Lost Cause, Chapter 26
Theresa opened the door to her house and saw Whitney crying.
“ Whitney, what’s wrong?”
“ My mother…”
“ She’s dead?”
“ Not physically. But, to her, we’re dead.”
“ I don’t get it.”
“ She has amnesia, Theresa. She doesn’t remember anything about her life
with my father or Simone and me.”
“ Really?”
“ Really.”
“ Wow.”
“ She opened her eyes, and looked at us like we were strangers. My father
was hurt.”
“ Hurt? Your Mom can’t help it. She’s been shot.”
“ Don’t you think I know that, Theresa? But, that’s not the worst part.
The worst part is that my mother’s memory is clear on some things.”
“ Yeah? What?”
“ Her past with Julian Crane.”
“ Her past with Julian Crane?”
“ My mom and Julian were hot and heavy a long time ago.”
“ They had a fling?”
“ I think having a child together is more than a fling. “
“ They have a child together?”
“ Yep. I have a brother.”
“ Where is he?”
“ I don’t know. My mother doesn’t know where he is. For years she thought
he was dead.”
“ Dead?”
“ Yes, thanks to Alistair Crane, she believed her firstborn was dead for
over twenty years.”
“ Oh Whitney. That’s awful.”
“ I know. I want to hate my mother and Julian, but it’s my mother’s life.
Happened before she ever met my father. It’s just the way that she looked
at Julian in the hospital; it was like how she used to look at my father.”
“ Your father must be hurt.”
“ He’s pissed. You know my dad. His temper isn’t good under the best of
circumstances. And this is awful. Plus, add in Julian Crane….”
“ Who he hates more than anyone.”
“ Yes, who he hates more than anyone. That JULIAN is the calming influence
over my mother. That JULIAN is the one my mother calls out to for help. It’s
killing him.”
“ Whitney, this isn’t going to last for forever.”
“ Oh no, Theresa. Ask Grace Bennett how long amnesia lasts.”
“ Oh.”
Eve was sitting in her room, flipping through a magazine when the door opened.
“ Hello, Eve.”
“ Hi. Do I know you?”
“ Yes. We’re very good friends. My name is Grace. Grace Bennett.” Grace
extended her hand and Eve shook it.
“ Hi Grace.”
“ I had heard through the grapevine about the extent of your injuries. I
wanted to know if I could help.”
“ Unless you know anything about amesia, I doubt it.”
Grace smiled as she sat down. “ Actually, I DO know about amnesia.”
“ You do?”
“ Yes. I was in a fire over twenty-five years ago. When I woke up, my entire
life before that was gone.”
“ Really?”
“ Yes. I had no memories of my family. Where I was born; where I lived;
where I went to school; nothing.”
“ Wow. You DO know what I’m going through.”
“ Yes.”
“ So, when did you get your memory back?”
“ I’ve never gotten my memory back.”
“ Never?”
“ No.”
“ Oh my God. Everybody keeps on telling me that this is probably a temporary
situation. That sooner or later I’ll remember my children and husband. But,
you’re telling me that it might not happen.”
“ Everybody’s case is different, Eve.”
“ But, you didn’t get yours back.”
“ No, I didn’t. But, my family didn’t know how to get in touch with me.
Yours does. You have a HUSBAND and TWO daughters.”
“ And, my son.”
“ Your son?”
“ Yes, my son. Or, in your mind, do only my daughters with whathisname-
TC- count. MY SON with Julian counts too.”
Grace’s mind was scrambling. “ Of course your son counts too. But, he’s
not here.”
“ I know. Julian told me. He’s on a Navy submarine. But, as soon as they
can get word to him, he’ll be here for me.”
“ Of course he will.”, Grace lied. ‘ WHAT was Julian thinking?’, Grace thought
to herself. “ Well, as you said, your son isn’t physically HERE. Whitney and
Simone are. I’m not telling you about your relationship with TC.”
“ What about my relationship with TC. I’ve been led to believe that we had
some ideal marriage….were there problems? “
Grace didn’t know what to say.
“ Well, Grace? Was my marriage perfect like everyone’s been telling me?”
“ No. Of course not, Eve. No marriage is ‘perfect’. There’s troubles. To
be honest, most of the troubles were because of you.”
“ Me?”
“ Yes….Look…you and TC were working through your problems. TC loves you
to pieces.”
“ I don’t remember it.”
“ I know. But, he’s your husband. Eve, I have to go. But, we’ll talk later.
Please remember this…even though you don’t remember it, you and TC built a
very good life. You used to tell me all the time that TC gave you the
life of your dreams. Give TC a chance.”