One Simple Memory

by Jean Kelso

  It was eleven at night, and they had been driving for about an hour. Jenn had no idea where they were going, but it seemed like Sean had a plan. She looked over at him. He was looking pretty tired, and so was she.

  “Should we stop for the night?” She asked.

  “Not yet, we aren’t far enough away, I don’t feel comfortable enough to do it.”

  “But you look exhausted, Sean.” She reached her hand over and touched his shoulder.

  He quickly looked over at her and smiled. Exhaustion clearly noticeable in his eyes. “Just a little further and we will stop.” He told her.

  She noticed that Sean was checking the mirrors every few minutes, possibly to make sure they were not being followed. There were few other cars out at this time, but none were suspicious or followed them at any turn they made. This she knew because she was watching her mirror, too.

  They drove for another hour, no signs of being followed. Sean pulled up to the next motel, and they got a room. It was on the ground floor for easy escape if they needed one. Sean grabbed the bags from the car, and they went to the room.

  The room appeared old fashion in style and had a musty smell to go with it. It had muted brown walls that looked clean enough. The single queen sized bed had an old faded quilt on it, dark brown night stands on each side of the bed with yellow lamps with tassels, and a brown shag-like carpet with small stains on it. There was a small, rickety table with a small old television on it and just off to the right of that was a tiny bathroom that consisted of an off white pedestal sink, a matching style toilet covered with filth and a single stand up shower. Not a place to swoon over, but would do in a pinch.

  Jenn looked around the room and took it all in. “One bed for the two of us?” She murmured.

  “That was all they had left for the ground floor, sorry.” He tilted his head, set the bags down and sat on the end of the bed. “Did you want to shower before you go to sleep?”

  “That would be great, thanks.” She took her bag and went to the small bathroom.

  Jenn was pretty tired, so she didn’t take her time in the shower, she washed quickly, shampooing her hair, skipped the conditioner and got out. She towel dried and put on a pair of yellow flannel pajama pants she found in her bag and a white tank top. She brushed her teeth since she found her tooth brush and some paste in the bag and brushed her hair. She repacked her bag and went back out to join Sean in the room.

  When she entered the room, Sean was sitting on the bed. He was watching the tiny television. Country music videos were playing. He was counting the money and singing along to the music with a low voice.

  She set her bag down in a chair, alerting Sean she was in the room, and he stopped singing.

  “Don’t let me interrupt you.” She giggled. “You were sounding pretty good.” She flirted. She was flirting, at a time like this. She supposed being around him stirred up old feelings without even trying.

  “Feel better?” He looked up at her and asked.

  “Very much, thank you.”

  “I am going to go have a quick one, do you mind?” He got up from the bed and grabbed his bag.

  “Have at it.” Waving him out of the room. She smiled as she walked over to the bed and sat down. Pulling her legs up, she laid down on her side and shut her eyes. Allowing sleep to take her, even if it was only for a few short hours.

  She was just dozing off, when she felt a dip in the bed. She pretended to sleep. Her adrenaline rush was gone, fatigue was setting in. She didn’t really want to talk right then. She needed to process everything. She was mad at him for the situation they were in, but in a way understood too.

  “Good night, my sweet Jenn.” He whispered into her ear. “Nothing I do or say can ever say how sorry I am for what is happening right now, but I will make it right. I promise you that.” He rolled back over.

  Laying in such close proximity to Sean, Jenn’s old feelings for him really began to resurface. She started to get a little tingle inside, and memories arose when she closed her eyes. She had loved this man since she was eight years old. They had been through so much together. He was her rock, her heart, her world. But now at a time like this, after the years she had not seen or heard from him, here he was, the same man, but different. She tried to push the feelings aside, now was not the time to have the feelings of desire or want. It didn’t matter that he was spread out beside her, in the same bed with her, she had to shake these thoughts. Trying hard she had to fight herself from reaching out and touching him; stopping herself from rolling over and kissing him on the cheek. It didn’t matter that she was mad at him; she still felt what she felt and needed to rein it in. She closed her eyes tighter, thought of puppy dogs and butterflies. She really needed to get some sleep if she planned on getting through the next day.

  She was warm, a little too warm. She opened her eyes to a bright room, it was morning. The air she breathed was not warm, but her body was. She glanced down at her body to see an arm wrapped around her torso. She followed that arm up to the owners face and noticed how peaceful Sean looked, asleep, curled up next to her, holding her. She had always longed for this, to be held by him. Being wrapped in his arms felt amazing, but now wasn’t the time. “Psst, Sean.” She tried to get his attention. She used her free arm, and reached over and poked his shoulder. “Sean, wake up.” Still nothing, so she tried to wiggle away from him, but she didn’t get far, every time she moved, he just pulled her back in close. That made her giggle.

  “It’s been a long time since I have heard that.” Sean yawned, moved his arm, and stretched.

  She giggled again because she couldn’t help herself. “It has been a long time since I have done it.” She smiled at him, and sat up in the bed now that she was free of him. “You had a hold of me and would not let me go. I poked you and still you wouldn’t let me go, and you just looked so damn cute when you were sleeping, I couldn’t contain myself.”

  “I looked cute, did I?” He winked. “Since when does a grown man look cute?” He reached over for her, grabbed her by her arm and tugged. He pulled her down and started to tickle her.

  She was laughing so hard, her side hurt. He remembered every spot to touch that got to her. He used to tickle her when they were younger, she used to love that. The laughter tears had started, her bladder was beginning to warn her. “Stop.” She shouted. “I have to pee.” And she tried to break free from his hold, but was having no luck. She was kicking, slapping, nothing was working. “Sean Michael Green, if you don’t stop right this minute I will piss my pants, damn it.” That made him stop. She got up and ran to the bathroom to relieve herself. She could hear him laughing behind her.

  “Using full names is illegal Jennifer Amelia Samos.” He continued to laugh.

  She yelled from the bathroom. “Well, did you want me to pee in my pants? I so would have, you know.” She was laughing in the bathroom. “I do remember the time you made me do it once. You were a big jerk that day.”

  “Holy shit, you remember that.” He stopped laughing.

  “How can I forget the day I pissed my pants in front of a boy? I was horrified. But you made it seem like nothing. Like it was ok. You were always there for me then.” She spoke as she walked from the bathroom. “I remember everything about us, you were my world, Sean. I was so mad when you left me.”

  “I’m sorry, Jenn. I thought it was for the best. Can you ever forgive me?”

  She stopped at the end of the bed and looked at him. “You have a few years to make up for, but I think with time, I might be able to forgive you. That is, if we survive your father.”

  Sean

  Sean was thankful that Jenn didn’t hate him for everything that was happening. He just hoped he could do as he promised. He would do everything he could to keep her safe, even if his own life was lost in the process, but he wouldn’t tell her that.

  Sean knew they couldn’t stay at the motel. They had to get further away from Santa Monica, further away from his father. If they had any chance of surviv
ing, they key goal was distance.

  He walked over to her and pulled her into a tight hug. He wrapped his arms around her, and he didn’t want to let go. “We need to get ready to hit the road.” He stepped back but didn’t release her. He kept his hands on her shoulders and looked down at her and grinned.

  “I understand.” She looked up at him with a small smile.

  They both packed up their bags and loaded them into the car. One quick stop at a gas station, with the gas tank full and a few snacks and drinks bought, they hit the freeway to their next destination.

  They had been driving for an hour. Sean noticed Jenn was quiet, she wasn’t paying much attention to where they were heading. But when he drove past a familiar place, the Shark Reef Aquarium, she spoke up.

  “Vegas?” She turned towards him and asked. “You think your father won’t find us here?”

  He glanced at her, “Dad’s associates don’t reach this far. So, I don’t think we will be recognized. But we will still change up our looks. Plus, we need a big city to blend in with.” He grinned playfully at her. “And while we are here, maybe we can have a little fun.” His eyes sparkled in the sunlight, making him look like an innocent angel, something she knew he was not. He faced back toward the road and continued to drive. They drove until they reached the Freemont. Sean pulled into an underground parking garage across from the hotel.

  “Seriously?” She looked at him wide eyed. She shook her head, unbuckled and descended from the car.

  Sean chuckled. “Relax, I know you think I am crazy, but this is a great place.” He walked around the car, grabbed the bags from the popped trunk and led Jenn out of the garage. Sean nudged her and gave her a grin. He wanted to get her smiling again. He knew bringing her to Vegas would bring back childhood memories, and even though they were supposed to be in hiding, what would be the harm in making new memories.

  Even though they were pretty booked solid, the hotel still had one room left, the honeymoon suite. He hoped she wouldn’t freak out about the bed situation again. Especially when they had the opportunity of using all the luxuries at a very cheap price.

  Once checked in and situated in the room, Sean told Jenn he was going out. That he was going to the store to grab some supplies for changing their looks.

  He wasn’t gone long. Returning with a few bags containing hair dye, coloured, temporary contacts and sunglasses. Setting everything on the bed, he called Jenn over. Looking at her, he spoke. “So I tried to think of things that would change us the most. I got hair dye, brown and black. Choose which you would like. And I got us green and brown contacts.” He looked up at her with a grimace.

  Biting her lip and browsing through all the products, Jenn looked to him and responded. “I think I will take the black dye and the green contacts.”

  Sean nodded and handed her her chosen products.

  Jenn took the dye and contacts and headed to the bathroom.

  Sean ded the same when Jenn was done.

  An hour later, both of them were sporting new hair and eye color. Neither could believe how different they looked.

  Sean thought that it was about time they went and got something to eat. He needed to keep his strength up, just in case. But, with traveling the distance they did and making it out of his father’s region alive, he held his fingers crossed that they could try and relax a little.

  “Hey Jenn, do you feel comfortable enough to leave the hotel to get something to eat?”

  “I don’t think that’s a great idea.” She bit her lip with a look of indecision. “Are you sure it’s safe?”

  “Yes, my father’s dealings don’t reach this far. We should be good to at least get some dinner.” He answered as he headed towards the door with the key card. “So, you ready to eat?”

  Jenn chewed on her lip for a minute, then she nodded. “Okay, sure. Let’s do this. I am starved.” They left the room, and hit the elevator.

  Connor

  Connor Green knew he couldn’t trust his son. He wished he could, but when it came to that little woman, he knew his boy would be weak. Sean and Jenn were on the move. The tracking system on his computer was showing a little red blip on the screen, they had just left the house. He had hoped his son would not be stupid. He had explained what would happen if he disobeyed him. He supposed the hunt would be on for not just one head but two. He loved his son, but he just never learned. Convincing that young lad, Joey, two years ago to seduce little Jenn and gift her with a locket that contained a tracking device was one of the smartest things he had done. Now he could find them wherever they decided to run. The thought made him smile widely.

  Connor had given them a few days of respite. He thought it was time to check if they had settled anywhere. He booted up his computer, opened the application that was connected to the tracker in the locket and waited for their location to be found. Las Vegas. “Fucking figures.” He mumbled. If his dim wit son thought that is far enough away, he was wrong. Time to send some re-enforcements out. He wondered if Jake would suffice. He knew what the girl looked like, and he had a take-no-prisoner’s attitude. He picked up his phone. “Jake, they are in Vegas. Get on it.” He listened for a moment to see if his son would disagree, which he did not and hung up. Sean had fucked up, so now the body count would increase.

  Jake arrived in Vegas on his father’s orders, but he was not alone. He brought along Simon. Simon was one of his father’s more fierce and unknown lackey’s. He knew that his brother fucked up. Jake didn’t want to be the one to deal with him, but he had no problem dealing with the girl.

  His father told him the last location the tracker placed Sean and Jenn was somewhere just off the strip, so they drove around for a bit until they decided to just hit up each hotel in the surrounding area until they found them.

  It took longer than he expected. Jake was thankful that his stupid brother didn’t even seem to try to hide; he used his real name. The damn Freemont for god sake’s, at least he would blend in with the crowd.

  Now that he knew where they were, he needed to make a plan to eliminate the targets. He and Simon didn’t want Sean knowing they were found, so they left to bunk out in an even cheaper hotel down the way.

  Sean

  It had been two days since they hit Vegas and there hadn’t been a single sign that Sean’s father’s men followed them. He knew they couldn’t stay in Vegas for too long. His father would send someone after them at some point, there was no doubt about that. For now he needed to open up to Jenn and give her a few days to grasp the reality of everything, then he would make plans to move on. Finding a way to get new identities was on his to do list, but it would wait for now.

  By being able to breathe a bit better and somewhat relax, Sean thought Jenn would able to try and piece together the puzzle of the past and understand why her father would betray his family.

  That morning they were sitting by the open window having coffee, taking in the sites of tourists milling around the area. Sean knew by the look on her face that Jenn had something to say, he sat patiently and waited for her to open up.

  She set her mug down and looked over at him, and smiled. “So Sean, you say my mother was murdered by your father?” She questioned him, a casual tone to her voice.

  Sean set his cup down, turned his body in his chair toward her, and grinned. He wanted to be honest with her. He wanted to tell her all that he knew of the situation. Taking a deep breath and blowing it out he started, “Yes, Jenn, my father killed your mother. Well, truth be told, he had her killed.” Sean tipped his head down with a defeated look. He knew she needed some closure or at least answers to come to terms with this. He hated knowing what the answers would mean for her. “Apparently your father got a little close,” he looked up, into her eyes, “too close to the drugs my father was selling. And my father didn’t like that.” Sean leaned into the table. “Dad gave him several attempts to come clean about it, but when your dad began to use the drugs, stealing them and lie about it, I guess dad wouldn’t tolerate it a
nymore. Your father was warned but didn’t heed that warning.” Sean put his head in his hands and sighed.

  Jenn listened, she seemed to not believe what she had heard. “He ignored a warning? A warning that could have saved my mother?” She whispered.

  Sean could only nod in response. He knew she was going to break soon. If she was anything like she was when they were kids, she would snap any time. Her heart was big and soft, and he knew it.

  She suddenly stood up from her chair, grabbed her mug and threw it against the wall by the patio door. It smashed and crumbled to the ground. “Why?” She screamed. “Why the fuck did he ignore such a thing?” She began to pace. “I fucking hate him!” She gritted out. Falling to her knees, she began to sob. Her hands in her hair, she pulled. She was trembling, her emotions fully overwhelming her.

  Sean wasn’t sure if she would accept his touch, his comfort, but he went to her anyways. He knelt down to her and wrapped his arms around her. Well, at least he tried. She pushed him off and sprang up.

  “And you...” She cried. “Why are you doing all this?” Pacing once again. “Why did you kidnap me? Why now?” She began to cry as she paced.

  Sean leaned against the wall with his arms crossed against his chest. He felt helpless in consoling her, so he guessed, answering her questions would have to do.

  “Can you please try to calm down Jenn.” He wanted her to relax, he needed her to see reason.

  “Fuck you, Sean!” She stopped and spat at him. “Tell me what the hell is going on.”

  Sean wiped the spit off. “Jenn, please.” He begged.

  “Please what, Sean?” She growled. “You fucking break into my home, drug me, kidnap me and lock me up.” She walked by the table with a vase of flowers on it, grabbed it and whipped it him.

  He barely managed to duck from the flying vase; it just missed his head. She still had good aim, he thought. He had taught her well. “You don’t understand. I had to take this job.” He slowly followed her around the room, attempting to reason with her, wanting her to understand.