by Sioux Dallas
“Don’t joke. It isn’t funny,” Ellen snapped.
“Ah, Aunt Ellen, I didn’t mean to upset you. If I don’t joke a little, I’ll end up a blubbering wreck.”
“Drop the subject for now,” Ben spoke. “We’re all tense over the situation. It’s great that we can all hang together. It isn’t as if you have to face this alone,” Ben placed an arm around her shoulders.
“Come on, Liisa. We’ll go on ahead to Gloria’s and visit a while. Ben can follow when he gets through here. See you, Alice,” called Ellen, looking in the adjoining office.
“Bye now, y’all, see y’all later, ya hear,” joked Alice. “I’m learning to talk southern. Liisa, I’m so glad to meet you. I’ve heard so much about Ben’s other daughter. Please relax and place yourself in our hands knowing we’ll do all that is humanly possible to help you.”
“Thank you so much. I’m glad to meet you, too, and I’m confident that you will help. No self respecting problem will hang around with Uncle Ben hot on its trail.”
“Get out of here,” Ben laughed. “I’ll be hot on your trail quickly with the promise of food at the end of the trail.”
Liisa and Ellen hurried to the car and Liisa drove to Prospect Street to James’ and Gloria’s house. Liisa admired the old house that the couple had renovated so that it was now an attraction on the Tour of Homes.
Gloria was an excellent cook and she and James were very good at making guests feel welcome and comfortable. Ben soon joined them and they had a pleasant evening. Liisa was touched when Gloria let her bathe Jerome and get him ready for bed.
“Liisa, hold another diaper over him while you hurry to get his diaper on him. If you don’t you’ll think you’ve tumbled on to Niagara Falls,” Gloria instructed her.
“Why? What do you mean? Oh, no,” Liisa gasped. “Now I know what you mean.” Her joy was complete when she sat in the rocker, in the nursery, and gave the little boy juice in a bottle. She forgot her problems as the soft, warm, sweet little boy snuggled to her and went to sleep.
Liisa was insistent on going to her own apartment for the night instead of back to the Johnsons. “I’m only two blocks from work and can be there in short time. Too, I need to go on with my routine day to day living or I’ll go bonkers thinking of my peculiar situation.”
Ben supported her decision even though he secretly would like to have her as dose as Ellen did. Ellen was disturbed that one of their children had troubles and would be alone.
“Aunt Ellen, I’ll be fine. I have a phone close to me and I’ll call if I need anything, even if it’s just to talk. I can walk the few blocks to work and Arnold will be with me. I do love all of you and I know you love me, but you can’t keep me wrapped in cotton.” She hugged everyone all around.
When she turned to hug Ben, he said, “Don’t forget you have additional tests Wednesday morning at eight-thirty. I’ll have the answer to the blood and urine tests by then and maybe the rest by Friday.” She drove home a little more comforted than she had been the night before. She knew Ben would take care of her.
Monday and Tuesday were busy days at the gallery. Liisa was grateful to be kept so busy. She and Arnold were both happy when two more of her paintings sold. I feel so badly that I haven’t told Arnold of my loss of memory. He’s been like a grandfather to me, but I don’t feel comfortable talking about it. The Johnsons had to know. I’ll tell him after the results of my tests are completed. Thankfully I took tomorrow off.
On Wednesday morning she rose early, showered, dressed and drove to Ben’s office.
“Liisa, just to have a complete medical profile, I want you to have an electrocardiogram. You know it as an EKG. I don’t suspect anything is wrong with your heart, but I’m going to run every test that can be run at this clinic. If I’m not satisfied, we’ll go to a university teaching facility. Alice and Barry, Dr. Barry Glover, will be running tests this morning.”
By ten thirty-five Liisa was dressed again and ready to leave. Ben called, “Barry, come here, please.”
“Yes, sir. What is it?”
“Would you do me a favor? It isn’t time for your lunch break, but I would appreciate it if you will go with Liisa and see that she has something to eat. She came in fasting and I know she’s probably starving by now.”
“No problem. It will be my pleasure.”
“Uncle Ben, I can go alone. There is no need to drag Dr. Glover from his work. He is very polite but I’m sure he doesn’t want to babysit an adult.”
“Hey! I said no problem. In fact, I didn’t get to eat breakfast because, as usual, I overslept. I’m the one who’s starved. I’d love to go.”
Barry took Liisa to an International Pancake House for a brunch. “I love breakfast foods and could eat them all day long,” Liisa smiled.
“I like breakfast foods, too, but it’s nicer when I have a beautiful woman with me to share the time,” Barry looked at her with melting eyes. Liisa was uncomfortable when she realized that Barry was showing too much interest in her.
He’s a nice young man and must be a good doctor or Uncle Ben wouldn’t hire him. He is fun to be with for a short time. I don’t want to encourage him, or any man, at least not right now. Not while I’m unsure about my past. Why can’t he see that? He’s a doctor. He should know.
Barry insisted on paying for their breakfast and laughingly ordered Liisa to put her money away.
“Thank you so much for the breakfast and the nice company. I’m sorry to run, but I must get back to work,” Liisa told Barry. It was obvious that he reluctantly stood up to see her off. He walked her to the door and went back to pay while she walked quickly to her car. She decided to work through the afternoon.
Keeping busy dusting statuary and rearranging paintings helped Liisa to face her problems. She was dusting some antique pieces of furniture when Arnold came into the room.
“Liisa, I’m sorry to leave everything on your shoulders, but I’m going home. It must be indigestion. I have a pain in my chest and drinking a soda hasn’t helped.”
“I’ll call 911 and let them check you over. It could be a warning about a heart attack.”
“No, don’t call anyone. I’m just tired from working too many nights in a row and I know I don’t eat properly or get the rest I should have. I’ll be okay. I’ll go home and rest. If you have an emergency, don’t hesitate to call me. Good night, honey.” Arnold left with Liisa biting her lower lip and looking anxiously after him. He never complained and she couldn’t remember when he had taken off from work due to sickness.
Liisa was anxious for the day to be over so she could go to Arnold’s house and see about him. With a sigh of relief, Liisa locked the doors and hurried through a light cold rain to get her car and drive to Arnold’s home.
“Why Miss Liisa, Mr. Arnold came in and went to bed. He said nothing about not feeling well. He’s sleeping and I don’t want to disturb him.”
“Mrs. Warton, keep an eye on him and if he doesn’t seem to be better, will you please call 911 and get help for him? I need to know how he is. You know how wonderful he has been to me and how he gives me moral support.”
“Yes, he commonly says nice things about you and is so proud of you. If there is any need to be alarmed I’ll call you immediately. I promise. Now you get home and get dry clothes on before you catch your death of cold. I’ll take care of Mr. Arnold.”
Thursday morning Arnold was at work when Liisa got to the gallery. “Arnold, what are you doing here? You never take time for yourself. Why didn’t you stay home today and rest?”
“Liisa, honey, I’m fine. It’s okay, sweet cheeks,” he smiled. “I have kept this old body in shape for eighty-four years and I imagine I’ll be going long enough to see you raise some little ones.”
Liisa didn’t know what to say. She was shocked because she had never thought of his age. She knew he was older than her parents and had treated them as if they were family, but she never suspected that he was that old.
I’ll try to take all
the pressure of business off him that I can. He surely doesn’t act eighty-four, or look it.
There was very little business on Thursday which pleased Liisa because it gave her an opportunity to keep Arnold quiet and pretend to need his help. She discussed her work and future plans.
Friday came too soon in one way and crawled in another. One of Ben’s nurses called Liisa at work, just after lunch, and told her that Dr. Johnson would like to see her at seven that evening in his office. Liisa knew this was after working hours and was thankful that she would not have to face others.
At five she hugged Arnold and told him she would go home early and make it up another day. “You’ll do no such thing,” Arnold almost pushed her out. “You don’t need to make up anything. Besides, we haven’t had but a couple of customers all day. Blame it on this lousy weather. But after hearing the weather reports from other parts of the good ole U S of A, I’m glad we live here.” He finished with a chuckle.
At home Liisa showered and changed clothes. She wasn’t hungry, but she fixed a ham and cheese sandwich and a cup of hot tea. Her stomach was too jumpy to hold much food. She, of course, wanted to know what was wrong with her, but at the same time she was fearful of hearing the results. What if it was something very serious?
At six twenty her doorbell rang. Answering the door she was surprised to see Ellen and Paul standing there.
“Liisa, we’re going with you. Ben told me earlier that he would be talking to you and I didn’t want you to be alone,” Ellen stated
“Admit it, Mom. You are just plain nosey - like all of us,” Paul laughed.
Paul drove his car. They rode in silence. Liisa knew that Ellen was praying and felt that Paul was also. She had talked to God many times about this and had finally left it in His hands.
Ben was surprised to see Ellen and Paul. “Good gosh! Do you think this is a circus?”
“Why, Ben,” gasped Ellen horrified, with a catch in her throat. “We all love Liisa and you know that no mother would let her child go through possible heartaches without being there for her.” Ellen said indignantly, almost crying by now.
“I’m sorry, dear,” he said hugging her. “Of course, you’re right. You just took me by surprise. Am I forgiven?”
“Ben Johnson, you are so silly. Let’s hear what you have to say. We’re anxious and need to know the results.”
“Sit down and let me talk to Liisa. Honey, do you mind them being here or would you rather talk to me alone?”
“It’s all right, Uncle Ben. I know all of you are concerned. I’ll have to tell them eventually. This way we’ll all hear together.”
Ben nodded and sat at his desk. He opened her folder and took a few seconds to read the top material. Liisa began to show nervousness. Paul apparently recognized this and reached to hold her hand.
Ben took a deep breath and smiled at them. “Well, honey, anyone, at any age, would love to have your strong, healthy body. I do find that you’re a little run down, slightly anemic. Sensible food and proper rest will take care of that. Your MRI did not show anything to be deeply concerned about. The EKG did show a slight need to be aware of some unusual pattern. Putting everything together, my personal opinion is that, at some time in the near past, you had a traumatic experience with a bruise to the stern of the brain. You either had a blow to the back of your head or you had a fall and hit your head.”
Ellen drew in a small sobbing breath. Paul scooted closer to Liisa and put his arm around her.
Ben continued. “This is absolutely the only thing I can find. You might have had a shock that caused your mind to say that you would be happier if you did not remember what happened. I think that with rest and a feeling of security, you stand a good chance of regaining your memory. It could be what’s known as psychogenic amnesia or some doctors might call it dissociative amnesia. Why don’t we let it go as is for a short time? If you’re not satisfied, we can try therapy or you may want a second opinion.”
“That’s all you can tell me after all these tests?” Liisa gasped.
“Sorry, baby. Doctors are not miracle workers. We sometimes have to do some educated guessing. This is the best I can tell you at the present. Honey, you know how important you are to me. If I could fix it, I would.”
Paul, trying to ease the tension said, “I could hit you on the back of your head and see if the blow would restore your memory.”
“Paul!” Ellen cried out. “This is not the time to try to be funny, which you sure aren’t.”
“Cool it, Mom. Dad can’t find any real damage. Liisa has been worried and uptight for several days. I’m just trying to lighten her feelings a little.”
“It’s all right, Aunt Ellen,” Liisa said calmly and then burst into hard sobs that shook her whole body.
Paul hugged her tightly and made soothing sounds to her. Her head just reached his shoulder. Ben tilted his head at Ellen and they tip-toed out into the hall. When they returned to the room, Paul and Liisa were gone.
“Guess you’re stuck with me if you want to get home tonight,” Ben said slanting his eyes flirtatiously at Ellen.
“I’ll take my chances with you, sir,” she answered. “You look like a gentleman to me. But my mother told me that looks can be deceiving.”
“Ah, ha. You’ll just have to wait and find out.”
They drove by Liisa’s apartment building and saw Paul’s car parked in front. It was a no parking area during the day, but it wouldn’t matter for a short time during the evening. “See, all’s well,” Ben chuckled.
“Take me home. I’m tired and need rest and comforting.”
“Um, I could use some comfort myself,” Ben said reaching over to hug Ellen to him. They went home silently with heavy hearts.
Chapter Three
“Liisa, is there something troubling you?” Arnold asked with concern. “You are so deep in thought that you didn’t answer that last customer when she was right beside you.”
“Oh, Arnold. I’m so sorry. Yes,” she said slowly. I have had something on my mind. I’m sorry I was not paying attention to the customer. Believe me, it won’t happen again.”
“Honey, I won’t push if you don’t wish to confide in me, but, remember, I am here for you always.”
“Thank you, Arnold. You are such a dear friend. I give you full credit for all good things that have happened to me and I sincerely appreciate your concern. My problem is something that I’ll have to handle on my own. I promise to be a better employee from this moment on,” Liisa laughed and leaned over the desk to kiss Arnold’s cheek.
As Liisa left his office, she turned and, in a loud stage whisper, said, “Don’t tell anyone, but I’m really mad about you.” She blew him a kiss and left.
Arnold frowned after her as she left to greet a customer. Something is wrong. I’ve never seen her acting like this. I hope she’ll let me help her. Liisa, Liisa, you’re like a daughter to me, or rather a granddaughter, he thought to himself.
Picking up a bulletin Arnold read it through again with a thoughtful expression. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to think. Coming in quietly, Liisa thought he might be taking a nap and hated to disturb him, but she needed his approval on a twenty-five hundred dollar check. She touched his shoulder and he quickly opened his eyes and sat up. He grinned as he scribbled his initials on the check. “Great! Is this another one of your paintings?”
“No, it’s one of those you picked up last month in the estate sale in Menden. The buyer says it reminds her of her grandparent’s old home on the ocean front.”
“Wonderful,” he chortled. “When you get a chance to talk to me, come back in here. I need to discuss an idea with you.” He leaned back again with hands behind his head.
Liisa thanked the customer and made arrangements to have the painting wrapped carefully and delivered in three days. One other customer bought an antique book rack and then left Liisa alone. She went back into the office to hear what Arnold wanted to say. She left the door open so that she
could hear if someone came into the gallery.
“That sale made it worth coming in this morning,” Liisa said with a triumphant grin. “I also sold a statue and some smaller paintings with that old book rack.” She plopped down in a brown leather chair, kicked off her spike heels and snuggled in a comfortable position with her legs and feet tucked under her.
Arnold looked at the bulletin in his hands several seconds, and then turned to stare at Liisa. She began to get uneasy. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no,” Arnold assured her. “I have a notice of an estate sale in Danbury on Thursday of next week. It’s part of the DiGrazia Estate. They have been wealthy families and leading citizens for more than ten generations here in Connecticut. But, as does seem to happen in some families, there are no close blood relatives left. As least none that have been found.” He stopped to stare in space again. Liisa sat quietly knowing he was thinking and would talk to her when he was ready.
“You would be doing me a great service if you will agree to go to that auction and buy what you think we can handle.”
“Wow!” Liisa exclaimed, sitting up straight. “Are you sure I’m ready for a job like that? I learned a lot in University and you’ve taught me even more practical knowledge, but I don’t feel confident to take the responsibility. Suppose I make a mistake in what is authentic? Do you really think I’m ready?”
“You certainly are qualified, in addition you would be doing me a great favor to go and represent my gallery.”
Liisa knew that Arnold was highly respected as an honest art dealer. He had been in business over fifty years and was well known. She then remembered his chest pains. This might be his way of asking for my help without sacrificing his pride. Oh, should I tell him of my memory problem? No, not yet.
“Arnold, you don’t have to ask twice. If you feel I can do well, and it would help you, I’d love to try. Anything for you,” she finished with a grin.