No Memory

14

"What do you mean she left?" I ask through the reciever. Holloway sighs on the other end.

"Grace left for New York right after she saw you at the hospital, said something like, 'He needs to know.' Whatever that means all I know is that she's midflight over the contienent." Holloway answers.

"What the," I stop when I look outside. The sun shines brightly. Today was my first day as a free woman. My sister saved my life. The man I love is alive. I was going to know who I was. I shake my head.

"Thanks for letting me know," I sigh into the phone and hang up. I put Charlie's phone back into my pocket. It will be awhile for Charlie to get out of the hospital. I refused the nurses and doctors. Charlie however was worse than I was.

"Who was that?" Charlie asks me as I walk into his room.

"Holloway, looks like I'm free for lunch," I smile and sit in the brown chair next to him. I was already ready to go. I put on jeans and a cute green blouse. Charlie holds my hand. I hope he never lets go.

****

2 months later

"Charlie what is that?" I point at the small mess of fruit peelings on the ground. He looks down at the orange peels as he takes a bite of the orange slice.

"I'm eating, I'll pick that up later," he smiles. I shake my head and pick up the orange peelings. Charlie and I have been living together for 3 months. I have been working at the LAPD as a detective. I guess after we got my files over frrom New York. Apperantly I solved a lot of cases. I was pretty proud of myself actually. We don't work together. Charlie and I have little battles over who solves better cases.

I really love him with all my heart. I've been waiting to ask about something more than being his girlfriend. Of course its only been 3 months and maybe its just a thing. Maybe we don't have chemistry. That might as well be the case.

"No more eating in the living room," I wink as I throw the peels in the garbage. I wash my hands in the sink.

"But it is my house," he smiles his mouth full of fruit. We haven't been called into the office for two days now. Maybe boredom is eating away at my own brain. Recently all I do is pick up trash and I sit in our room as I throw a ball at the wall. Charlie thinks I should go to therpy. Recently I think I might need it.

Every night I wake up from a nightmare. Charlie is always there for me but I know it's putting a strain on him as well.

I shake my head as I dry my hands off and sit at the table. I found I like to draw. Sometimes I find myself drawing a picture of the bridge. I haven't been there since Fred was killed. Sometimes I draw a picture of Charlie. It's weird how good I am. Suddenly I hear the phone ring. Charlie answers it.

"Hello," he says. I look at him as he talks. He gives me a smile and a wink.

"I'll be there soon," he hangs up.

"Got a case?" I ask. He nods and rushes up stairs. He was wearing a pair of jeans and some plain shirt. It's weird seeing him in casual clothing. I always see him in a suit.

I continue my drawing. I zone in on it so much I almost miss the doorbell ringing out. I get up and walk across the living room. I open the door.

"Hello," I say. A man with a black suit stands in front of me. His light brown hair is in a slight up do. His kind blue eyes smile when he sees me.

"Oh my god it's you!" He exclaims and hugs me. I'm taken aback. I have no idea who this guy is. I awkwardly hug him back. He pulls away and kisses me cheek.

"Ya it's me, now who are the hell are you?" I ask. The man smiles.

"You and your sarcasm," he smiles. Was that what that was?

"I'm Henry Freeman, your fiancée," he smiles and holds out a very beautiful diamond ring. I look at it and suddenly a freight train of memory hits me.

"Henry," I gasp. I remember him. I remember loving him. I feel myself nearly fall over.

"Anna, come back with me," he grabs my hands. I steady myself with his grasp.

"Anna who's here?" I hear Charlie come down the stairs. I don't look at Charlie. I keep my eyes fixed on Henry.

We meet in a bookstore. I dropped three books on the ground after tripping. He helped me up and picked up my books. When I saw him I...

"Charlie, this is my fiancée Henry," I say. Charlie stops next to me.

"Hello, you must be the detective that helped her," Henry holds out his hand. I look to Charlie. He sees the diamond ring in Henry's other hand. Charlie smiles painfully and takes Henry's hand.

"Yes, nice to meet you," Charlie forces a happy face.

"Well, I suppose you want to go get your stuff, our flight leaves at 8:45," Henry nods to me. I nod slowly in a trance as I walk away to the stairs.

"I'll go help her," Charlie says, "make yourself comfortable, the bathroom is on the right."

"Thank you," Henry says happily. I walk into Charlie's room. I hear Charlie come up behind me.

"Fiancée?" Charlie whispers to me. I turn around and shake my head in disbelief.

"He's taking me back home," I frown slightly.

"But, what about me?" Charlie asks. I look away. What about Charlie? I love him! I can't leave him.

But I made a promise to Henry. I promised to marry him probably a year ago.

"Charlie, I love you but...." I sigh and walk to the closet. I start taking my stuff out. I lay it on the bed. Charlie watches me.

"I...I better go," Charlie says. I look at him. He goes to the door. I grab his hand. I stand on my tiptoes and kiss him. He kisses me back.

"I love you, forever but I love him too," I sigh as I pull away from the kiss.

"I know," Charlie whispers and walks away.

I watch him walk down the stairs.

I close my eyes. I have to continue packing. I grab my clothes. The clothes Charlie bought me. I sigh as I stuff them in a bag.

I hear Charlie's car pull away.

When he gets home tonight....

I'll be on a flight across the country...