by DB Jones
Then Sydney goes slump on the couch.
“Sydney, I’m going to count from one to three. On the count of three, you’re going to open your eyes feeling refreshed and relaxed. One, two, three.” The doctor taps her on the shoulder.
Sydney opens her eyes and looks around the room. “Well, how did I do?”
Teddy stood up and walked to her side. “Do you remember anything?”
Sydney scrunched her eyebrows and crinkled her nose. “I remember baking a cake with Momma.”
Teddy turned to the doctor. The doctor smiled at Sydney. “You did great. How do you feel?”
She smiled up at him and then at Teddy. “Like I had the best night’s sleep ever.”
“Do you feel like continuing again tomorrow?”
“Why not today. Aren’t we making progress?”
“We are, but it’s been an intense session. Go home and get some rest and we’ll continue tomorrow.
She shrugged her shoulders. “Okay, then. What time?”
“What works for you?
Sydney looked at Teddy. “The same time? Is that ok with everyone?”
“That’s perfect. I’ll see you both tomorrow morning.” He extended his hand to Teddy then Sydney.
Syd smiled. “Thank you.”
The doctor nodded and watched as they left his office.
“Well, what did you think, Teddy?”
“I think you did great. You were very clear with the details of that night.”
“But I still didn’t remember what happened, did I?”
He stopped, took her hand in his. “I believe you did.”
“Then why did the doctor stop the session?”
“It’s not a memory that can be rushed, or you risk the chance of closing down, and not just for now, but permanently. You experienced a lot of emotions today. Give yourself a rest. Maybe tomorrow will be the day you have that breakthrough. But if you don’t do it tomorrow, don’t worry. You’ve blocked it over twenty years. Give it a little time to resurface.”
She reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for bringing me. I couldn’t have, or wouldn’t have done any of this without you.”
“You’re right. I get all the credit. You and Jacob had nothing to do with it.”
She slapped his arm. “Smart-ass.”
Jacob paced his bedroom that morning. Teddy had called the night before to inform him that Sydney was scheduled that morning to begin hypnosis. When he awoke, all he could do was pace his bedroom thinking about what she might have uncovered. “Maybe I should call her to see how it went. No, what if she doesn’t want anyone to know? Ted will call me.”
He felt the vibration of his cell phone in his pocket. It was Ted. “Hey, Ted. How did it go?”
“The first session went well. Sydney wanted to continue but as we got closer to the events of what happened that night her blood pressure rose, and the doctor discontinued the session.”
“So, she was unable to find out anything, right?”
“Not necessarily. The doctor believes she’s ready to make a breakthrough and has scheduled another session this morning. I’ll keep you posted.”
“I appreciate that. I wanted to call, but wasn’t sure she was aware anyone knew about it.”
“She isn’t. She’s afraid if it doesn’t work, she wouldn’t know what to say. Give her a couple of days. I’ll call you. If all goes as we all hope, I’m sure she’d love to hear from you.”
“Thank you, Ted.”
“No problem.”
Jacob showered, dressed and headed downstairs. His father was sitting in the den reading the morning paper. “Hey, Son. You slept in late today. No surgeries planned?”
“Not today. I’m taking a couple of days off. Brian can handle whatever comes up. What do you have planned for the day?”
“Nothing much. I was going to have lunch with a group at the club, but it’s so overcast that my joints ache plus, I’m not much in the mood to go out. I was about to fix some breakfast, can I fix you something?”
“Thank you, but I have a few errands I need to do. I’ll grab something later.”
“You know I make a mean omelet. Are you sure you won’t stay?”
“Another time?”
“Sure.”
Jacob headed for the door as his father slowly made his way into the kitchen. “You know, Dad, that does sound better than what I had in mind, and I’m not in that big of a hurry.”
“Great. I just made a fresh pot of coffee, too.”
Jacob nodded and poured himself a mug, sat at the counter and watched as his father maneuvered through the kitchen. “You always did like to cook. I’m surprised you haven’t asked Sal if you could work in his restaurant.”
“What makes you think I haven’t?”
“You didn’t?”
“No, but Sal does want me to work there part time.”
“Doing what, you’re a surgeon?”
Senior started to laugh. “Butchering the meat.”
Jacob spewed his coffee all over the counter. “You’re kidding.”
“I am not.”
“Are you going to do it?”
“I declined but did tell him I’d help if he were ever short-handed. I think he just wanted the company. We have a lot in common, both losing our wives and nearing retirement. Although, I doubt Sal will ever retire. Cooking is in his blood.”
“It might do you good, and you know how you enjoy spending time with him.”
“We talked about that, too. I convinced Sal to let his sons do more of the work around the restaurant so we can spend more time having fun. Neither of us have much gas in our tanks, but we still get around. I told you about fishing, but golfing might be a way to stay in shape.”
Jacob propped his elbows on the counter and clasped his hands. “I doubt riding around in a golf cart all day will keep you in shape.”
“Who said we’d ride, we’d walk.”
“All eighteen holes?”
“Maybe not at first.”
Jacob mumbled under his breath. “Not even one hole.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing. I was just clearing my throat.”
Senior stood at the stove sauteing onions and mushrooms for the omelet. “Hey, I haven’t heard you talk about that patient lately.”
“What patient?”
Senior turned his head. “The one you obsessed over. I kind of thought you had ideas of seeing her after her treatments. I guess I was wrong.”
“I saw her brother the other day. He said she was doing well.”
“Has she left her apartment on her own yet?”
“Dad, I don’t know. I’m not keeping track of what she does. I merely mentioned that I ran into her brother, that’s all.”
“Okay. Here, can you grate the cheese for me? It’s almost ready.” He handed Jacob the cheese grater and a block of Swiss cheese.
“Sure. It smells good. Do I smell bacon, too?”
“Yes, I can’t believe you didn’t smell it earlier. You usually come flying down the stairs when you get a whiff of bacon. You must have been in a deep sleep.”
“I guess so.” He handed his father the grated cheese and watched as his dad folded the bacon, onions, mushrooms and grated cheese into the eggs.
“I hope you’re hungry,” he said as he halved the omelet onto two plates.
Jacob took his plate and headed for the patio. “Dad, this looks great.”
“Thanks, Son. It’s better when you can share it with someone. I appreciate you staying with your old man.”
“I had to eat, didn’t I?”
Senior smiled and followed Jacob to the patio. “I’m so glad you fixed up out here. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed it as much as I do now.”
“I don’t know what took me so long.”
His dad took a big bite of his omelet.“Hey, giving any more thought to having some folks over so we can test out the new grill?”
“Yes, I want to clear my c
alendar at the office first.”
“Son, it’s an afternoon on the weekend. It’s not a major trip or an event. You invite a few friends over, toss steaks on the grill and open a few beers.”
“I know, I know.”
Senior shook his head. “You’re hiding something.”
“No, I’m not. I just have a few friends that I’d like to invite, but they’re in the middle of some things right now. I promise we’ll have one soon.”
“It’s your party, Son. I’m just inviting Sal, so it doesn’t matter when you want to have it.”
“Thank you for an amazing breakfast. I’ll check back with you later. Have a good day, Dad.”
“You, too, Son.” Senior watched as Jacob grabbed his briefcase and left. “Hmm, I thought he had the day off. Oh, well.”
Anna stood in the living room wringing her hands and then heard Teddy at the front door and ran to open it. “Well?”
“Anna, it went fine,” Sydney answered with a smile.
“Are you going to tell me everything?”
Teddy headed for the kitchen. “Shall I make us a cup of tea? I know Anna won’t let you go until you tell her what happened.”
“Sure. Anna, there isn’t that much to tell. I don’t remember much except a vision of Momma and me making a cake.”
Anna turned to Teddy. “Were you with her?”
“I was,” he answered as he filled the tea kettle.
“What did she say? Did she reveal anything that will answer her questions?”
“Anna quit talking about me as if I’m not here.”
“I’m sorry, but you said you don’t remember what you saw while you were under and I thought Teddy heard something.”
Teddy put the tea bags in the cups then joined the two of them in the living room. “The doctor asked Syd to go back in time and recall events leading up to the accident, that’s all.” He leaned back in his chair.
Anna scrunched up her face. “What happened when Syd reached the time of the accident? She must have said something.”
“That’s when the doctor discontinued the session and brought Sydney out of the trance.”
Anna narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t understand why the doctor didn’t continue. It sounds to me like you remembered things without any problems.”
Teddy glanced at Sydney then back at Anna. “Because Sydney was beginning to get stressed and her blood pressure went up. The doctor felt it would be better to allow some time before proceeding to the actual event.”
Sydney quickly turned to her brother. “You mean we were getting that close?”
Teddy just nodded his head.
“I don’t remember that at all. What good is it if I don’t remember?”
“Doctor James said he wanted you to feel refreshed and relaxed after your first session so that next time you would have no reservations about progressing. Do you understand that we weren’t trying to keep anything from you, he just wanted to take it slow?”
“Yes, I get that, but I’m ready to find out what I’m hiding, no matter what it is.”
Anna sat down next to Sydney on the couch and wrapped her arms around her. “You’re almost there.”
“I don’t know about you two, but I’d rather have a glass of wine. I’m nervous, anxious, terrified and excited all in the same breath. First of all, I didn’t think I could be put into a trance, and now to find out I recalled my memories gives me hope.”
Teddy opened up a chilled bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and poured three glasses. Sydney wasted no time; she took a big gulp. Anna laughed. “I believe wine is supposed to be sipped.”
“I know, but I need to take the edge off, and now.”
Teddy just shook his head.
Sydney drank her glass and was ready for another before Teddy and Anna were getting started. “Sis, you might want to slow down, or you’ll make yourself sick. You haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
She didn’t reply but set her glass down and walked to the fridge. “I’m going to heat up some of the lasagna from last night. Anyone else want any?”
Anna looked hard at Teddy and whispered, “You shouldn’t have said that.”
“I know,” he mouthed.
Anna followed Sydney to the kitchen. She stood by as Sydney scooped up some of the leftovers and popped them into the microwave. “I was going to make us some BLTs later. Interested?”
Syd quickly turned off the microwave. “How about now?”
“I…I can do that.”
“Thank you, Anna. She leaned over the counter and hollered out to Teddy. “I’m sorry. I’ve just got so much on my mind. Three months ago I never thought I’d ever walk again, and now the possibility that I can leave this apartment on my own and walk around the lake, meeting the people I’ve watched for so long is almost more than I can absorb.”
“I can only imagine the overload, Sis. I’m the one that should be apologizing.”
Sydney lowered her head and smiled. “Then we’re good?”
“Always.”
Teddy brought his glass of wine to the counter and sat on one of the barstools. “I wasn’t going to bring this up, but I talked to Jacob today.”
Sydney’s mouth dropped open. “When did you see him?”
“I didn’t. I called.”
“Why did you call him?”
Anna stepped back from the counter and kept herself busy with prepping the BLTs.
“Because he asked me to.”
“What? Why did he ask you to call him and about what?”
“Dang, girl, why do you think? He wanted me to keep him posted on how you were doing. For two intelligent people, you can’t acknowledge the facts slapping you in the face,” Anna interjected as she flipped over the bacon.
“You’re crazy. Jacob isn’t interested in me in that way. I was his patient, that’s all.”
Teddy turned to Anna. “I have to agree with Anna on this one. I see it written all over his face. And when I talk to him, I hear it in his voice. But if you two keep dancing around the inevitable you’ll be too old to enjoy each other. Why don’t you invite him to dinner one night? What’s the worst that can happen?”
“He could say no.”
“You won’t know unless you ask.”
“Let me get through this hypnosis first.”
“There always seems to be one more thing you need to take care of, isn't there? Your method is called avoidance.”
Anna set the sandwiches on the counter, looked at Sydney, raising one eyebrow. “Yeah, what your brother just said. Are you ready for the world’s greatest BLTs?”
“A girl doesn’t stand a chance with you two ganging up on her,” Syd said with a smile as she reached for one of the sandwiches.
Teddy grabbed a sandwich. “You’ll have to excuse me. I have a few calls to make, and I’m tired. See you in the morning.” He leaned down and kissed Sydney on the forehead then gave Anna a peck on the cheek.
Anna watched him walk down the hall until he closed the door behind him. “He looks exhausted.”
“I think the session was hard on him. I’m sure he was reliving that day along with me. I just hope he doesn’t feel guilty. That day was all my doing.”
Anna stared at Sydney. “I thought you couldn’t remember anything from that day.”
Sydney’s eyes glistened. “I didn’t until I just said that. Anna, do you think it’s all going to come flooding back to me?”
“It’s what you want, isn’t it?”
“I’m not sure.” Sydney held her head in her hands. “What could have been so horrible to make me forget all these years?”
“Don’t let yourself go there. You were in a coma for a long time, and that’s what could have suppressed your memory. Whatever you uncover, you know Teddy and I are here for you.”
Sydney lifted her head. “I know you are. You always have been. I’m just anxious to get all of this behind me and move on. I’m tired. I think I’ll go to bed, too.” She wal
ked to the bedroom, hesitated, then turned to Anna. “Thank you.”
Anna smiled and nodded her head as Sydney closed her door. Anna picked up the leftovers, cleaned up the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine. She opened the French doors and walked out on the balcony then leaned against the wall overlooking the park. The street lamps were just coming on and casting shadows on the lake. “This is what Syd has been watching through her glass wall all these years and wishing she could join them. Dear Lord, help her get past these fears.” Anna watched the crowds as she sipped her wine then headed to her room for the evening.
Sydney sat on the edge of her bed trying to remember the morning session. The only vision she could conjure up was that of her and her mother baking. “Why can’t I remember the day of the accident?”
She walked over to the window and watched the people gathering in the park. A local trio was setting up at the gazebo just across the street. Suddenly, there was Mrs. Farmer coming along the path holding onto her walker with the usual bags hanging from the sides. She glanced up at the apartment and waved to Sydney who smiled and waved back. “I wish I could go down there and visit.” She stood watching as the cats emerged once again from the bushes. Mrs. Farmer set the bowls of food down and occasionally bend down and patted a few of them on their heads. When the cats finished eating, she picked up the bowls, put them back into her bags and continued walking around to the other side of the lake.
“Where does that woman live?” Sydney turned, but then saw Trent jogging along the path as if he were the only one on it. “That man never looks up nor have I ever seen him speak to a living soul. Why doesn’t he interact with anyone? It’s none of your business, Syd.” She closed the curtains and got ready for bed. She set her cell phone on the nightstand but kept glancing at it. “Why don’t I just call him?”
She picked up her phone, clicked on Jacob’s number and stared at it. “And then what? What am I supposed to say? Oh, hi just wondered if you’d like to come over for dinner. How lame.” She tossed the cell phone back on the nightstand, pulled the covers to her chest and stared at the ceiling until she finally dozed off.
Her cell phone rang, but she incorporated it into her dream and didn’t answer. The next morning she saw that she missed a call and tapped on her voice mail. It was from Jacob. “Sorry I’m calling so late, but was thinking about you. Hope all is going well. Let me know when you’re ready to take that walk around the lake. I meant what I said. I’d love to take that journey with you.”