Trained For Sin

Chapter 49

"Since we promised we wouldn't keep any secrets from each other." Genevieve trailed off walking down the stairs into the living room. Because of my injuries it has been easier for me to sleep downstairs on the couch unable to walk up and down the stairs yet.

"Let me guess you're name really isn't Genevieve." I joked making her stop in her tracks. "What? Did-Did you remember something?" She questioned with wide eyes making me chuckle. "No," I smiled up at her as she noticeably eased.

"I still can't even remember my own birthday or the name of my childhood dog." I hovered over the photographs in my hands as she continued walking up to me. "November 18." Genevieve answered sitting beside me on the couch. "And I believe her name was Hazel." She pointed to the chocolate lab in the photograph of me as a child. I couldn't help but smile down at her as she continued to look through the photos.

I stared at Genevieve, the beautiful woman looking through the photographs of me as a young man playing sports years ago. Pictures of me with my siblings and weddings, children. As the glossy images pass through her fingers as I glanced at her, anxious for any recognition of her. I enjoyed her company. She was kind and witty. I wanted to please her.

"What were you going to tell me?" I asked after a moment of silence making her look up at me confused. "Oh," She filled with realization. "Your family is planning a welcome home party today. My... brother and his wife will be here." She smiled hesitantly making my lips part.

"You have a brother?" I asked making her nod. "You never brought him up. Why isn't he here?" I asked making her sigh. "We were never that close." She stood up to walk into the kitchen. I watched her as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

"When are they coming over?" I asked placing the photos on the coffee table with the dozens of others. "Oh, they have been here for hours." Genevieve brought the mug to her lips. I looked around the large, quiet empty room in confusion. "Your family has been staying with us while you were in the hospital. And Valerie is determined to make it a surprise party. So, pretend like I didn't tell you." She smiled as I stood up gently stretching my tired and aching legs.

Holding my back as I tensed walking towards her in the kitchen. Genevieve watched me intensely making sure I wouldn't fall or need her help. "I'm sure I'll forget by then." I joked limping over to her sitting down at the barstool at the kitchen counter. Genevieve placed a mug of coffee in front of me.

"I've been put in charge of keeping you out of the sunroom. Apparently, Valerie didn't approve of my decorating abilities." She opened the fridge grabbing creamer and a jar of sugar from the cabinet.

"Yeah," I laughed. "you should have seen her during Jane's baby shower. She watched over all of our help like a hawk making sure everything was perfect and up to her standards. I swear she gets it from our mother." I breathed looking down at the creamer and sugar for my coffee that Genevieve handed me.

"I don't remember how I take my coffee." I said full of annoyance as she pushed herself off the counter coming closer. "But you remember your sisters baby shower. That's good." She encouraged. "It's only been a few days. The doctor said it could take weeks or months-" Genevieve continued. "Or not at all." I interrupted as our eyes met.

She masked her face looking away from me as she grabbed the creamer pouring it into my mug. Taking two spoonful's of sugar from the jar stirring it around. "It'll just take some time." Genevieve muttered putting the creamer and sugar away.

"I read that psychogenic amnesia limits retrieval of stored memories, but if light up your limbic system with some familiar memories..." She rambled not looking at me. "The details may help me remember." I finished. "It's worth a shot." Genevieve smiled enthusiastically.