The Pieces We Keep(132)

“Nothing worth repeating.”

It was a truthful response. The woman’s report only raised more questions, none of which would ever really be answered.

“Turns out,” Audra said, “there’s a strong chance Jack was getting his ideas from other things. All logical ones. Looking back, it was pretty silly on my part.” She underscored the claim with a smile. “From now on, I’ve decided to focus on the present world—which I already have a hard enough time figuring out.”

“You and me both,” Sean said lightly.

She laughed, grateful for the elevated mood. They both sipped their drinks as a female barista called out customers’ names for drink pickups at the counter.

“So, how about your summer?” Sean asked. “You two have any special plans?” Obviously he intended to perpetuate their casualness, not knowing it was a subject Audra suddenly dreaded.

She shifted in her chair. “We’ll be ... moving to Boston. In the middle of July.”

“Boston?” he said. “You never mentioned anything.”

“Sorry, I probably should have. It’s just that the custody battle left us in limbo for a while. But they’ve dropped the case, so we’re able to stick with our plans now.”

Despite the disappointment in his eyes, it was ridiculous of her to feel even a twinge of guilt, or regret. They hadn’t known each other for even a month.

“Sounds like it’s all great news, then,” he said.

“It is. Really great.”

They were like two singles who had met at rehab, a transitional place meant for healing, not romantic hookups. Still, she hated the idea of walking away after all he had shared with her.

“What about you?” she asked. “Are you going to be okay?”

“Me? Oh, yeah, I’ll be fine.”

When he sat back in his chair, she searched his eyes for a genuine answer. “Are you sure?”

He contemplated the question and shrugged. “Each day’s getting a little better. I will admit, though, most nights have been pretty restless since the memories came back.”

If anyone understood that struggle, it was Audra. “Feel free to call me next time. I’m probably awake.”

He grinned and nodded as if he just might. Boston, after all, was only a phone call away.

“Are there other memories you’re getting? Good ones, I mean.”

“Yeah, more and more so. It’s like my mind was blocked by what happened over there. Now that it’s open, the rest of it’s starting to come through. I’m actually starting to feel like myself again.”

“Sean, that’s wonderful.”

He angled his body forward, hand resting on the table while holding his drink. “You know, I even ran into an old friend from the TV station I used to work at. Looks like a position’s opening up. So I was thinking of applying.”

“Oh, you definitely should. That’s amazing.” In her enthusiasm, she barely caught herself from reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. She pulled back and sipped more tea.

After a pause, she made a show of glancing at her watch. “You know, I ought to get going. Lots to do, with packing and all that.”

“Yeah, I should go too. I told Aunt Lu I’d run some errands for her after seeing you. So ...”

“You told her? And she didn’t warn you against seeing the crazy woman?”

He smiled. “She doesn’t think you’re crazy.” He almost sounded convincing enough to believe.

“Either way,” Audra said, “I’ve sort of accepted that crazy is the new normal.”

“That’s a huge relief—for me, that is.” The corners of his eyes crinkled before he rose from his chair. “Come on, I’ll walk you back on the way to my car.”

They tossed their cups into the trash and walked toward the apartment.

With the distance of one block, they rounded her building all too soon. Audra was searching for a non-cliché parting of If you’re ever in Boston when Sean came to an abrupt stop, his eyes straight ahead.

Perhaps another memory had come crashing back.

“Sean, what is it?”

“Aunt Lu,” he said, bewildered.

“What about her? Did you remember something?”

He shook his head, and motioned forward. “She’s here.”

Audra followed his indication and found Luanne in the parking lot. She had just stepped out of her car when she looked in their direction.

The expression on her face said the day’s discussions were far from over.





62


The announcement unleashed a torrent of emotions. In August of 1945, the Japanese Empire submitted its unconditional surrender. Vivian’s initial joy was as genuine as that of any serviceman whooping and hollering through Times Square. One by one the Axis powers had fallen-first Italy, then Germany-and now the six-year war had come to an end. Good had defeated evil, people proclaimed, a justification for atrocities best left unspoken. They would cling to this oversimplified truth while trading pats on the back and placing flowers on graves.