by Amy Gaudette
“I love you, Nancy. It’s time for me to be here for you, like you were for me.”
Dr. Timmons came over and put his hand on Megan’s shoulder.
Nancy’s countenance never changed. Her eyes searched the ceiling, as she continued her slow rhythmic swaying back and forth. Megan leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be back to see you again, Nancy. I love you.”
“Megan.” A weak, diminished voice croaked to life.
Megan stared, dumbfounded.
She found herself gazing into the eyes of compassion she once knew.
“Run to the light, Megan. Run to the light.” A trembling hand reached tentatively out and touched Megan’s hair, then fell back to the bed.
Megan’s head turned toward Dr. Timmons. His face registered shock.
“Nancy?” He bent down and tried to converse with her. The brief return was gone. The moment was over and the doors were once again shut.
Megan gave her a hug. “I’m coming back, Nancy. No matter what.”
Neither of them spoke as they walked back out to the parking lot. Deep emotions tangled themselves just below the surface, threatening to take over. Megan took a deep breath and got into the car. After she did, Dr. Timmons reached over, taking her hand in his. His eyes, filled with tenderness, were Megan’s undoing. She bent her head and sobbed. Sam pushed over and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Pulling her close, nothing was spoken, but a lot was said. Megan’s sobs slowed, she pulled a tissue out of her pocket. “I’m okay, Dr. Timmons.”
“I know you are.”
A strong hand gently touched her chin and lifted her face towards him.
“Megan. Would you mind calling me Sam?”
Sam’s smile warmed her from the inside out. She cleared her throat. “I know you have a meeting to get to, and you haven’t even had lunch.”
“I’ll bring you back to the hotel. Stay inside until I get back, okay?”
“I will.”
Sam dropped her off, and the tender moment they shared lingered as he walked her to her room. As she took out her room key, Sam reached out and grabbed her hand.
“Remember, Megan, look toward the light.” He brushed her cheek with his fingers. “Good advice.”
Megan watched him turn and walk back down the hall. Her heart beat rapidly, only this time, from something other than fear.
✽✽✽
Sam knew he was treading in dangerous waters. He had better keep his emotions in check. He chided himself for letting down his guard with Megan.
Sam went straight into the cafe. He saw Doug waiting for him in a back corner booth. He joined him, ordered a large black coffee, while Doug let him settle in.
“You have probably guessed this is about Megan.”
“I guessed.” Sam waited for Doug to do the talking.
“We’re concerned, as you can imagine, for her. She meant a lot to my family when she lived with us. I would really like to see her get the help she needs. I’ll be frank. Mayor Richard has been my boss for a number of years. I’m not saying he’s perfect by any means, but he has an incredible reputation for helping those in need. When Megan first came to us, he wanted to make sure she was getting the counseling she needed. He got involved, found a good counselor for her, and kept tabs on how she was doing. He knows how much she has meant to us. My wife thought of her as our daughter. She needs help and we can’t give it if we can’t find her.”
“I like to think his philanthropy stems from good intentions, but I’m not convinced. Are you? And anyway, I’m unsure of what you want me to do? She hasn’t broken any law. She’s endangered no one. Since she was in my care in the hospital, I haven’t even seen signs of psychosis. She is remembering more and more and is dealing with things better, I only see signs of her getting stronger. What are you trying to say? Lock her up so she doesn’t crack up on this side of reality, or lock her up so if she remembers what actually happened, it will be on the other side where it can be conveniently swept under the rug. We both know the latter is more accurate, don’t we?” Sam figured there was no reason to mince words. Best get it out in the open.
Doug stared hard at Sam. Sam didn’t flinch.
“Dr. Timmons, you have no idea what you’re talking about. None. I can find you more than enough paperwork that will tell you the whole story on Megan’s childhood. She has been through one abusive situation after another. What happened that day in the park was simply another symptom of her sickness. Many professional people verified that.” Doug’s face darkened as he spoke. His eyes narrowed.
“Then why is Mayor Richard running scared?” Sam demanded quietly.
Doug’s voice was even and controlled.
“Mayor Richard was jogging in the park that evening. His path crossed with Megan’s when she was looking for Brady’s rabbit. She had gone off the beaten path and panicked, Richard recognized who she was and tried to help her. Megan entered into one of her traumatic flashbacks and the rest is history. I must say I’m surprised at your lack of professionalism with this patient.”
Sam was silent for a moment. “I’m not saying your story isn’t possible. I know it is. But it begs more questions than it answers. At this point, I really don’t think I have anything else to say.”
Doug leaned forward and glared at Sam.
Sam knew it was time to leave. He stood up to put distance between the two of them.
“Actually, Mr. Stanton, there is one more. When Richard is done with Megan’s journal, I would like it back.”
Doug reached out and grabbed Sam’s arm, then hesitated. His harsh countenance softening ever so slightly.
“Richard’s eyes and ears are everywhere. I can’t even keep them out of my own home. Megan will need more covering than you can possibly give her. And I also have one more thing I want to say . . .” He released his grip on Sam’s arm. His voice dropped to a whisper. “Please, watch out for my son — and I’ll do what I can for you.” Without waiting for a response, Doug hurried out the door.
Sam watched as he took off. He grabbed his coffee and headed back to the hotel. He couldn’t even imagine what this breach would cost Doug. Maybe he wasn’t as lost as Brady thought he was.
Sam pulled back into the parking lot at the hotel. His cell phone went off. It was the administration office at the hospital. That wasn’t good news.
“Hello, Dr. Timmons here.”
“Sam, it’s William. I know you’ve had some pressing personal issues going on, but I need you back here. We have a serious flu outbreak, and I’m recalling all vacations and leave of absences. How soon can you get back?”
Sam’s heart sunk. “William, I am in the middle of some real messy stuff here, possibly criminal, with the young lady that was under my care. She saw something when she was younger, and her mind has blocked it out. Now that she is back in town, the powers that be are running scared. They want her out of the way. If I leave, she’s a sitting duck.”
“I’m sorry, Sam. I can’t say I know what’s going on over there, but I know you have ruffled some mighty big feathers. Do you know who the number one donor for this hospital is?”
“No.”
“Mayor Richard, soon to be Governor Richard. Need I say more?”
“You’re recalling me as a political favor to him?” Sam’s voice was stunned.
“He writes a lot of big fat checks. Come home. Don’t get messed up in what isn’t your concern. Besides, you’re an MD, not a psychologist. It doesn’t look good, you in the hotel with a patient.”
“Come on, William. There is nothing improper going on here.” Sam’s agitation spiked off the charts.
“Of course not. I know you. But the fact is, I need you back here. I’ll expect you tomorrow by noon.” Sam’s boss left no room for argument.
“I hear you.” He sighed and signed off. Now what?
Sam dreaded seeing Megan. How could he leave her here? He couldn’t stay, he’d lose his job. He had been working at the hospital in Rogan’s Pass since his<
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residency ended five years ago. It wasn’t often a young doctor could land a job like he had right out of school. Lord, I’m trying to do the right thing. I need help.
Maybe William was telling the truth and there was a flu outbreak. That could explain why he felt so miserable since he left the area.
Sam stood outside Megan’s door. He knew what he had to do, and he had to convince Megan to come with him. Sam hesitated and knocked. Megan opened the door.
“Hi, Megan. Do you have a minute?”
Her eyes betrayed her. She must have seen something was wrong. Sam came in and didn’t keep her guessing.
“Megan, I have some not-so-good news. I got a call from the hospital back in Rogan’s Pass. My boss has asked me to return immediately, due to a flu outbreak.”
“Oh.” Megan said nothing more.
Sam stepped closer to her. His eyes pleaded. “Come back with me. It will accomplish two things. One, you’ll be safer. We’ll come back when I’m freed up and head over to Thomas Park together, and two,” he added wryly, “I won’t be fired.”
Megan walked over to the couch and sat down. She appeared deep in thought. “Can we go to the park this evening? Before it gets too dark?”
Sam nodded. “Sure. I thought of that, but I wasn’t sure if you were ready.”
“I would rather go now than wait for another week or so.”
Sam breathed a sigh of relief. “Can I pick you up at five?”
“I’ll be here. Thanks, Sam.”
Sam smiled and left the room. Weights pressed on him from all sides and he could feel his strength draining. Was it possible he had the flu himself? What next? Sam fought off a bad attitude. He took another sip of his now cold coffee and stretched out on the couch for a ten minute nap. Bone-weary fatigue settled in. Setting his watch alarm, he fell asleep.
Chapter 22
Brady dreaded his father’s return. He felt like a ping-pong ball, bouncing back and forth, one minute afraid, the next angry.
He sat in the living room with his earbuds in. A magazine was in his hands but his eyes were glued to the driveway. He saw his dad pull in. Brady took a deep breath. Brace yourself. The door opened and in walked his father. Brady pretended to browse through the magazine but his eyes saw none of it.
He both heard and felt footsteps coming toward him. Someone tapped him on the shoulder and motioned for him to turn off his music.
Brady yanked out his earbuds. “What?” His tone was practiced indifference.
His dad sat down on the swivel chair next to him.
“Are you thinking of taking up knitting?”
Brady peered down at the magazine he was supposedly reading. It was his mom’s knitting magazine. His face reddened as his stomach became a solid mass.
“Brady. Look at me. Smart move, today. Knowing Marie was following you and leading her to the wrong hotel. I’m impressed.” Brady opened his mouth, but said nothing. This was not what he had expected. “I met with Sam. We had a good talk. At least, I think we did. Let’s say we have an understanding. Brady, I was wrong this morning. If you want to, I will take you back to Thomas Park. I think you were right. You need to go back and face your fears. I don’t know where your mom and Marie are right now, but if you want to go, I’m game.”
Brady stared at his dad, dumbfounded. “You will take me to the woods?” He was having a hard time believing this was happening.
“Yes. I would like to shower and change first. But if you’re up to it, I am too.”
“Uh, yeah. I’ll go.”
“Good. Oh, do you think Megan would want to come with us? It might help the both of you if you went together.”
“I don’t know if she would come . . . you know, without Sam. I’ll call her.” Brady could hardly contain his excitement. He grabbed his cell phone and dialed her.
“Megan. You won’t believe what happened. My dad is fine with me going back to the park but he wants to take me. He said I was right, and I should go. Can you believe it? So, anyway, are you still going with Sam? Do you want to come with us?” His dad had gone to change, Brady felt free to talk. “Megan, are you okay?”
“Yeah, fine. It’s just that Sam has to head back to the hospital early in the morning, he was going to take me out there this evening but he hasn’t shown up. I called him and went to his room, he’s not answering.”
“Maybe he had to leave early?”
“It could be. But it doesn’t seem like Sam.”
“What do you want to do? My dad wants to help us. You were right, Megan. And I knew your coming back was going to make everything better.”
“I’ll go check back at Sam’s room. If he’s not there, or answering his cell, I’ll come with you. Are you sure your dad doesn’t mind?”
“No, it was his idea.” Brady felt a light-heartedness he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
“Okay. If I don’t call you back, you know where to pick me up — at the corner.”
“Sure do. Great. I’m so glad you’re coming with me. See you soon.”
Brady hopped off his chair and bounded up the stairs.
“She’s coming, Dad. Megan is coming with us.” Brady’s dad was coming out of the bathroom, wearing jeans and a long sleeved shirt.” He gave Brady a warm smile.
“I’m proud of you son, never forget that.”
Brady beamed. Was it too good to be true? It was like he imagined, but never thought it would be again. He and Dad on the same team.
Brady flew back down the stairs. He grabbed his windbreaker and headed out to wait in the car. Megan was right. His dad was back. They would face these nightmares together and he would make everything right again.
✽✽✽
Doug picked up the cell phone he had left on the table. He checked to see that Brady was outside. Pressing speed dial, the phone was quickly picked up at the other end.
“Hello . . . yes, it’s all set . . . I said I would. Bye.” Walls were closing in on him from all sides. Momentarily, he couldn’t catch his breath.
He should have felt something more. Remorse, regret. But no, numbness was all he had left. Best he leave that in place for now.
Megan waited at their rendezvous point. Her heart raced way too fast, creating weakness in her limbs. Where was Sam? She wanted him here. Megan couldn’t believe he would have left early without telling her, but the receptionist confirmed it. He had called and said he was checking out and would be back later in the week and that he would pay for Megan’s room for the week if she stayed. She called him from her hotel room anyway and left a message on his phone. Once again, regretting she didn’t have her own cell phone.
A car pulled up in front of her. It was Brady and his dad. The one good thing in all of this was Mr. Stanton’s change of heart.
“Hello, Mr. Stanton. Hi, Brady.”
“Hello, Megan, it’s so good to see you. I’m sorry I wasn’t at the house when you came by.”
“Hi, Megan.” Brady greeted her from the backseat.
She climbed into the front. “Brady and I are real glad you’re here now. I wanted so much to go back to the spot in the woods to see if I could remember more. But I guess Sam had to leave early.”
“Yes, he told me. Something about a flu outbreak. But I’m glad I can go with you. I’m concerned, though, that this might be overwhelming for both you and Brady. I ask only one thing, as much as you can, talk to me about what is going on while you’re there. You may see things in your mind’s eye, and I want to be part of it. Not like before, okay?”
“Okay. Though I have to tell you, I have no idea what to expect.”
Megan noticed Brady was silent. She wished she could talk to him, but with his dad here, she did not feel the freedom she felt when it was just the two of them.
Another ten minutes and they pulled into a small parking lot. Already, memories were flooding back. Megan and Brady walked hesitantly toward the picnic area where the family had been roasting marshmallows.
It was an
evening much like this one. The sun lingered, but not for long. Beverly was passing out graham crackers for the smores. Brady was collecting branches from the obliging tree overhead, and Doug was encouraging a bed of nice hot coals. No one knew the gentle evening was about to implode.
They approached the fire pit, nothing had changed. A few more logs added for sitting, but that was about it. Brady stood near Megan.
“It’s like we were just here, isn’t it Megan?” Megan nodded her head. She glanced over at Doug. He keeps looking at his watch. I guess we should get this over with.
“Brady, I’m going into the woods before it gets dark. Do you want to stay here?”
Megan wished again that Sam was here. She realized how dependent she had become on him. Too dependent.
“I’m coming, Megan. Dad, do you want to come?” Reality must have set in for Brady, his expression had become decidedly apprehensive.
“Of course, yes, let’s go.”
Once again, Megan thought Doug’s behavior odd. Is he more nervous than he lets on? He seemed jittery, the way he kept watching the woods.
They stood at the edge of the woods. “Megan, I don’t feel like you should go in alone. But at the same time, I don’t want to leave Brady. You understand?”
Brady broke in. “Dad. I promised Megan I would go in with her. I promised she would never go alone.” His voice was tinged with panic.
Megan could clearly see a battle raging inside him. “Don’t worry, Mr. Stanton. Stay here with Brady. I’m actually feeling pretty good.” She turned to Brady. “Thank you. But I need to do this alone. I’ll go in and look over the spot where I was hiding, and head back here. I know it was just off of Baxter Path, near a large rock. It can’t have changed too much.” Megan hoped she sounded more confident than she felt.
“Okay, go ahead. We’ll wait here, say, ten minutes? Is that enough time?”
“That’s fine, Mr. Stanton. Thank you.”
Brady spoke up. “Dad, I’m not letting Megan go in alone.” His voice shook. “That’s what I did last time. I’m going in with her. Please.” He begged.