Her Thirties Part 58
After Abe confirmed the gas leak was deliberately caused by Marilyn's stalker, I went back up to check on her. She was sitting on the couch in a bathrobe, her legs curled under her.
“Let me guess what you’re drinking,” I smiled, pointing to the mug on the coffee table, “Hot lemon and honey?”
“Hasn’t killed me yet,” she laughed bitterly.
I took a deep breath. “Yeah—about that—Abe thinks the lock was jimmied.”
“You’re kidding!” Her face went white.
“It also looks like that other so-called near-accident was not an accident—and your stalker means business.”
“He’s not my stalker,” she shuddered.
I sat down beside her and put my arm around her. “Just a turn of phrase, Love—Abe’s going to put a 24-hour guard on you.”
“How long can he do that—for a week—a month—the rest of my miserable life?”
She began to sniffle.
“You can’t cry when you’ve got a head cold—that’s just the rule—I wouldn’t be able to tell tears from sniffles.”
“Sniffles?” She looked at me frowning. “That’s familiar—the name of a kitten, I think.”
My heart leapt—a breakthrough in remembering, perhaps?
“See—maybe your memory’s coming back.”
“All the more reason to kill me,” she whispered.
“We don’t know that—we don’t know why this guy’s targeted you—but he’ll have to go through Abe and me.”
She smiled.
“Okay—maybe Abe’s more formidable.”
She brushed back the hair from my forehead—softly, gently—with warmth. Her hands caressed me, in a way I’ve never been caressed. I wanted to cry.
“It’ll be okay, Joey,” she caught herself, “ —I mean…”
“Don’t bother—I don’t know who I am either.”
We both broke out laughing. It helped relieve the tension.
Abe knocked on the doorframe at the top of the stairs. “Can I come in?”
“Hello, stranger!” I smiled.
“Looks like the mood’s lightened in here—that’s good. Everything under control?”
“It is Abe,” Marilyn smiled. “Can I make you some tea?”
“You sure you’re up to it?”
She was on her feet. “I’m up—I’m good. How about you, Scott?”
I nodded. “Hold the honey,” I smirked.
“Never hold the honey,” Abe said, eyes crinkling.
That was the great thing about Abe—you felt reassured just having him around. I think Marilyn felt that way too.
“What happens now?” I asked.
“We wait and see if we can flush him out.”
“What if he outwaits us?”
“Not going to happen, Pal—I’ve spent most of my life waiting.”
“Me too,” Marilyn said, as she dropped our cups on the coffee table.
“Yeah, but you’ve forgotten most of it,” Abe laughed.
“It’s starting to come back.”
He almost choked on his tea.
“Not all of it,” she reassured, “just flashes and momentary glimpses—but it’s something.”
“Does it help having this lug around?” He pointed to me.
“Oh, for sure—Joey’s a big help.”
Abe shot me a quizzical glance, but I just shrugged.
He looked back at Marilyn. “Do me a favor, will you? —Keep a record of what you begin to recall—no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.”
“Like Sniffles?”
He raised his eyebrows.
“It was just something Scott said—it triggered a memory inside me.”
“Of what?” he pressed.
“A little, orange and white, long-haired kitten.”
“Hey—you didn’t mention those details before,” I interjected.
“See?” said Abe, “You gotta write everything down.”
“I remember—it was a kitten!” she said excitedly, “It had a cute, wet, pink nose.”
Abe smiled broadly. “Well, it’s a start.”
Marilyn stared off into space. “Funny, eh?” She said in a dreamy voice, “I can remember a kitten and I can’t even remember my own name.”
“You will, Love,” I encouraged. “Abe’s right—it’s a start.”
She tried to stifle a yawn.
“I’m tired, Scott—I need to lie down.”
“Go ahead. We’ll hold down the fort.”
She stretched out her hand and affectionately mussed my hair.
“Don’t worry about me,” she said sternly, “I’ll be okay.”
When she closed the bedroom door behind her, Abe grinned at me. “That girl loves you—you lucky stiff.”
I smiled weakly. I wondered who she really loved—Joey or me?
nice writing dear
keep it up
that is really appreciated
Scott could be the Joey from the past. Who knows?
I predict Marilyn picking up memories from the past completely ahead of Scott and I appreciate the good help from Abe.
I hope they catch the evil doer to prevent future threat on Marilyn.
Looks like Marilyn hasn't forgotten how to wrap man around her finger ...lol. I don't know whay but I just don't like that girl. Love the story though.
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Great read thx!
Your use of the dialog is amazing. It just never ceases to amaze me.
Congratulations.
John Today I enjoyed the continuation of Marilyn's story, her mental condition that now begins to recover tells me that soon we will have surprises of the situations that happened. Best regards