DIAMOND KEYS

THIRTY-ONE

We had been practicing for over three hours and now we were all exhausted.

“Good job guys” dad said bringing in cups of hot chocolate for us.

“Thanks” we chorused.
    
When he left, Clay spoke up. “I honestly didn't  believe the three of us will be good without the rest.”

“Yeah, me too” Marc agreed and I just smiled.
     
I picked up my phone and opened the Debonair chat room that had come to life again. So many people were happy, we were happy; we were back, including the mysterious Miss E.

“Who knows who Miss E. is?” I asked the guys but they shook their heads. They seem not to care at all.
    
The environment was awkward because the guys were not talking and my thoughts drifted to Logan. I was sure the guys thought I wouldn’t like to see him again but they were wrong.

I was so eager to see him. I just couldn’t figure out a way to ask them to take me there again. Marc was angry because he kept asking for Claire. Clay was angry because of the way he made me feel when he was blabbing about Elise. But I didn’t care. I was angry at that moment but now, I wanted to stylishly remind him of the past three years. I wanted to help him regain his memory and, that was exactly what I was going to do.
    
I said the words before I could before I could stop myself. “Let’s go to Logan’s house.”
    
Their heads snapped simultaneously.

“What?”
   
I took a deep breath and repeated myself. “Let’s go to Logan house.”

“But why?”

“Because I want to see him.”
    
Clay came to sit beside me, “Michele, I wouldn’t be able to stand it if he behaves the way he did the last time.”
    
I smiled at him. “I can’t blame him Clay, it’s not his fault. Let’s go there, please.”
    
I turned to look at Marc as he shook his head no.

“Why?” I asked.
    
He scratched his head. “I have something to do at home.”
      .I just nodded but I knew he was lying.

                   *                  *                     *
    
Clay and I went to his house without Marc and again the door was opened by the smiling Wendy.
     
Logan was so glad to see us. He ran down the stairs to hug Clay and simply waved at me.

“Hey’’ he said sheepishly.

“Hello” I responded with a bright smile on my face.

“How have you been?” He asked.

“I’ve been great.” I looked at Clay before I continued. “Clay, Marc and I have been doing a lot of rehearsal lately.’’
    
Clay’s face hardened and he looked at me with fire in his eyes.

“What rehearsal?”
    
I smiled at Clay ignoring his look and answering Logan’s question.

“Rehearsals for the talent show coming up in school a few days from now. A capella actually. ”

“Wow!” he exclaimed. “I’ve always loved a cappella, you know.”

“Really?” I tried to act surprised.
    
I felt Clay’s piercing gaze but I didn’t turn up to look at him.

“Yeah, I do. I’ll really like to hear you guys.”

“Oh, that’ll be nice, but Marc is not here. Next time though.”

“Okay.” he said happily.

I felt really good. My operation get-back-your-memory had just begun and something told me it was going be successful.

“Why aren’t you saying anything Clay?”

“I don’t know what to say.”
    
The room was quiet for a bit before I said, “I heard you love food.”
    
He turned to face me fully and it was like Clay had been forgotten. I know had his full attention.
    
Hurray!

“Who told you that?”

“The guys”

“Hmm, what else did they tell you about me?”
    
I cleared my throat, sat down comfortably and dropped my purse on the centre table before I spoke. “They told me you like food a lot, you like video games, car racing…”
    
He smiled and nodded. “I love cars a lot.”
    
I remembered his red Ford that had been destroyed by the accident, he didn’t remember that too. I also remembered the things Claire had given to him, definitely, his mum wouldn’t have remembered to put them away.

“I also know you have a cookery book although you don’t know how to cook, you have this….”

“Michele,” Clay interrupted “that’s enough. You don’t have to tell him everything you know about him.”
    
Logan ignored him and continued speaking and I gave him an apologetic look. “I do have a cookery book but I can’t recall how I got it. I think I’ll ask my mum when she gets back.”

“Yeah you…”

“Michele is a great cook!” Clay put in.

“Really?’” Logan asked with his eyes wide opened.

“Yeah, I love to cook.”

“Would you mind cooking for me sometime?”

“Oh no, I don’t mind at all, maybe the next time I’m coming I’ll  package something for you.”

“Okay thanks.” He turned to face Clay again. “What’s wrong bro?’’

“Nothing I just want you guys to get to know each other.”
    
My gaze wondered to the spot where our picture was supposed to be. Clay knew what I was thinking and he gave me his don’t –you-dare look; but I had to do what I had to do. I was desperate for Logan to regain his memory. I looked quickly away from Clay and turned to Logan. “You know, there is this picture that…”
    
Clay stood up abruptly and came to lift me up the chair by my elbow. “Excuse us please.”
    
He dragged me outside the house; I had never seen Clay so angry.

“What are you trying to do?” He yelled.

“Nothing” 

“What do you mean by nothing? You are trying to bombard the poor boy with too much information.”

“Well you can’t blame me. No one seems to be taking a step forward; no one is even trying to help him remember anything. But I have to do something Clay.”
    
He ran his hands through his hair. “Why do you have to do something? Even his parents have decided not to do anything? They have decided not to take the risk but you remain so adamant, why Michele?”
    
I couldn’t believe Clay was speaking like this to me. I flared up and started yelling.

“It’s because he doesn’t remember me, that’s why. His parents can endure it, you can endure it, Marc can endure it, but I can’t. I need him to remember me, Clay. If he had forgotten his parents they wouldn’t have folded their arms looking at him, so I’m not going to do so! If you are not okay with that Clay, if his parents are not okay with that, you all can go to hell!”
    
I ran to the car, got inside and slammed the door.
    
I took a deep breath and remembered the last time I had been this angry. It had been at Logan and the result had not been good.
   
I counted to fifty as I waited for Clay to make up an excuse for our departure and get into the car.
    
Immediately he was settled, I placed a hand on his shoulder, he looked at me and, “I’m sorry” I said, but he just looked away and sped off.

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Love,
Prisca.