Alice: Recovered Memories

Something's Not Right

Night time had fallen and our entire family was gathered back at the house, plus our two guests.  Jake and Renesmee had returned from the beach and Edward had built a fire to keep them warm.  We all gathered around it.  Nessie was completely fascinated by Shelly.  As a vampire/human hybrid, she had a gift of her own which was similar to that of Shelly.  She had the ability to show people her thoughts through the touch of her hand.  They had spent the last couple of hours showing each other thoughts and images.

Renesmee yawned.  "It's getting late," Bella commented.  "About time for bed, honey."  Nessie frowned and Bella laughed.  "Don't worry; Shelly and Steve will be here tomorrow.  We'll have lots more time with them."

"OK," she said reluctantly.  She hugged Jacob and he told her good night.  She also hugged and kissed everyone else.  She took Bella and Edward by the hand and they walked back to their family cottage, a short distance from the main house. Though she was only three years old, she was physically about ten or eleven years old.  She was growing rapidly and needed sleep, unlike the vampire members of our family. 

Shelly smiled.  "Such a sweetheart.  It still amazes me... all of the unexpected gifts that our world has to offer."  We all nodded and murmured in agreement.  She stood up and looked down at her worn skirt.  "Alice, is your offer of a change of clothes still on the table?"

I smiled and sprang up.  "Say no more."

After Shelly had showered and washed her hair, Rosalie and I helped her comb through Rose's closet.  Since I am only 4'11", she was much closer to Rose's size.  She finally selected a green silk blouse, designer jeans, and a pair of ballet flats.  I had her sit down in a chair by the huge vanity in our bathroom and I began combing through her long red locks.  "I'm so jealous of your hair," I admitted.

She smiled.  "Thank you.  I used to be so self-conscious about it as a child.  Yours is pretty too.  I wish I had the face to wear such a cute short cut.  Of course, if I tried it out, though, it would never grow back, so I just left it like it is."  She paused.  "Do you remember why you cut your hair so short?  That doesn't seem like it would have been the style back in those days.  Not until the flapper era, anyway."

I paused.  I didn't have all of the details, but I had a pretty good idea.  I wasn't exactly sure how I ended up in the mental asylum.  I sat the brush down on the counter from where I had started braiding Shelly's hair.  "Rose, do you mind finishing Shelly's hair?"

"Of course not."  Rose picked up where I left off.

I sat down on the vanity counter, facing Shelly.  "Do you mind...?" I took her hand.

"No problem."

My mother rushed around the house, making sure the place was spotless.  She the proceeded to the kitchen to start making a large breakfast.  My father was due back that morning and she wanted everything to be absolutely perfect. 

"This smells really good, Mama," I told her as I set the table out with plates, silverware, and linens.  "Father will be here in just about ten minutes." 

My mother turned around to stare at me.  "Don't forget what I said, Mary Alice.  None of that kind of talk with him around."

"I remember."  I finished setting the table in silence.  After a few minutes, as I predicted, my father came in.  He greeted my mom with a kiss and I ran into his arms and hugged him.  I looked up at him.  He was tall and even though he was fair complected like myself, he also had black hair and brown eyes, just like me. 

"How did the trip go?" my mother asked him.

"I don't think it could have gone any better.  I made some strong contacts up in Chicago." He smiled, like he was withholding some sort of secret joke.  He sat down at the table and my mother began serving him.  I helped her.  "Are the Bursons still due for dinner with us tonight?"

My mother nodded.  "Yes.  I went down to see Mrs. Burson yesterday and we spoke briefly.  She is very excited and is really enjoying living here.  She's a very delightful lady."

"Excellent."  We had all taken a seat at the table and ate in silence for a few minutes.  My father seemed to be contemplating something.  He finally spoke.  "Edna, my dear, things went so well in Chicago that I'll be returning next week for a few days.  There have been arrangments made for me to meet with a few more potential clients, possibly even someone who may be interested in relocating here and becoming a business partner."

My mom had been frowning but then started to smile in spite of herself.  "Well, it's unfortunate that you'll be gone again so soon, but that does sound like a great opportunity."

"Truly, it is.  I appreciate your support on this.  I know I've been absent a lot lately." 

As I listened to them, I ate in silence.  Then, out of the blue, I had a flash.  It was of a woman in her early twenties, quite a few years younger than my mother.  She had blonde hair and was sitting in what appeared to be a bar or night club, smoking a cigarette in one of those long cigarette holders that were popular at that time.  She leaned over a table and whispered into my father's ear.  They both laughed and she kissed him. 

Suddenly, I was back in the present (of my vision) and we were at the breakfast table.  I hoped that my father hadn't noticed my little lapse from the present.  He could usually tell when I was having a vision because I would get a blank look on my face.  He stopped eating for a moment, stared across the table at me, and frowned.  He shook his head very subtly, so that my mother wouldn't see him.

He had seen me.  I had seen him.  And I knew that I was in big trouble.