Her hands passed over the keys with a familiar ease. The melodies came unbidden as her fingers remembered what the rest of her couldn't. The songs that she did recognize came from artists that were now found on the "classics" stations: Carol King, the Carpenters, and Elton John. Lots of Elton John. While the ability to play was still disconcerting, the melodies put her at ease. Audrey began to sing softly as she lost herself in the smoothness of the keys and the vibrations under her feet.
"It may be quite simple, but, now that it's done: I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind-"
"Not really, but, that piano could use a tuning." A voice interrupted behind her. Audrey spun around with a surprised yelp. Leaning against her doorway with his hands behind his back was a highly amused Duke Crocker. He laughed as she sputtered and tried to look more angry than startled.
"Not funny!"
"Actually, yes it is," he disagreed, still chuckling. "Sorry I scared you. You didn't hear me knocking so I let myself in. I wanted to see how you were settling."
"I need to have a talk with my landlord about pest control." She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Very well," Duke replied with a shrug. Producing a white paper bag from behind his back he added, "I'm sure I can find a fellow pest to enjoy these with."
"Wait!" Audrey started as he turned to go back out the door.
"Oh, so now you want my company? I see how it is." Duke taunted with an evil grin.
"I never said that I didn't." She answered with as innocent a smile as she could muster. "Besides, I'm sure you've associated the word "pest" with me more than once when taking my phone calls."
"You? Never!" Duke scoffed in a tone she didn't quite believe. Before she could call him on it, he handed over the bag to her. Opening it, Audrey found one of her favorite things: Cupcakes with sprinkles from Rosemary's. It was funny that she didn't recall being such a fan of the sweet pastry before trying the local bakery's version.
"For your new cupcake hideout." He explained, a little pleased that she didn't notice that one hand was still behind his back.
"I officially take back every bad thing I've ever said or thought about you. This may even cover future events as well." Audrey replied, smiling gratefully.
"I'm holding you to that." He promised in mock seriousness as he looked over her living area. "Seems like your all moved in. That went fast."
"Wasn't that much to move." She reminded him. The few belongings Audrey had acquired while in Haven fit into a single box. The rest of the apartment was mostly furnished with what was left behind by the Gull's previous owners. There were also a few items Duke had scrounged up from "somewhere" and from Nathan's half hearted attempt to clean out the Chief's place. A part of her missed the furniture back in Boston that she'd thought was hers. However, the eclectic collection of things around her was as a welcome sign of support from her friends.
"Something's missing though." Duke mused.
"What did you have in mind?" She asked. In reply Duke nonchalantly produced a set of wind chimes from behind his back. He knew he'd made the right choice as Audrey's mouth formed into a delighted 'O' of surprise.
"You overheard us on the deck?"
"Yeah," he replied, "I figured with everything that happened after that you hadn't had time to get them yourself."
"No, I hadn't. Thank you!" While any memory of the "real" Audrey Parker was still painful, the wind chimes were a welcome gift. The sound would be familiar at night. It would help her to view the apartment as a home.
"Come on, let's hand them up." Duke suggested, walking out to the deck. Audrey put the cupcakes on her table with some reluctance before following him out.
"Did it come with a hook?"
"Yes, but, it looks like there are some here already." Duke replied. "They were probably meant for plants, but, they'll do."
"This one." Audrey decided as he hung the chimes in the same place that her "double" had selected earlier. It had been her first choice as well, but, she hadn't wanted to admit it then.
"Now, you're officially moved in" He declared. She nodded in agreement. Happy memories of the church's rented house came to her mind only to be marred by the inner reminder that they were never her memories to begin with. The woman they belonged to had lost them because of the deceptive mess that was Haven.
"Hey." Duke touched her shoulder lightly, bringing her back. She realized that some of her recent thoughts must have reflected on her face. His dark eyes were taking her in with a look of compassion and no small amount of concern. "How are you doing? Really?"
"I'm managing." Audrey replied, trying to keep her tone casual as she leaned against the wall and stared outward. Duke nodded and turned his gaze towards the ocean as well. Audrey would talk when and if she was ready. He wouldn't blame her if that time never came.
"Did Lucy play the piano?" She asked. Duke looked over to her in surprise. Apparently, Audrey was ready.
"I don't know." He answered after a moment of thought. "I don't remember anyone ever mentioning it back then, but, there's a lot I don't remember. Why do you ask?"
"Audrey Parker never took a piano lesson, but, I'm able to play the piano."
"Oh." At least that explained why the tunes he'd heard earlier were all older than she was.
"I have the memories of one woman in my head while the rest of me has the memories of someone else." She admitted, still looking out at the water as if the answers to her questions were going to come in on the next tide. "I don't know which parts are me; which memories are really mine."
"I think I can help with that." Duke said slowly, moving to stand in front of her.
"You, Audrey, are the woman I pulled out of the water during a freak hailstorm." He began with a little smile. "You're also the woman who almost shot me the next day for my troubles."
"You did take my clothes." Audrey reminded him.
" For lifesaving reasons only! And I laundered them!" He countered. "You're also someone I said needed to work on her "thank yous" , but, you've gotten a lot better. One thing you have been great at from the beginning is being someone who tries to help everyone she meets. You solve problems that no one else seems to be able to fix."
"Lucy did that too. Besides, Nathan also does a huge amount of the work."
"I know she did, but, I'm talking about now. Stop interrupting!" Duke scolded, tapping her nose with a playful smirk. "Now, speaking of Tin, er, Nathan: Ever since you came around, he's begun talking to people in full sentences. Rumor has it that he actually smiles more than once a season. Hell, he and I area actually civil when we run into each other. Which, thanks to you, is becoming a habit. What's more, it's not a habit we totally hate!"
"Miracles do happen." She quipped sarcastically. He took the sarcasm as a good sign but glared at her interruption on principle. When she didn't add anything else, he continued.
"My point is, Audrey 2 wasn't the one helping the troubled all this time. Lucy wasn't the one cracking Nathan out of his shell. They weren't experiencing their first real birthday party.-Next year, we'll have it at the Gull. Much safer that way.-They weren't helping Jeff trick me into owning a legitimate business, or, grabbing lunch with Julia. That was all you. Those memories are only yours."
"I guess you're right." She agreed as they went back inside. As expected, she made a bee line for the table.
"Of course I'm right!" Duke replied dismissively. "Oh, and another thing: You're the one with the addiction to Rosemary's cupcakes."
"That I am." Audrey laughed. She retrieved two from the box and handed one to him. He accepted it, noting that her eyes were more peaceful than before.
"You may not be the Audrey, but, you're our Audrey." Duke finished. "I know it's not much, but, that's got to count for something. Right?"
"Right." Audrey said with a smile and dug into her cupcake. The wind picked up outside causing the chimes to echo in agreement.
Author's note: This whole chapter came to my fevered brain thanks to the scene on Duke's boat with Audrey 2 where he refers to her as "Our Audrey". I thought it might mean a lot to Audrey to actually hear one of her friends call her that.