Lost Cause, Chapter 22
by SIPort

“ Julian, where’s our baby?”

Julian looked around at the room. Dr. Phillips stepped forward. “ Eve, I need to talk to Mr. Crane for a moment. He’ll be right back.”

Julian, TC, Whitney, Simone and Dr. Phillips went out in the hallway.

” What the hell is going on?”, Julian asked.

” That’s what I want to know.”, TC asked.

” Eve had bleeding on the brain. And, we had to do surgery on the part of the brain that deals with memory. “

” Memory? Mom’s lost her memory?”, Whitney asked.

” It seems that way.”

” So, she doesn’t remember us?”, Simone asks softly.

” No.”

” Is it permanent?”, Julian asked.

” I don’t know. Sometimes, it is. Sometimes, all it takes is time, and eventually, the brain heals, and the patient’s memory returns.”

” So, MY WIFE, MAY or MAY NOT remember me?”

” That’s how it is right now, Mr. Russell. Right now, you all are strangers to Eve. The only one she knows and seems to trust is Mr. Crane.”

TC, Whitney and Simone stared at Julian. If looks could kill, TC would be slaughtering him. Julian turned to the doctor. “ So, what does that mean?”

” It means that, right now, you need to be with Eve. She has to feel comfortable, if she’s going to continue her treatment. Our only objective should be Eve’s recovery. She has to stay calm. She has to stay relaxed if she’s going to get well. Mr. Crane, are you willing to assist me in helping Eve?”

“ Um, sure. What do I do?”

” Answer any questions she has. Calmly.”

” But Doctor, she seems to think this was over 25 years ago?”

” I know. And, she has to be eased into the present. You can do that. Give her the facts of her life right now. She’ll not be able to relate to them, but she has to know them. Whatever you do, just tell her the truth. She has to be able to trust you. YOU are our only link to keeping her stable. Shall we?”

Julian follows Dr. Phillips back into Eve’s room.

Eve smiled at Julian. “ So, where’s our baby? Did they have to do a C-Section? I was out, so that’s why I don’t remember? Where’s our baby?”

Julian took Eve’s hands. “ We had a little boy, Eve.”

” A son….we have a son? Oh Julian, is he beautiful?”

” He’s the most beautiful baby in the world.”

Eve hugged Julian. “ I knew it. I could feel that it was a boy. I bet he looks just like you. So, are you going to have them bring him to me? Can you take me to the nursery? I want to see him!”

Eve motioned like she was going to get out of bed but Julian stopped her. “ Eve, you can’t leave your room. You’re recovering from serious trauma.”

” Then, they can bring the baby to me now.” Eve saw Julian’s hesitation, and she began to panic. “ Julian, why can’t I see my baby! I want to see my baby! I want to see our SON, Julian!”

“ Eve, calm down.”

” Julian..”

” Calm down. We have to talk.”

Eve began to cry. “ Oh no….something’s wrong. He’s sick, isn’t he?”

“ No. He’s not sick. Eve, you’ve had serious trauma done to you. It’s later than what you think.”

” What do you mean later?”

” Eve, your brain was injured. You’ve forgotten the last twenty years of your life.”

Eve shook her head. “ No.”

” Yes, Eve. Look in the mirror.”

Eve looked at herself. She could see herself, but, she was definitely older.

” Twenty years older?”

” Yes.”

“ What happened to me?”

” You were shot, and then you had a bad head injury.”

” Shot? Head injury?”

” Yes.”

“ So…one of those girls is ours?”, she said, pointing to Whitney and Simone.

” No. Those are your daughters with your husband- TC.” Julian motioned to them. “ Our son..”

Eve exhaled. “ So, we DO have a son. He’d be grown. Older than the girls.”

” Yes.”

” Where is he? Is he on his way?”

” No.”

“ Where is he, Julian? Why isn’t he here?”

” Eve, it’s a long story.”

” He’s dead, isn’t he? I can see it in your eyes.”

Eve began to sob uncontrollably. Julian took Eve in his arms, and began to stroke her hair. “ He’s not dead, my darling. He’s not dead. He’s…in the Navy. He’s at sea. He works on a submarine, and he can’t get here until they finish their mission. He loves you dearly, but duty to country.”

Eve looked at Julian. “ So, he’s ok?”

” He’s fine. Perfectly fine. He would be here if he weren’t on assignment. But, the moment he finishes, I’ll send the jet for him, and he’ll be here with you.”

Eve relaxed. “ Ok. My son, the Navy Man. I have my own hero.”

” Yes. So, why don’t you spend some time with the children that are here.” Julian motioned to Whitney and Simone to come forward. “ This is Whitney, and this is Simone.”

” Hi Mom.”, they said simultaneously. Both girls gave her strong hugs.  Eve studied their faces. “ Well, you’re both beautiful. Beautiful young women. I’m sorry I don’t remember you.”

” It’s ok, Mom. We’ll work through it.”, Whitney said as Simone nodded in agreement. They backed away, and TC came forward. “ Sweetheart, it’s me. Your husband.”

” I don’t remember him. I remember YOU, Julian. Only you.”

Dr. Phillips stepped forward. “ Eve, I think you’ve had enough excitement for now. Why don’t you get some rest. This all can wait until later.” Dr. Phillips’ eyes pleaded with TC for no confrontation, and TC shrugged and left the room.

Eve called out, “ Julian, you’re leaving me?”

” I’ll be outside. Just call.”

Once outside, TC exploded. “ What the HELL is going on?”

” TC”

” She is MY WIFE!”

” Mr. Russell, she doesn’t remember you. You don’t like it, but facts are facts. Right now, she needs Mr. Crane. Though, I didn’t appreciate the lie about her son, Mr. Crane.”

” Well, what the hell was I supposed to tell her? Sorry Eve, you’ve lost your memory, and by the way, our son IS alive, but I have no idea where he is because he was kidnapped hours after birth? How much is she supposed to take? A son on a submarine buys us time.”

“ You! You are SO enjoying this!”, TC accused.

” I want Eve well. Period. Whatever it takes. Don’t you?”