Carine and I got in Baldwin’s car, along with Baldwin, Kristina and Muffin. There were two men in the front, the rest of us in the back of this long limousine. There was another woman too which really confused me…it was Kat! “Don’t worry Bernard,” said Baldwin, “this is not Kat, it is her twin sister Jennifer. She came along as a sort of bodyguard for you.” “Why do I need a bodyguard?”, I ask, “am I in trouble?” “There is a man that is responsible for giving you the drugs which has made you forget your past,” said Carine, “and that man would like to kill you. That is what the drugs are designed to do.”

“Right,” I said, “I forgot.” I just sat there without saying a word, trying to figure out what my life is going to be like now without Carine. And what do I say to my wife? I am married to someone I obviously loved and yet now she is a stranger to me. Things are happening a little too fast for me. I want to jump out of the car and run as fast as I can to get away. Somewhere. Anywhere. But all these people really seem like they want to help me.

They are supposed to be my friends. But how do I know? Maybe they are trying to kidnap Carine and I? Maybe they will take Carine away and I will never see her again. Maybe. A dangerous word. I have to stop thinking like that. They want to help and be friends, that is what I need to remember. Muffin is curled up on my lap purring. My eyes are closed…but here we are already…driving up to what they call a chateau. It looks like a castle with it’s 2 turrets at the front.

It is huge, like Kat had said. Kat is at the door and gives me a big hug. But I am quiet, I just do not know what to say. “Hi Kat,” I said quietly, “I really wish I could remember you…and everyone, but I just cannot think.” “Don’t worry about it Bernard,” said Kat, “we are going to work at this nice and slow. If we go too fast, please let us know, we want to do this right.” “Thank you Kat,” I said smiling, “um, what about Carine, will she be able to stay too?”

“Of course she is going to stay,” said Kat very happily, “there is no way we would ever kick her out!” That made me feel much better and more relaxed. To my surprise Kat took us up to the third floor where there was a large suite, a living room, bathroom and bedroom. “This is where you two will stay,” said Kat, “but you will eat with us. And we want you to feel free to use any part of the chateau, there is a large library on the main floor, that is where we spend a lot of our time.

And Bernard, we have things ready at the clinic, you should have a check up, just to make sure there are no other health problems. And once Chung has that other drug he will begin working on an antidote for you.” “Thank you,” was all I could say. “Oh, and dinner will be ready in about half an hour,” added Kat. Carine and I were both hungry. “I’m glad they are letting us stay together for now,” I said to Carine, “I was so nervous, but now I feel much better.”

“Yes, I am glad it is this way too Bernard,” said Carine, “but we must work toward you getting back together with your wife now.” “Yes, I know,” I said, “and she does seem to be so very nice.” “Yes, she is an amazing woman,” said Carine smiling, “I do not think I could do what she is doing.” We went down for dinner which was all very good. We talked a lot which was also good, it made me much more relaxed. Then we went to the library, wow, what a lot of books! Finally we all went to bed. Carine was exhausted and fell asleep quickly, but I was wide awake, too much excitement today.

So I went to the living room and looked through the books in the large bookcase. One looked rather interesting so I sat down and began to read. I heard a scratching at the door and let Muffin come in. Then I lay down on the couch with Muffin on top of me purring quietly. “Can you talk when there is no one else around?”, I asked her. Meow,meow.=Yep, me can talk anytime. “That is so amazing,” I said, “you are a beautiful cat, I am so sorry I cannot remember you.” Meow,meow.=That okay, one day you remember, I hope so soon. “Yes Muffin, me too,” I said…and was soon asleep. But that dream…

To Be Continued.

©2022 Steve McLeod.