Page 87 of Sparking Sara

They are really good. Brilliant, even. But I have an untrained eye. Oliver tells me her paintings are rudimentary at best. He says she clearly has the skills, but the talent she once possessed is lacking.

I asked him if that bothers him. If he would see her the same way if she wasn’t able to be the famous painter she once was. He told me he doesn’t love her because of her painting. And damn it if I don’t respect him for that.

“Can I open this?” Sara asks, holding up the gift bag I brought her.

“If you want to,” I say.

She reaches into the bag and pulls out a collection of CDs. Her hand covers her mouth as her eyes mist up. She looks through the various cases. “You bought me the entire Beach Boys collection?”

“You’re the happiest when you listen to them. So I thought if you ever feel down or depressed, you can just play one of those.” I nod to the bag. “There are two more things in there.”

She pulls out a deck of cards and smiles.

“I didn’t want you to get rusty,” I say.

“And what’s this?” she asks, pulling the last item out and turning it over in her hands.

“It’s a journal,” I say. “So you’ll never forget anything ever again.”

We share a look, but it’s more like a glance. A glance with more meaning than anyone in the room could possibly understand. And then it’s gone. It’s gone because we both know that a woman about to go home with her fiancé should not be sharing glances with a man who is not her betrothed.

“Mr. Compton?” someone calls from the doorway. “Can I steal you for a minute to fill out a few things on Sara’s discharge papers?”

“Sure thing,” Oliver says, putting his glass down. He nods at the gift bag contents. “Nice gifts, mate.” Then he turns to Sara. “Wait until you see the welcome home gifts I got you.” He leans close to her, but the rest of us can still hear. “Couldn’t bring them here. They’re for your eyes only. Or maybe mine.”

Sara looks a little green as he walks out the door.

She runs her finger along the binding of the leather journal. “It’s perfect,” she says. “I’ve never been given more thoughtful gifts in my whole life.” Then she frowns. “At least I don’t think I have.”

“Are you sure it’s okay if I bring the twins by your place next week?” Joelle asks.

Sara’s face lights up. “Of course it’s okay. I can’t wait to meet them. Maybe seeing them will spark a memory.”

“I doubt it,” Joelle says. “You didn’t ever want to spend much time with them before. You always made excuses why you couldn’t come for a visit.”

Sara’s face falls. “I’m so sorry, Joelle. I swear this time I’m going to be a good … uh, what am I to your kids?”

Joelle shrugs. “Second cousins? First cousins once removed? Heck if I know.”

“How about I just be a good friend,” Sara says. “To youandthem?”

“That sounds great to me,” Joelle says.

Donovan puts a gentle hand on Sara’s arm. “Please don’t get upset if going home doesn’t help the memories return. You know what all your doctors have said. I don’t want you to have unrealistic expectations.”

“I know. I know,” Sara says. “My memory is most likely gone for good. But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try, right?” She looks at me. “You’ll help, won’t you, Denver? Oliver says he’ll take me to some of my favorite places. The doctors don’t want me to leave town just yet, not until I’ve had the feeding tube removed and I’m done with all my therapy, but there are lots of things we can do around town to try and spark my memory. You’ll go with me, too. Won’t you?”

Oliver steps back into the room. “I’m quite sure Denver has better things to do than follow us around the city chasing your memories.”

Sara looks sadly at the floor.

“Besides,” he says. “The doctors say the best thing you can do is try to get back to your normal daily routine.”

“How can I get back to my normal daily routine if I have to come back here for outpatient therapy every day?” Sara asks.

“Even so,” Oliver says, “I’m sure Denver is eager to get back tohis.”

Sara’s eyes find mine. I can see her struggling. But who am I to say Oliver is wrong? She should get back to her life. She should get back to her fiancé. I’d just be in the way of all that.

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