LET’S LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Rose stood in the doorway,
watching the Lakesworths step out of their new Renault town car. Rose stifled
down the pang of jealousy when she noticed how lovely Kimberly looked. She
wasn’t heavy with child, nor nauseous most of the time. Jack was sure to notice
this.
Thinking of Jack, Rose glanced
into the kitchen where Jack and Jacquelyn sat talking about their childhood, or
rather, Jacquelyn was talking about their childhood and Jack just sat there
trying to remember.
"Kimberly! My you do look
lovely." Nancy greeted their guests. "You do to Brendan."
"Thank you Mrs. Nancy."
Kimberly smiled. "We both thank you for your offer. I just hope I’m able
to help Jack."
"That makes two of us."
Rose joined her mother in law.
"Rose, you look
lovely." Brendan nodded.
"Thank you Mr.
Lakesworth." Rose gratefully smiled, her confidence being boosted a
little.
"So where’s Jack? I’d like
to reintroduce myself." Kimberly nervously smiled. She knew Rose didn’t
like her and didn’t really want to go through with this, so she wanted to make
this as quick and hopefully painless as possible.
"In the kitchen with
Jacquelyn. Come, follow me." Nancy beckoned for the younger woman to
follow her. As soon as the women were out of ear shot, Brendan grabbed Rose’s
arm.
"Have you completely lost
your mind?" He asked.
"No. I just want to help
Jack get all his memory back. Believe me, I don’t like this anymore than you
do. But I’m willing to do this for Jack."
"Even if you lose him in the
end?"
"Listen Mr. Lakesworth, I
have faith in my husband’s love for me. It’s still there, even though he
doesn’t have his memory back. He won’t leave me for Kimberly. But even if he
did…getting him well is worth the risk."
"You’re a strong woman Mrs.
Dawson."
Rose smiled half-heartedly.
"You’d be surprised." Rose followed the women into the kitchen. Her
heart sinks as she saw Jack standing and talking with Kimberly as if nothing’s
happened. "I take it you remember Kimberly."
"Yeah. But she was a lot
younger the last time I saw her." Jack glanced at his wife.
"And this is her husband.
Brendan Lakesworth." Rose cleared her throat. "They’re here to see if
seeing Kimberly will help you retrieve the rest of your memory."
"Do you think it’ll
help?" Jack looked questionably at Rose. She knew then that he trusted her
opinion and if she said so he wouldn’t go through with it, but she did want his
memory back so she was willing to go ahead with the plan.
"I think it may help.
Jacquelyn has a pretty good theory and it may just work." Rose smiled,
taking her husband’s hand. "Take a walk around town with Kimberly and see
if your memory returns. If it doesn’t…we’ll think of something else."
Jack smiled and pulled Rose into
a tender kiss. "Have I told you how much I love you?"
Rose nodded. "All the
time."
"Well I guess the kids
better be off." Nancy got to her feet. "Mr. Lakesworth, how would you
like some coffee and cake?"
"That would be nice Mrs.
Dawson." Brendan nodded. This was going to be a long and interesting wait.
"Rose here can keep you
company." Nancy nodded, disappearing into the kitchen.
"Take care of him."
Rose looked at Kimberly.
"I promise." Kimberly
nodded, understanding Rose’s concern. For a whole month they had thought Jack
was dead and it had nearly destroyed her as well as Rose, and to learn that
Jack was alive even though his memory was gone was a sure relief. Tentatively,
she took Jack’s hand, who by the way was still engrossed in his wife.
"Come on Jack. Let’s get started."
"I’ll be back." Jack
reassured Rose before following Kimberly out the door.
"I hope you know what you’re
doing." Brendan again sighed.
"So do I Mr. Lakesworth. So
do I." Rose wistfully sighed, hoping that she was still the one Jack loved
when he returned.