Her Thirties Part 67
I figure it was about two o’clock when the phone woke me. It was Marilyn.
“Taking me for granted, huh?”
“Never.” It was true. Just hearing her voice made me want to cry.
“Hey, you okay?”
“Yeah—I guess. I had one of those flashback things—it was pretty brutal.”
“I’m sorry, Scott.” She paused, and then said softly, “Actually, I’ve been having some flashbacks of my own.”
“You have?” I sat bolt upright.
“Don’t worry, Joe, it’s nothing momentous—just bits and snatches of old memories.”
“Tell me,” I commanded.
“It’s just homey little details like milk bottles freezing in the cold – blocks of ice being slid into the top compartment of ice boxes – red quarantine signs for Scarlet Fever being posted on doors.”
“Is that it?”
“Pretty much—oh, and a street name—Havelock.”
The blood rushed to my head—I could feel my scalp tingling. “I know it!” I shouted. “I grew up there.”
“You did?”
I took a deep breath and told her. Described growing up as a typical city boy—going to the U of T and then, learning about my parents’ horrible auto accident. I told her all, holding nothing back.
“So, you lived in residence—what happened to the house?”
“I couldn’t go back—I couldn’t bear it. The house was sold and the money put in trust. Now, most of its is tied up in the car.”
“Oh that car,” she said crossly.
I smiled. I wanted so badly to tell her about the Packard—but I also wanted to surprise her.
I changed the subject.
“Guess what? There’s a park on Havelock Street—just like you described to me.”
I heard her inhale sharply. “Oh, Scott—I’m scared.”
I knew the thought of recovering her memory terrified her.
“I know you’re frightened, Love—so am I.”
“You—why are you scared?”
I sighed. “I’m afraid if you recover your memory, it’ll change things between us.”
“Where are you now?” she asked sharply.
“I’m in my bedroom.”
“Look out the window.”
“All right.”
“Are you looking?”
“I am.”
“Tell me what you see.”
I looked at the gray scudding clouds and lines of rain the wind was cross-thatching.
“I see a downpour, Love.”
“That’s what forever is, Joey—it’s an elemental. It’ll always be there.”
“Okay…”
Her voice softened to a whisper. “Our love’s an elemental too.”
I wanted to respond but couldn’t. My eyes were burning and my throat felt so tight it was constricted.
“Did you hear me?”
“Y-yes,” I managed to gasp. My breathing was ragged.
“Don’t forget it. I’ll see you at five.” She hung up.
I was shaking and had to grab hold of the window frame and squeeze tight, so my knuckles turned white.
It would be simplistic to say I never loved like this—it’d be more accurate to say I never knew what love was until I met her. My feelings exceeded the love I felt for my parents, for Sam—it included all of them and surpassed them.
It left me trembling with passion and aching with longing. It completed me, but also transformed me.
I was now looking at the rain with her eyes—and my former singular vision, was now incorrigibly plural.
We were separate. We were together. And now, we were one.
Hmmm, they were separate, they were together and now they were one? Interesting. And she was thinking about the street he lived on as a child. And now they were one? Its almost like his flashbacks are different aspects of his personality. Have to think about this one. Good post!
thanks...I think it's like a lived dream where you try to discern the meaning but feel stymied at every turn
“That’s what forever is, Joey—it’s an elemental. It’ll always be there.” ... I like that line:)
I have to ask could she somehow be Jack's mother? Maybe too creepy. LOL
oh noooooo, do not bring that angle of mother and son, the Oedipus situation is not welcome in this story. lol
No, I don't think it will factor in that way - but these characters - I never know what they will do :)
LOL ...
You mean Scott's mother? Naw, that would be too creepy - a mother figure? Freud might like that...or maybe just a great love closest to the only pure love he ever knew up to this point :)
If Marilyn is having a flashback memory about the street Havelock, and Scott also grew up there that is a real connection. Am anxious to know the connection.
But I also think there could be a problem if both sides had a rough past together because right now they are acting on their current feelings but if the past sets in. It could end badly.
@johnjgeddes I didn't get a feedback from you on
https://steemit.com/relationship/@captain-tom/marital-violence-women-the-bearer-of-biggest-pain-say-no-to-it
very good point, Tomiwa
nice story..
i appreciate your writing...
Wow, what a wonderful peice. Thank you for sharing with us.
I enjoyed reading this.
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