This is a short story based on characters that I do not own and references to established works.
"I Don't Even Know You"
(Part 4)
After Spencer had helped with Ace, he returned to the living room, collected the notebook, and left. As he traveled down the elevator, he called Joss to tell her about his idea.
"I like it," she said. "As we talk, I'll try to find a way to ease it into the conversation," Joss said.
The plan was for Spencer to drop it off at their dorm room before Joss went to the hospital to see Trina.
When Joss arrived at the hospital, Portia was waiting outside Trina's room.
"Hi, Dr. Robinson. Is Trina ok?" Joss asked.
"Yes. Dr. Melvin is just doing a quick check-up on her before giving her the all-clear to be discharged," Portia responded.
Moments later, he emerged from the room and told Joss and Portia that Trina was medically cleared to leave. She just needed to take it easy for the next few days and start talking about what she remembers.
"That's great news, Dr. Melvin. I'll make sure that Trina is well taken care of at home," Portia replied. Joss looked somewhat stunned. That was not part of the plan. Trina's place was at the dorm. But Joss did not feel that it was her place to challenge Portia. However, as Trina was wheeled out, ready for discharge, she voiced her own challenge.
"Oh, good Joss. I'm glad you're here. Can we head back to the dorms now?" Trina asked.
"But, Trina, honey. I thought you were coming home," Portia repsonded.
"No, Mom. I need to try to get into some parts of my regular routine, and having my own space is sure to help with that. I'll call you when I need you," Trina said. Sensing her mother's somewhat hurt feelings, Trina just reminded Portia that Joss might be able to help her more with her memories since, as besties, they might have shared particular confidences that might stir her memories.
"That's what I'm afraid of," Portia thought to herself. "If Trina was at home, there's no way in the world that I would do anything to help her remember Spencer Cassadine. That is the one good thing to come out of this-him being erased from her mind." Portia realized that she could not make her thoughts known, so she chose to just smile and accept it-for now.
When Trina and Joss arrived at the dorm, Spencer had left the notebook housed in a gift bag at their door. Joss made sure to scoop it up quickly before Trina could see it.
"So, what do you want to do first?" Joss asked, as they settled in.
"The same thing I've been wanting since I woke up yesterday-to see Cam," Trina replied. "Where is he?"
Joss recounted to Trina how Cam had won a scholarship and was now in California. She did, however, leave out all the details about her and Cam's relationship and ultimate break-up. For a while, Trina sat in silence. Then, after a while, she asked Joss to tell her about where things stood between her and Cam when he left.
"Oh, everything's great between the two of you. You were close when he left," Joss replied.
Trina smiled at that and said, "So maybe there's some hope." That was definitely not the seed that Joss had meant to plant in Trina's mind. Hearing that, Joss had hoped that that would veer Trina's mind away from her notion that Cam was the one for her.
As a result of that, Joss quickly pivoted the conversation, as she pulled out the notebook.
"What's that?" Trina asked, as her eyes gleamed.
"Well, I wanted to show you something. Do you think you can handle seeing a version of "This Is Your Life, 2023"?" Joss propositioned Trina.
"Sure, I guess so," Trina replied.
Joss settled beside Trina on her bed and asked, "Now, do you remember Spencer?"
"Yes. Your friend who acted like he knew me," Trina said.
"Yes, well because he does," Joss tried reminding her best friend.
"But, I don't remember him. I only remember you, me, and Cam. Especially, Cam, and how he and I were getting closer," Trina said.
"Yes, that was a time in your life, but things changed course," Joss replied.
"What things?" Trina asked.
Taking a breath, Joss prepared to open the notebook. From Spencer's description over the phone, it was a make-shift scrapbook that he had put together. Of course, he had told her, a digital photo album would have been ideal. But he had to act fast-hence, the make-shift notebook/scrapbook/photo album. Spencer told Joss that seeing photos of them together might help to trigger some memories for Trina of him and more importantly, them.
"These things," Joss replied, as she opened up to the first photograph.
Trina's eyes grew wide as she saw the first photograph. It was one of her at this year's Nurses' Ball.
"Where was I?" Trina asked.
"That was taken at this year's Nurses' Ball. You looked absolutely beautiful," Joss replied, while Trina couldn't help but smile.
"What was going on here?" Trina giggled when she saw a photo of her and Joss on stage.
Joss laughed, as well. "This, best friend, was us performing a song that same night at the Ball. And, not to brag, but we were great!"
"Well, I'll take it. It looks like it was fun," Trina replied.
"It was," Joss responded, as she turned to the next photo. It was of Spencer at the Ball in his tux.
"This was Spencer that night," Joss said.
"He's definitely handsome. No doubt about it. Was he your date that night?" Trina inquired.
"I'll let the next photo answer that," Joss replied, after sneaking a peak. The next photo was of Spencer and Trina, together, at the Nurses' Ball. Trina seemed surprised to see it-to see them together.
"Did we go together?" she asked.
"No, but that was the night that the two of you became official," Joss replied.
Afterwards, Trina looked at the photo a little bit longer-almost studying it in a sense. Joss watched Trina as she focused in on the photo of her and Spencer. She thought that she saw a softness come across Trina's face as she looked at the photograph.
"Do you remember the photo?" Joss asked.
Trina didn't answer immediately.
"Trina, do you remember something about that night? That photo?" Joss asked Trina again.
"Uh, no," Trina replied. "But we look really happy together. Were we? Were we happy?" Trina asked softly.
Trina looked at Joss, waiting for her answer. It almost seemed as if Trina was hopeful for a positive response.
"Yes, you were. Unbelievably happy. It had definitely been a long time coming. So, when it did, you were the happiest I'd ever seen you," Joss responded, trying to use her words to will Trina into remembering. Perhaps it was working because Trina didn't want Joss to turn to the next photograph. She did it herself, with great expectation.
It was of her and Spencer at Portia and Curtis's wedding.
"Yeah, I'm still trying to get my head around my mom and Curtis being married," Trina laughed nervously. Her attention, however, stayed on the photo of her and Spencer looking like they had stepped out of a fairy tale. Trina felt a smile come across her face.
"This looks like another happy one for us-I mean for..." Trina hesitated.
"Yes, Trina. The two of you were very happy," Joss replied.
"Joss, can you tell me how we met?" Trina asked, now seeming interested in learning about the man who had been by her side at the hospital.
"I'd like nothing better," Joss replied.
"Great. Let's take a look at the next photograph before you start," Trina said eagerly, as she turned to the next photo.
Joss was stunned. "Why would he put... That b****, Esme. This is all her. I just know it," Joss thought to herself.
The burgeoning optimism that Trina was feeling took a hit when she saw a photograph of Spencer, Ace, and Esme beaming like a perfect little family.
"So, does the guy who supposedly loves me have a child with someone else?" Trina asked, sounding strangely hurt.
"No, Trina. That's his brother," Joss replied.
"So, who's the girl?" Trina aked curtly.
Joss wasn't expecting this. She wanted to choose her words carefully, especially since it seemed like she was making some headway with her best friend.
"Umm. It's complicated," Joss stammered.
"Well, uncomplicate it," Trina said, showing some feistiness.
Before Joss could begin the almost impossible task of trying to explain the many tales of Esme, there was a knock at the door.
"I heard someone wanted to see me," a familiar voice spoke out.
It was Cam. Trina's bugeoning jealousy quickly disappeared, as she rushed over to embrace the one she had been wanting to see. As they embraced, the makeshift album of memories fell to the floor.