The Stolen Man, Victory Episode 6-1
(S.M. Table of Contents)
It feels good, Helen’s hand in yours; you sitting next to her on the couch, talking with her. It calms you a little, but only a little
“I have to go back,” you say, “If only I could remember.”
Helen looks at you, clearly concerned, “I wish you wouldn’t”
“Remember?”
“No, Go back.”
“Right, that’s what I want to do.”
Helen shakes her head in frustration, “No, I just mean…Let me help you.”
“Well, yeah, of course, right. So, help me.”
“What do you remember?”
“Well, it’s all pink elephants and woozles.”
“I know…but maybe not all of it. There’s me for example. I’m not a pink elephant or woozle.”
“That’s right. You’re not.”
“What do you remember?”
“Well, I remember a miscarriage. Although not very well. In fact, the only thing I really remember around that time is how saw we were…and I remember Dr. Sexton.”
Helen nods, “That was after Danny was taken.”
“So I did go see him?”
“Yeah that was your first memory lapse.”
“That’s right. You said this happened before.”
“One day you just didn’t come home. Dr. Sexton called and told me what had happened. He told me he worked for the bank.”
“For the bank?”
“Can you imagine needing to hire a full-time therapist for your employees? Anyway he took you to Sunnyvale for in-treatment. I came to visit. After a month you came home. You really don’t remember any of this?”
“No. What did you think of Dr. Sexton?”
“I never met him.”
“You never met him, never talked with him when you came to visit?”
Just the one time on the phone.”
“But when you came you never saw him?”
“No, it was always Dan. He would take me to the rec room. I always met with you there.”
“Dan? None of this makes sense. I have to get back.“
“I don’t understand any of this.”
“It was more than a break down Helen. I think Six, er, Dr. Sexton, did this to me. Dan’s part of it too somehow.”
“Danny? or Dan?”
“Both, I think.”
“What? Why?”
“Helen, I’m not really a banker.”
Helen’s face turns hard, disappointed, but not surprised.
“I used to be, sort of. A lot like you thought, anyway. I never really told you who I did it for.”
“Does it even matter who?” Helen sounds tired all of a sudden.
“It’ matters. It was something important, and necessary.”
“Who then?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Helen stares at you, confused and frustrated. You’re frustrated too. Communication has gotten so difficult of late.
“I mean, it doesn’t matter anymore, because I think I quit.”
“You quit? When?”
“It’s a little hazy, but I think just before Six did this to me.”
“Six?”
“Dr. Sexton. Maybe it’s why he did this to me. But there’s more. My job, before I quit, it changed. They found out what I can do, you know, how I can hear dishonesty.”
“I really don’t understand.”
“Me either. But I’m going to find out. But first, tell me about Danny. Tell me about our son.”