Page 83 of Protected By the Sinner
“It’s strange. It started with small flashes during a nightmare on the way to New Orleans, but now the images are as clear as a movie.”
“Tell me more. I’d rather listen to you. I’m afraid if I get too excited, I might end up asking something I shouldn’t.”
“I remember that in the last house we lived in before you turned into an adult, they got us some documents. And I also remember running into a cult member in Austin who recognized us. We had to flee.”
“Yeah, we were terrified, weren’t we?”
“Yes, but you know what I don’t get?”
“What?”
“Why did we keep going back to Texas?”
“I guess because we always saw that state as home.”
I think about what she said. “Could be, yeah,” I reply. “Did Beau tell you I’m pregnant?”
“Yes.” She lets out another frustrated sigh. “I don’t want to pressure you, Amber, but it’s so hard talking like this. I’m terrified of saying the wrong thing and hurting you.”
I don’t really know how to ease her mind, so I try switching the subject. “Do you live here in the U.S.?”
“No. Right now, I’m in Italy.” She’s choosing her words very carefully.
“Do you live alone?”
“With my boyfriend, but I’ll be heading back home soon. I need to hug you.”
“I’d love for you to come. Even if I don’t remember anything from the recent past, I know we’re best friends.”
“How can you be so sure?” she asks, and I can tell by her tone she’s smiling.
“Because it must mean something that I only remember you and our mom. I don’t even remember Tobias’s face—just what he did.”
“Maybe you blocked out the bad stuff.”
“Not completely. I had a nightmare about the day we saw the elders hurting Lucille. If your theory were true, that would’ve been blocked too.”
“Yeah, good point.”
“Besides, I don’t remember how I met Beau, but he told me we were serious and that I used to go everywhere with him. I’m carrying his child, so our relationship must be okay.”
She goes quiet longer than I can stand. Does that mean there is something wrong with us?
No. Of course not. He just feels and shows things differently than I do.
“Why are you so quiet?” I ask, anxious again.
“Does he treat you well, Amber? I mean now. Since you woke up?”
“Yes. He’s very reserved and sometimes just stares at me silently, but I feel that he likes me and wants me.”
“And what about the baby?”
“We haven’t talked about it much, but Beau said the baby and I belong to him, so I think he’s happy about being a dad.”
“As I told you, I’ll be back in the States soon and I’ll see you. Whether your memory comes back or not, you’ll always be my little sister, and nothing and no one will stop me from being by your side.”
“I don’t think Beau’s trying to keep us apart. If he was, why would he contact you?”
