confident that his bird would soon be within his reach once more, he turned from the house, walked more slowly back down the drive as he attempted to get the feel of the property. Seeing several obstacles he hadn’t seen earlier, mentally noting them for future reference in case what he had just witnessed didn’t transpire as he hoped.

  The sound of a car making its way down the drive made him duck behind a tree. The metal gate slid open before it, as he watched Sara’s BMW glide through the gate with Elizabeth in the passenger seat . Filled with satisfaction, he quickly moved through the gate also before it closed.

  Absently wondering, as he jogged back to his abandoned car, what Sara and Leo had been up to and if he had anything to do with the recovery of Elizabeth’s memory. After all, that had been Sara’s specialty years ago. He smiled broadly with the prospect of the game taking a dramatic turn, and he knew exactly whom to talk to about the change of events.

  His spirits greatly lifted as he turned up the volume of his radio, which was playing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”, his fingers tapping against the steering wheel as he pulled out onto the road.

  Chapter 30

  On the drive back to town, Elizabeth had told Sara that she had seen a shadow outside of Leo’s window, and since it had been right after her session, she had thought it had been something else, and that was the reason she had freaked out. Her words had been flippant; just before she had closed her eyes, in the hopes it would stop any further questions.

  Sara had not seemed convinced, but Elizabeth didn’t care as Leo’s last comment had played through her mind throughout the drive. His words had raised question’s she knew she should have been asking of Aurora earlier, but she had been so distracted with her own concerns and drama that she had not even taken a moment to wonder what her long time friend and companion had been up to, or especially whom she had been seeing. They had made a pact years ago, to watch out for each other.

  Now all she could think of was, why had she never met the guy Aurora had been seeing? Who was he, Elizabeth groaned as she realized she didn’t even know his name. What kind of friend was she? That she had not even taken the time to learn what his name was. She had been so self involved in her own life, that she had totally disregarded Aurora. Saddened with the realization, Elizabeth remembered the grand plans they had before they flew out, things they had wanted to see and do in New Orleans.

  Elizabeth sat outside the room Aurora and she were renting, hesitant to enter and confront what was beyond it. Not only because she wasn’t sure who was behind the door, but mostly the questions that needed to be answered. Everything was coming so fast and furious now, that the thought of…Elizabeth shook off the veiled question Leo had raised, temporarily. Her hand paused on the doorknob as a strange realization occurred to her. She knew what Roger was after, she knew where to find the final piece of the puzzle that hid the secrets that condemned him. Secrets that had killed her mother and had stolen her memory and childhood from her, his face now clear to her.

  Her heart skipped a beat with the knowledge she now had, but instead of bringing her a sense of satisfaction or comfort it instead filled her with a sense of dread and fear. Knowing this knowledge put her life and most likely everyone she loved in more danger than before, if he was to find out she remembered the truth. The thought filled her mind cruelly with different scenarios of her confrontation with Roger. None coming out very well, a sense of panic filled her, not sure where she should turn. Leo’s face filled her mind.

  She shook the image of Leo from her thoughts as she pulled her hand away from the doorknob she had been on the verge of pushing, now afraid to enter, not for what was beyond the door but because she was now afraid to involve the people she loved.

  Tears filled her eyes, blurring the door as she turned away from it, the conflict of emotions overwhelming. A song entered her thoughts, momentarily confused, Elizabeth found herself humming an old Queen song, not sure when she heard it or how she knew the words so distinctly, or even why it came to her at this moment. But, she could not help herself as she sang to herself, ‘Mama. Just killed a man. Put a gun against his head. Pulled the trigger now he’s dead...’

  Elizabeth was so involved in the words of the song she didn’t hear the door open next to her. Startled when a hand pulled the hair that was covering her face and tucked it behind her ear. Aurora’s voice full of concern, “Elizabeth, it’s me.”

  Elizabeth’s heart caught at the sight of her old friend, her tears renewed as she looked at the one person she had always been able to trust unconditionally. Her body relaxed as she finally released all her layers of protection as she cried in Aurora’s arms.

  After what seemed like hours, Elizabeth pulled back from Aurora, now slightly embarrassed as she smiled shakily at Aurora, “I’m sorry?”

  Aurora wiped her eyes as she opened them wide in surprise, “What are you sorry for?”

  “For everything.”

  “Elizabeth, don’t be sorry. I’m just happy to see you again.” Indicating with her head to the door, Aurora reached for Elizabeth’s arm “Come. Let’s go in.”

  Elizabeth’s stomach clenched at the thought of confronting her mother once more as she looked at the door, not feeling strong enough to face another fight. Her tears gathered just behind her eyes once again, her voice soft, “Is she still here?”

  Aurora answered without asking who, “No. She left yesterday. She said that you had enough to deal with, without her here too... She loves you, you know?”

  Elizabeth nodded her head in agreement, “I know. But, there is much more here than if she loves me or not. It goes deeper than that.”

  “I know. Come on, I’ll get us something to drink... make you feel a little better?”

  “That sounds good.”

  Elizabeth stepped through the door and a strange sense of déjà vu filled her as she looked around the room, surprised when she realized a small part of her had felt, in a way, that it would have changed. Yet, it had remained the same. At that moment, an understanding filled her that with the recovery of her memories which had been lost to her for so long, had changed her ever so slightly. So now, that which was familiar felt strangely different, yet the same. She could see that she had changed, not the world around her. The thought made her slightly light headed as her stomach contracted in fear and understanding, her legs weak, as she walked and sank down into the cushions of the sofa, the action, a relief to her still shaken body.

  Her eyes were drawn back to Aurora who was pouring them a glass of white wine from a bottle in the rooms’ complimentary bar. Leo’s stupidly veiled question distracted her thoughts from herself as she asked Aurora in curiosity. “So what happened with that man you were seeing?”

  “Everything.” Aurora said with a smile that lit her face up.

  Hearing Leo’s words in her mind she was hesitant, but Aurora’s obvious happiness made her feel silly for questioning. But still, all the unanswered questions were plaguing her, her tension returned with thoughts that crept slowly around her. Taking a breath Elizabeth kept her voice casual as she asked in an off-handed manner, “When do I get to meet him?”

  Aurora chuckled, “Soon.”

  “How soon?”

  “Soon,” Aurora emphasized, handing Elizabeth her drink.

  Elizabeth took a sip of the sweet wine, before she plunged forward with her question “What’s his name?”

  “I’ve never told you?” Aurora laughed as she sat on the oversiz
ed chair adjacent to the sofa. “I can’t believe I’ve never told you. I guess with all that has happened it has just slipped in our conversations.”

  Elizabeth forced a laugh also, “I guess so.” She said as she rolled the stem of the wine glass between her fingers before she looked back up, “So what is it?”

  “Roger.”

  The name sent a chill down her spine as she felt bile rise in her throat, her hand shaky as she set down her wine glass, not wanting to look up and let Aurora see the panic reflecting in them, Elizabeth attempted to get a grip on her emotions. Her mind whirled as she tried to rationalize what she knew and what she felt was more than a coincidence. ‘No, It couldn’t possible be her Roger.’ She thought. She was letting what Leo said influence her reaction to a name, a very common name at that. Elizabeth took in a deep breath, before she looked back up to give Aurora with a small smile before she probed further, “What does he look like?”

  “Well aren’t we just full of questions. What’s bringing all of this up?”

  Not wanting to pull Aurora into her paranoia, Elizabeth answered casually, “Just curious.” She said with a shrug of her shoulders.

  “No. I know the reason.” Aurora said with a confident nod.

  Elizabeth’s heart jumped at the reply, “You do?” She asked her heart in her throat.

  “You want to avoid the reason I found you outside the door. Looking as if the world has crashed around your shoulders.”

  Elizabeth’s heart lurched when she saw a sadness enter Aurora’s eyes, wondering how they had gone from a casual vacation to a life-altering event that fell around them so unexpectedly. Chuckling, she lifted her glass to Aurora, “You’re right.” She said before sipping again from the sweet drink. A sad laugh escaped her dry lips, “I bet you didn’t expect this last week to turn out like it has?”

  Aurora shook her head negatively as she answered, “No, definitely not.”

  Elizabeth turned away, her legs still shaky as she walked to the French doors that overlooked the Mississippi River. She had been so naïve, to believe, that she could come to this place in hopes of regaining her lost memories, and still be able to enjoy the festivities with Aurora, to celebration their milestone twenty-first birthdays. Why she believed this is now mystifying to her with all that she had learned about herself and her prior life before Rita had found her on that deserted back road so many years prior.

  Instead, she now found herself sitting in that very same room, that held such high hopes for her and Aurora, her life now altered forever. “When you heading home?” She asked as she turned away from the doors to face Aurora.

  “Whenever you’re ready?” Aurora said, putting up her hand. “And I don’t what any protest. I’ve already talked to my work and they said it would be fine for me to take an extended leave. Which by the way is one of the beauties of working for family. Besides, if need be, I can always do some work on my laptop.”

  A sense of relief filled her with Aurora’s words. Knowing she was being selfish for wanting Aurora to help her when all around her it was becoming more and more clear her life was a jumble of uncertainties and danger. But she didn’t care; she wanted to be selfish for a change and not worry what was best for someone else, but what was best for her. She was scared and everywhere she turned her world was crumbling around her, obscuring her vision of reality. “I wouldn’t argue... I need you,” Elizabeth said softly.

  “Good,” Aurora said as she took Elizabeth’s hands in hers, her hands soft and warm as she rubbed Elizabeth hands between hers. “Your hands are so cold.” She said her eyes full of concern.

  Self-conscious, Elizabeth pulled them out of Aurora’s, placing them under her thighs as she sat back down to warm them. Her stomach back in her throat as she looked at Aurora, fear her new best friend and the realization that she was as bad if not worse than Roger at this very moment consumed her. How could she be so selfish to accept Aurora’s invitation, she knew how dangerous Roger was and that he was, no doubt in Elizabeth’s mind, seducing Aurora to get to her. If what she remembered about him was true, he was a master manipulator and he always had an agenda to all of his actions. So if he had been seeing Aurora it was not a coincidence and by no means innocent.

  Her heart lurched; she inexplicably knew that he had been using Aurora to find out what she knew, so that meant that he mostly likely knew more about what she had been up to then she had realized. The thought struck her like lightening as she realized that she had much less time than she thought. The knowledge made her want to curl in a ball of misery; that the same man she had seen kill her mother so ruthlessly, was now sleeping with Aurora. And if he could maliciously murder her mother, even though he had claimed to love her, she knew he would not hesitate to do something as cruel to Aurora to get to her.

  She could see now, that no matter what her feelings were, she was going to, have to, somehow convince Aurora that staying in New Orleans was not a good idea and more importantly she was going to, have to, find a way to convince Aurora that she had to give up this fantasy idea that Roger, was her dream man, without giving up the knowledge that he was a con artist who was manipulating her to get close to me. She would tell her later when the danger passed, she didn’t want Aurora to go all savior on her.

  Elizabeth cringed inwardly as she gave Aurora a half smile; her mind trying to sort out what she needed to do to keep Aurora out of harm’s way and not make it so she would confront Roger with her suspicions. Elizabeth knew it would not end well at all for Aurora, and Aurora was too naïve to see this.

  “I’m just a bit chilled. After a good hot bath I should be fine.” She said, in a hope of giving herself some time to work it out before she messed this up further.

  But, Elizabeth quickly found that Aurora was not going to make it that easy for her to sneak away to figure out her next step. Aurora paused Elizabeth’s action with a frown, “Elizabeth, you never told me what happened with Leo, were you able to find what you have been searching for?” Then her eyes opened wide as she looked at Elizabeth with a look of mixed hope and concern. “Did you remember…your past?”

  Elizabeth nodded slightly, “I guess you could say that.” She said hesitantly, her words soft as she brought her now warm hands up to her face, covering it with her fingers as she leaned back into the cushions. “Oh, Aurora…so much has happened.” She said through her fingers.

  “Like what?” Aurora asked hesitantly. “Or…do you not want to talk about it right now?”

  “Yes and no.” Elizabeth said with a sad chuckle as she dropped her hands into her lap. “But, I think I’m going to go crazy.” She said with a sigh, and then she chuckled at her words, her hands waved through the air such as in a dramatic Shakespeare play, making light of the sentence, “seeing things, and hearing things, till I’m finding myself going mad. My dear. Simply mad.”

  “Elizabeth, don’t be like that. You’re no more crazier than I am,” Aurora said as she reached forward again, this time her hand brushed back Elizabeth’s hair.

  Impatiently, Elizabeth brushed away Aurora’s hand, anger engulfing her. Her voice became harsh as she stood to step away from Aurora. “How do you know? How do you know I’m not going crazy?” Elizabeth asked, knowing she was acting irrational but fear clouded all her rational thoughts. “You have no idea what I have been going through.”

  “And that is my fault how?” Aurora asked her voice-sounding hurt.

  Elizabeth threw up her hands as she turned toward the window, irritated for becoming angry. Guilt replaced the anger as quickly as it had come, knowing she was not thinking clearly. Besides, what did she expect Aurora to say ‘Yes, you’re going crazy. Let’s call the psycho ward and get you a straight jacket.’ Elizabeth shook her head clear of her irrational thoughts as she turned back to Aurora. Her voice soft as she replied, “It’s not your fault, Aurora. I’m sorry I implied anything like it was. I guess I’m just a bit on edge. I don
’t know anymore what I’m saying or feeling... I know you’re only trying to help.”

  “So why don’t you tell me what has happened? Then maybe we can work together to figure out the next step,” Aurora said as she walked over to Elizabeth.

  Elizabeth laughed sadly, “You make it sound so simple.”

  “It might not be that simple, but at least give me a chance to help.”

  “Ok, doctor Aurora,” Elizabeth said teasingly, calling her by a nickname she had given her when they were little, “but it’s going to be a long night. Because, darling, there is a lot that has happened in the last twenty four hours.”

  “Well, I have plenty of time. Since I told my work I needed an extended leave and all,” Aurora said lightly. “Now come on back to the couch. I’ll open another bottle of white wine and we can work this out.”

  Elizabeth nodded her head in agreement as she walked back to the couch. Sinking back into the soft cushions, her head rested on the high back as she lifted up her feet onto the oak coffee table, sorting out in her mind what needed to be said and what she was going to do next as she watched Aurora walk back with the open bottle.

  Maybe she could tell Aurora everything, and with the telling maybe she could work on some unanswered questions in her mind. Aurora, was a reasonable person, she would believe her and take the correct course of action with Roger. She would just have to emphasize how dangerous he was, to keep Aurora from doing something stupid.

  Or, better yet, she would just keep Roger out of the conversation and just ask that she not mention what she tells her to Roger. Then she had to convince her that she needed to return to Ann Arbor instead of staying in New Orleans with her because…she would have to think of something urgent that was more important then staying here. That way, she could get her out of the reach of Roger. Then later, she would explain about Roger to her.