CHAPTER TEN
Amanda was overjoyed at the prospect of Cameron's memory return. She tried not to get hopeful, but that was asking the impossible. She would ask Gary if he would go to Chicago to help Cameron. She wasn't sure if he would given how hurt he was, but deep down she knew he really cared about his brother and he wouldn't want to see him hurt. She hoped she could get through to him.
After contacting Gary, he reluctantly agreed to help Cameron. Amanda wanted to accompany him to Chicago but thought better of it. She was the last thing Cameron needed right now. As much as she longed to see him she knew it was best to stay home.
She saw Gary off at the airport. Told him to call if he should need anything. And to say hi to Cameron. She prayed that Gary could help him.
In Chicago
Amanda telephoned Cameron and told him Gary would come to help him. He was glad that Gary was able to put his hurt aside and help him out. He thanked Amanda and told her he would keep in touch.
Gary arrived two days later. Cameron had had several more disturbing dreams and had written down all that he could remember. He would show his notes to Gary and maybe he could fill in the blanks. They must have had some sort of life; but it appeared to be filled with sorrow. Cameron cleared it with Clara that Gary could stay with him. She had a futon in the attic and Cameron pulled it down for Gary to sleep on. Cameron was nervous about meeting Gary; this was something he had wanted to avoid and was part of the decision not to go back to Bay City. He knew from what little Amanda had told him that they had hurt Gary. He still hoped that they could become friends.
Driving to the airport, he began to have a headache. He hoped it was just from the stress and not from the surgery. He tried his relaxation techniques, and it helped. He was early, just liked he planned; he wanted to prepare for this meeting. Gary's flight was to arrive at 2:00 p.m., and it was 1:45 now. Cameron went to the bar and got a soft drink. It was air conditioned in the bar and he felt better, his nerves were calmer now. Hearing the flight from Bay City would be unloading at gate 7, Cameron got up and went to the appropriate gate. Pacing back and forth, nervous at not knowing what to say. He didn't even know what his brother looked like. Just then this dark haired man came through the gate. He knew it was Gary. The memory of his brother came rushing back and tears welled up in his eyes. Gary came right up to him and taking one look at his brother put his arms around him and cried along with him.
"Hey man, I'm so sorry." Gary said standing back looking at this shell of man that was his brother. He had lost weight and his hair was just coming back in. Amanda had tried to prepare him for what he would look like, but seeing him like this, all the pain was pushed to the back burner.
"Gary I remember you, not everything but I remember you. It's nice to see a familiar face; I didn't realize how much I have missed. I have so much to ask you. But that can wait until we get home." Grabbing one of Gary's bags he headed towards his rental truck.
"That's wonderful Cameron, when did this happen?" Gary asked, slapping him on the shoulder.
"Just now, as you came through the gate, I recognized your face. I don't remember much after that but I know you!" Cameron feeling that at last he had someone who knew him and he knew. Maybe he would come back after all.
"Cam, you look great. Amanda told me how much you had been through but I guess I didn't really believe her, I was reluctant to come here but now I'm glad I did. I'm also sorry that I wasn't there for you when you were still in the hospital."
"That's okay. Amanda told me that I hurt you, with no details. I don't remember but it must have been a whopper. I wasn't even sure if you would come now, but I have been having these dreams about my, er, our childhood and I hope that you can help. I hope it won't be too painful for you."
"Well, we will get through this together, no matter what, because we're family and we need to hold on to that. And Amanda is a special friend of mine, and I would do anything for her. That's why I was so glad the two of you got together. I'm hoping we can get you back to that relationship. You were good for each other."
"I hurt her, and who knows who else, I don't think I can get back there."
"All we can do is try." Gary said as he looked out the window, they talked about the Cubs and Cameron said that he could get tickets to a game while he was here. After the ride from the airport they finally arrived at Clara's. Cameron took him up to his room and showed him where to store his stuff. Clara was letting him use a futon from the attic. He wanted Gary near in case of another dream.
They settled into a routine and for several days Cameron was able to sleep without the dreams. He was getting to know Gary. They talked with ease, Cameron was remembering little things and talking to Gary emphasized the bond they must have had as children. Gary had told him only the things that were pertinent to his dreams. Cameron knew there must be more and he really wanted to hear all of it.
After dinner, Gary went for a walk and Cameron called Amanda to thank her.
"Hello, Amanda. How are you?"
"I'm fine, how are you getting along with Gary?"
"Great, I recognized him at the airport. No memories of anything but these little things I am capturing are getting stronger. I haven't had any more dreams. But Gary and I are talking about our childhood. Dr. Jones said that he feels that I should regain my memory. When, he can't say, but is pretty sure it will happen."
"Oh, Cameron that is wonderful news, I can't wait. I know I promised I wouldn't do this but. I have missed you. I know you don't need to hear this."
"Amanda, I understand. I guess it happened when Gary showed up and the familiarity of knowing someone. I realized what I was missing."
"I hope Gary can help you and no matter what, please know that I love you, and think about you often. Tell Clara and Gary I said hello and I'll talk to you soon. Goodbye." Hanging up the telephone she burst into tears. Rachel at that moment came into the room.
"Honey, who was that on the phone?" guessing it must be Cameron.
Wiping the tears, she said. "Cameron."
"Is everything alright? No bad news I hope."
"No, but he did recognize Gary and the doctor is hopeful. I just don't think I can stand the wait. I want to go out there and make him remember. I know that's silly but it's how I feel. I don't have anyone but you to talk with"
"Yes, honey you do have me and eventually Cameron will come around, but forcing yourself on him may chase him away. You just keep the faith and he will return to you."
"Thanks Mom." Amanda went over to Rachel and hugged her and told her she needed to take a walk.
"Have a nice walk. It'll help to clear your head. I'll see you later."
Amanda grabbed her sweater and headed out the door. Walking in the crisp cool air of the evening, Amanda breathed deep as if to inhale sanity. Making her way to the hill she sat on their bench and stared at their star.
She sat there for a very long time. Thinking about her life and Cameron's. Not wanting to leave their place, she sat back and closed her eyes. Far off strains of music wafted up from someone's car radio. She couldn't quite make out all the words but what she heard was I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars He sure knew what he was doin' When he joined these two hearts I hold everything When I hold you in my arms I've got all I'll ever need Thanks to the keeper of the stars
She sat up and leaned closer so she could hear the rest.
Soft moonlight on your face oh how you shine It takes my breath away Just to look into your eyes I know I don't deserve a treasure like you There really are no words To show my gratitude
I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars He sure knew what he was doin' When he joined these two hearts I hold everything When I hold you in my arms I've got all I'll ever need Thanks to the keeper of the stars
It was no accident me finding you Someone had a hand in it Long before we ever knew
'And that was Tracy Byrd with Keeper of the Stars. You are listening to BC Country 101.4. And now on to.'
Amanda knew that this song had to be written just for Cameron and her. She really didn't like country music but this was a beautiful song. It made her miss all those evenings of staring at the stars with Cameron. Feeling a cool breeze she pulled her sweater close to her body. Realizing that this was the same breeze she felt when she first came to the hill after Cameron left. He must be thinking about her. It gave her renewed hope that he would return to her and they would be together again.
To be continued.
Amanda was overjoyed at the prospect of Cameron's memory return. She tried not to get hopeful, but that was asking the impossible. She would ask Gary if he would go to Chicago to help Cameron. She wasn't sure if he would given how hurt he was, but deep down she knew he really cared about his brother and he wouldn't want to see him hurt. She hoped she could get through to him.
After contacting Gary, he reluctantly agreed to help Cameron. Amanda wanted to accompany him to Chicago but thought better of it. She was the last thing Cameron needed right now. As much as she longed to see him she knew it was best to stay home.
She saw Gary off at the airport. Told him to call if he should need anything. And to say hi to Cameron. She prayed that Gary could help him.
In Chicago
Amanda telephoned Cameron and told him Gary would come to help him. He was glad that Gary was able to put his hurt aside and help him out. He thanked Amanda and told her he would keep in touch.
Gary arrived two days later. Cameron had had several more disturbing dreams and had written down all that he could remember. He would show his notes to Gary and maybe he could fill in the blanks. They must have had some sort of life; but it appeared to be filled with sorrow. Cameron cleared it with Clara that Gary could stay with him. She had a futon in the attic and Cameron pulled it down for Gary to sleep on. Cameron was nervous about meeting Gary; this was something he had wanted to avoid and was part of the decision not to go back to Bay City. He knew from what little Amanda had told him that they had hurt Gary. He still hoped that they could become friends.
Driving to the airport, he began to have a headache. He hoped it was just from the stress and not from the surgery. He tried his relaxation techniques, and it helped. He was early, just liked he planned; he wanted to prepare for this meeting. Gary's flight was to arrive at 2:00 p.m., and it was 1:45 now. Cameron went to the bar and got a soft drink. It was air conditioned in the bar and he felt better, his nerves were calmer now. Hearing the flight from Bay City would be unloading at gate 7, Cameron got up and went to the appropriate gate. Pacing back and forth, nervous at not knowing what to say. He didn't even know what his brother looked like. Just then this dark haired man came through the gate. He knew it was Gary. The memory of his brother came rushing back and tears welled up in his eyes. Gary came right up to him and taking one look at his brother put his arms around him and cried along with him.
"Hey man, I'm so sorry." Gary said standing back looking at this shell of man that was his brother. He had lost weight and his hair was just coming back in. Amanda had tried to prepare him for what he would look like, but seeing him like this, all the pain was pushed to the back burner.
"Gary I remember you, not everything but I remember you. It's nice to see a familiar face; I didn't realize how much I have missed. I have so much to ask you. But that can wait until we get home." Grabbing one of Gary's bags he headed towards his rental truck.
"That's wonderful Cameron, when did this happen?" Gary asked, slapping him on the shoulder.
"Just now, as you came through the gate, I recognized your face. I don't remember much after that but I know you!" Cameron feeling that at last he had someone who knew him and he knew. Maybe he would come back after all.
"Cam, you look great. Amanda told me how much you had been through but I guess I didn't really believe her, I was reluctant to come here but now I'm glad I did. I'm also sorry that I wasn't there for you when you were still in the hospital."
"That's okay. Amanda told me that I hurt you, with no details. I don't remember but it must have been a whopper. I wasn't even sure if you would come now, but I have been having these dreams about my, er, our childhood and I hope that you can help. I hope it won't be too painful for you."
"Well, we will get through this together, no matter what, because we're family and we need to hold on to that. And Amanda is a special friend of mine, and I would do anything for her. That's why I was so glad the two of you got together. I'm hoping we can get you back to that relationship. You were good for each other."
"I hurt her, and who knows who else, I don't think I can get back there."
"All we can do is try." Gary said as he looked out the window, they talked about the Cubs and Cameron said that he could get tickets to a game while he was here. After the ride from the airport they finally arrived at Clara's. Cameron took him up to his room and showed him where to store his stuff. Clara was letting him use a futon from the attic. He wanted Gary near in case of another dream.
They settled into a routine and for several days Cameron was able to sleep without the dreams. He was getting to know Gary. They talked with ease, Cameron was remembering little things and talking to Gary emphasized the bond they must have had as children. Gary had told him only the things that were pertinent to his dreams. Cameron knew there must be more and he really wanted to hear all of it.
After dinner, Gary went for a walk and Cameron called Amanda to thank her.
"Hello, Amanda. How are you?"
"I'm fine, how are you getting along with Gary?"
"Great, I recognized him at the airport. No memories of anything but these little things I am capturing are getting stronger. I haven't had any more dreams. But Gary and I are talking about our childhood. Dr. Jones said that he feels that I should regain my memory. When, he can't say, but is pretty sure it will happen."
"Oh, Cameron that is wonderful news, I can't wait. I know I promised I wouldn't do this but. I have missed you. I know you don't need to hear this."
"Amanda, I understand. I guess it happened when Gary showed up and the familiarity of knowing someone. I realized what I was missing."
"I hope Gary can help you and no matter what, please know that I love you, and think about you often. Tell Clara and Gary I said hello and I'll talk to you soon. Goodbye." Hanging up the telephone she burst into tears. Rachel at that moment came into the room.
"Honey, who was that on the phone?" guessing it must be Cameron.
Wiping the tears, she said. "Cameron."
"Is everything alright? No bad news I hope."
"No, but he did recognize Gary and the doctor is hopeful. I just don't think I can stand the wait. I want to go out there and make him remember. I know that's silly but it's how I feel. I don't have anyone but you to talk with"
"Yes, honey you do have me and eventually Cameron will come around, but forcing yourself on him may chase him away. You just keep the faith and he will return to you."
"Thanks Mom." Amanda went over to Rachel and hugged her and told her she needed to take a walk.
"Have a nice walk. It'll help to clear your head. I'll see you later."
Amanda grabbed her sweater and headed out the door. Walking in the crisp cool air of the evening, Amanda breathed deep as if to inhale sanity. Making her way to the hill she sat on their bench and stared at their star.
She sat there for a very long time. Thinking about her life and Cameron's. Not wanting to leave their place, she sat back and closed her eyes. Far off strains of music wafted up from someone's car radio. She couldn't quite make out all the words but what she heard was I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars He sure knew what he was doin' When he joined these two hearts I hold everything When I hold you in my arms I've got all I'll ever need Thanks to the keeper of the stars
She sat up and leaned closer so she could hear the rest.
Soft moonlight on your face oh how you shine It takes my breath away Just to look into your eyes I know I don't deserve a treasure like you There really are no words To show my gratitude
I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars He sure knew what he was doin' When he joined these two hearts I hold everything When I hold you in my arms I've got all I'll ever need Thanks to the keeper of the stars
It was no accident me finding you Someone had a hand in it Long before we ever knew
'And that was Tracy Byrd with Keeper of the Stars. You are listening to BC Country 101.4. And now on to.'
Amanda knew that this song had to be written just for Cameron and her. She really didn't like country music but this was a beautiful song. It made her miss all those evenings of staring at the stars with Cameron. Feeling a cool breeze she pulled her sweater close to her body. Realizing that this was the same breeze she felt when she first came to the hill after Cameron left. He must be thinking about her. It gave her renewed hope that he would return to her and they would be together again.
To be continued.