Unforgettable

by P J Gilbers

  Three inches was miles. I almost cried I was so damn proud of him.

  “Wow! Going Hulk on me.”

  He laughed.

  “Listen Abe, I wanted to talk to you about something, I talked to your mom and dad about it already. I think you need to go into a clinic, outpatient, for therapy. You and I are only going to be able to do so much. They have a lot more equipment and it’ll be good for you to be around other people.”

  He thought for a long time.

  “’You been laughing every day?”

  He smiled. “Yeah. I’ve been watching funny movies and stuff. My friends came over, too. We had some fun.

  “But, if I go to a clinic…I like seeing you, Sam.”

  I nodded.

  “I like seeing you, too. But I really feel this is what will do the most for you.”

  I hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.

  “You take care of yourself, Sam.”

  I was at my car when my phone rang.

  “Sam,” Stella was clanging her bracelets against the phone.

  “Mr. Nolan called. His doctor’s appointment is today and Mr. Nolan was hoping you could go with him, meet at his house in about an hour. I can move your people around, you’ve only got two or three I think. Henry is light today so he could probably pick them up. We had a lot of cancellations. We really want to keep Daffy happy. He’s private pay.”

  I drove to Jack’s. Two gardeners were trimming and mowing.

  “I’m glad you could make it.” Jack was standing at the door with khaki shorts and a white linen shirt.

  “’Hate going to the doctor.”

  “Me too.”

  Fritz came bouncing out with car keys.

  “Are we ready for our big outing? Sarah packed us goodies.”

  “No way.” Jack grabbed the bag.

  “Oh yes. You’d think we were going cross country instead of across town. I think it’s those mother hormones. I caught her talking to the koi pond the other day.”

  He gave me a smile and a wink. He leaned over me and whispered.

  “I think we should make Jack drive and we’ll sit in the back and neck.”

  Jack laughed and climbed in the back.

  “You must sit in the back with me and hold my foot, saying kind, nurturing things to it,” he said. I climbed in, taking his foot onto my lap. He groaned trying to pretend it wasn't painful.

  Jack told me stories about their last shoot in Alaska and what it was like to pee outside when it was below zero. I laughed so hard tears kept rolling down my face.

  He reached over and wiped them off with his thumb.

  His stare was suddenly serious and I was drowning in his eyes, unable to look away.

  Fritz parked in a lower parking lot that seemed to be just for the physicians. We took a small elevator, walked down a white hallway, and entered through an unmarked door. A nurse took us to X-ray and then to an exam room.

  Fritz and Jack played with the equipment.

  “Will you two stop it!”

  “We’re bored,” Fritz smiled. “All right, we’ll be good. If you insist.” He threw tongue depressors at me just as the doctor walked in.

  Jack introduced him to me. The doctor looked at the floor strewn with tongue depressors and grinned.

  "Never can leave you two alone. Miss Rose, my sympathies. Foot’s looking good, let’s get this cast off and see what we have.”

  He cut the cast, Jack twitching every time it hit skin.

  Fritz laughed.

  “It won’t cut you, you know,” Fritz said.

  “I know. I just hate those damn things.”

  Jack’s ankle was a crisscross of stitches, the entire ankle was shades of yellow and purple.

  The doctor pressed and pulled making Jack wince.

  “Healing great, which is really good. X-rays look good. That ankle was like sewing confetti back together. I was afraid it might not heal. I think you can put a little weight on it now, just toe touch. Next visit we’ll increase your weight bearing. Probably a boot. Carlos will be in to re-cast you and you’ll be on your way.”

  He was gone. I looked at the incisions and films.

  “You have got a ton of hardware in there. Amazing. You’re lucky your circulation wasn’t ripped up at the same time. ‘Might have lost your foot.”

  A short muscular man came in, introduced himself as Carlos, and re-casted Jack’s ankle.

  “Thanks for coming along,” Jack told me. “How’s your brother?”

  I looked away, my feet itching to run.

  Jack smiled. “What’s your brother’s name?”

  “Daniel.” Elton John’s Daniel was playing through my head.

  Jack nodded. He wanted to see how far I’d go with this game. Fritz frowned at him.

  “I take it Daniel is younger than you are.”

  “Yes. He’s eight years younger.”

  “So when your folks died he was nine.”

  My chest hurt. I felt like I was nine getting caught stealing ice cream money.

  “Right, right. It hit him really hard…”

  “Don’t ever play poker,” he laughed. “Let’s try this again, shall we?”

  He was back to his dark, serious self again.

  “There is no Daniel. There is no brother. There is, however, something big, bad, and scary. You’re not sleeping, you’re not eating. You look like hell. If I guess it you have to own up. You just found out you’re pregnant.”

  “No.”

  “Let me ask you, sweetheart, what’s going to happen if you don’t get it?”

  “Get what?”

  “What you want? What you’re praying so hard for?” he whispered. “What’s going to happen to you?”

  There was no more air in the room and my lungs had glued shut.

  “’Feeling a bit claustrophobic, sorry, have to go…”

  I dashed out of the room, to the parking lot. And that was as far as I had planned.

  I went back to Jack’s SUV. I had to get out of there. I didn’t know where I was but I was certain it was too far to walk.

  Carlos came out whistling.

  He smiled.

  “’Must be exciting working with a famous movie star.”

  “Yeah. It’s…interesting.”

  “’You waiting on them? I don’t think you ought to be hanging out down here. Kind of dark…isolated. No place for a beautiful woman like you.”

  His eyes sparkled. I felt my lungs start to work again.

  “Actually I’m late for my next patient. Any way you could give me a ride…”

  “Absolutely, absolutely. You direct and I drive…”

  I put a note on Jack’s windshield.

  Got a ride with Carlos back to get my car. Sam.

  I got home long before dark this time. But I wished I hadn’t.

  A picture was sticking in my mail slot. It was of me walking from the pool to my apartment.

  I stepped back as if was a rattler coiling.

  I called Silverman, my hands were trembling so much that I could barely hold the phone.

  I sat on the steps feeling totally exposed, scanning the area, wondering if the monster was watching me.

  A police car pulled up. A young blonde woman and an older large man climbed out. They looked at it and called Silverman again.

  “We’re going to secure the area until the tech unit gets here. We’ll need you to wait. Detective Silverman wants to talk to you.”

  I knew what the conversation was going to be. I sat on the hot, metal steps, and waited.

  Stella called. Her voice had an edge.

  “Sam, we lost our patient, Abe Williamson. The mother said they were going to do outpatient instead. Know anything about that?”

  “Yeah. I suggested it. It’s really what he needed. A seventeen year old shouldn’t become housebound. And he needed to be around other patients going through what he’s going through.”

  “Well I really don’t appreciate this, Sam. And Mr. Bruelle
r, the owner, is really pissed.”

  “It was a very unusual circumstance. I’m sure you understand.”

  “Well, I gotta tell ya’ the owner’s pissed about this one. Pissed, pissed, pissed. But at least you’re making Mr. Hollywood happy. Oh, he called. He wanted your number but naturally I wouldn’t give it to him. He wanted you to call in the morning.”

  My heart raced.

  Silverman pulled up.

  “Oh, joy,” I thought.

  His coat was off.

  “I have some iced tea made,” I offered.

  “That would be great."

  He sat on my gray vinyl kitchen chair. The legs were uneven so he had fun rocking back and forth. I sat down and drank my tea. And waited.

  “We have evidence now that Robert Welsh and his two brothers are here. Don’t have the results back from that photograph but… he’s here, Princess.”

  I had hit the breaking point. I leaned on the table and cried. Hurts-your-guts cried.

  Ted paced in the space behind her, walking in and out of walls and cabinets, wanting to hold her, wanting to do something.

  Silverman said nothing but was gracious enough to let me cry it out.

  “I see you’re going to be doing a little home improvement. Nail gun and a hatchet. Now some folks might think of those as weapons.”

  I blew my nose on a kitchen towel.

  “Princess, look, you know you’re kiddin’ yourself here. Welsh is a big man. If he walked in here right now you could shoot him ten times with that nail gun and only succeed in pissing him off. Any weapon you use against him, since you’re not trained, he is most likely going to take away from you and hurt you with it.

  “Can you imagine,” he picked up the nail gun, “five or six of these in the bottom of your feet? Or your spine? How about the roof of your mouth?”

  Bile was rising in my throat. I was helpless.

  “Robert is a sadist. He gets extreme sexual pleasure in torturing people and animals. Some men go to strip clubs or hookers. Robert slices nipples off dogs. Just a hobby.

  “Pack up, Princess. No one can keep you safe here. You’ve got to come with me.”

  I thought about Jack. I could call him. I could stay with Jack. I knew I could…If I had the courage to ask.

  “What if I found somewhere else to stay for a week or so?”

  “A co-worker’s…a boyfriend? I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.”

  “One of my patients. He’s very wealthy. I’d feel safe there.”

  “Jack Nolan.”

  “How did you know that?”

  He grinned.

  “Silverman knows all.”

  “I could talk to him tomorrow.”

  He sighed. “On one condition.”

  “What?”

  “I put you in a hotel tonight. And if this falls through with Mr. Nolan you’re going to go with me. Deal?”

  “Deal.”

  Thursday

  I woke up and didn’t remember where I was. Then I remembered Silverman. And the photograph. I had to admit the hotel was nice. It was cool and it came with my very own police officer outside the door.

  I opened the door and the officer told me she was leaving and if I needed anything to call Silverman. I wandered down to the complimentary breakfast, sat down with some food, and called Jack.

  “Good morning, Sam,” Jack whispered.

  “Good morning.”

  “’Just wanted to tell you that I have a press thing I have to do tonight so, first, I was hoping you could go with me, and second, telling you I have to see you earlier in the day or not at all. What are you wearing? I’m in a hot red negligee with nipple tassels…”

  I laughed. “How about around one?”

  “Good. Sounds good. How are you Sam? I was worried when you were gone.”

  “Sorry. I guess I was feeling bad about lying to you about this fictitious brother of mine.”

  “Something’s got you very upset. You need help. Being on your own is not good in a dangerous situation. I have some friends in the police department…”

  “Thanks, Jack. I’ve talked to the police. I’m sure it will work out. Thanks. I’ll see you about one.”

  I sat and enjoyed my third cup of coffee until they started closing down the breakfast area, sweeping up piles of crumbs and Fruit Loops.

  It was almost two when I made it to Jack’s. I had my story all laid out as to why I couldn’t go to my apartment—they were spraying for bugs. I was really nervous, though. I hated all of this.

  Jack was standing at the front door looking somber and foreboding which did not help my discomfort.

  “Sam, let’s go sit. We need to talk.” We went to the den.

  Fear was weighing me down like a wet wool cloak.

  “In a few minutes your boss is going to call you and tell you you’re fired. She wouldn’t tell me why.”

  “What? But…I need my job. I’ve got to have my job…I can’t go back home. I have no money. Moving out here took it all.”

  I paced, wringing my hands, muttering to myself.

  My phone rang. It was Stella. And, Jack was exactly right.

  “The owner was very upset about that patient you discharged. I’m sorry but we have therapists waiting for calls…”

  I hung up and stared at the floor.

  “How did you know?”

  “She called this morning and told me that you would no longer be coming and they would send someone else Monday. I told her that I wanted you. She threatened lawyers; I laughed.”

  I hadn’t noticed but he was holding my hand.

  “I asked her not to tell you until you got here. What I told her is correct. I do want you. We work well together and I’ve got to get back to work. I want you to go with me. Keep going with my rehab wherever I am. We have shoots coming up in New Zealand.”

  “New Zealand?”

  Jack smiled.

  I walked around the den and stared out at the swimming pool and the koi pond. It was just like Natasha had said. Things I could never have imagined were happening. And, if they went to New Zealand, surely Welsh wouldn’t follow me there.

  “I have to think. I just don’t know. Perhaps I should just go back home.”

  He nodded, waiting for my next statement.

  I wrapped my arms around myself fighting off a chill.

  “Why not hire someone who can really do this…not so many problems?”

  “I told you,” he got up and hopped over to me. “I want you.”

  I hadn’t realized how tall he was.

  “Kiss me,” he whispered, caressing my face, “kiss me and tell me what you want.”

  He kissed me. I pulled back.

  He rubbed his nose against mine.

  “Let’s go out tonight. The press conference won't take long. You are simply not having enough fun.”

  “No.”

  “Why? Why, Sammy?” He was suddenly very grave again, his eyebrows furrowed together, his jaw clenched.

  I paced and he stood next to my path.

  He stopped me and held me by my shoulders.

  “Tell me! Tell me what’s terrifying you. Tell me the big, dark, terrible secret. Show me the devils, Sam, because alone they are going to destroy you!

  “Why did you move here? Why do you have to be home before dark? Why do you watch everything around you when you get out of your car? Sam! Tell me, dammit!”

  I was crying now. I stepped back and unbuttoned my shirt and pants.

  Jack’s eyes grew darker as he stared at the pentagram scar carved into my belly. He reached out as if to touch it.

  "Robert Welsh broke into my apartment, tied me up and proceeded to cut. And cut. And cut. I begged him to kill me. He cut me in my genitals and then he raped me. He thought I was dead. But my neighbor saved my life.

  “He was caught and he actually confessed in exchange for a lighter sentence. He escaped during a prison riot. He told his cell mate that he would find me, no matter what it took.

>   “And now…” I dropped onto the bed and sobbed. “Now he’s found me. He put my photograph…. he put it in my mail slot. I can’t go back there. I have nowhere to go.

  “He is in my room every night. He is in my backseat when I get in my car. He’s hiding outside my shower every morning. Behind every damn bush, in every door I open… I’m going insane with terror.

  “He’s smoke, he’s fog. And he has tasted my blood. I am his.”

  He held me close to him his skin pressing warm and comforting against mine.

  I wrenched away from him, buttoned my clothes and ran for the door--but he caught me.

  “You’re not his!” he yelled. “He doesn’t have you! Not yet. You can’t leave, Sam,” his voice was kind but insistent.

  “I don’t know what to do, Jack. Someone rattled my doorknob a few nights ago, a detective came and talked to me and told me that Welsh was here. And now the photograph.”

  I went back and sat on the side of the bed, holding Jack’s pillow, knotting it with my fists. “He’s here, he’s here, he’s here.”

  “I know.”

  “I can’t go back home.”

  “I know.”

  “Maybe you could lend me a little money and I could move again. Get a fresh start.”

  Jack was silent.

  “He’ll just keep coming, won’t he?” The room was growing darker and darker.

  Jack nodded. He took his cell phone out of his pocket.

  “Roger, come to the den please and bring Gloria, and Welsh’s file.”

  Jack got up and fixed me a drink.

  A muscular young man came in with a tall woman. I realized I’d seen her several times at the grocer.

  “This is Roger.”

  Roger was the epitome of a Marine, thick, muscular neck, massive shoulders and chest. But a boyish smile that told a story different from a soldier’s.

  “He’s the head of my security staff. And this is Gloria.” Gloria was tall, powerfully built, with a beautiful smile.

  Jack made me take a drink. It burned.

  “Robert Welsh,” Roger said, “has a long history of burglary, assault, domestic abuse, and animal cruelty. He was trained well by his mother and father, both with multiple arrests... burglaries, cons, torture, assault, abuse, robbery, you name it.

  “He also has two brothers: Oscar is a computer geek, and Eddie is a major con artist. Robert is trained in a variety of fire arms, close combat, and he worked in demolitions so he’s skilled in explosives. The FBI wants him, of course, because he escaped, and has now crossed state lines. We’re working closely with them.”