Finders Keepers

Rachel was a bundle of nerves by the time she reached BCUH only to be told neither her husband nor his doctor was still there. Jules’ few words scared the hell out of her. ‘He needs you.’ That could mean anything from ‘he’s bleeding to death’ to…well with Carl, you never knew.

Rachel shook her head to banish the negative thoughts. Everything would be fine.

Why had she walked away mad this morning? She regretted that their last words were hateful ones. Resentment against her job had been simmering between them for a while, but she’d ignored it. They both had. It wasn’t as though she wanted to spend so much time working, and she’d told him as much. Told him, but she’d failed to act on her words she realized now. Helming Cory might be her duty, but she’d never intended to make it her life.

As the car pulled up to the front of the mansion, Rachel saw the lone figure of Jules slumped against the front door, head in hands.

Bad news, she knew it.

Now every step felt like she was walking in oatmeal. What if she’d raced home only to find him dead?

"We found him in the woods, Remy and I."

Rachel had to strain to hear her.

"I’ve done every test, considered every possibility. He signed out AMA and returned here. I don’t know what to tell you other than he’s fine. For the moment." Jules’ voice quivered. "I do know he was still having headaches he’s been hiding from you, but I don’t believe they were caused by a tumor. Your theory just might be right."

"The headaches," Rachel repeated. "I had no idea."

"There’s no way you could have known."

Rachel’s world tilted. "He lied to me. He promised me he would never lie to me again."

"He didn’t wish to burden you further Rachel, I’m sure." Jules swiped at her red-rimmed eyes. "He’s awake. You need to see him; he may want to talk to you. He’s in one of the outlying buildings."

"And you’re sure he’s okay?"

"For the moment, but there’s a difference I think you’ll notice."

Rachel wondered at the cryptic remark but decided Carl was more important than continuing the conversation.

"Rachel."

Rachel spared the forlorn doctor one final glance.

"I’m sorry." Jules cleared her throat. "For what it’s worth, he didn’t know."

Rachel gave her an absent-minded nod and entered her home. It was time to assess the damage and deal with whatever awaited her.

*)*(*

The quiet of her little cottage was a welcome change after the stress of the hospital. Between her worry for Carl and the realization he’d regained his memory, Jules wanted to sleep for a week. Naturally, the phone chose just that moment to ring.

"Talk."

"Is that how people in Bay City behave or is it just your true colors finally showing?"

"Ruthie, how good it is to hear your voice. It’s been unbelievable! Just like a roller coaster." Jules sighed. "I wish you were here."

"Because you sound beat I shouldn’t say it, BUT - I was right."

"You were absolutely right. I just wanted to be near him Ruth. I had no idea and nothing makes sense anymore. It’s all like some dreadful melodrama."

"I’ve always been curious about something Jules. It’s bugged me for so long, I just hafta know."

The line crackled as Jules waited. "Well go ahead, I have nothing left to lose. Ask your question."

"It’s not a question honey. I just want you to tell me why this man is so special to you."

Jules contemplated the request. What the hell, she felt the need to spill her guts. "Remember my vacation last year when I rented half an island?"

"Yes, you were gone for a while."

"More than a month. One morning I was walking along the beach when I stumbled upon this man who’d washed up on shore."

"Jacob."

"Warning bells should’ve gone off the moment I laid eyes on him. I mean, who finds a man on their beach? Anyway, I took care of him and when he came to, he didn’t know who he was. His mind was a blank yet he didn’t seem too concerned about that. He was SO charming, so different, that within a matter of days I was hooked on having him around."

"If he was half of what he was at the clinic who wouldn’t be."

"There’s more."

"How much more?"

"We were alone on an island Ruth. It was hot, clothing was shed right along with inhibitions. I don’t like to kiss and tell, but I never felt so free before."

"You slept with him."

"What do you think?"

"My God Jules, you should have told me sooner."

"It’s none of your business! I’m only telling you now because it’s been eating me up inside and I just can’t take it any longer. He made me feel things I’d never experienced with another man. I loved him and he loved me. At least I think he did. After the surgery he couldn’t remember we’d ever been together. I went from lover to doctor in one fell swoop."

Ruth digested the new information. "Okay, I get the affair part. Sexy stranger with no memory sounds pretty good to me. Now explain how he became your patient."

This was Jules’ least favorite part of her long and strange tale. The helplessness she felt that day far outweighed today’s drama.

"We were on the return transport to the clinic when he had a seizure and collapsed. Since the clinic was better equipped than any of the area hospitals, I took my chances."

"And passed him off as a stranger. It’s hard to believe you fooled Thacker."

"It wasn’t that hard," Jules snorted. "Thacker squealed like a little girl when I informed him my procedure could be used to save someone. Publicity you know."

"Tell me more."

"Oh no my friend. I’ve revealed enough for one day. I need to sleep now."

"Alright, but I want you to finish my bedtime story later. Keep in touch too. Those letters are too few and far apart."

"Will do."

"Wow!" Ruth was clearly still in shock. "You know Jules, I never thought you had something like that in you. You’ve always been more of a spectator."

"A friend told me that not too long ago."

"Yeah, well, love you honey. Nitey-night."

"Love you Ruthie." Jules hung up. There she’d finally told someone. So why didn’t she feel better?

Jules trudged up the stairs and into her bedroom. Getting down on her hands and knees, she pulled a small wooden box from under the bed. Cradling it like the world’s most priceless treasure she crawled into bed and switched on the lamp.

Letting her finger trace the intricate knots carved into the top, she allowed herself to remember the carefree day they’d found it at a flea market in the nearest outpost of civilization. He’d told her she could keep her treasured possessions in it and she’d later cut a lock of his hair for the first official keepsake.

Jules lifted the lid and felt tears forming in the corner of her eyes. First came the hair wrapped in ribbon and a few shells he’d given her. He’d taken a one and made it into a necklace for her, which she’d worn like the finest diamonds.

Next came the photos. The first was of a sleeping Jacob. She’d caught him in the bed one morning naked and oblivious to the world. The second she couldn’t believe was herself because the woman looked so happy. And she had been happy for a glorious brief time.

In the bottom of the tiny chest an envelope was safely hidden. With trepidation Jules withdrew it, took out the contents and, for the thousandth time, looked at the two photographs. She had handled them so much they were beginning to fray around the edges. Newly familiar faces stared back at her, making her stomach churn.

She’d fully intended to return them to him after first finding him on the beach. She’d even contemplated using them to track down his family. However, she’d kept them a secret even when he began to question his identity. He couldn’t remember the time they’d shared so there couldn’t have been any harm.

Jules now regretted her decision. If Carl ever knew how duplicitous she’d been…Jules shuddered and placed the worn pictures of Rachel and the grubs back in the box. She was so tired.

Putting the box to the side, Jules pulled back the top sheet. A lifetime had passed since she’d found her mystery man on the sandy shores of paradise. Unable to keep him, she’d pined for him until she followed her heart and found him. Yet she could lose him if he chose to tell Rachel the truth. At least he was now free from the demon of lost time.

Jules snuggled under her sheets and willed her body to relax. If Rachel hated her, if Carl turned her away, she’d live through it. Life would go on.

As her eyes slid shut, Jules knew she could handle the consequences no matter what, but it’d have to wait until tomorrow.

She needed her beauty sleep.

The End

*(*)*