The Memory (11 page)

Geneva gaped at her grandfather’s blunt tone.  For once, she didn’t jump up and deny anything.  Something held her back.  Something stronger than her need to debate the issue. 
The truth
.  She did have feelings for Elliot, and they were breaking her heart.

Chapter 13

Rick couldn’t get over the change in his younger brother.  The two were driving home in Elliot’s new truck.  The bed in the back was loaded down with tools and equipment to be used for a lake project Elliot couldn’t quit talking about.

“Could you use some help?” Rick asked. An idea had popped into his head. Adam’s spring break was coming up the next week.  Peggy had mentioned getting away. 

Elliot smiled.  “Are you kidding?  I’d love the help.  What do you have in mind?”

Rick told him what he was thinking.

“You mean bring the whole family to Holly Park?”  Elliot blinked with bafflement.  “Even Mom?”

“Why not? She’s wanted to come see you.  It sounds like fun.  Adam needs to complete a Boy Scout project.  This would be a great opportunity.”

Elliot was pumped.  He’d wanted to show the place to the family, but was afraid they’d think he was crazy.  Olivia had exploded when he’d told her about the lake project he was taking on.

“You’re lowering yourself!”  She’d chastised him.  “You’re not a laborer.  You don’t work outside in the hot sun!  You’re an executive.  This is absurd!”

              Elliot explained Olivia’s reaction to Rick. 

“You are different,” Rick said, smiling.  “In a good way!  I always invited you to go camping with us, but you never wanted to.  You preferred long weekends at resorts where they catered to the rich and famous.  You liked spas and massages, things like that.  Roughing it wasn’t your style.”

“I can’t imagine being that way, Rick.”  Elliot rubbed the steering wheel of his new truck.  His Mercedes had been totaled in the accident, and he’d returned the rental car.  The oversized truck suited his needs better than the luxury sedan Olivia had picked out.  Now that he knew where he was headed and what he intended to do when he got there, he felt better about making changes in his lifestyle.  New vehicle, new work clothes, and new mind set.  His old memories were still buried, so he’d decided to make new ones.

“I’m glad you attended church with us yesterday,” Rick said on a whim.  “It sure made Mom happy.”

“You don’t have to keep telling me, Rick.” Elliot turned down their street.  “It was a good day for me, too.”  It had started out with a pancake breakfast and ended with a pork-roast lunch after church with all the fixings.  The service between had given Elliot the strength to make bold decisions. 

He had talked Rick into taking Monday off to help him.  Rick had obliged with no problem.  After Elliot purchased the truck, they drove to a home improvement store and filled the bed with everything he’d need for the lake. 

              “I hate to keep asking, but do you remember anything, Elliot?”  Rick asked as Elliot pulled into the driveway and parked.

              Elliot shook his head.  “Nope, and I’m tired of worrying about it!  I’m going to start living like the preacher said yesterday.  The past is done.  God forgives and expects us to seek His will.  I don’t know what His will is for me, but I’ve got to move on from the accident and head injury.  I’m hoping I will find the answers while I work.  I’ve got to be doing something.”

“You can always return to the company.”

Elliot’s expression screamed at Rick.  “I’m not sure I want to.  I feel more comfortable being outdoors.”

“By all means, do what you’re comfortable doing.”  Rick didn’t seem the least bit upset by Elliot’s disinterest in the company.  The bland reaction wasn’t lost on Elliot.

He knitted his brow at his older brother.  “You’re not bothered by my lack of interest in the family business.  Why is that?  Did you want me out?”

“I want you to be happy, brother.” Rick gave Elliot’s shoulder a squeeze. “That’s all.”

They got out of the truck and headed into the house.  Lunch waited for them in the kitchen.  Elliot decided to dig for information as the four adults circled the table.

“Did I ever talk about Geneva?”  He looked at Jewel and Peggy for their input, hoping the women had picked up on something Rick might not have noticed.

The women exchanged quiet glances. 

“Not really,” Peggy answered with a half shrug. 

“Why the secretive looks?”  Elliot asked, skeptical.

Peggy wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin.  “Well, to be honest, we always hoped you would become interested in Geneva.  We”—she gestured at the other two adults—“liked Geneva.  Jewel and I would bring her up occasionally in conversation, but you always seemed preoccupied.  You never took the hint.”

“You did favor her more than your other employees, though.” Jewel echoed Rick’s comments from days ago.

“How would you know that?”  A touch of sarcasm tainted Elliot’s tone.  “Did you observe me with my employees?”

Jewel stiffened.  “You may not remember me as such, Elliot, but I’m still your mother.  Don’t get on your high-horse with me.”

“Sorry.” Elliot reddened at the scolding. 

“There were company picnics and parties that I attended,” Jewel said with authority.  “Must I remind you, the company belonged to the family?  I enjoyed mingling with the employees.”

“What did you observe, Mom?”  Elliot twirled his fork in his pasta salad. 

“Nothing to write home about, that’s for sure,” Jewel started.  “You weren’t exactly the type to chase after women.  I’m not sure if you preferred them to chase after you, or you were just shy that way.” She stopped to gather her thoughts.  With a girlish smile, she continued.  “You seemed more comfortable around Geneva, more yourself.  In a way, you sort of let your hair down in front of her.  Not in a big way, but in a way a mother would notice.  I was shocked when I learned you’d fired the poor girl.  After that you became distant—and well—unlikeable.”

“So I’ve heard.” Elliot glanced at Rick who shrugged a shoulder at him.

“Hey, I was only being honest.”

“You quit going to church.” Peggy offered, disapprovingly.  “You hooked up with Olivia after that and practically abandoned the family.  You quit coming around as often then stopped altogether.  We barely saw you at the holidays.  We’ve missed you Elliot.  I know it’s probably wrong for me to say this, but your amnesia has brought you back to us in an unusual way.  The Elliot we all know and love seems to be reappearing before our eyes.”

Elliot was touched by his sister-in-law’s honesty.  He reached over and covered her hand with his.  “Thanks, Peggy.” Sitting around with his family gave Elliot a warm feeling.  It reminded him of his time with Geneva and her grandfather.  He couldn’t wait for the two families to meet.

              The idea prompted Elliot to open up more about his trip to Holly Park.  Since returning home, he’d been sketchy with the details.  Suddenly, he wanted these people, his family, to know everything.

“Geneva doesn’t look the same as she did when she worked for the company,” he told them. 

All three were awed by the significant pride in his voice.

Elliot described Geneva’s transition from glamorous, stylish sales representative to a woman of natural grace and beauty.  It was obvious Elliot was impressed with Geneva’s changes. 

“I’m not surprised she has become more comfortable in her own skin,” Peggy said after Elliot finally stopped gushing.  “Geneva’s ministry is all about women discovering their inner beauty and strengths as a way to build their faith so they can minister to others.  I’ve heard about the Serenity retreats from some friends who’ve been there.  I’d like to attend one.”

“I knew she was a redhead!” Jewel threw in her two cents.  “Her fair skin and freckles were a dead giveaway. She did a good job hiding most of them, but I’ve seen her in the sunlight.  Her skin was radiant. I imagine she’s still very beautiful.”

“She is Mom.” There was a dreamy quality in Elliot’s voice.  All three heads turned in his direction.  Elliot felt his skin go red as embarrassment rushed over him. 

“You’re smitten!” Jewel noted with an
Aha
in her tone. 

“I can’t deny I feel a connection to her, Mom, but I don’t know why. That’s what puzzles me. I should be having these feelings for Olivia, shouldn’t I?   This strange connection I’m feeling with Geneva might be nothing.”

Jewel’s eyes widened with joy.  “Or it could be deep rooted feelings you’ve tried to bury, but now, thanks to the accident, they’re finally surfacing.  Your amnesia might be a blessing, Elliot.”

“I agree,” Peggy and Rick uttered in unison with giddy smiles.

Elliot was stunned by the cheerful expression on each face.

“I can’t see how losing all my memories can be a blessing,” he moaned.  “I’m sitting here with my family, and I don’t even know you guys, at least not that well.”

“You will, son.”  Jewel patted Elliot’s hand.  Tears skimmed her eyes.  “The Lord knows what he’s doing.  Just trust Him in this.”

“You want Him to move me away from Olivia, is that it?”  Elliot asked, boldly.  He knew they didn’t like his fiancée.  Olivia had insinuated it several times while they were together. 

When all three flinched at his remark, Elliot knew he’d called it right.  Their disfavor with his choice for a wife was clearer than ever.  A strange sensation overwhelmed him.  He felt challenged and ambushed.  He became defensive.

“Some part of me must have loved Olivia.”  His tone flared like a porcupine’s quills. “I wouldn’t have asked her to marry me if I didn’t love her, right?”

“I wouldn’t call what you and Olivia have
love
.”  Peggy disregarded Elliot’s sudden touchiness on the subject.  She looked disturbed.  “It was more like a business deal if you ask me.  If it was up to me, you’d never remember your past with Olivia Swanson.”

“Now, Peggy,” Rick joined in as the voice of reason.  “Don’t get too critical.  We accepted Olivia in the family.”

Peggy nodded.  “You’re right, Rick.”  She turned to Elliot.  “I’m sorry, Elliot.  I didn’t mean to say what I did.  It was mean of me.”

“I accepted her, but it didn’t make me happy,” Jewel blurted.  “She’s not a believer and had no interest in becoming one.  I truly believe she pulled you away from the Lord.”

“Does that matter?”  Elliot’s iron-fisted tone surprised even himself. 

“Yes!”  All three cried out at the same time.

“Why are you suddenly so defensive?” Rick asked with his hands up.

Elliot blinked then shook his head.  “I don’t know.  I feel cornered all of sudden, like I’m on trial.”

“You’re not, Elliot.” Peggy reached out with a comforting hand.  She gestured to the other two.  “We love you and care for you.”

“But not my choices or lifestyle,” he snapped. 

“Sounds like the old Elliot.” Rick shook his head, impatiently. 

Elliot turned to his older brother.  “As long as I’m living the way you people want me to, I’m okay.  If I don’t, I’m going against God or the grain or whatever it is you label as a good life.”

Jewel shivered at her son’s belligerent attitude.  “I think we’ve discussed this enough.”  She gave Elliot a loving look.  “I don’t want you feeling threatened, dear.  You have a lot to deal with right now.  Peggy’s right, though.  We love you.  We’re you’re family.”

Rick and Peggy nodded their agreement.

Elliot stood.  The drama had left him drained and disturbed.  His combative attitude had caught him unawares, and he was troubled by the power it had over him.  He thought of Olivia’s obnoxious behavior and vowed not to become like her.

After exchanging goodbyes with everyone, he headed outside to his truck.  Rick walked with him.

“What was that about in there?” Rick wasn’t pleased.

“I don’t know,” Elliot answered, truthfully.  “It’s like I said.  I felt cornered.”

Rick gazed long and hard at his younger brother.  “That’s exactly the way you behaved around us.  You against the family.  That’s a piece of personality I was hoping not to confront again.”
              “What can I say? I’m sorry.”  Elliot slid inside the truck and shut the door.  The window was down.  “Let me know about next week, okay.”

Rick promised.  “Sounds like it’d be a great time.”  He patted the truck’s window frame.  “Take care of yourself, Elliot.”  

Elliot nodded then drove off.  Fear gripped him most of the way back to Holly Park.  His outburst at lunch bothered him.  It had felt odd yet familiar in some ways. That scared him.

Chapter 14

“Well, I’m here to help!”  Geneva appeared at Elliot’s cabin bright and early Tuesday morning, looking stunning in faded jeans, tee, and old sneakers.  Her hair was piled into a lopsided bun at the top of her head.  Elliot had to shake his eyes loose from the sight of her.

“I haven’t even finished my coffee.” He chuckled.  Geneva’s wholesome look and easygoing smile erased all the worries he’d fretted over in the night.  The squabble with his family had made him feel badly about himself.

“Good, I brought you something to go with it.”  She handed him a bag he hadn’t noticed her carrying.  “They’re fresh, hot, right out-of-the-oven, blueberry muffins.”

“Thanks!”  He stood back to let her inside.

Geneva plopped down in a chair and scanned the room.  It was clean but rundown.  Her heart went out to the Palmers.  Since they’d lost their son, things hadn’t been the same.  The place had definitely been neglected.  Elliot didn’t seem too bothered by it.

“Is that a new truck or another rental?”  Geneva asked.

“New,” Elliot answered around a bite of his yummy muffin.  “I figured I could get more use out of a hefty truck than a luxury car.”  He held up the rest of his muffin.  “These are delicious.  What’s in them?”  He’d been around Geneva long enough to know she always included a secret ingredient.

“Sour cream.” Her smile was tempting.

“How was your retreat?”  Elliot moved right along.

Geneva gave a brief report about the emotional weekend.