CHAPTER FIVE
'Frank' was making slow progress; the drain they had put in was backing up causing him to have severe headaches. The doctors feared they would have to re-operate. A CAT scan showed there was still swelling. This was a major concern for his memory hadn't come back and going back in for more surgery might cause permanent amnesia. When he wasn't having headaches he searched his mind for something, anything that would let him recall his life. He searched his briefcase and even tore the lining out hoping for a hidden compartment. Inside he found a larger picture of the woman from his wallet and an engagement ring. 'Well, I missed this before. Who are you and was I going to ask you to marry me. I need to find you but I don't know your name.' He put her picture on his nightstand, letting her watch over him as he slept. He was doing that a lot lately. He could feel a headache coming on so he practiced deep breathing and relaxation, but to no avail; the pain was more intense this time, almost blinding. Clara wasn't home and he was so weak he couldn't get to a phone to call anyone. He lay down hoping he could get it under control. He turned on his side and stared at the beautiful angel in the picture. Wishing he knew her name, he decided to call her 'Princess, she had that regal bearing look of royalty. 'Oh Princess take this pain from me.' Slipping away, into a sleeplike coma, he just kept repeating 'Princess, Princess, Princess.'
Several hours later Clara came home and found no signs that 'Frank' had been downstairs. The breakfast she had set out for him was still on the table, and the air felt stale, as if no one had interrupted it for a while. Climbing the stairs and quietly knocking on 'Frank's' door received no answer. She opened the door and called out to him. She walked to the bed and found a lifeless body on the bed. She placed her hand on his chest and found him breathing very shallowly and she shook him to rouse him out of his sleep. She was unsuccessful. She went to her room and called 911 and when she was sure they were on their way she called Chuck.
"Chuck, it's me. I got home to find 'Frank' unresponsive. I called 911 and they should be here soon. Can you go to the hospital to be with him? I wish we knew where his family was, they should know."
"I'll come over and stay with you till the paramedics come. Maybe I can find a clue in his stuff, I know we looked already but you never know. Maybe he found something and that didn't ring a bell. I'll be right there, Sis, hang in there." Clara hung up the phone and went back to check on 'Frank'. Finding him with no change, sat next to his bed to wait for Chuck.
Chuck threw on his jacket and jumped in his truck to drive to Clara's just five minutes away. Arriving at Clara's he let himself in and ran upstairs to 'Frank's' room. He hugged Clara for reassurance, turning to 'Frank', tried to rouse him. Frank lay there with his eyes open but unresponsive. "Clara, you did the right thing. It looks like he slipped back into a coma. The best place for him is at Community General."
"I'm glad you came. I was scared. He has been through so much and he needs his family."
Chuck looked around the room and noticed the picture on his nightstand of the woman from his wallet. "There's an 8x10 of the girl from his wallet. He must have had it in his suitcase and I didn't notice it before. His briefcase is open, maybe there is a clue in there." Looking in the case he saw some papers and riffled through them. 'Nothing' he said slamming the lid down. At that moment the letter dislodged from the slot and fell out of the case. Chuck bent down to pick it up. Dear one, as you receive this.. Chuck read aloud. "Maybe we are getting somewhere, he obviously was in love. There's no name on the envelope though.
"Well, we can give the picture to Clarence and maybe he can show it to some of his friends at the precinct. Is there anything else in there?"
"Bingo, we have a name." Chuck said with curiosity in his voice.
"What, something in the letter? Clara asked wishing for her sight back, wanting to see this woman.
"Better. A picture of 'Frank' and the woman with writing on the back. To Cameron Sinclair from Amanda Cory, with love.
"Cameron Sinclair? Must be 'Frank Cameron' I wonder why he changed his name?"
"I guess 'Frank' has a story he didn't want us to know about. We'll have to wait until he decides to tell us."
Just then the paramedics showed up and Chuck folded the letter and put it and the picture in his pocket. He would go see Clarence just as soon as 'Frank' was stable.
Arriving at the hospital, Dr. Jones said that they would have to go back in to relieve the pressure, the shunt seemed to have plugged up and was backing up the fluid. He should be okay but time would tell. Chuck left to call Clara who had stayed home and told her to pray for 'Frank' Cameron Sinclair. He told her he would get in touch with Clarence and set him to finding his family.
Calling Clarence, he asked him to help find Amanda Cory. He told him he had a picture and a letter for her. He asked him to send a cover letter explaining what had happened, asking her to inform his family. Clarence could give her the name of the hospital and Clara's phone number.
"Sure thing, I'll get right on it. Maybe Amanda can bring him back from the abyss. I'll stop over for the picture and letter. I already punched her into the computer and found her. She lives in Bay City. She is the daughter of Rachel and Mac Cory, you know Cory publishing. Small world. They do that magazine Callie reads. See you in a few."
Bay City
Amanda woke to feeling Cameron's presence. She felt him in the room although there was no one there. A breeze came through the window and it sounded for the entire world like it was saying 'Princess' soft and low but gentle. 'Oh my Cameron, where are you, are you thinking of me? I'm right here come and find me.'
Getting up she dressed quickly. Went downstairs and poured some coffee.
"Good morning Mom, how are you?" Amanda said sipping on her cup.
"Fine, dear you look terrible. Didn't you sleep well again? I'll listen if you would like to tell me about it"
"Oh Mom I wouldn't know where to begin." Her voice trailing off as if she couldn't bring herself to say the words. "I miss him. Yes, I know he hurt me. And all of that, but I try to convince myself that it's over. I think about him all the time. He's in my soul Mom, what am I to do? Do you think I am crazy? Of course you do, I can see it in your eyes. But I can't shake this feeling. I think given time we might have worked things out but as you know he left and no one has heard from him for months. I'm going to go crazy. This morning I felt him so strong, I thought he had come back that he was in my room. And even the breeze is whispering to me. Oh Mom." Amanda burst into tears.
Putting he arms around her sobbing daughter, she rubbed her back and spoke.
"There, there honey, I didn't know you felt this way, you've hidden it well, I thought your pacing and sleeplessness was worry over Brava. But it was Cameron all along. The only thing I can think of to fix this is to find him. He wasn't my choice of a husband for you but you two seem to be meant for each other. When you're together, the world is right. I couldn't understand why you broke off your wedding until Cameron told me what had happened. I didn't blame you for you. You had to do what was best, but you both were miserable, I never saw two souls in such torment. But no one could tell you a thing until you figured it out for yourself. No one could tell me anything either, Grandma Ada, tried hard though." Rachel wiped Amanda's tears with her napkin.
"Mom thank you for being here, understanding and loving me. Enough to let me falter but not fall. Where do I begin?"
"Call Gary" they said in unison.
"You know I came to that conclusion the other day, but Gary didn't return my call and I figured he wanted no more to do with me or Cameron. Mom, will you call him, he still likes you."
"Sure, I'll do it now." Getting up to dial the phone when Claudia came in from the foyer with a manila envelope.
Rachel turned to her said, "Claudia, thank you I was expecting that," turning to Amanda she said "Papers from Cass on the Cory trust fund for Paulina." As she put the receiver back, "it's busy, I'll try again later."
"Mrs. Hutchins, this is for Miss Amanda." Claudia handed her the envelope and she left the room.
"What on earth, it's registered from a Clarence Butler Esq. from Chicago. I don't know anyone in Chicago."
"Well open it honey and find out." Rachel pouring another cup of coffee, and sat back down on the sofa.
"Oh my God," Amanda said dropping the packet on her lap. She burst into tears.
"What is it, dear?"
"It's Cameron. he went to Chicago and was going by the name Frank Cameron. He had an accident and has amnesia. They aren't sure if he's going to make it. He won't know me, but I have to go. You understand don't you?"
Rachel picked up the papers and re-reads the letter; "Honey, there's a letter from Cameron, in here too. Along with the picture you gave him. Thank God you put your name on it. That's how they found you. Handing the letter to her daughter she sat back down. Amanda took the letter to the window and opened it and read, 'Dear One, As you receive this letter I am far away. Please continue reading. I will not interfere in your life anymore. I will not try to contact you. I just wanted to ask one more time that somewhere in your soul could you forgive me? I know what we did to you and Gary is unforgivable, and I knew the truth would come out. If I had only trusted in our love, we might be on our way to making our new life. But I didn't, and I can't take any of it back. I am tired of 'if only's'. But Amanda, I do still love you and I believe I always will. Take it for what it is, an honest statement. Yes, I know you probably can't believe me but I will never make that mistake again. Please, take care of yourself, and be happy. One-day maybe we could meet again as friends. I love you.' Cameron
She cried holding the letter close to her heart. Then she handed it to Rachel. "I have to go can you book me a flight? I'm going to pack."
"Yes, dear," Rachel said as she read the letter. She smiled and knew if anyone could help him, Amanda could. Amanda knew something was in the wind. Thinking back over the past several months, she realized Amanda had not been herself since that man went away. If she hadn't been so busy with the twins and Paulina's trust fund, she might have been more aware. The wheels were set in motion. She would have to get in touch with David to tell him that the magazine will have to use Matt as the acting editor until Amanda gets back. Cameron needs her.
'Frank' was making slow progress; the drain they had put in was backing up causing him to have severe headaches. The doctors feared they would have to re-operate. A CAT scan showed there was still swelling. This was a major concern for his memory hadn't come back and going back in for more surgery might cause permanent amnesia. When he wasn't having headaches he searched his mind for something, anything that would let him recall his life. He searched his briefcase and even tore the lining out hoping for a hidden compartment. Inside he found a larger picture of the woman from his wallet and an engagement ring. 'Well, I missed this before. Who are you and was I going to ask you to marry me. I need to find you but I don't know your name.' He put her picture on his nightstand, letting her watch over him as he slept. He was doing that a lot lately. He could feel a headache coming on so he practiced deep breathing and relaxation, but to no avail; the pain was more intense this time, almost blinding. Clara wasn't home and he was so weak he couldn't get to a phone to call anyone. He lay down hoping he could get it under control. He turned on his side and stared at the beautiful angel in the picture. Wishing he knew her name, he decided to call her 'Princess, she had that regal bearing look of royalty. 'Oh Princess take this pain from me.' Slipping away, into a sleeplike coma, he just kept repeating 'Princess, Princess, Princess.'
Several hours later Clara came home and found no signs that 'Frank' had been downstairs. The breakfast she had set out for him was still on the table, and the air felt stale, as if no one had interrupted it for a while. Climbing the stairs and quietly knocking on 'Frank's' door received no answer. She opened the door and called out to him. She walked to the bed and found a lifeless body on the bed. She placed her hand on his chest and found him breathing very shallowly and she shook him to rouse him out of his sleep. She was unsuccessful. She went to her room and called 911 and when she was sure they were on their way she called Chuck.
"Chuck, it's me. I got home to find 'Frank' unresponsive. I called 911 and they should be here soon. Can you go to the hospital to be with him? I wish we knew where his family was, they should know."
"I'll come over and stay with you till the paramedics come. Maybe I can find a clue in his stuff, I know we looked already but you never know. Maybe he found something and that didn't ring a bell. I'll be right there, Sis, hang in there." Clara hung up the phone and went back to check on 'Frank'. Finding him with no change, sat next to his bed to wait for Chuck.
Chuck threw on his jacket and jumped in his truck to drive to Clara's just five minutes away. Arriving at Clara's he let himself in and ran upstairs to 'Frank's' room. He hugged Clara for reassurance, turning to 'Frank', tried to rouse him. Frank lay there with his eyes open but unresponsive. "Clara, you did the right thing. It looks like he slipped back into a coma. The best place for him is at Community General."
"I'm glad you came. I was scared. He has been through so much and he needs his family."
Chuck looked around the room and noticed the picture on his nightstand of the woman from his wallet. "There's an 8x10 of the girl from his wallet. He must have had it in his suitcase and I didn't notice it before. His briefcase is open, maybe there is a clue in there." Looking in the case he saw some papers and riffled through them. 'Nothing' he said slamming the lid down. At that moment the letter dislodged from the slot and fell out of the case. Chuck bent down to pick it up. Dear one, as you receive this.. Chuck read aloud. "Maybe we are getting somewhere, he obviously was in love. There's no name on the envelope though.
"Well, we can give the picture to Clarence and maybe he can show it to some of his friends at the precinct. Is there anything else in there?"
"Bingo, we have a name." Chuck said with curiosity in his voice.
"What, something in the letter? Clara asked wishing for her sight back, wanting to see this woman.
"Better. A picture of 'Frank' and the woman with writing on the back. To Cameron Sinclair from Amanda Cory, with love.
"Cameron Sinclair? Must be 'Frank Cameron' I wonder why he changed his name?"
"I guess 'Frank' has a story he didn't want us to know about. We'll have to wait until he decides to tell us."
Just then the paramedics showed up and Chuck folded the letter and put it and the picture in his pocket. He would go see Clarence just as soon as 'Frank' was stable.
Arriving at the hospital, Dr. Jones said that they would have to go back in to relieve the pressure, the shunt seemed to have plugged up and was backing up the fluid. He should be okay but time would tell. Chuck left to call Clara who had stayed home and told her to pray for 'Frank' Cameron Sinclair. He told her he would get in touch with Clarence and set him to finding his family.
Calling Clarence, he asked him to help find Amanda Cory. He told him he had a picture and a letter for her. He asked him to send a cover letter explaining what had happened, asking her to inform his family. Clarence could give her the name of the hospital and Clara's phone number.
"Sure thing, I'll get right on it. Maybe Amanda can bring him back from the abyss. I'll stop over for the picture and letter. I already punched her into the computer and found her. She lives in Bay City. She is the daughter of Rachel and Mac Cory, you know Cory publishing. Small world. They do that magazine Callie reads. See you in a few."
Bay City
Amanda woke to feeling Cameron's presence. She felt him in the room although there was no one there. A breeze came through the window and it sounded for the entire world like it was saying 'Princess' soft and low but gentle. 'Oh my Cameron, where are you, are you thinking of me? I'm right here come and find me.'
Getting up she dressed quickly. Went downstairs and poured some coffee.
"Good morning Mom, how are you?" Amanda said sipping on her cup.
"Fine, dear you look terrible. Didn't you sleep well again? I'll listen if you would like to tell me about it"
"Oh Mom I wouldn't know where to begin." Her voice trailing off as if she couldn't bring herself to say the words. "I miss him. Yes, I know he hurt me. And all of that, but I try to convince myself that it's over. I think about him all the time. He's in my soul Mom, what am I to do? Do you think I am crazy? Of course you do, I can see it in your eyes. But I can't shake this feeling. I think given time we might have worked things out but as you know he left and no one has heard from him for months. I'm going to go crazy. This morning I felt him so strong, I thought he had come back that he was in my room. And even the breeze is whispering to me. Oh Mom." Amanda burst into tears.
Putting he arms around her sobbing daughter, she rubbed her back and spoke.
"There, there honey, I didn't know you felt this way, you've hidden it well, I thought your pacing and sleeplessness was worry over Brava. But it was Cameron all along. The only thing I can think of to fix this is to find him. He wasn't my choice of a husband for you but you two seem to be meant for each other. When you're together, the world is right. I couldn't understand why you broke off your wedding until Cameron told me what had happened. I didn't blame you for you. You had to do what was best, but you both were miserable, I never saw two souls in such torment. But no one could tell you a thing until you figured it out for yourself. No one could tell me anything either, Grandma Ada, tried hard though." Rachel wiped Amanda's tears with her napkin.
"Mom thank you for being here, understanding and loving me. Enough to let me falter but not fall. Where do I begin?"
"Call Gary" they said in unison.
"You know I came to that conclusion the other day, but Gary didn't return my call and I figured he wanted no more to do with me or Cameron. Mom, will you call him, he still likes you."
"Sure, I'll do it now." Getting up to dial the phone when Claudia came in from the foyer with a manila envelope.
Rachel turned to her said, "Claudia, thank you I was expecting that," turning to Amanda she said "Papers from Cass on the Cory trust fund for Paulina." As she put the receiver back, "it's busy, I'll try again later."
"Mrs. Hutchins, this is for Miss Amanda." Claudia handed her the envelope and she left the room.
"What on earth, it's registered from a Clarence Butler Esq. from Chicago. I don't know anyone in Chicago."
"Well open it honey and find out." Rachel pouring another cup of coffee, and sat back down on the sofa.
"Oh my God," Amanda said dropping the packet on her lap. She burst into tears.
"What is it, dear?"
"It's Cameron. he went to Chicago and was going by the name Frank Cameron. He had an accident and has amnesia. They aren't sure if he's going to make it. He won't know me, but I have to go. You understand don't you?"
Rachel picked up the papers and re-reads the letter; "Honey, there's a letter from Cameron, in here too. Along with the picture you gave him. Thank God you put your name on it. That's how they found you. Handing the letter to her daughter she sat back down. Amanda took the letter to the window and opened it and read, 'Dear One, As you receive this letter I am far away. Please continue reading. I will not interfere in your life anymore. I will not try to contact you. I just wanted to ask one more time that somewhere in your soul could you forgive me? I know what we did to you and Gary is unforgivable, and I knew the truth would come out. If I had only trusted in our love, we might be on our way to making our new life. But I didn't, and I can't take any of it back. I am tired of 'if only's'. But Amanda, I do still love you and I believe I always will. Take it for what it is, an honest statement. Yes, I know you probably can't believe me but I will never make that mistake again. Please, take care of yourself, and be happy. One-day maybe we could meet again as friends. I love you.' Cameron
She cried holding the letter close to her heart. Then she handed it to Rachel. "I have to go can you book me a flight? I'm going to pack."
"Yes, dear," Rachel said as she read the letter. She smiled and knew if anyone could help him, Amanda could. Amanda knew something was in the wind. Thinking back over the past several months, she realized Amanda had not been herself since that man went away. If she hadn't been so busy with the twins and Paulina's trust fund, she might have been more aware. The wheels were set in motion. She would have to get in touch with David to tell him that the magazine will have to use Matt as the acting editor until Amanda gets back. Cameron needs her.