The Memory Read online

  “How would you know that?” A touch of sarcasm tainted Elliot’s tone. “Did you observe me with my employees?”

  Jewel stiffened. “You may not remember me as such, Elliot, but I’m still your mother. Don’t get on your high-horse with me.”

  “Sorry.” Elliot reddened at the scolding.

  “There were company picnics and parties that I attended,” Jewel said with authority. “Must I remind you, the company belonged to the family? I enjoyed mingling with the employees.”

  “What did you observe, Mom?” Elliot twirled his fork in his pasta salad.

  “Nothing to write home about, that’s for sure,” Jewel started. “You weren’t exactly the type to chase after women. I’m not sure if you preferred them to chase after you, or you were just shy that way.” She stopped to gather her thoughts. With a girlish smile, she continued. “You seemed more comfortable around Geneva, more yourself. In a way, you sort of let your hair down in front of her. Not in a big way, but in a way a mother would notice. I was shocked when I learned you’d fired the poor girl. After that you became distant—and well—unlikeable.”

  “So I’ve heard.” Elliot glanced at Rick who shrugged a shoulder at him.

  “Hey, I was only being honest.”

  “You quit going to church.” Peggy offered, disapprovingly. “You hooked up with Olivia after that and practically abandoned the family. You quit coming around as often then stopped altogether. We barely saw you at the holidays. We’ve missed you Elliot. I know it’s probably wrong for me to say this, but your amnesia has brought you back to us in an unusual way. The Elliot we all know and love seems to be reappearing before our eyes.”

  Elliot was touched by his sister-in-law’s honesty. He reached over and covered her hand with his. “Thanks, Peggy.” Sitting around with his family gave Elliot a warm feeling. It reminded him of his time with Geneva and her grandfather. He couldn’t wait for the two families to meet.

  The idea prompted Elliot to open up more about his trip to Holly Park. Since returning home, he’d been sketchy with the details. Suddenly, he wanted these people, his family, to know everything.

  “Geneva doesn’t look the same as she did when she worked for the company,” he told them.

  All three were awed by the significant pride in his voice.

  Elliot described Geneva’s transition from glamorous, stylish sales representative to a woman of natural grace and beauty. It was obvious Elliot was impressed with Geneva’s changes.

  “I’m not surprised she has become more comfortable in her own skin,” Peggy said after Elliot finally stopped gushing. “Geneva’s ministry is all about women discovering their inner beauty and strengths as a way to build their faith so they can minister to others. I’ve heard about the Serenity retreats from some friends who’ve been there. I’d like to attend one.”

  “I knew she was a redhead!” Jewel threw in her two cents. “Her fair skin and freckles were a dead giveaway. She did a good job hiding most of them, but I’ve seen her in the sunlight. Her skin was radiant. I imagine she’s still very beautiful.”

  “She is Mom.” There was a dreamy quality in Elliot’s voice. All three heads turned in his direction. Elliot felt his skin go red as embarrassment rushed over him.

  “You’re smitten!” Jewel noted with an Aha in her tone.

  “I can’t deny I feel a connection to her, Mom, but I don’t know why. That’s what puzzles me. I should be having these feelings for Olivia, shouldn’t I? This strange connection I’m feeling with Geneva might be nothing.”

  Jewel’s eyes widened with joy. “Or it could be deep rooted feelings you’ve tried to bury, but now, thanks to the accident, they’re finally surfacing. Your amnesia might be a blessing, Elliot.”

  “I agree,” Peggy and Rick uttered in unison with giddy smiles.

  Elliot was stunned by the cheerful expression on each face.

  “I can’t see how losing all my memories can be a blessing,” he moaned. “I’m sitting here with my family, and I don’t even know you guys, at least not that well.”

  “You will, son.” Jewel patted Elliot’s hand. Tears skimmed her eyes. “The Lord knows what he’s doing. Just trust Him in this.”

  “You want Him to move me away from Olivia, is that it?” Elliot asked, boldly. He knew they didn’t like his fiancée. Olivia had insinuated it several times while they were together.

  When all three flinched at his remark, Elliot knew he’d called it right. Their disfavor with his choice for a wife was clearer than ever. A strange sensation overwhelmed him. He felt challenged and ambushed. He became defensive.

  “Some part of me must have loved Olivia.” His tone flared like a porcupine’s quills. “I wouldn’t have asked her to marry me if I didn’t love her, right?”

  “I wouldn’t call what you and Olivia have love.” Peggy disregarded Elliot’s sudden touchiness on the subject. She looked disturbed. “It was more like a business deal if you ask me. If it was up to me, you’d never remember your past with Olivia Swanson.”

  “Now, Peggy,” Rick joined in as the voice of reason. “Don’t get too critical. We accepted Olivia in the family.”

  Peggy nodded. “You’re right, Rick.” She turned to Elliot. “I’m sorry, Elliot. I didn’t mean to say what I did. It was mean of me.”

  “I accepted her, but it didn’t make me happy,” Jewel blurted. “She’s not a believer and had no interest in becoming one. I truly believe she pulled you away from the Lord.”

  “Does that matter?” Elliot’s iron-fisted tone surprised even himself.

  “Yes!” All three cried out at the same time.

  “Why are you suddenly so defensive?” Rick asked with his hands up.

  Elliot blinked then shook his head. “I don’t know. I feel cornered all of sudden, like I’m on trial.”

  “You’re not, Elliot.” Peggy reached out with a comforting hand. She gestured to the other two. “We love you and care for you.”

  “But not my choices or lifestyle,” he snapped.

  “Sounds like the old Elliot.” Rick shook his head, impatiently.

  Elliot turned to his older brother. “As long as I’m living the way you people want me to, I’m okay. If I don’t, I’m going against God or the grain or whatever it is you label as a good life.”

  Jewel shivered at her son’s belligerent attitude. “I think we’ve discussed this enough.” She gave Elliot a loving look. “I don’t want you feeling threatened, dear. You have a lot to deal with right now. Peggy’s right, though. We love you. We’re you’re family.”

  Rick and Peggy nodded their agreement.

  Elliot stood. The drama had left him drained and disturbed. His combative attitude had caught him unawares, and he was troubled by the power it had over him. He thought of Olivia’s obnoxious behavior and vowed not to become like her.

  After exchanging goodbyes with everyone, he headed outside to his truck. Rick walked with him.

  “What was that about in there?” Rick wasn’t pleased.

  “I don’t know,” Elliot answered, truthfully. “It’s like I said. I felt cornered.”

  Rick gazed long and hard at his younger brother. “That’s exactly the way you behaved around us. You against the family. That’s a piece of personality I was hoping not to confront again.”

  “What can I say? I’m sorry.” Elliot slid inside the truck and shut the door. The window was down. “Let me know about next week, okay.”

  Rick promised. “Sounds like it’d be a great time.” He patted the truck’s window frame. “Take care of yourself, Elliot.”

  Elliot nodded then drove off. Fear gripped him most of the way back to Holly Park. His outburst at lunch bothered him. It had felt odd yet familiar in some ways. That scared him.

  Chapter 14

  “Well, I’m here to help!” Geneva appeared at Elliot’s cabin bright and early Tuesday morning, looking stunning in faded jeans, tee, and old sneakers. Her hair was piled into a lopsided bun at the top of her
head. Elliot had to shake his eyes loose from the sight of her.

  “I haven’t even finished my coffee.” He chuckled. Geneva’s wholesome look and easygoing smile erased all the worries he’d fretted over in the night. The squabble with his family had made him feel badly about himself.

  “Good, I brought you something to go with it.” She handed him a bag he hadn’t noticed her carrying. “They’re fresh, hot, right out-of-the-oven, blueberry muffins.”

  “Thanks!” He stood back to let her inside.

  Geneva plopped down in a chair and scanned the room. It was clean but rundown. Her heart went out to the Palmers. Since they’d lost their son, things hadn’t been the same. The place had definitely been neglected. Elliot didn’t seem too bothered by it.

  “Is that a new truck or another rental?” Geneva asked.

  “New,” Elliot answered around a bite of his yummy muffin. “I figured I could get more use out of a hefty truck than a luxury car.” He held up the rest of his muffin. “These are delicious. What’s in them?” He’d been around Geneva long enough to know she always included a secret ingredient.

  “Sour cream.” Her smile was tempting.

  “How was your retreat?” Elliot moved right along.

  Geneva gave a brief report about the emotional weekend.

  Elliot was impressed by the depth of Geneva’s concern for her guests and he told her so.

  “You really take these things to heart, don’t you?” It was more of an observation than a question.

  Geneva nodded. “A lot of suffering souls pass through the inn. If I can point one in the direction of God’s love and mercy, then I guess I’ve done my job.”

  “I imagine you’ve pointed more than just one, Geneva.”

  “I give all the credit to the Lord. He’s the one steering this vessel.”

  An awkward smile spread across Elliot’s face. “You managed to turn something bad in your life into something exceptional. That says a lot about you, Geneva. You’re a survivor.”

  “And a woman of extreme faith,” she added, confidently. “I can’t do anything without my Savior.”

  Elliot balled up his napkin with the crumbs of the muffin secured inside then tossed it in the trash can. “Well, on that note, let’s get to work.”

  “Where do we start?” Geneva wondered aloud as they walked outside.

  Elliot stood with hands on hips and scanned the grounds. He had no idea. Olivia’s criticism about the project sprang to mind. Suddenly, he doubted his abilities. Was he even cut out for something this huge?

  “I’m really not sure what I’m doing, Geneva.” A look of utter confusion swept over Elliot’s face. It melted Geneva’s heart.

  She put a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s pray for God’s guidance. That’s usually what I do when I feel weak or overwhelmed. This is a big undertaking, Elliot.”

  Without thinking twice, Geneva grabbed Elliot’s hand and led him to the water’s edge. They bowed their heads. Geneva asked God to give wisdom and clarity to Elliot for his generous offer to clean up the lake and picnic area for the Palmers.

  “That was nice, Geneva,” he told her when she finished. “You have a beautiful way with words. I can’t imagine God denying you anything when you ask him so thoughtfully and humbly.”

  Geneva blushed at the unnecessary compliment. Praying was a big part of her life and ministry. She stayed in a state of prayer all day long.

  “It’s not just praying, Elliot,” Geneva said as they moseyed to Elliot’s truck. “You have to trust and believe. God loves a faithful heart. I’m not always willing to sit back and let Him take over. I’m pretty much a take-charge person. Sometimes, I rely too much on my own abilities instead of trusting Him to do His will. That’s usually when I make a mess of things or fail.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Elliot said, and he meant it. Geneva made trusting the Lord sound so natural and easy. He wanted her kind of faith.

  They jumped in the truck, and Elliot drove it close to the work area. A plan formed in his mind before he parked under a tree. They’d tackle the picnic area first. While Geneva raked up the ground, Elliot started repairing the tables. Some were too dilapidated to keep, so he marked them. If Rick came the following week, he could help dump them and rebuild more.

  After four hours of grueling work, Geneva suggested stopping for lunch. They strolled over to the inn and washed up in the kitchen. Russell was excited to see Elliot again. The feeling was mutual. Elliot played with the pooch while Geneva fixed some sandwiches and iced tea.

  “Glad to see you back in Holly Park, Elliot.” Perry entered the kitchen, smiling from ear to ear. He’d been at the church office all morning.

  “I’m really glad to be back, Perry.” Elliot let Russell back outside then stepped over to the sink and washed his hands again. He filled Perry in on the work he and Geneva had completed that morning.

  All three sat at the kitchen table. After Perry spoke a blessing, they ate around small talk. When they finished, Perry returned to the church to research his next sermon.

  “I’ve got to get back to work, too,” Elliot said, clearing up his dishes. “Thanks for the help this morning, Geneva.”

  “I’m not bailing out, Elliot,” Geneva said, redoing her bun.

  “You’ve got your own work to do around here.”

  “I’ll get to it,” she assured him. “Just let me do a few things here, and I’ll be right over.”

  After Elliot left, Geneva prepared some of her dinner for that evening then freshened up in the bathroom. She was back at the lake in no time with Russell in tow and a jug of water.

  A couple hours later they took a break.

  “Doesn’t look like we’ve accomplished much.” Elliot’s shoulders slumped.

  “It’s a lot of work,” Geneva replied. “But, we’ll get it done.” She poured water in some paper cups, and they sat on the top of a table. Russell scampered down to the water.

  “I don’t suppose there are any alligators in this water.” Elliot worried aloud.

  Geneva shook her head. “Ed has them removed whenever he sees one. The lake’s pretty small. I wouldn’t worry too much, but, it’s Florida so you always stay alert.”

  Elliot downed his water then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He turned to Geneva who was keeping an eye on her dog. “You didn’t ask me about Orlando.”

  “I figured you’d tell me if you wanted me to know anything,” she replied, nonchalantly.

  “A strange thing happened yesterday at lunch.” Elliot stared into his paper cup then sat it aside.

  “What?”

  Elliot explained his belligerent flare up when Olivia came up in the conversation.

  “I became very defensive about my decision to marry her even though I don’t even remember loving her.” He looked into the sundrenched sky. “I don’t even like the woman to be honest. Yet, their objection to my choice of her as a wife offended me.” He slid his glance to Geneva. “Do you think that’s odd?”

  She shook her head. “Not at all. It’s a very human reaction to get prickly when our decisions are questioned. It was probably a knee-jerk reaction.”

  “Rick wasn’t as generous as you.” Elliot moped. “He said it sounded like the old me.”

  “Oh,” Geneva replied. “Did you feel like the old you when you flared up?”

  “I’m not sure what I felt, but it wasn’t good. That much I know. I didn’t like being antagonistic with those people. They’ve been very kind and patient.”

  “I’m sure they’re intentions are good, Elliot. They’re probably very worried about you, but when it comes down to it, you’re the one who has to decide about Olivia. Not them.”

  Elliot gazed at Geneva with admiration. She wasn’t just beautiful. She was wise and grounded. He liked being around her.

  “I spent some time with Olivia.”

  “How did it go?” Geneva had been waiting, patiently, to hear.

  “She’s abrasive, cold, and s
elf-centered.” He sighed heavily then lifted and dropped his shoulders in a defeatist way. “I can’t understand what I saw in her. Sometimes, I find myself hoping I don’t remember the old me.”

  “Don’t be too hard on yourself, Elliot. Live each day the best you can.”

  He turned to her with skewed features. “What if I’m subconsciously not trying to remember because I didn’t like my old self? What if I’m trying to avoid remembering? Is that possible?”

  “You’re asking the wrong person.” Geneva backed away, afraid to touch the subject. “Have you talked to the doctors about this?”

  Elliot hung his head. “I’m ashamed to admit I haven’t followed up with exams since coming here. I was trying to do this on my own.” He picked up a leaf on the bench by his feet and starting stripping it to its stem. As if to defend his reasoning, he added. “Other than the amnesia, I feel great. The headaches are manageable now, and they don’t come as much when I try to remember.”

  Geneva nodded. “That’s good,” she told him, but she was concerned about his mental state. “Are you afraid of something, Elliot?”

  Elliot tensed at her directness. He tossed the remnants of the leaf down and brushed his hands on the sides of his jeans. Leaning forward, he rested his arms on his thighs and linked his fingers loosely together.

  “I’m not sure what I feel anymore. I’m between two worlds and don’t know much about either.” He looked into the cloudless sky as if it held the solution to all his problems.

  Geneva felt sorry for him. Not knowing who you are had to be a scary feeling. All she could do was listen and comfort.

  Smiling, she said, “Well, in this world, you have friends who care about you. I’m sure you did in the other world, too. You’re not alone in this.”

  “Is it wrong to not want to remember some things?” His question was full of doubt and despair.

  “I don’t know how that works, Elliot? I’m not an authority on amnesia. But, I think if you remember something you didn’t like about yourself, you can always change it. The same way you’d do without amnesia.”

  “What if I forget all this when my memories return?”