The Forgotten Christmas Letter (#opennovellacontest)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The way Nick's mother seemed disappointed in her made Callie sorry she'd forgotten her. His mother must have been fond of her to have greeted her so warmly. Come on brain, remember!

As Nick's mother showed her around the complex, Callie was very aware of Nick walking alongside her and glancing at her every now and then, possibly hoping for signs of recognition. She only wished she could recognize something, anything that might jog at least one memory.

"Here's my work station." His mother stopped in front of a huge bank of monitors and a large console.

"You run this, Mrs. Halliday?"

"Please, call me Dana. I monitor and answer every email that come in." She tapped a few keys and a map of the world came up on screen showing thousands of white dots.

"Those are emails?"

"Yes. Emails asking us for help." She smiled over her shoulder at Callie. "Ring any bells?"

Callie bit her lip. "No. I wish it did," and caught the brief sad glance Nick's mother threw his way.

"Why don't you stop by for dinner at my place tonight? Nick can bring you."

"Thank you, uh, Dana. I'd like that." Callie beamed a gratified smile at her, but Dana's smile back was guarded. Perhaps she shouldn't have offered to write an ad comparing. His mother was quite abrupt in saying they had their own marketing division.

"Yes, Nick mentioned you had started a new job," was her cool response.

"Writing ads for major tourist attractions."

"We're not a tourist attraction." Dana replied.

"Nor do we want to be." Nick chimed in and by his tone he didn't like the thought of what her new job entailed.

Callie got the message loud and clear. Don't write about us or this town. There went her assignment. "I understand."

At that, both Nick and Dana look relieved as they shared a look. When Nick said goodbye to his mother before they left the Center, Callie caught another shared look, one she wished she could have interpreted as the glance Dana threw her way, Callie knew it was about her. Or was she just being paranoid on finding out that his mother was an online psychologist?

"What was that about?" She asked Nick as they walked to his truck and didn't just see but felt his thoughtful gaze at her.

"She's worried if you'll ever remember." Then he glanced away. "As am I," then held the passenger door open for her.

The ride down the hill was silent. Callie was worried too, so far nothing she had seen had sparked any hint of a memory.

"I'll pick you up at five," Nick said as he dropped her off at the hotel, glancing at his watch.

"Okay."

When he just waited for her to step out of the truck himself that told her more than words he was in a hurry to be somewhere.

"Maybe you could show me where you work. Ah, when you're free?" The confined space of the truck's cab seemed to grow more intimate as she gazed into his eyes.

He seemed to lean closer then quickly sat back. "Yeah, sure."

Callie bit her lip, opened the door and stepped out. He gave her a brief wave before driving off but the pleasant tingly feel that he even acknowledged her in that small way made her long for more. Like wishing he had leaned close enough and kissed her.

While Nick was off at work she decided to explore the shops, looking for a gift to bring to tonight's dinner. Having no memory made it hard to decide what to buy for Nick and his mother. It was while she was picking up items and setting them back down that she overheard a couple of shoppers in the next aisle talking about Nick.