Chapter - 3. Revisiting the Past
"Hey guys, what's happening?"
"Hey Percy. It's good to see you again."
"You too Triple P."
"Hey P, do you mind giving us a few moments?"
"Sure Chris"
"Good morning Sonja. It's good to see you."
"You too Chris. Do you know anything new?"
"No. The doctors say my memories may come back soon. I know one thing though."
"What's that Chris?"
"I still want to talk about us."
"What about us?" I reply as I take one step back as Chris takes two toward me.
"Come on Sonja. You were interested a couple of months ago. What changed?"
I started trying to think how to respond. We were told not to fill in the blanks yet. Over a year has passed since I last saw Christopher. Suddenly I realize that I was backed up to the end of Chris' bed with nowhere to go.
"Look Percy, just give me a chance. I'm going to have to go on medical leave for a few weeks. You can stop by and come get me and I can be with you at the condo."
Backed up against the bed, I felt trapped yet I made no attempt to evade his embrace or his kisses. This is so wrong Sonja I thought but I still didn't move away. Finally, I pushed him away.
" Chris. I think we need to talk with the doctor about this"
"All right Sonja. I can wait no matter what barriers you put up. Come sit with me and tell me about is going on at the office."
Thank goodness Tammy comes in right then. "Hey Tammy. Good timing. Chris was just asking what was going on at the office. Why don't you tell him while I go find the doctor?"
Tammy appears to give me a shorthanded version of what is going on in the office but then I noticed that she got real quiet.
"Chris, I found something. I'm not sure if I am doing the right thing but I have noticed that you and Percy seem awful close these past few days."
"Yes. Tammy. You know that we have had a complicated relationship for months now. I have had plenty of time sitting/ laying around here to realize that I made a mistake in not seeing if we could have something. You know that's why we drifted apart and why she sometimes ignores me."
"What did you want say? You found something?"
"Yes, this" she says as she hands me a box."
I open the jewelry box and find a white gold locket. As I turn it over, I see the words "I will miss you forever". Hummm I thought as I opened it. I was surprised to find a photo of Percy and me inside. I looked at Tammy with questioning eyes. "I don't remember this Tammy where did it come from?"
"I found it in your desk drawer at the office."
"Well thanks" I say as I put it in my robe pocket.
Evidentially I looked tired because Tammy begged off that she had to get back to the office.
After lunch I looked up when I heard the door open. There was Sonja again. I could smell her perfume as she got closer to me. I am surprised that it made realized how much I had missed that smell and her.
"So did you eat?" I asked.
"A little she responded. Actually I realized that I needed to work out so I went down to the police gym. I have to be honest Chris. I wasn't ready to be here with you in these close quarters. You may have forgotten some of what has happened between the two of us but I haven't. It, it is difficult to be this close to you again."
"Why is that Sonja?"
"I thought hard about that when I was running a little while ago. I wanted to be with you Chris. I have never met a man like you who just constantly chipped away at me. For me it was a one day you were a friend and then suddenly one day I realized that I wanted more than that. When I suggested it, you pushed me away from that idea."
"Sonja, I know that. That is an issue that I do remember but I told you I had to re think it. I could have easily died or been injured more severely last week. What if I couldn't see or my mind just totally went wacky at the force of the mast. As I lay over there, I found myself thinking/wondering just how I have survived without you right next to me and right here in my heart. You are a wonderful woman Sonja Percy. You're smart, beautiful, inquisitive and resourceful. We make a great team on the job. I am not sure why I wouldn't think we would be a great team in romantic way as well.
"Please just think about it, will you?"