0 comments/ 12013 views/ 4 favorites Memories Aren't Forgotten By: dylan_J "Well? What about him?" Josephine Parker asked for the tenth time, this time pointing towards a tall lean man with wavy black hair who had just entered Eclectic Soul, the new hot spot in the city. "What about him? He looks like he just left a spa" Jessie Ryan told her cousin after she barely looked at the guy. "Really Jess you know why you're still single? You're too picky. Either he's too tall, too short, too thin, too lean, too dark haired, too muscular, too everything! Why not head for the convent now? I'm sure the nuns already waiting for you!" Josephine groaned before taking a bit from her pizza slice, which was heavily topped with pineapple and extra cheese. "Don't be angry at me for not wanting another guy like Peter who was so self absorbed you'd swear he was the only man capable of procreation alive". "Not every great looking guy is going to be narcissist like Peter, J .You got to give them a chance to show you that". Danielle Masters said looking at Jessie with her huge brown eyes. "Danny don't look now, but Kyle just walked in and he's not alone," said Josie. Jessie could see the warning signals going off in Danny's head. "Play nice you guys. I'm going to the washroom," grinned Jessie as she stood up and straightened her jeans and yellow t-shirt. As she headed for the washroom she could hear Danny exclaim in a voice that had raised several octaves, "Kyle! Is that you?" Jessie knew exactly what was going to happen. Danny would remind Kyle what a lousy husband he had been to her in their marriage that lasted seven years and what an awful father he was to their six year old daughter Natalie. Then Kyle's date would look at him in disgust and walk away. Ten points for single moms everywhere, zero for deadbeat dads. Why is it men never seem to understand the words forever and cherish? Accidentally bumping into a couple making out on the dimly lit dance floor, and getting a nasty look from a waiter whose foot she stepped on, she focus on finding her way along the well stocked bar towards the washrooms. Eclectic Soul had been opened for just two weeks and the two nights Jess had been there, it had been packed. Pablo, the owner and a close friend to Jessie, would be pleased. The bathroom like everywhere else was packed. Squeezing her way to one of the mirrors, she pulled out her lip-gloss and quickly reapplied it. Just then two teenaged girls entered talking excitedly and loudly. They were dressed outrageously. One of the girls' hair was dyed green. "I'm telling you Sharon when she hit that guy it was priceless. Heard someone say he's her ex-husband. Total creep." the darker of the two with the green hair began. Sharon continued where her friend left off. Everyone in the washroom was looking at them now. "That is like totally awful. It's too bad the bouncer decided to throw them out though." Jessie forgot about her makeup and headed out the door stumbling into the guy who her cousin Josie was checking out earlier. His thick eyelashes blinked rapidly before his dark eyes focused on her. He smiled sheepishly exposing two dimples on either side of his cheeks. His thousand watt dimpled smile made Jessie sudden feel like smiling herself, but she didn't. Instead she scowled as her arm began to throb. "You hit me pretty hard, miss. Are you okay?" he asked her in an accent she could not place. "No I'm not okay my arm hurts but I'll live. Excuse me," she said trying to go around his towering frame. She turned and headed in the opposite direction towards the sound of the music on the dance floor Just as she passed the bar she could see a small crowd gathering ahead of her. Two drunks were punching at each other while everyone cheered on. The bouncer was headed towards them looking angry. Just then someone give a shout. Everyone started running for the exits. Jess found herself being pushed. Before se knew what was happening she was falling. Her head bounced off one of the metal bar stools. As she fell to the floor she could hear screams, shouting and the pounding of feet, then darkness... Jessica Ryan's parents were to her the best married couple she had ever met. Throughout her entire childhood she had never seen them angry with each other. She could still remember the perfume her mother wore, lilacs. It tore her heart to pieces when she died from breast cancer. The look in her father's eyes was like watching a star go out. He looked like a tired and lost eight year old. That was what is like in the hospital room 14 years ago. Ten months later Brandon Ryan died in a car accident when a drunk driver slammed into him. It was then Jessie went to live with her Aunt and Uncle Flo and Hector Anderson. A household filled with six rowdy children, three teenagers and three pre teenagers proved to be the best thing for a ten year old girl dealing with the loss of both her parents. Sometimes she spent her days in the Anderson's large backyard and the lake that lay beyond the fifteen acre cattle farm. That lake that seemed to spread on for miles somehow soothed her aching heart. It had reminded her of the days she had spent with her parents at her grandmother's in Arkansas one August vacation. They had laughed and laughed and made plans for the future. Her mother and father were professors at the local high school and were planning to open their own private school. Jessie wanted to be a teacher as well. It was that lake where Jessie learned to swim. She later got a scholarship to study in New York but decided to go to the local university and help her cousin Laura with her son Chad. His father, Laura's first and only love had left when he realized the honeymoon was over and parenthood sometimes had had more downs than ups. Chad had been born seven months premature and was sick most of his early life. On her final year at university, her uncle Hector died from an accident on the farm. He had been trampled by a herd of stampeding cattle. It was like her parents dying all over again. Jessie remembered after the service aunt Flo told her "their gone and we're not. We got to live for them honey." So that's what she did. She lived. "Come on Danny it's a great idea .It's time for Jess to stop acting like she's ancient or something. Hell she's younger than both of us. Twenty five is not over the hill. She still has a lot of life left in her," a voice said in a stage whisper. Jessie awoke groggily. Her mouth felt like cotton and her brain ceased to remember what opening her eyes meant. From the smell of ethanol in the air, she knew she was at the hospital. "I don't know Josie. Remember what happened the last time we tried to fix her. She turned two shades away from red, all not to mention was angry as hell, like the hulk." Danny said sounding somewhat uncertain. "It's different this time. She's really down. I mean, just look at her, hell she can't even dress right, that yellow top is so last year. She really needs this and the perfect opportunity has presented itself," Josie pointed out. There was a long pause, and then a shuffling of feet as someone approached her bed. The bed springs creaked as the person sat. "She could use some new clothes too and a hair cut maybe. Alright let's do it!" Danny exclaimed at last. "Whenever you two both agree to do something I get nervous. I start thinking about little mazes with cheese at the end and wire cages," Jessie muttered. Danny jumped from the bed in surprise then sat back down. You're up. How do you feel?" she asked in an odd voice." "You know that guy who is always trying to shoot that wabbit? I think he accidentally shot me in the head instead. I can't even open my eyes," Jessie described. "Can I get some water? My mouth is really dry." "Don't take this the wrong way, workaholic but Dr. Connors said you need to get plenty of rest. You had a concussion, when you hit that barstool." "Oh. That's why I feel like I've just had brain surgery without anesthesia," Jessie moaned as Danny brought a glass of water to her lips. She took some sips then pulled away. "What happened at Soul anyway? "Some fool yelled fire and everyone stampeded. After everyone calmed down and Pablo found out there was no fire he was relived and then pissed off someone would pull a prank like that." Jessie tried to stifle a yawn. "I saw that. Get some rest," Danny said sliding off the bed again. "You don't need to tell me twice. Where did Josie go?" Jessie asked as she rolled over. "She went outside for a walk," Danny told her. Her voice sounded strange again to Jess as she slipped off to sleep again. The second time Jessie awoke she opened her eyes to find her god daughter Natalie on her bed. Apparently hospital beds were the perfect place to build forts. "Hello Natalie where is everyone?" she smiled crawling to the foot of the bed and tickling the child. Natalie laughed herself breathless before answering. "Mummy went to the cafeteria and Aunt Josie went to visit a friend. Mummy put you're shoes under the bed," the child said climbing off the bed. The blue jumper she was wearing was adorned with bright tropical birds. Jessie leaned over the side of the bed. Natalie blinked at her from the other end. "Over there, "she told her pointing. Jessie spotted the blue sneakers just as the hospital door swung open. Two legs clad in faded blue jeans entered. Okay that is definitely not Josie or Danny, she thought as she pulled at her shoes. And the last time she had a check up which was just over two months, Dr. Connors was a little on the pudgy side. She looked up from under the bed. A hand was lazily holding the door knob. The other held her handbag. Wearing that outrageously handsome smile was Spa Guy. "What are you doing here," she asked foolishly. Obviously he came to return her bag. I saw when you went down at the restaurant and got to you before the crowd did any serious damage to you. Your friends were already outside. Said the bouncer threw them out." he explained walking into the room. He smiled again and handed her the bag. Jessie stopped gawking at him and took it. "Thanks." She said hiding her blush by pretending to rummage through her bag. "Don't worry. I didn't take anything. I would have left it with your friends but they said you would have liked to thank me personally so here I am." That's what those two were up to, Jessie thought. Spa Guy kept smiling. It was one of those after photos you saw in the magazines of people who used teeth whitener although Jessie was sure his even white teeth was natural. Natalie broke Spa Guy's intent green stare by shaking his pants leg. "Excuse me what's you name? I'm Natalie Masters." I'm Adam He told her. His gaze met Jessie's "Adam Cambridge. "Jessie Ryan." said Jessie. "It's a pleasure to have met you both, Adam said. "Thank you for rescuing me from that mob last night," smiled Jessie. "Don't mention it." he said slipping his thumbs into his belt loops like cowboys in the westerns her dad and uncle used to watch did. "When a damsel is in distress a guy got to do what he could to save her," he said in a false cowboy accent which failed horribly because of his own accent. Jessie and Natalie looked at each other and laughed. They were still laughing when Josie and Danny entered. Seeing the three laughing, they looked at each other like two cats that swallowed an entire cage full of canaries. Jessie stopped laughing and to give them an "I'll deal with you two later" look. Josie ignored her and stepped into the room. "Now aren't you glad you stayed and said hello to Jess, Adam? I told you she was real funny." she smiled. She turned towards Jess and winked. "Ignore my cousins, Mr. Cambridge heaven knows if I didn't I'd be in a different type of hospital," groaned Jessie. "That's okay. I have a couple of aunts who express their love exactly the same way," Adam chuckled. "Love. That's one way to describe their eccentric behavior," she muttered. "Dr. Connor signed you release papers Jess you can go. Danny asked pushing Jessie foot aside and sitting on the bed. I've noticed you accent Adam. It's very unique. Where are you from?" "Hey I'm sick you know protested Jessie," "Only in your mind Jess now shush. You were saying Adam?" My father is from Nepal and my mother is from Italy. When they divorced I went to school in Italy and spent the holidays with my dad in Nepal." "Divorced? You poor dear it must have been hard for you and you siblings," Josie cooed Actually it's just me. My mom and dad both remarried a so it wasn't really lonely He told her. "Oh .So you are an only child, like our Jess. I bet you two have a lot in common," Danny smiled. "Yeah," agreed Josie. They both turned to look at Jessie who suddenly wished she had the power to turn invisible. Were these two mental? Apparently being married had done something to their logical way of thinking. People didn't just "hook up" anymore. There were diseases and weirdoes out there. True Adam was a total babe and that foreign accent was a big bonus but who knew what excess baggage he carried? Kids maybe (men that handsome rarely ever stayed single for long), a string of divorced marriages, police rap sheet as long as both of her arms, a history of violence, maybe had deranged ex fiancée, maybe even formerly a woman? Although she doubted the later (the guy simply looked too hot) one could never know what lay behind that winning smile. "Okay then I'll see this as my sign to get ready to leave here. Come on Nat let's find my sneaker," she stated climbing from the bed. As soon as she finished putting on her shoe she was getting a cab and putting some distance between her and those three pairs of eyes. "We should at least offer Adam a lunch date sometime. To say thank you." Danny chided her. Just then Adam's phone rang. He excused himself and stepped out side. "Well did we come through for you or what! He's gorgeous isn't he? If I wasn't happily married to Paul I'd go after him," Josie sighed and begun fanning herself. "Are you nuts? You don't know where or what he's been!" Jessie exclaimed. "Mummy I have to go to the bathroom." Natalie whispered. Okay let's go Hon," Danny said holding her daughter's small hand in her larger one. The two walked outside. Josie looked at Jessie. "Would you stop thinking about Peter and envision that Greek God you've got standing out side your door." 'I'm not thinking about Peter and I don't want to think about Spa Guy. I 'm thinking about how crazy my family is and going home and sleeping." exclaimed Jessie. "Spa Guy? Who is that? Oh that's what you called Adam when we first saw him at Soul. That is fate Jess," nodded Josie "Fate since when do you believe in that? You sound like a fortune cookie." scoffed Jessie tugging on her shoes. She grabbed a hair clip from her purse and pulled up her hair. She really needed to cut it. Her bangs had already grown out. She then locked the door and quickly changed into the shirt and pants Josie had brought. "Jessie, really. Give Adam a chance. I can tell you two will hit it off if you only try." Josie persisted. Jessie looked at her as she opened the door. "This conversation is over Josie." She turned around and almost collided with Adam. Again. "We seem to be doing this a lot," he noted. "Yeah. I really have to go now. It was nice meeting you Mr. Cambridge," she said breathlessly. She stuck out her hand for him to shake. He took it and pulled her closer to him. Before she could pull away, he kissed her briefly on her cheek. It was so soft she thought she imagined it but she could hear Josie faking a cough behind her. Keep safe Jess," he whispered before releasing her. "I try not to go falling into barstools for a while," she said breathlessly. Her heart was beating as though she had run a mile. "Don't forget we have a lunch date." Josie reminds him as the three of them walked towards the elevator. Natalie and Danny came from the washrooms just them. As they rode the elevator together, Danny exchanged phone numbers with Adam. Jessie wanted to die when her cousins hugged Adam as though he was a long lost relative returning from war before getting into the taxi and going their separate ways. Fifteen minutes later Josie realized her cousins were looking at her. They were trapped in the afternoon traffic. She looked at them sourly. "What's the matter? Never saw someone woolgather before?" "It's not that you're just stroking your cheek," Danny began. "Where he kissed you," finished Josie in a singsong voice. "I am not! Leave me alone!" Jessie huffed and looked out the window. Without looking back she knew they were wearing smug expressions. The sooner she was home the sooner she could get away from her cousins and their plots to get her to go out with devilishly handsome Spa Guy. Memories Aren't Forgotten Ch. 02 "So you think there's something wrong with Auntie Flo? I was at the house yesterday and she looked okay to me. So what if she when to the church bingo Saturday then the church picnic on Sunday?" Jessie told Danny and she carefully emptied some flour into the large bowl Chad was mixing furiously. It was late Tuesday afternoon, three days after her fall at the restaurant. She had decided to take everyone's advice and taken a couple of days off from teaching literature at the local high school. To pass the time she decided to do some cleaning at the two stories Victorian home she shared with her cousin, Laura and her son Chad. After giving up on attempting making the downstairs bathroom tiles sparkled like they did some fifty odd years when it was built, she decided to take Chad to the lake at the back of the house. The sun had just begun to set when they returned home. Danny had called just as they were measuring flour to make peanut butter cookies. "Those walks in the afternoons are okay J, but signing up for picnics and bingo and piano lessons may be a bit too much. Did you know she's thinking about taking a trip to France, Jessie? She doesn't even know French!" What's a sixty eight year old woman going to do in France?" Danny exclaimed. "See the sights. The Louve is really beautiful and I read somewhere sixty is the new fifty. You're getting worked up over nothing. Aren't you glad she's not bundled up in a rocking chair knitting sweaters and smelling of moth balls?" Jessie told her. "Well yeah, but, but mom is fragile," She lamented. "Need I remind you that your mother has managed to successfully send all of her children to university and her niece? There isn't a fragile bone in Florence Anderson." Jessie reminded her. She was then interrupted by a beep on the phone. "Hold on I got another call," she said quickly connecting the person. "Do you know mom has a boyfriend," Josie screeched into the phone. Jessie held the phone away from her ear as her cousin released a series of curses. "Are you finished? Danny is on the other line she said putting on the three way. "Do you know who was in our mother's kitchen this afternoon? Carl Thomas. Mom says he asked her to the movies this Saturday. What do we do? What do we do?" she continued frantically. "How bout we wait for him to close his bookshop tonight hit him over the head and drag him over to Willow Creek. Nobody ever goes there. If we weigh him down with enough rocks they'll never find him. Jessie laughed as she removed two cookie trays from the cupboard. "Jessie this is serious!" Danny said hysterically. "Let me get this straight its wrong for your mother to date or have a love life." "Yes!" they said together. "But its okay for you two to stick you noses in mine." "Yes," they said again. "Let's be realistic J you don't have a love life," Danny told her. "It's practically non existent," finished Josie. "You two are ludicrous you know that," she exclaimed as she measured the butter, peanut butter and cracked the eggs. "Its different with you Jess. You pining away on a guy who was a complete jerk," Josie began. "I am not!" protested Jessie. "But mom had a great guy. Sure they argued sometimes but who doesn't? They had a great marriage. Shouldn't those memories be enough for mom?" she continued as though Jessie had not spoken. "It's not as if she's getting hitched or shacking up with the guy," she said. "You but you don't know what old man Carl is cooking up," Danny pointed out. Jessie just couldn't picture Carl Thomas as an evil villain in this picture. He was the one who drove her to the ranch to meet Aunt Flo and Uncle Hector fourteen years ago. He was too nice and smiled too much to be cooking up anything. She suddenly remembered another friendly smile like Carl's but on a lot more stunning individual. She quickly tried to forget green eyes and sexy Italian/Napolitano accent of Adam Cambridge. "C'mon you two. You've known Carl all your lives," she pointed out. "All this time he was just waiting to make his move! I can't believe I invited him to my wedding!" Josie gasped sounding horrified "I can get through your thick heads. David and Todd will have to do it when they come to family reunion next Saturday," Jessie said simply before hanging up on them. She turned towards Chad who was carefully spooning out the first batch of dough into cookie trays. He looked up as she approached. He looked so much like the dad he would never meet. Just nine years old and he was almost as tall as his slender five foot nine mother. The only thing he took on his mother's side was her striking brown eyes. Jessie could tell he was going to send a couple of hearts racing in the years to come. "Hey what do you think of your granny getting a boyfriend?" she asked him as she pulled out the ice- cream from the fridge and sat on a stool. Chad pulled out two bowls and spoon and climbed onto the stool next to her before answering. "Grandma is kind of old. But you could never have too much friends," he answered. "Yeah I guess you never can," she smiled. "Can we watch a movie before when mom comes home?" he asked shoveling a spoonful of golden vanilla into his mouth. "I don't see why not," Jessie told him. Jessie placed the trays into the oven and sat on a nearby stool to eat her ice cream. Then she began with the next batch of cookies Laura came home at seven thirty. Jessie took one look at her and saw something was wrong. her pretty black curls were in a messy mass on her head and the navy blue jacket she choose to were to work that morning was crumpled under her arm. A smile lit her pale face when her son launched himself into her arms and kissed her soundly. The show she made of admirining the cookies he and Jessie made didn't fool her. "Chad why don't you go watch that movie we talked about earlier?" she suggested. "What about you and mummy?" the little boy asked. "We'll come in a while honey," She answered. She watched him go into the living room and listened for the television to turn on before turning to Laura who had managed to turn paler as she watched her son leave the room. "What's wrong?" she questioned her pulling her to one of the stools. "It's Tony, He called me at work today." she whispered. "Oh Laura," Jessie whispered. "He's coming here, Jess." "After all these years? What does he want? He can't expect a family just waiting for him? Jessie pondered aloud. "You think that's what he wants Jess? I don't know. He was the one who left. Maybe he wants to get to know Chad? Oh God Jess What if he wants to take my baby away from me?" her voice raising several octaves. "We won't let him. This family won't let him," Jessie vowed. "Jess you and I both work and Mrs. Smythe looks after Chad all day. What if he argues I'm an unfit mother?" Laura asked teary eyed. She pulled at one of the chocolate cookies Jessie hadn't put away yet. It crumbled between her well manicured fingers. "You are great mother who loves her son very much. Everyone knows that. No court is going to grant a man who left his wife and three year old son because "he was confused and needed time to think" custody of his kid," she assured her. "Even if the man in question has a father that is a well respected judge?" Laura asked her. "I don't think Judge Manning would use his influence like that. He's a good man even though his son isn't. Jess said patting Laura on her back. Laura stood up and wiped her eyes with her shirt sleeve. "I hope your right Jess. I hope to God you're right." Thirty minutes later, Jessie stood in front of the full length mirror of the upstairs bathroom. A skinny body clad in an oversized T-shirt with big brown eyes and bad hair stared back. Well maybe not that bad she thought pushing her fingers through her still damp hair from the shower she had taken earlier. Not that skinny either she thought pulling up her make shift pajamas and eying her stomach suspiciously. The last time she checked, she had put on a pound. She had never been a health buff in high school so fast food was her best friend. Her friends still marveled how she ate so much and never gained an inch. Maybe it was time to start those afternoon strolls she had been putting off. Gazing at the mirror one last time, she made a promise to herself to visit the hair dresser at the mall the next day when she was out shopping with Laura, Danny and Josie. She walked out of the bathroom to her room down the hall thinking about the family reunion. There were the Greens, the Jones the Jacobs from her mother and aunt Flo's side, the Andersons and the Henderson's from uncle Hectors side, and Uncle Paul and Aunt Judy Ryan from her father's side. The Ryans was her father's only living relatives in her father's side. Paul Ryan was here father's identical twin. Jessie remembered after the funeral when her father had died and she saw her uncle in the service, for a moment forced her self into believing that he was really here dad and the hold thing was a prank he had pulled. She stilled believed it sometimes when she saw him. Just then, there was a knock on the door. Chad poked his head inside. "Are you asleep?" he asked "Not yet," she answered pulling back the covers. She patted her side. Grinning, he opened the door fully and climbed into the bed to give her a good night hug. He jumped off and hurried to his room. The day when Laura found out she was pregnant; Jessie had been the first to know. She was cleaning the attic the attic when Laura came up smiling. "Guess what," She urged. "You passed you final exam," Jessie had asked excitedly. Laura had desperately wanted to pas her Economics Examination. "Yeah, but not it," was the reply "Then what is it then?" Jessie asked confused. "Tony asked me to marry him and I said YES!" she screamed excitedly. After a full minute of screaming up and down, Lauren delivered the final news. "That's not all. I'm two weeks pregnant. I haven't told Tony yet," she grinned. "I'm going to be an auntie!" Jessie laughed then paused. "No wait that's not right we're cousins so what does that make me and her?" she whispered touching Laura's stomach. "Second cousins, I think,"Laura replied spinning around the dusty room. "Oh Jess I love Tony so much. If I love him and more I just might burst!" Three years later Tony just disappeared without a trace. Not even his father knew where he was. Then came the letter. He was confused and need time to think things over. He would always Laura he had written. The months that followed Laura did everything in here power to remove Tony's existence but he was there every time she looked into her little boy's eyes. Jessie moved me n to help take care of Chad and one night Laura realized she didn't want her son growing up not knowing what his dad looked like or hating him cause his mother did. Jessie remembered the look on Laura's race when she had replaced the last picture of Tony. "I'm only doing this for Chad, Jess. I stopped loving him the day he walked out that door." Jessie climbed out of her bed and looked at the star lit sky through her open window. Memories floated back to her brain in a sudden rush. Her father, her uncle Hector and Peter weren't in her life anymore. It hurt like hell when they weren't there and more. Now Tony may be trying to take away Chad. It seemed like the women in the Ryan and Anderson family were cursed when it came to the male species. Josie seemed to be the only one who was having a healthy relationship with her husband Paul so far. Maybe their marriage would be the one to break the curse. Even though she would never have admitted it she missed the relationship she had had with Peter before he became a jerk. There had even been a time when she thought he was the one she would spend the rest of her life with. After their breakup Josie and Danny had designated themselves her saviors and tried desperately to get her to start back dating. For a woman who found her ex husband with the bride whose wedding she had been catering for Danny still thought there were still some men out there who should be given a chance. Josie was just happily married and wanted to get all her single friends tied to the old ball and chain as she called it. Shoving her feet into her slippers and tossing on her robe, she opens the door that led from her room to the private gallery. The cold night wind blew roughly against her face. The water from the pond where she and Chad swam earlier shone brightly through the trees. Leaning against the railing she watched it for a while. Somehow that night felt different. She felt like crying for the first time since her Uncle died. Bowing her head into her she let herself cry like she did when her dad told her mother was dying and there was nothing he could do about it. The only difference was he wasn't there to hug and she wasn't a child anymore. She cried until the hiccups came and there weren't anymore tears. Then she looked at the lake some more. A cool drop of rain dropped on her moist face mingling with her tears. As it fell quicker, she stood there on the gallery silent crying again. Just before the rain finished pounding the earth, she went back to her room changed her clothes and went to bed. .... "Well? What do you think about the Simpson and Rickman contract son," Vincent Cambridge asked Adam helping himself to another slice of extra crispy bacon. When he receives no response from him he looks at the younger man more closely. Since he had returned to the hotel the night before, he had been quiet aside from telling him about his helping a woman who had fallen when the restaurant/club he had gone to that had stampeded. "If I knew you were seeing someone I'd have said you were in love," he joked bringing Adam from his day dream about the long legged lady he met at Eclectic Soul the day before. From her nose to her red polished toes he could tell Jessie Ryan was a handful. From the look on her face she was obviously not trilled to find him holding her bag last night at the hospital. From her cousins hints she was single and he would have made his intentions of dating her in a heartbeat if she hadn't leap from the hospital bed and made a dash for the door. He still remembered the way she looked at him as though e was an axe murderer. It didn't take a brain surgeon to understand the message she was sending and he understood it loud and clear. Danger, keep away it screamed. She had obviously been hurt badly by that guy her cousin had told him about while they had been in the waiting room at the hospital. He was pretty sure she would be horrified if she knew her cousins were making her social life public knowledge to single men everywhere. "Well dad as far as I can see its pretty sound though you should consider S and R to lengthen the time frame. I think five years should be enough so you can import the better goods if you need to so they get the best for their money," Adam told him shoveling the remaining of his pancakes he had ordered. Aside from being a senior partner at one or the best law firms in Italy, he helped his father out with the legal part of his housing company. "That's enough about work for one day Vinny, stop pestering the boy," Adrienne Cambridge chided her husband before turning to her stepson. "How is house hunting going for you Adam? Some houses are built with faulty wiring and they get painted up to look flashy. Only when you've bought it then you see the flaws. I wish you would have waited until you father had established himself here in Cedar Oaks and built you one," she said nodding her head. Her grey eyes shone playfully as she looked at Vincent. "I would have but the firm is expanding this year out here and dad may start at S and R next year. So I'll just have to get one of the houses already built here. They sat silently for a while until the waitress came with the check. Paying he rose and checked his wrist watch he had gotten for his twelfth birthday "What are your plans for the day? Adrienne asked getting up. I thought I get a couple of things check how work is at the office building and see the sites Cedar Oaks has to offer a foreigner like me. He explained as they headed to the door. "Ron Riceman and Ted Simpson have invited us to a game of golf. I still don't see the sense of grown men hitting around a ball with a club," his father grumbled as he and Adrienne headed to the lobby of the hotel. Laughing, Adam headed to the elevators. "That hat you're wearing has got to be on to tight if you think I'm wearing that," Jessie snorted giving the shimmering green dress Danny was holding up one last look before returning to the pile of on sale jeans. "Why not? It's perfect for the teachers Christmas dinner. Who knows maybe that teacher with the great but Reggie might make a move, Josie returned, pulling her away from the on sale pile and taking the dress from Danny. She measured it against Jessie. "Perfect fit," It's now my style, Christmas is eight months from now and Regan and I are just friends," Jessie said in one breath. "Come on Jess. Even if you aren't going to buy it just try it on. It goes nice with you brown eyes," Laura added. Even though she was still worried about Tony she had agreed to go on the girls' only lunch date and shopping spree they had planned the week before only after she made Jessie promise not to tell her sisters. They would only get more worried. Jessie began to give in to the dress idea slowly. "I don't know guys. It's so revealing. You're cleavage is bond to get cold from all that exposure," she pointed out. "Nope you'll be heating up the room with that dress you won't have a chance to get cold." winked Josie. "Alright fine I'll try on the dress." She said heading to the change room with the dress and some other clothes. After trying on a couple of jeans, sweaters, and a blue blouse Josie choose for her to wears for the reunion, she pulled on the dress. "You're taking pretty long in there," Josie called "I'm going to put back this stuff. Some of these shirts are really hideous Jess." "Are you stuck?" Laura asked worriedly "Do you guys think she fell asleep in there?" Danny giggled. Jessie open the door and came out. "You looked gorgeous," Danny nodded "I told you green is your colour, you have to buy this dress," Laura grinned "I brought the best judge of all. Look who I found guys," Josie said from behind her. Spinning around she came face to face with Adam. "You look incredible," he said appraising her. She blushed furiously and pretended to remove a loose thread from the dress. "Thanks you guys. I better change so we can get out of here and get some lunch. I'm famished," she stated stepping into the change room. The entire time Adams eyes seemed incapable of going anywhere but her bosom and Josie was smiling mischievously. "I'll go change so we can meet Paul and the kids for lunch," she said turning quickly and stepping into the change room. Inside the change room she stared at her flushed face in the mirror. What was Adam doing here? True Cedar Oaks wasn't a big town, but if they kept meeting like that she might just begin to believe in that fate Josie was talking about. If she kept blushing like a school girl her cousins would not let it rest, Jessie thought as she stepped out of the room. She suddenly realized she was talking to herself more than usually. Cedar Oaks Mental Hospital her she came. She was not the least bit surprised when she found Adam still standing outside being heavily interrogated by her cousins. Then they proceeded to load him up with their day's purchases and stare him to the coffee and doughnut shop where Paul sat nursing a black coffee. He stood up as they approached giving Adam a skeptical eye. After being introduced and shaking hands, he groaned at the sight of the bags they had brought. Memories Aren't Forgotten Ch. 02 "Something tells me you girls have just started," he moaned. "It not like I'm not going to wear this stuff Hon," Josie said sitting in the chair he had vacated and taking a mouthful of his coffee. She turned her face at the first swallow. "This tastes like Danny cooking! What did you do to it?" she exclaimed. Danny stuck her tongue at her sister. "It's plain. Just black. No sugar." he explained choosing another seat. "as much as I enjoy watching you in those outfits, I don't' see why you insist in buying three pairs of black shoes," he continued looking at the bags his wife had planted near her feet. Josie looked at her husband astonished. "I can't believe you Paul. Danny explain why we need three pairs of shoes." "We have the standard flats which we wear everywhere, supermarket, to pick up the kids. This is the comfortable ones. Then the pump we wear to formal events, dinner parties' luncheons etcetera. Lastly is the sexy thin strap stiletto black heals, the most uncomfortable, I might add. We wear to that hot date. "it draws attention to the well toned calves we spent hours running down screaming children, running errands and following the orders from a boss who changes his mind like the weather. These babies don't come from the gym," Danny finished exposing her well toned calves. "If the other shoes suck, why wear them at all. I would stick to the standard flats," Paul exclaimed shaking his head. "That's why, you're a gorgeous man not a woman with any fashion sense," Josie giggled. Paul looked at Adam. "Help me out here; Adam does this shoe necessity make any sense?" "The twenty three years I spent with my mother and my stepmother I never figured it out. I have leant from my dad however that it is better to let sleeping dogs lie and it helps to have a MasterCard," he laughed Half an hour later, Jessie found herself alone with Adam. Josie had pulled Paul away to buy the cutest his and her matching pajamas they must have and Danny wanted to get some supplies for Natalie's school play she was in charge of. So there sat Jessie and Adam guarding the shopping bags. He watched her look at the coffee and nibble at her doughnut with extra wiped cream she knew her hips would pay for later. "Aren't you going to say anything? He asked unscrewing the cap of his bottled water. "About what?" she returned as she watched his Adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed. It suddenly felt warm in the air conditioned café. He allowed his gaze to slide from her large silver hoop earrings to rest at the top of the black tank top she was wearing, where her breasts were noticeable. Most guys snuck glances of cleavage when they thought women weren't looking, but Adam was different. He stared. "Your cousin's think we should "hook up" What do you think? He said "I think my cousins are neurotic and should be admitted to an institution." She told him. "You didn't answer my question. You think we should hook up?" he repeated letting the last two words slide from his tongue. If she was a blonde Jessie was sure her hair would have turned red from blushing like the rest of her. She had a felling as though he was talking about more than just dinner and a movie. She looked at him closely. "I don't know what exactly my cousins told you Mr. .Cambridge but I am not interested," she said calmly "I apologize if you thought I was being forward, but your cousins made it sound as though you were definitely interested in a relationship" he said leaning back against his chair. It was only then she realized how close their heads were. "Look I'm sorry if you think I'm by saying this but I don't really know you, at all. I'm extremely grateful that you helped me at Soul but I am definitely not interested in a relationship right now." When Josie returned she was wearing a triumphant grin while Paul staggered with two less than light looking bags in each hand. "Sorry I took so long. There were some things I forgot to buy when we were in the clothes store," she explained sliding into the seat next to Jessie. She turned to Adam. "So what are you doing this far from home? It cannot be you heard Cedar Oaks makes the best fried chicken wings in honey smoked sauce and had to try it yourself," "The law firm that I work at is expanding and I flew over to finalize everything with the contractor and buy a house since I'll be moving here when it opens in November. Plus I hear here has the best fried chicken wings in honey smoked sauce," he finished, taking a sip of the coffee the waitress had brought him. He grinned displaying his dimples and for a moment Jessie almost forgot about the exchange she had had with him before Josie had returned. "Your law firm is going to be that grey two story on Park Street, isn't it?" Paul asked. "Yeah it is. What do you think about it?" "Anything on Park Street is prime real estate. You should hear how excited Laura gets whenever she sold or rented an apartment on that street." "Speaking of apartments, you could ask Laura about finding you a place," Josie suggested. Just then Laura returned with Danny adding three more bags to their shopping pile. Paul groaned and stood up. "I guess I better start carrying this stuff to the car," he said unenthusiastically. "I'll give you a hand," Adam volunteered standing as well. As they rode the escalator to the ground floor and headed towards the car park, Josie filled Laura in on Adam's problem. "So you think you can help a lawyer out?" she asked. "He's a lawyer?" Laura exclaimed in surprise. "Yeah, why so surprised?" " It's just Cedar Oaks could do with a couple of them," She said a little too quickly, " Just recently Greenberg Real Estate had some trouble with their insurance company. Wasted thousands on lawyer's fees and still lost. The lawyer was awful at his job as well. Josie didn't seem to notice the worried look that appeared briefly on her sister's face. "So can you help him out?" repeated Josie, taking her sister's lost expression for wool gathering. "Yeah, sure," she answered as they reached Paul's car. She looked at Adam. "Why don't you come over next Saturday for the family reunion? I'll bring some pictures of the homes we have and we'll look them over," she suggested. Jessie could not believe her ears. "I wouldn't want to intrude," was the reply. "Nonsense, you're new here. This is a chance to get to know some of the people of Cedar Oaks," Josie shushed. "And taste our home made fried chicken wings in honey smoked sauce. Not to mention our mother makes mean fried rice. Stay clear of anything Josie cooks though," "Hey I can cook!" Josie said. "You are the one with awful cooking skills." "And the ostrich can fly," laughed Josie. "That does sound tempting; I've never been one to pass up good food. It's usually take out and food from a can for me. I'm a horrible cook," said Adam Josie handed Paul the last shopping bag. "Great then it's settled. Here's our mother's number just in case you need to call for directions but I doubt it. The house is the third house on Farm road and not easy to miss. See you next Saturday," finished Josie. She handed him the number and climbed in the car. "Word of advice Adam, stay away from the grill. A word of advice, The Anderson and Henderson men own the grill. Keep away. I learnt that the hard way at my first family reunion," cautioned Paul as he started the car. "Thanks I won't forget, Adam laughed stepping away from the car. He was still laughing as it drove away. Memories Aren't Forgotten Ch. 03 By the time Paul's car pulled into the garage of the house, Jessie could feel the fatigue a day at the mall brought. Before the entered the house a pounding of feet could be heard coming down the stairs inside Mrs. Smythe greeted them at the door. She wore a blue apron that read "kiss the cook" over her round frame. Flour was sprinkled on the apron and from the yummy smells coming from the kitchen, Jessie knew she was baking. She frowned when she saw Paul carrying two shopping bags and balancing another under his left arm. "Really Paul you could have asked someone for help," she told him as she took one of the bags. Before Paul could answer, Natalie and Chad flew out the door and began questioning them. "Did you bring us anything Uncle Paul?" "Can we come to the farm on Sunday? Our moms said its okay if you say it's okay" "Can I ride Nightstorm? You said I could if I kept my room clean and I did. Come see," Chad finished. Paul dropped the bags he held in the hallway and stretched. "Of course you can come to the farm. I got to see your room first Chad and as for what I brought you..." He reached into his pockets and pulled out a pair of rubber snakes. Natalie screamed and Chad stepped back. Realizing they were fake the two pounced on Paul. He returned the tickles on any body parts he found, arms legs bellies and feet. The three collapsed onto the floor laughing. "An eight year old trapped in the body of a thirty-two year old man," Josie laughed. Paul Chad and Natalie got up and pounded up the stairs to Chad's room. "I just took out a batch of brownies. Than next batch should be ready in ten minutes," Mrs. Smythe explained as she pulled on her coat, "have to hurry to the supermarket. Arthur invited some friends over. See you Monday loves" She quickly gives Laura and Jessie hug and hurried to her car. She seemed to have forgotten she was still wearing her apron. Josie closed the door and turned towards her sisters and cousins. "Moving on to other matters, mom is above the list. What if she brings that man to the family reunion?" she began. "She can't do that. Saturday is only for family?" Danny told her "I guess Adam is our family huh?" asked Jessie. "Well no... but he could be..." began Josie. Rolling her eyes Jessie headed to the kitchen. Josie followed her. "I don't know why I even bother," "Mom has a boyfriend?" Laura asked following them "Yes and we have got to do something!" Danny exclaimed "It's a bad thing?" asked Laura opening the oven and peering inside. "Yes she's already had a boyfriend, a husband, our father." Josie put in. "But you guys think its okay for Jessie to date Adam," she told them. "That's different. Jess was never married. She can still date. I had divorce. I can still date," Danny explained taking a brownie from the cooling rack. "I'm confused, this all sounds crazy," Laura stated. "Finally someone who thinks this is crazy too," said Jessie. "You won't think it's crazy when you hear wedding bells," Rain was falling. Hard. Jessie was walking down the path that led to her grandmother's house. She knew she was dreaming the moment she saw the large fern that was blowing violently against the side of the house. Her grandfather had cut it down the week before he died. As she strolled along unaware of how wet she was getting she suddenly noticed someone standing near the lake she had swam in so often as a child. She could not make out the face in the distance, but she could tell they were watching her. She suddenly remembered how slippery the lake's edge got when rain fell and at the moment, it was pouring. She waved at the man to move away from the edge but he just stood there, looking at her. Angry he wasn't taking any heed, she broke into a run towards him. He turned and began walking away, closer to the edge. Now that she was closer, Jessie saw he was wearing a brown t-shirt. Something was written in yellow. It reminded her of the t-shirt she had made for her father for his birthday when she was a nine. # 1 dad she had written with yellow fabric glue. After he had died, she had worn it for months until it had gotten so many holes and the glue had fallen off. She still had the tattered t-shirt in her bottom drawer. As she neared the lake now she realized it was the t-shirt she had made her father. "Daddy wait you'll fall in. don't go so close she cried running faster. He stopped walking and turned around. It wasn't her father. It was Adam. He looked at her and smiled exposing his dimples. Then it faded. Jessie looked down to see that she had gotten too close to the edge. She was slipping. Adam ran towards her, his green eyes filled with horror and reached out, but it was too late. She found herself kicking and trying to scream but the water kept falling into her mouth. The rain was falling heavier and she could hear Adam calling her. "Jessie! Jessie, wake up!" She woke up to find Laura at the side of her bed. It was morning, but the sun had not risen yet. It was still dark. "Had a bad dream. Sorry to wake you," she apologized, sitting up. "You didn't. Tony called. He wanted to come over today. To meet Chad." "Oh honey. What did you tell him?" "That today was nit a good time. He said okay, he needed to talk and to meet him next week Monday for lunch. To talk." "Do you want me to come with you? I could take the day off and we could go together," Jessie volunteered. "Thanks Jess, but I have to do this alone. Don't tell anyone. My brothers will rip him to shreds if they knew he was in town. "Okay, but if he wants to try to take Chad away we have to say something." "That's another thing jess. I need you to do something for me," Laura began. "Anything," she promised. "When we go to mom's on Saturday, I need you to talk to Adam about this. Get his professional opinion," said Laura. "I know it's a lot to ask, considering you think Danny and Josie are practically throwing him at you but if I did it Danny and the others might get suspicious. "Consider it done," Laura hugged her and stood up. "Thank you." "Don't mention it," she returned as Laura closed the bedroom door. She cursed the day she decided to go to Eclectic Soul with her cousins, the person who pushed her into that barstool, and the idea her cousins had to invite Adam to their family reunion. but that she didn't want to help Laura, she would pull out her molars and dye her hair neon pink in a heartbeat if it would send Tony to Antarctica, but it seemed talking to Adam was what the fates and those in charge of earthly matters desired her to do to help her cousin. She wouldn't deny that she didn't feel something when he was near (she wasn't a lump of coal) but she just didn't feel ready for the hold dating thing. And the part that scared her most was she knew that he knew she felt something for him. If he was just as male as her male cousins, he would try his luck again the moment he got the chance. Even worse Danny and Josie would think their little "Get Lonely Jess a Guy Plan" worked. She groaned and climbed from the bed. Why couldn't he be very old with warts? She would even settle for the warts alone. Why did he have to be God's gift to single and married women alike? One look at him smiling again and she would be lost in his green eyes. She would just have to avoid them at the reunion, and making him laugh. Just keep the questions brief, like they do in interviews. Focus on the mission ahead. Just like in those Mission Impossible movies. She padded into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Peeling off her clothes, she climbed in and adjusted the spray from heavy to light and allowed the water to wake up her body that wanted desperately to crawl back into bed and take another sick day. Knowing her students as well as she did they were probably gagging at Mr. Rogers, the literature substitute teacher rendition of Shakespeare's Hamlet they were suppose to have done in class on Monday. They were still complaining about the Christmas Carol play he directed the year before. No doubt she would be getting an earful from her class that morning. Fifteen minutes later, she had donned a navy blue blouse and skirt and was headed downstairs to make breakfast. Laura had started the coffee machine she never did without and had gone back to bed. She left for work at eight. Looking at the clock, Jessie saw it was 6:45. The sun was just making it's warm yellow journey. She buttered her bread and cracked and egg. She added her seasonings and checked to see if the frying pan was hot enough before adding the mixture. It sizzled and crackled in the fat. Mrs. Smythe pulled up in her car just as she was sprinkling the grated cheese. She walked in smiling. Her face was flushed from the cool, early morning air. "Morning dear. Ready for a day at the high school I see. Saw a couple of the dears still in their p.j.s getting the morning paper," she said pulling off her coat. "Morning Mrs. Smythe. How did Arthur's dinner turn out?" Jessie asked. She sipped on her mint flavored tea. Laura was addicted to coffee as she was to tea. "It was wonderful. His friends even helped me with the dishes. One of them even tried to coax the secret ingredient of my New Orleans Style Clam Chowder. I kept telling her not even Arthur knew what it was, but she kept trying to guess. I think she called every condiment that has ever existed!" she grinned. She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat next to Jessie. She frowned at the food she was eating. "That's all you're going to eat until lunch? Not wonder your getting like skin and bones! In my day you'd be eating anything and everything to plump up if you wanted a boy to notice you. Let me fix you some more eggs, I had some muffins left over from yesterday..." Gloria Smythe said getting up and moving about. On any other day, she would have jumped at one of Mrs. Smythe's breakfasts but she didn't feel very hungry that morning. Most of it had to do with the family reunion on Saturday. "Thanks a lot Mrs. Smythe, but I'm not really hungry. I'll take the muffin just in case the eggs don't tie me over until lunch," she quickly added when the older woman began frowning. I was just like her and her Auntie Flo to feed people who were smaller in size than them. She collected her teaching material and the three large muffins Mrs. Smythe handed her before heading for her car in the garage. She maneuvered her way out and headed down the street. Cedar Oaks was a large enough town, population eight million. Aside from having the best honey smoked chicken wings; it was one of the best vacation resorts. It had a total of twelve lakes and three rivers. Being sunny three hundred and sixty five days a year, the beaches were always flooded with locals and visitors. The high school where Jessie worked was within walking distance of one of them and on days when the salty air was too tempting to resist, she took her class outdoors for the literature sessions. Turning right at the traffic light, she headed down a private street and stopped in front of a large white house. She blew her horn and waited. After five minutes; she climbed out and walked up to the front door which she found unlocked. She was greeted with an unpleasant smell coming from the kitchen. Archie Hill her colleague and close friend stood in front of a large pot on his stove mixing enthusiastically. White t-shirts were thrown carelessly on the cluttered countertop and colourful ones lay damp in the sink. Jessie had learned years ago not to look at Archie and ask "what the hell are you doing?" Instead she walked over and peered over his shoulder "are you going to work today? He looks at her and grinned "yeah. I just need to cook this a few more minutes." "This" was a couple of t-shirts tied up in bits of twine. "I'll go change," he continued heading to the out the kitchen. Archie taught art at the high school. Although some teachers complained he was a bit eccentric and his teaching methods were strange, all his students worshipped him. Five minutes later he reentered, carrying a large laundry basket with dry tie and dye t-shirts. He was wearing a bright green t-shirt with the words "it doesn't matter what I wear, as long as I'm happy". Words he seemed to live by since he was wearing matching green jeans and a pair of white Nikes. A green cap was pulled backwards on his finger combed hair. He pulled out large garbage bag and began humming as he emptied the clothes into it. He then turned off the stove and emptied the pot in the sink. He looked at Jessie. "Well, come on. Can't be late on your first day back," he said before heading out the door. "So how do you feel?" Archie asked as he climbed into Jessie's car. He threw the bags in the seats behind. "Okay I guess. Everyone keeps asking me that. The couple of days I had off I could have spent preparing tests but Laura and Mrs. Smythe insisted I relax. I was so restless. What did I miss at school? Anything new? "Not really. With the holidays coming up the students are so excited, some decided to skip school altogether, get a head start on the holidays and head for the beach. Unfortunately for them frank had a biology class trip on the beach that day and were caught. Oh and the cafeteria menu has changed. The untouchable salad tasteless tuna sandwiches and pulpy French fries will be served on Wednesdays instead of Fridays," he told her. "Thanks for the heads up. I don't think my ileum can handle another salad from the cafeteria," she said as she drove past the gates that lead to St. Christopher's high school. Students were slowly shuffling up the large stone stairs of the school's entrance. Their lethargic gates spoke volumes about their "enthusiasm" for starting the lesson pack week. Some seemed to ignore the fact that ironing their uniforms made them looks more distinguished. Some of the boys shuffled aimlessly about the grounds rumpled shirts hanging out of their baggy pants. The early morning sun shone brightly against their bed rumpled heads. Most of the girls had congregated in their usually groups gossiping about the previous week's events. "It feels good to be back," Jessie smiled as she parked her car in a vacant spot. Archie climbed out and pulled out his bag with some effort. He waited as she locked the car then the headed to the teacher's lounge in the administrative building. The six teachers who were already there barely give Archie a second glance as they entered. Everyone had somehow grown accustomed to his unique way of dressing. Jessie headed for her desk and began taking out the books she needed for her first class. Just then, Luther Rogers entered. He was looking his usually early morning self, well cut, clean starched and pressed designer shirt and pants. His black hair peppered with premature grey hairs was nicely cut and combed. All it took was a class of active fourteen year olds for him to become a mess. He approached her with a grim look on his face. "I was going over your syllabus for the class in room 12 and noticed you hadn't done "As You Like It" but began "To Kill A Mocking Bird" and I took the liberty of giving your class assignments on it," he told her. He pulled out a copy of the syllabus and pointed with his well manicured finger. "I don't know how I forgot. A lot on my mind these days, you see. Thank you so much, Mr. Rogers," she began. Luther waved his hand. "Don't mention it. Just be careful next time," he said smugly before walking away. Jessie didn't feel like telling him that she had completed the book the term before. He worked so hard to keep sane at St. Christopher's. Just them the bell rang, signaling the start of the first period. She hurried to her class in room 5 which was on the first floor. As she hurried down the hallways she was greeted by complaints of Mr. Rogers by some of her students. "He gives us Shakespeare again, Miss Ryan," one girl moaned. "Told us we should watch the movie! Shakespeare is a classic. No modern day film maker unless it's Peter Jackson, he's a film god or actor can remake that book. Mr. Rogers is crazy!" one said passionately. "When we tried to tell him we got it already he got angry and give some of us detention," Ronald Higgins, her brightest pupil exclaimed, he's nuttier than my grandma's peanut butter and almond cookies. Jessie promised to listen to all of their complaints during their fourth period session with her and ushered them to their chemistry class with Amber Wilks before going to her class in the opposite room. Room 5 was affectionately called "the dungeon by both students and teachers alike. It was on the southern end of the school's main building. The only view was an aging fern that needed to be trimmed badly. The tree created a permanent dark effect and the room was rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of the sailors whose ships had crashed on the rocks in the nearby beach on the northern end of the school. Jessie knew it was an urban legend, probably thought up by past student who didn't want to go to class. The students in room 5 seem if possible less enthusiastic as the group she had seen outside that morning. A couple were using the desks as make shift beds while others poked their heads outside and waved to other students who were late for their classes. She walked in and ushered them to their seats. "Do we have to do work today, miss Ryan? Jeffery Morgan whined as he opened his battered copy of "Shane" As always, Jessie give him the same answer, "if I didn't teach you would be in my class next year and we both wouldn't want that would we Jeffery?" "No," he muttered sourly into the book. "Good. Now you will begin the summary of chapter eight you were supposed to do for homework. Two weeks ago. It was due today. Steven, Amanda, Toby and Michelle will finish," she began. She removed the chalk from the cupboard and began writing the date. As usual, there was a large sigh from Jeffery before he began. Cedar Oaks was a small town with three hotels, The Divine Palace, Cedar Mirage, and the Vintage Village. The beach were all easily accessible by all three and as Jessie drove her car to the Vintage Village she couldn't help admire the white sandy beach and coconut trees which lined the road. She hadn't been to the beach for some time and made a mental note to do so. Slowing down as she neared a fork in the road, she made a left turn. She drove down a small private road before the Vintage Excellence loomed before her. The hotel had been a mansion which had belonged to one of the early settlers at Cedar Oaks. The owner's mistress had taken it upon herself to create her own little community which looked like the home in England she missed. The result was small houses surrounding the mansion which was used when entertaining and for the forty servants which maintained the eighty room mansion. Years after the death of the owners, the estate remained undisturbed believed by the locals to be haunted by two servants that died saving their master and mistress from robbers pretending to be lost travelers. Some years later, descendents of the owners from England resurrected the estate and turned it into a hotel. Pulling up to the main building, she got out and handed her car keys to the handsomely dressed valet and walked up to the entrance. As she walked up to the information desk, she thought about the telephone conversation with Josie the night before. "What in the name of all that is holy possessed you to do something like that?" she had said as she got ready for bed. "Well he is new to Cedar Oaks and he doesn't know anyone. I just thought it would be nice if "someone" could, show him around." "That I understand. The fact that the "someone" is me is a whole different thing," "You're the only one free tomorrow," Memories Aren't Forgotten Ch. 03 "Trying to play cupid again I see," Paul said somewhere in the background. "Fine." She said giving in. her cousin sounded surprised. "Really? Great! That was easy. He's staying at the Vintage Village. I told him you'd pick him up at eight. I just know you two will hit it off." She hung up before Jesse changed her mind. Not that she would have. She remembered the promise she had made to Laura the few days before. Now as she stood in front of the desk with the young lady who stood behind it smiling politely at her, she had to mentally remind herself she was doing it for Laura and Chad to keep her from would have bolting from the hotel. Returning the smile, she told her her name and asked what room Adam was in. "He's expecting me. I'm a little early actually." She looked around the lobby as the lady checked the hotel log and rang Adam's room. A large crystal chandelier hung overhead adding to the hotel's vintage touch. Sculptures of wild animals and antique furniture also decorated the room. "It's room sixty one. He says you can come up. One of the boys will show you up. People get lost a lot in here. I'm afraid you'll have to wait though. We're short staffed today. There's a flu going around," she apologized looking embarrassed. "That's alright. I used to work here during my summer vacation from university. I'll go on up," Jessie smiled sympathetically. She remembered her days at Vintage Village and how hectic it was on weekends. "Thanks," she replied. As cross the thick plush carpet, her blue sneakers barely made an imprint. She waited a couple of minutes at the elevators before they opened. An elderly couple stepped out along with a middle aged woman wearing a yellow sundress that was a couple of sizes too small for her. Smiling brightly she headed towards the entrance completely oblivious of the people staring at her. Jessie rode the elevator to the sixth floor and headed to room sixty-one. She paused to smoothen her grey shirt over her jeans before knocking. An elderly man wearing a blue Hawaiian shirt with wild flowers splattered across it and white shorts answered. Thinking she had the wrong room, she was about to apologize when a smile lit his face. It was then she noticed how green his eyes were. "So you're the enchanting young lady my son is dressing up for," he began but was interrupted by a woman voice inside the room. She had a British accent. "Vincent, I hope you're not pestering Adam's friend." An elderly woman appeared wearing similar clothes to the man's. "Would you like to come in? Adam's on the phone with the other partners from Nepal. He will be done anytime now." They stepped aside for her to enter. "This is Vincent, Adam's father and I am Adrienne, his stepmother." "I'm Jessie Ryan." Jessie said. Adrienne ushered her to the large white sofa in the living room. Double doors were opened at the other end of the room displaying the scenic view of the Village. Adam stood on the balcony deep in conversation on the telephone. "Would you like something to drink dear, some iced tea perhaps? This weather is brutal isn't it?" Adrienne asked. "Yes it is it gets even worse during the months of August. A glass of water would be fine, thanks," Jessie told her. Vincent sat in the opposite chair as his wife went to get the water. "Are you a local of Cedar Oaks Miss Ryan?" he asked looking carefully at her. So that's where Adam got his intent gaze from. "Actually I moved her when I was little, when my parents died. To be honest I feel like Cedar Oaks has been part of me all my life. It grows on you I guess." "Yes I've been here only two weeks and I think I've met everyone here at least twice," he chuckled. "Population eighteen thousand and counting. Every year tourists visit here fall in love with the beaches and wildlife and decide to stay," she grinned. "Wildlife you say? Yes I have seen a rare species of humming bird while we were on the golf course, remember Vinny? Unfortunately I didn't have my camera," Adrienne pouted. Her face then brightened as she bobbed her head up and down. "We're visiting the Village's vineyard today. I supposed there'll be lots of birds there." Mr. Cambridge looked at Jessie. "My wife's a bird enthusiast, Jessie. May I call you Jessie?" "Yes of course sir." "Vincent and Adrienne will suffice. You make me feel as though I've been knighted by the queen," he laughed. Adrienne took a seat next to Jessie. "So what does a young lady do in Cedar Oaks?" "She teaches literature at the local high school?" she said. "And for fun?" "Fun? I forgot what that means!" she laughed. Looking outside she noticed Adam had finished his phone conversation. "I see you've met my parents. As you can see you're not the only one with strange kin." He began taking a seat next to her. Now there were two pairs of green eyes looking at her. And p pair of just as attractive blue ones. "You think we're strange darling?" Adrienne asked him. Just then the phone rang preventing him from answering her. She answered then hung up. "It's front desk. The car taking us to the vineyard is in the front. I'm sorry we have to cut our meeting short dear. Maybe you could tell me more of Cedar Oaks' wildlife over lunch?" she suggested. "That sounds good. It was a pleasure meeting you both." Jessie agreed. The elderly couple went out the door she came in earlier, leaving her alone with Adam. "Well were do you want to go first? As your official tour guide I suggest The Cedar Oaks Museum. It was built during the eighteenth century and has extraordinary artifacts from the past." she said standing "That all sounds very interesting but first I'd like to visit this couch." he began. "Don't worry I won't bite." She took a seat in the couch opposite him. "Let's see now. If memory serves me well a few days ago you didn't seem interested in being anywhere around me. Now you agreed to spend the entire day with me showing me the sights. Tell me what chat changed your mind Miss Ryan." His gaze remained unwavering. "I had a change of heart." She looked at the buttons that marched up the front of his blue shirt. "A change of heart," he repeated. He knitted his fingers together, and then smiled. "Then you are interested in me." "No! I mean I don't know. I guess I might be, I'm not sure. I don't usually go out with anybody my cousin set me up with." She began. "Not to mention I know nothing about you." "Okay then I guess this sight see is a good start to get to know each other. The Cedar Oaks Museum is where we'll start then." He said changing the topic. He rose from the sofa. "I'm not a convicted killer or demented lady killer so you don't have to worry."