Forgotten Pieces
By : Asher Wagner
It was just another party celebrating my new book. Same old
people, with the same things to say. “Wonderful story. Great Idea.” Or the
usual, “You did it again.” It was nothing to look forward to, or so I thought.
The party started out the same as all the others, even though my new book was
totally unlike all the ones published previously. I had decided to stop writing
my opinion on issues and people and actually tell a story. And can you believe
it, I wrote a love story, between two women, and it actually made the best
sellers list. I couldn’t believe that all my readers that read my opinion
actually read and liked my love story.
Of course, now that the new book was out so was I. It didn’t take any time for
the media to ask and I had told my publisher that I wasn’t going to lie. We both
knew it would be asked and she was scared about what it might do to my image and
of course how it would affect sales.
Robin has always been a good friend to me, even before she was my publisher, but
she was taught that she had to worry about how people would react to the news
and build a big uproar about it. We were all relieved when it wasn’t taken badly
and that everyone commended me on being bold and truthful.
So, even though it was a totally different kind of book, that in this day and
age made a statement, all my supporters still showed up at the party. Talking
about the same things with the same people. I even had more supporters this time
and some new people to meet and greet and impress. But, I still wasn’t prepared
for what was going to happen that night.
I showed up at the party early. Like I usually do. But no one else knew that,
except for a few close friends and Robin. I always came in through the back and
watched everyone else from a private room. Robin was always there to let me know
when it was time for me to make my public entrance. Except for that dreaded
time, I was left alone to have a drink, a cigarette, and a few deep breaths of
my own.
When I entered my private room, my usual drink was on a table next to an unlit
cigarette. God did I love the taste of a jack and coke and a camel. I picked
them up and realized that there wasn’t a lighter. I searched my pockets out of
habit even though I knew I didn’t have a lighter on me. Then I heard that
familiar sound. Nothing else sounded like it. I knew exactly what it was and
turned toward the click and zip. Sure enough, there was a dark-haired woman
standing in the far corner holding a lit Zippo.
“Need a light?”
“Uh… yes please.” I walked to the fire but couldn’t make out the face of who was
holding it. I leaned towards the flame and lit the cigarette that was in my
mouth. “Thanks,” was the only word I was able to let out of my mouth.
I took a long drag of my cigarette and a gulp of my drink. I gathered all my
wits and decided to try and speak again. “This is supposed to be a private room.
You’re not supposed to be here.” Of course it came out rude and snappy because I
really didn’t have a clue on how else to act.
“I know, but I wanted to talk to you privately. We have so much catching up to
do.”
“Do I know you?”
“I took your book as a sign that it was okay for me to make contact.”
“My book? As a sign? That book wasn’t about anyone in particular. Just a mixture
of the women I have encountered in my life. So I don’t know what sign you mean,
and I sure as hell don’t know who you are and what catching up we have to do.”
The brunette put the lighter on the table where it was supposed to be and took a
seat. In all her movements she didn’t take her eyes off of mine. It felt as if
she was searching for something in them. Something lost long ago.
“You really don’t know who I am? You used to say I was unforgettable even if you
tried.”
“Are you sure you have the right person?”
Then it looked like she tried to hold back a laugh before saying, “Oh yes I have
the right woman. I’d never forget your face or mistake you for someone else. We
have a history together. One that I’ll never forget but it’s quite clear you’ve
forgotten.”
“Forgotten what? None of this makes sense to me, and, no offense, I have
absolutely no clue who you are. Now, if this is a joke, I don’t find it very
funny. Everyone knows that I had an accident eleven years ago and I’ve had
plenty of frauds claiming to have the missing pieces of my life. I finally just
came to accept the fact that I’ll never know what happened and moved on instead
of worrying about the past. And now you’re trying to tell me that this isn’t a
joke or a con and you have the answers I’ve been looking for?”
“Well, yes. I was hoping you’d remember me at least a little bit so that it
wouldn’t be this difficult. Are you sure I don’t look the slightest bit
familiar?”
“Almost positive,” I said as I put out my cigarette, but wanting another one.
The brunette reached into her pocket as if she was reading my mind and pulled
out a pack of cigarettes that were my brand. She opened them and offered me one.
I took it gratefully and took a seat on the other side of the table she was
sitting at.
“Well JJ, I can give you all the proof you want. All you gotta do is ask.” She
held out the Zippo and lit my cigarette. I took a couple of drags and realized
what the most important question was.
“You know, with everything you’ve said, you still haven’t told me your name.”
“I was wondering how long it would take you to ask.” She smirked. “My name is
Blaire.”
“Now I know this is a joke. Just because you claim to know the missing parts of
my life and take the name of one of the characters in my new book doesn’t prove
anything. Get out before I call security.”
“Calm down JJ. I didn’t come here to upset you. As I said, I just thought
because of your book, you’d remember me, your past, and who you really were.”
The brunette smiled at me and it seemed as if she was waiting for something to
click in my head.
“I have no idea what you are talking about.” I tried to look away to get her to
stop staring, but I just couldn’t seem to. “I have not now, or in the past
eleven years remembered anything from before my accident. I don’t appreciate
this visit or this joke so please leave.”
“Okay. You got it. No need to get angry.” Blaire stood up and pulled a card out
of her pocket. “Let me say just one thing. I do know you and your past and I
want to help you remember it. If I remember correctly, you have a hidden safe
behind the bookcase in your office at home. Some things in there might help you
remember who you are. Here’s my card if you want to ask me any questions.”
She placed the card in the pack of cigarettes and dropped them on the table. She
started to walk away and turned towards me. The only thing I could think of
asking was, “How do I open it?”
“You should be able to figure it out. If you can’t, reread the unedited copy of
your book.” And that was her answer, I looked down at my cigarette that needed
ashing and when I looked back up she was gone.
I stared at the door trying to take everything in until I felt the heat from my
cigarette. I quickly put it out in the ashtray and gulped down the last of my
drink. I wanted another one but knew that I should keep my head as clear as
possible. I still had to deal with the party and everyone there.
I was brought out of my thoughts by a knock on the door. Robin came in with my
blazer in hand. “Did you not want to wear this or just forgetting things as
usual?”
“Oh, yeah. I’d wondered where I left that. Thanks.” She helped me put it on over
my dress shirt and then fixed the collar for me.
“Are you okay? You’re not your usual relaxed self. You usually aren’t like this
until after these parties, not before them.”
I took a step away and searched for the strength to make it through the night. I
decided not to tell Robin about the mysterious visitor until I could get home to
see if she was telling the truth. No use getting Robin worked up if it turns out
to be another con.
I took a deep breath and looked right at her. “I’m fine. Just a little nervous
about tonight. I’m sure you can understand that.”
“Of course I can. It’s a different kind of book, so there will be new people
here tonight.”
“I just don’t want people to think that I’m trying to make a statement or be a
leader for the lesbians. I only wrote a story that came into my head.”
Robin half smiled, and half smirked. “You may have only written a story that
came into your head, but you’re an accomplished writer who took a daring move to
not just be controversial in your books about thoughts and people, but you wrote
a story pertaining to a controversial topic. Now, it is a success. The people
love it and you’re still on the best seller’s list. I’m very proud of you for
coming out to the public and forcing us to publish this book. Unfortunately,
whether you like it or not, you did make a statement, and everyone commends you
for it.”
I sighed and looked down at the table. I picked up the pack of cigarettes and
lighter and pocketed them making sure not to let Robin see the card. “Well, I
guess I better get out there then.”
“Yeah, it is about time. Everyone had started to show up. You don’t want to be
late to your own party.”
“Yeah, yeah. Show me the way.” She smiled while putting her arm around my
shoulders and we walked out the back door to my limo. The limo pulled around the
corner to the front of the building and stopped at the main entrance.
The place was crawling with photographers and I was not looking forward to all
the flashes and not being able to see clearly for the next half hour. But I knew
it was unavoidable when all I really wanted to do was go home to see if there
really was a safe.
I couldn’t think about that now. I had a hard night ahead of me to get through
first. The driver opened the door and Robin got out first. Ever since my sexual
orientation came out it was easier to tell everyone that Robin and I were a
thing. She had no problem going along with it since her life was spent working
all of the time.
She put out her hand for me and I gladly accepted the help out of the limo,
since I was blinded by all the lights. We walked together arm in arm smiling for
the cameras. As I looked around, I could have sworn I saw the brunette from
earlier wink at me and when I looked again, she was gone.
I couldn’t help but smile and Robin squeezed my hand to tell me to go through
the door she was holding open. Once inside I was able to relax just a little
without all the cameras. A waitress came up with a tray of champagne and Robin
grabbed two glasses handing one to me. I took a sip along with a deep breath.
Robin took her jacket off and then took my arm to lead me around the room. She
introduced me to all the important people and I had no clue how she kept all
their names straight. By the time I met everyone my glass was empty and I wanted
something stronger. Robin just shook her head and got me another glass of
champagne. My puppy dog eyes didn’t even work, all she did was laugh and tell me
that I had to wait until later.
The rest of the party was pretty boring and just like all the others except for
a few new faces. Robin and I left together to keep up appearances and the second
I got in the limo I pulled out a cigarette and asked Robin to make me a drink.
She knew she couldn’t deny me and made it with a smile.
The first sip tasted great but I made the drink last until I got home. Robin
said her praises about the night and then said goodnight. I walked straight
upstairs to my office and started searching.
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The phone was clear and untraceable. “Yes sir… She’s home now… Everything’s the
same… Of course sir… I’ll keep a close watch.” The young woman hung up the phone
and got comfortable in her car for what she assumed would be another uneventful
night. ‘I can’t believe he’s still worried about her. So I have to spend
twenty-four seven watching her just like the past eleven years.’
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Maybe it is just a con. I’ve searched for the last half hour and haven’t found
anything that remotely resembles a hidden safe. I was standing in front of the
bookcase looking for anything out of the ordinary. All the books looked normal
along with the pictures of me when I was younger.
After searching all the books, I opened the ornate wooden box after trying to
pick it up and move it unsuccessfully. It was just filled with knick-knacks,
nothing special. I emptied everything out and nothing brought back any memories.
I’d done all of this before, of course.
When I first came home from the accident, I went through everything hoping to
remember something. Nothing worked, so I gave up and decided to make a new life
for myself. With the box empty, everything sitting out, and nothing else to look
through, I was about to give up and accept that I had been suckered in to
wasting my time yet again.
Then a thought came to me. What was it that the brunette said? Reread the
unedited version of my book. After sitting down in my chair and looking through
my drawers I found it. Suddenly, I knew what she was talking about. I flipped to
the page by memory and began reading.
When I was done, I picked up a coin to put it back in the box and when it hit
the bottom it made a hollow noise. I pushed on the inside of the box and then
pulled the bottom-lining up. There was a piece of unfinished wood with a little
handle on it. Pulling on the handle, it opened up and there was a light blue
panel. Since I had no clue what to do next, I followed my fictional book and
pushed down on it too. While my thumb was on it a red line went up and down and
let out a quiet ding.
The next thing I knew I heard movement coming from the bookcase and the mirror
centerpiece started to move upwards. Before it disappeared completely, I took a
step closer to see where it was going. Cut into the top of the wall bookcase was
a small opening that the mirror was being drawn up into. I was absolutely amazed
that at first I almost thought I was dreaming.
Turning my attention to the contents of the safe, there were a couple of
notebooks, a good amount of cash, some other papers and a gun. I had no clue
what these things were or even if they were really mine. I pulled out a notebook
and noticed the year 1993 written on the leather bound cover in golden
lettering. I pulled the rest out one by one, and each one had its own year
dating back three years from the first one.
The first one I opened, I almost dropped it because of what was inside. It was
my exact handwriting. These were my journals. The brunette was telling the
truth. It wasn’t a lie or a con. She does know about my past and me. I just
wonder why it took her so long to contact me.
I took all the journals to my desk and left everything else in the safe. I put
my thumb on the panel again and the mirror returned to its correct position,
hiding and keeping everything safe behind its door. I went downstairs and made
some coffee. Bringing a cup upstairs with me I sat at my desk and opened the
journal from the top of the stack.
The first thing I saw was a picture of the brunette. “Blaire,“ I whispered
holding the picture up. “Who are you?” I figured the answer to that question and
others were written within these pages in front of me. Looking at my new
discovery, I was positive I hadn’t even asked all the questions yet.