Finding Carrie (16 page)

“Well, I hope everyone has a good show,” she said, slipping her hand in the crook of his elbow and resting her head on his shoulder. He laid his head on hers.

“Are you not coming tonight?” he asked. She lifted her head and looked at him with an apology in her eyes.

“It’s one thing with these people, but with the audience, what will they think of me?” she asked, shaking her head.

“You have to come. I need you to come,” he said, placing his hand on hers.

“Look at my face. How can I walk about so many people and look the way I do?” Carrie asked.

“Oh, under the bathroom sink is a bunch of theatrical makeup. Amy is going to put some on you so no one will know you have even one cut on your face,” he said. “I really do need you to come tonight. I want to look for you in the audience and see your face.”

“Can she do that? Make my cuts go away?” she asked.

“Yes, she can,” he said.

“Okay, for you I will be here, but only for you,” she said, resting her head back on his shoulder.

“Thank you,” he said. He heard her breath as she exhaled. He loved her so much, and she was showing him that she loved him. He wondered if she knew that. He looked up as Maggie approached where they were sitting.

“Hi, Isaac,” she said then lowered her head to look at Carrie. “Hello, Carrie.”

Carrie raised her head and smiled at Maggie. “Hello, um, Maggie, right?” She looked at Isaac to see if she had it right. He nodded, and she smiled back at Maggie. Maggie looked shocked that she knew her name. She sank down in the chair and extended her hand toward Carrie. Carrie leaned up and placed her hand in Maggie’s. It was an automatic move. Maggie opened her mouth.

“Oh dear, do you remember me?” she asked. Carrie shook her head but kept the smile on her face.

“No, I’m sorry, I don’t. Isaac just told me your name a few minutes ago.” She leaned in close, wrinkles forming on her face. “To tell you the truth, I don’t know anyone here.” Maggie looked down at the table and pulled her hand back, out of Carrie’s. She was disappointed. She was so hoping that she was remembering. She looked back up from Isaac to Carrie’s face.

“Oh well, I have to say, if I didn’t know you, I would never have known you have amnesia. You are very convincing,” she said.

“Oh well, thank you,” Carrie said, leaning back in her chair.

“Isn’t she, though? Everything about her is there. Her emotions—the way she holds herself—it is all her, but she just can’t remember anything,” Isaac said, pushing the hair off her shoulder. Carrie looked at him in the face. She was blushing; she tucked her bottom lip between her teeth and smiled.

“Yes, I have to say, that is her in there,” Maggie said.

“Oh, you guys,” she said, forgetting for the first time about the wounds on her face. She rubbed her hand along Isaac’s cheek then leaned into kiss him. “What would I do without you?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” Isaac said, brushing her cheek with his lips. “I love you,” he whispered. Maggie shifted and stood up.

“I wish you all the best,” she said and walked away.

“Thank you,” they said at the same time. Isaac looked down at the watch Carrie had given him for their anniversary.

“Oh, Amy should be waiting outside for you,” Isaac said, standing up. “We are going to have to get all animaled up soon.” Carrie looked disappointed. He sat back down, taking her hand. “What is it, what’s wrong?”

“I just was getting comfortable, and now I have to leave,” she said. He smiled.

“Oh well, don’t you want to get all dolled up for me? I don’t want you to go, but I have to get in the cat costume,” he said.

“Yes, I suppose, but how will I find my way back?” she asked.

“Well, I’m sending a car to pick you up at six thirty. Then I will have someone waiting at the front door for you to show you to your seat and to show you backstage,” he explained. The worry on her face went away.

“You thought of everything, didn’t you?” she asked.

“Aw, well, I try,” he said.

“Okay, I’d better go. Amy’s waiting,” she said, getting up off the chair. Isaac walked her out. When they saw Amy standing on the steps, he swung her around to his body and dipped her like they were dancing. She giggled a little and opened her eyes to see his face. He leaned down and kissed her as he straightened her back up. For a moment, time dissolved and the earth disappeared. There was only the feeling of his kiss. She was lost and didn’t want it to stop, but Amy cleared her throat. They leaned away from one another. Carrie was in complete awe at the moment. She didn’t want to leave him.

“Carrie, we have to get going if you’re going to pick up your dress,” Amy said. Carrie just looked at her. She didn’t have any idea what she was talking about, but she shrugged and walked toward her. Isaac grabbed her hand, and she looked back at him. He bowed low and kissed her hand.

“Until later, my lady,” he said. She smiled and watched him disappear back into the theater. She turned back to Amy and sighed.

“Oh gosh, you two. Even when you can’t remember, you two are all gooey,” Amy said. Carrie just smiled and walked down the stairs. Amy followed her. Carrie reached the sidewalk and just kept walking. The farther she got away from the theater, the more she wanted to go back in. She didn’t know where she was, but she kept walking. The only thing she could think of was Isaac and how he kissed her like that and everything just went away. Had it always been like that? She didn’t honestly know, and what made matters worse was that she didn’t know where she was going. She just kept walking.

“Carrie,” Amy said, and Carrie jumped then turned around to look at Amy. “You’re going the wrong way.” Carrie looked toward the direction she had been walking.

“Oh,” she said then turned to walk to other way. “I knew that,” she said as she walked by her. Amy made a snort under her breath.

“Sure you did,” she said as she caught up with Carrie. “You are always like this when
he
kisses you.” Carrie turned her head up, looking at Amy with shock.

“I am?” she asked. Amy nodded her head.

“Every single time. Carrie, I know you two love each other but can you just tone it down a little?” she asked as they reached the dress shop that was only a half a block from the theater. Carrie stopped in front of the store, thinking about what Amy just asked of her, but she wasn’t sure that she wanted to tone it down like she asked, so she stuck out her chin.

“I don’t think I want to. I kind of like the feeling I have when he kisses me,” she admitted. Amy smiled and laughed as she held the door open so Carrie could walk in. Carrie went in without hesitation.

“I know, I know. I just wish I had the same thing sometimes,” Amy said as the door slammed shut, but before Carrie could say anything else, the owner of the dress shop came out with her arms wide.

“Oh my gosh. Mrs. Walsch, I was wondering when you were coming to see me. I have your dress all ready,” she said with her hands on Carrie’s shoulders, nudging her to the back. Carrie looked over her shoulder at Amy for reassurance.

She led Carrie back to where there was a dress hanging. “Here is your dress. Do you like it?” she asked. Carrie was amazed at the blue dress that was made out of Japanese-looking material. It was short, maybe knee length, and it looked like it had a low neckline. “You do like it? Don’t you? I made it with the exact instructions,” the dress shop owner said. Carrie looked up at her.

“Um, it’s perfect,” she said, turning to look at Amy. “I think?”

“Carrie, it is what you wanted. Why don’t you try it on?” Amy asked.

When Carrie stepped closer to the dress, she had also stepped into the light and the dressmaker saw her face for the first time. She made a horrible gasp, and her hand went up to her mouth. “Oh, darling, what happened to you?” Carrie put her hand up to her face to cover some of the marks.

“I was attacked,” she said through her hand. She had also put her other hand on her side.

“Not your charming husband?” she asked and put her hands in the air. “Please tell me he didn’t do this to you!” Amy wrapped her arm around Carrie to comfort her, and then answered for her.

“Of course he didn’t,” she said. The dressmaker put her hands over her heart in relief.

“At least I don’t think he did. I don’t remember, but he has been treating me with a lot of love,” Carrie volunteered. The dressmaker looked back and forth between the two, looking for the meaning of what Carrie had just said. It was Amy who filled in the blank for her.

“She has amnesia, but I can assure you her husband would never do this to her. What I understand is that the person who attacked her also kidnapped her mother-in-law,” Amy said. Carrie’s heart began to race at the mention of her mother-in-law. For some reason, she felt guilty about something when it came to her mother-in-law. If she could only remember why, her heart might not pound so much.

“Oh thank god. He is so charming, I had to make sure. Now, why don’t you try on the dress for me?” The dressmaker gestured toward the dress. Carrie stepped away from Amy and toward the dress. The dress was beautiful, but she couldn’t believe that she had it special made and why.

While in the dressing room, Amy helped her get the dress on. It had a zipper, but it also had like a hundred buttons that covered the zipper. “God, Carrie, did you get enough buttons?” Amy asked.

“I’m sorry, I don’t remember getting the dress,” Carrie said, watching them in the mirror. The dress went down to her knees, and the collar was only low enough that it exposed her collarbone. It was barely covering her shoulders. It had black trim and it had little dragon and flowers embroidered all around it.

“I know, I’m sorry. It’s just that when I talk to you, it seems sometimes like you are you. I can’t help it. You’re my friend,” Amy said and wrapped her arms around Carrie to give her a hug from the back. Carrie raised her hands and rested them over Amy’s arms. She leaned her head back on Amy’s head.

Amy raised her head and dropped her arms then walked around her to admire her in that dress. “You look amazing. Isaac is going to love you in that dress,” Amy said.

“You think so? I’m not quite sure that I like the color,” Carrie said, looking down at the dress.

“Blue isn’t your favorite color. It’s Isaac’s. You like purple,” Amy said.

“Oh, I see,” Carrie said, admiring herself in the dress. The dress was formfitting, and she was happy she had a tiny waist. It was the first time she had worn something that showed her lovely curves. The dressmaker peeked in and walked in.

“Oh my, Mrs. Walsch you look lovely,” she said clasping her hands together.

“Thank you,” Carrie said.

“Now let’s get you out of it so you can get on your way,” she said, leaving the dressing room.

Amy hurried to unbutton each of the buttons, but she didn’t protest because the dress really did look good on her.

“Amy, you have what I have,” Carrie said. Carrie stepped out of the dress and went to put her clothes back on. Amy hung up the dress and turned to find out why she said that.

“What?” Amy asked.

“Earlier, when you said that you wished you had the same thing that I have with Isaac. You do. It’s just little different than what I have, but you do. I saw it last night,” Carrie said.

“Oh.” Amy said was silent for a moment then asked, “You really think so?”

“Yes, I do. You’re not lacking anything,” Carrie said with a smile. Amy laughed.

“Well, let’s get you home and get you ready for the theater,” Amy said.

Carrie walked out to the counter and Amy handed the dress to the maker. The dressmaker put it in a garment bag and rang up the dress. “One hundred and fifty,” she said then looked up to Carrie for payment. Carrie just looked confused. Amy grabbed her purse, pulled out her credit card, and handed to the dressmaker. She took the card and ran it through. She handed Carrie a pen and asked her to sign the slip. Carrie was even more confused, and she looked at Amy. She lowered her voice and was embarrassed.

“Amy, I don’t know how to sign my name. I haven’t had to do it,” Carrie confessed. Amy looked at the slip. She knew what it was and what her pen name was, but she hadn’t had to do it yet since the attack.

“Just write this,” she said and pointed to the name.

“Okay, but I’m not sure how it will look,” Carrie said.

“Don’t worry about it,” Amy said, watching over Carrie’s shoulder as she copied the name. “Not bad. It almost looks like it always did.” Carrie smiled up at her when she handed the slip to the owner.