Stolen Years (Read 27,179 times)

[Kpatch]

Chapter 6


The next morning, Chloe rose early. She vaguely remembered some disturbing dreams she had, not the dreams themselves, but just the fact that they were disturbing. After Craig made her some scrambled eggs and toast, she returned to the safety of her little bedroom.

When she was young and the world seemed out of control, she would always turn to the classics. Chloe looked through the books in the hutch in her room trying to decide what to read. She needed something familiar, some book that she practically knew by heart, something comforting that wouldn’t require too much of her attention, since she felt uneasy and unsettled and wasn’t sure she’d be able to concentrate.

It was hard to believe that Brady was no longer a part of her life. Theirs had been a fairy tale romance, accompanied by words and music. The fact that it was over cut her to her very core. How can that be? She thought they’d be together forever. Still, Chloe had always been a realist. Growing up in orphanages will do that to you. So it didn’t come as a huge surprise to learn that their forever ended sooner than expected. But it made her feel lost. Right now, it almost felt like she was in mourning. It would definitely be easier to accept the divorce if she could remember any of the bad times that led up to it.

After perusing her fairly complete collection of Shakespeare’s works, she selected Romeo and Juliet. It was a play she’d read dozens of times, and it was familiar and comfortable, despite the tragic story of two teenage lovers who die in the end.

Speaking of promising teenage love stories that ended tragically, Chloe’s mind drifted to Philip. She wondered what he was doing in her house. Was he really a doctor? Or was he there for some other reason? Whatever his purpose was, Chloe was actually quite grateful he was here. Funny, she was surprised to see him, and yet not surprised. It seemed to her that she hadn’t seen him in years, yet in some ways it seemed like only yesterday. It was an odd dichotomy of thoughts and feelings that invaded Chloe’s psyche lately. She felt disconnected from the world, and from herself. In a weird way, she didn’t even know who she was anymore. Craig said she’d suffered memory loss, and the things that felt like they happened only yesterday really occurred years ago.

That’s why it was so nice to have someone like Philip in her midst. It felt like he connected her past to her present. And she knew she could trust him. That fact was incredibly important to her at a time like this -- a time when she felt so off-balance. He knew her really well once upon a time, so she felt hopeful that he would help her bridge the gaps between the past and the present.

[jc20886]

Chloe has always felt safe with Philip and she is beginning to again, things will work out
for them it is just going to take a little time,we can wait

[gapeach]

An glad Chloe knows she is no longer married to Brady. That most have happened off camer because we didn't see it!!

[fluffysmom]

I'm glad that Chloe trusts Philip.

It must be so disconcerting not to be able to remember years of your life. I'm glad Craig told Chloe that she and Brady are divorced.

[Kpatch]

May 19, 2014 14:16:37 GMT -5 gapeach said:

An glad Chloe knows she is no longer married to Brady. That most have happened off camer because we didn't see it!!

Their whole marriage was off-screen, but if you mean we didn't see Chloe find out about her divorce from Brady in this story, that is true. Craig told Chloe about it off-screen, and related the news to Philip in Chapter 5.

Chapter 5


Here's the pertinent section:

“Last thing she remembers vividly is living in Vienna around 2005 or 2006. She has no recollection of the past eight years.”

“So she doesn’t know about Parker?”

“No, and I don’t think we should spring that on her yet. But ....” Craig looked toward Chloe’s door, and gestured for Philip and himself to go into the bedroom next to Chloe’s. Once inside, Craig closed the door and continued. “I told her it’s May 2014. And I told her that she and Brady weren’t together anymore.”

“Do you think that was a good idea? To tell her, I mean.”

“I don’t know. I just don’t want to lie to her.”

“She’s upset, isn’t she?”

Craig nodded. “She’s confused, disoriented. Damn, it was a mistake to tell her that she’s not married to Brady anymore. I don’t know what I was thinking, especially with her PNES. She could have a seizure if her emotions get out of control. So ... from here on, we have to let her figure out everything on her own, naturally.”

[melly]

Good chapter!!

[gapeach]

I forgot about that part... thanks for the clarification.

[MrsM]

At least she still has the connection with Philip.

[Kpatch]

Chapter 7


The next morning Philip was up and dressed and was about to head downstairs to make some breakfast when he saw Chloe’s bedroom door was open. Maybe Craig left it open when he checked on Chloe before leaving the house; he was asked to consult on a case at the hospital this morning.

Philip peeked inside and didn’t see her, so he went in. “Chloe?” She was nowhere in sight. His heart started racing as he rushed down the hall hoping she was in the bathroom. Nope, the bathroom was unoccupied.

He sprinted down the stairs calling her name. Oh god! The front door is open. Someone got to her. They took her!

He went to the door and when he stepped outside, he stopped in his tracks. Chloe was standing on the front lawn looking at the morning paper as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

Philip walked up to her. “What the hell are you doing?” He grabbed her arm and pulled her inside roughly. As soon as they were in the house she pulled her arm out of Philip’s grip.

“What do you think you’re doing?” She was angry. “Why did you do that?”

“You had me scared out of my wits disappearing like that.”

“I didn’t disappear, you imbecile. I just wanted some fresh air and I saw the newspaper on the lawn, so I picked it up.”

“Do you know how dangerous that is.”

“Well I know that reading the newspaper can be stressful, but it’s nothing compared to being manhandled and bodily dragged into the house like that.” She rubbed her shoulder. “You could have torn my arm out of its socket.”

Philip walked toward Chloe and rubbed her shoulder. She took a step back. “Sorry.” Damn, he wasn’t thinking. It just seemed like the most natural thing to do. “I didn’t mean to hurt you Chloe. I was just afraid for your safety. Look, if you want some fresh air, the back porch is a better choice. Looks just like the front porch, except it’s screened and has a different view.”

Chloe laughed. “Sometimes I think you’re nuts, Philip. You do go overboard sometimes in trying to protect me and ... oh my god.”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“I just realized what you’re really doing here. I know why you’re here!”

“Ohhh kaaay.” He wondered if she figured everything out. Or ... maybe she’s remembering. He held his breath waiting for her to finish her thought.

“You’re my bodyguard!”

Philip raised his eyebrows. “Excuse me?”

“That’s why you’re here all the time. Craig must have hired you to be my bodyguard. Where’s my father anyway?”

“He’s consulting on a case at the hospital,” Philip replied.

“Oh. So we’re alone?” Chloe didn’t wait for a response before continuing her earlier train of thought. “I remember you used to be fascinated by your brother’s detective work and you always wanted to go to those Men in Black movies. But honestly, you don’t look anything like a bodyguard.”

Hmmm, truth or lies, Philip wondered. “It’s always the people you least suspect.” He went with a neutral comment.

“I bet your father had a cow when you went into law enforcement. I remember he wanted to groom you for the family business.”

Philip just shrugged. “I just want to keep you safe, Chloe. That’s all.”

“From now on, I’ll try to be a more cooperative client. I think I’ll take the newspaper out back and read it on the porch. If that's okay with you,” she said somewhat facetiously.

Philip nodded and tried to sound professional. “I’ll make us some coffee, then I’ll come join you.”

“I’d like that,” she smiled.

[MrsM]

Hopefully nobody saw her!

[gapeach]

That had me laughing thinking of Phillip as a bodyguard. At least now Chloe won't question why he is always there.

[fluffysmom]

It was probably best for Philip to go along with Chloe's assumption. I hope she listens to Philip and doesn't go out alone again.

[melly]

Love the line about the newspaper...

[Kpatch]

Chapter 8


Philip brought Chloe a cup and took a seat next to her on the back porch swing. “I made you some herbal tea.”

“Thanks. I prefer tea to coffee.” He already knew that fact. She pointed to the newspaper in her lap. “So this article about The Oaks being under investigation. That’s where I was a patient, isn’t it?”

Philip hadn’t thought about Chloe reading about the Oaks in the paper. He felt like he wasn’t doing a good enough job of protecting her. He didn’t want to lie, but he also didn’t want her finding out too much too soon. “That’s right. We found out that it wasn’t exactly on the up and up, so we got you out of there. But unfortunately, not before some damage was done.” He grazed her hair with his hand as he looked at her.

“So you were in on the big prison break, huh?”

Philip chuckled. “A well-orchestrated plan.”

“Who else helped? You, my dad. Who else?”

“Oh, um. Justin. You remember Justin, right? And Brady.”

“Really? Brady helped. I wasn’t sure he cared about me anymore.”

“Of course he cares,” Philip said looking deeply into Chloe’s eyes. “Anyone who’s ever known you cares about you. Me included.”

“You’re sweet,” Chloe smiled, briefly touching Philip’s hand. “You haven’t changed much since high school.”

“Heh. Actually, I’ve changed quite a lot.”

“You mean because of going off to war? Losing a leg?”

Philip nodded. “Partly, but it’s been about 12 years since high school. A lot has happened, Chloe, to both of us, even if you don’t remember it right now.”

“It’s so weird.” She took a sip of tea. “Mmmm, this tea is exactly the way I like it. Thank you, Philip.”

“It’s not a problem. You were going to say something. What’s weird?”

“Oh. It’s weird that I feel really good. Kind of refreshed. Like everything is new. And yet, intellectually I know that there is a huge chunk of my life missing. I know I’m 30 years old but I feel like I’m a lot younger. I guess it’s because I don’t remember those experiences that supposedly make you wiser.”

“Do you want to remember?”

Chloe looked into Philip’s eyes. “I don’t know. Do I?” Philip was about to answer when Chloe continued. “I mean, maybe there are things I don’t want to remember, like why me and Brady ended up getting divorced. It’s been eight years, so who knows, I may have had other bad relationships and experiences since then. Maybe I’m intentionally blocking them out.”

Philip swallowed the lump in his throat. “It’s possible.”

She touched Philip’s shoulder. “Do you know?”

“Do I know what?”

“Do you know about my life, the missing years?” Philip didn’t answer. “You do, don’t you? Have we been friends all these years, you and me?”

“No,” Philip answered honestly. “We haven’t been what I’d call friends, at least not all the time. We lost touch for a while.” He rubbed his forehead. “But there were times when we were really close.”

“Hmmm, interesting. That’s not what I thought you were going to say.”

“No? What did you think I was going to say?”

“Nothing.” She took another sip of tea. “It’s not important. You know what I hate?” She quickly changed the subject.’

“Tuna noodle casserole,” he answered.

Chloe laughed. “The high school cafeteria! You remembered! ... Yes, but that’s not what I was going to say. I hate having nothing to wear except a couple of my father’s ratty t-shirts, one in black and this one in heather gray. All I had when you guys rescued me from The Oaks was what I was wearing -- a hospital gown. And I’m kind of tired of wearing my father’s undershirts. It’s a little creepy.”

“Oh. Um. First of all, they’re not ratty. They’re fairly new. And second of all, they’re not your father’s. They’re ... mine.”

Chloe’s lips parted in surprise. She looked down at the t-shirt she was wearing, somewhat embarrassed by what she said. Then a little smile formed on her lips as she looked back up at Philip.

He was watching her intently. “Frankly, they look better on you than they do on me,” he said smiling. “So, still creepy?”

Chloe slowly shook her head no. “Not nearly as creepy,” she laughed. “But I’d still like my own clothes.”

Philip nodded. “Well, I’m sure that can be arranged. For security reasons, you can’t go out in public yet, but I can. So ... why don’t you write a list and let me know what you want and I’ll get it for you.”

“Really? Oh thank you Philip!” She threw her arms around his neck and peppered his face with kisses. Then she popped up off the bench. “I’ll go get a pad and pen so I can write a list.”

“Wait,” Philip said. He reached inside his pocket for his cell phone and hit the “notes” app. “You can put your list on this.” Chloe sat down again and curled up next to Philip, leaning against his side, tucking her legs underneath her and watching what he was doing on the cell phone. He lost his train of thought watching her watching him, sitting so close, all wide-eyed and innocent and little-girlish. The slow motion of the swing began to feel languid and sexy. “Um. Just tap here and the keypad comes up. Then just type in whatever you want.” He gave Chloe the phone.

“How do I save the list?”

“It’s automatic,” he said standing up. He needed a little space to keep from putting his hands all over her, so he leaned on the porch railing across from her, and folded his arms across his chest, tucking his hands under his armpits.

“I love this computer phone. It’s so cool. ... Bra. Panties. Seven blouses. Three dresses, one pair of jeans. A nightgown. No, I can sleep in the t-shirts. That is,” she looked up at Philip, “unless you want them back.”

“No, like I said, they work better on you,” Philip noted, “so you go ahead and keep them.”

“Thanks! Delete delete delete. This is fun.”

[gapeach]

Loved it! It is going to be interesting to watch Chloe & Phillip during this time. But I have to wonder what is going on with the plan to get Kate!!!