Taking a deep breath, he shot the doctor an apologetic glance. "I'm sorry, this is hard." Then taking another deep breath, he continued. "That was when I called for help. I didn't know what else to do."

Dr Lyons sat scratching his chin. "Your reaction is understandable under the circumstances, Mr. Brinkman. But after a shock of this nature it is not out of the realm of possibility for there to be some memory loss. Give her some time. In most cases memory returns in a few hours or days.

"Normally dealing with family triggers it. Does she have any other family in the area? It's possible that the combination of you and another close family member will trigger her memory."

David listened intently to the doctor's words. "Her mother is on the way," he said hopefully. "She has a brother in Caledonia. I think she has a lot of cousins someplace."

The doctor raised a hand. "Well see how it goes with her mother before we call in the entire calvary. It really should be just fine, Mr. Brinkman."

~*~

Elaine Veneze entered her daughter's hospital room. The banks of machines lining one side of her daughters bed reminded her sharply of a time not so long ago when her husband, Albert Veneze, had been in a similar situation. Pushing the uncomfortable thoughts away, she stepped toward her son-in-law who sat hunched in a chair near the bed. It was obvious that he had not heard her enter.

She touched his shoulder softly and offered him the wrapped parcel of food she'd brought. She was sure he hadn't eaten.

David looked forlornly up at her and a weak smile crossed his lips. "Hello, Elaine," he whispered, standing. He allowed her to envelope him in a warm hug before leading her out of the room.

"There's something you should know." he said once they were in the hallway. He quickly told her the facts concerning Tammy's amnesia and what little he knew about the accident and about the baby they had lost. Elaine schooled her features for each blow. David was having a difficult enough time dealing with the situation without her breaking down. When David finished speaking, his voice wavering, Elaine reached for his hand.

"We have to be strong for her, David," she told him matter-of-factly. "And I don't think that now is a good time to tell her about the baby. It is enough to help her remember her life."

David sniffed and nodded, offering a genuine smile. "I'm glad you came." He hugged her again. "I don't know what I would have done alone."

"You would have been just fine," Elaine insisted. "You heard from a stranger. I heard from you," she said. "Come on, let's go be with her."

The doctor told them that the sedatives they had given her would last through the night, and urged them both to go home to rest. Elaine had been much more willing than David. It took the persuasive powers of both Dr. Lyons and Elaine to convince him that Tammy would need for him to have all of his strength the next day. They arrived back at the hospital at seven o' clock the next morning.

To both their surprises, Tammy was awake and having breakfast. She looked blankly from Dr Sommers, who was the duty doctor for the day to David and Elaine.

"Tammy I have some people who have been very anxious to see you." Dr Sommers said gently.

Tammy's wide eyes settled on David and Elaine, a moment of confusion dancing in their depths.

"Oh, my little Tamly," Elaine said softly, "It's your mum. I even brought your rabbity." Elaine pulled out the little stuffed rabbit from her purse.

Tammy reached out for it, tears welling in her eyes, "Oh, mama," she cried, going into Elaine's arms. She choked back the tears that threatened to follow. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't remember. I--I so..."

"Shhh," Elaine said. "It's all right honey, it's all right. You've had a terrible shock. It's not an unusual thing. But, everything will be fine. You'll see."

Tammy laid her head against her mother's shoulder. Elaine continued to speak, "Tammy honey, this is David," she gestured in David's direction. "About six months ago the two of you were married. David has your wedding album. Would you like to see it?"

Tammy looked at Elaine and then to David and then she nodded slightly.

David watched intently as she opened the album. She turned through nearly all of the pages before slamming the book shut. She turned to her mother, "Mum, this can't be my wedding album!" she said.

"Why not?" Elaine asked stunned.

"Well, where's Daddy? Daddy wouldn't miss my wedding!" Tammy said looking accusingly at her mother.

Elaine gasped, taken aback. Her husband Albert had died two years ago. Both she and Tammy had had a difficult time with it. Elaine had moved out of the family home and into a condo where she had started a small business. Tammy had found happiness with David after moving to the city.

David blinked, and looked toward Elaine who was quickly losing her cool. He placed on hand reassuringly on her shoulder and the other on Tammy's.

"Tammy honey, I'm afraid your father died two years ago." Thinking back, David was surprised to find it had been two years ago exactly yesterday. Tammy glared at him. "No," she said. "That's not true. You are a liar! I never married you! You're a liar and I hate you!"

David stood staring at his wife, half stunned. Tammy turned away from him, burrowing herself into Elaine's embrace. She wept brokenly against her mother's shoulder.

David turned his shocked gaze toward Elaine. She didn't know that she could do anything to help him over the hurt Tammy's words had caused. Right now her daughter needed her more. Her eyes implored that he not take the unthinking words to heart.

His eyes fell toward the wedding album. Absently he traced the embossed date and the names of Mr. And Mrs. David Brinkman. Then sighing, he dropped his hands away and slowly walked from the room.

~*~

"Mr. Brinkman?"

David vaguely heard someone calling his name. His mind was much too numb to put a name to the voice. Slowly, he turn to face the speaker.

"Mr. Brinkman," Doctor Sommers repeated. "I think your wife should speak with someone. The situation seems to have become considerably more complex than we at first thought."

"Yeah," David nodded. "I think that's a true statement," his voice was edged with sarcasm. He felt that they should have been prepared for something like this after she panicked the night before; the night she didn't even seem to remember.

The doctor continued, "I'd like to recommend a Dr Gaylin. He's a specialist in unusual cases of memory loss, such as this appears to be. If I recommend your wife's case to him, I'm sure he'd be willing to at least talk to her. He's made great strides in this area."

David was exhausted and had hardly slept the night before. He decided to allow the doctor's opinion to stand. "Okay, doctor. Whatever you think is best. I don't know anything about psychology of medicine. I just know that I want my wife back." Turning his back on the white clad doctor, he walked out to the waiting room.

Later Elaine came out to find him. "I talked to the Dr about the psychotherapist," she said without preamble. When David didn't respond she continued, "She's sleeping now. Cried herself to sleep, just like when she was a little girl." She paused again, her gaze fixing on him. David refused to look up.

"You and she met several months after Albert died. You didn't know how close they were; how hard she took it. When she decided to take a job here, I was a little worried. But then she met you. It was like she came back to life. That alone helped me. David. I can't watch her go through this all over. You saved her before. You can do it again."

David remained unmoving. Elaine sighed and made ready to get up from her chair.

"Elaine," David called, still not looking up. "I have to save her if I am to save myself." He stood up slowly from his chair and went to be with his wife.

~*~

Dr Gaylin Santos was a tall man with a slight accent. He stared across the table at Elaine and David. "I have to know everything," he said. "She's blocked two complete years, in a memory block so selective there has to be some reason."

Elaine told him of her husband's sudden heart attack, and the depression that followed for Tammy. David told of their last conversation. He was ashamed that he hadn't been more supportive at the time. She had been telling him something that was obviously very important to her."

"Well, that's a start." Gaylin said. "I'll do some studying while her body heals. After, we will concentrate on her mind. If of course it is still necessary at that time." He looked toward David, "I'll contact you when I'm ready."

"She is supposed to go home tomorrow." David spoke up. "Which home should she go to?"

"To her home, of course." Gaylin replied as if it were simple.

"With her mother or with me," David reiterated.

"Mr. Brinkman, if your wife is to remember her home, you must think that way also. The two of you have built a life, a home together. That is her home now--no offense at all to you Mrs. Veneze."

"None taken," Elaine put in, a hopeful smile on her face. It was obvious that she liked Gaylin Santos.

David took a deep breath, ignoring the by-play. "I guess, I should be the one to tell her?" he said. He steeled himself for another difficult task. He hoped she wouldn't become hysterical again.

"Sir, you sound as if it should be bad news. Aren't patients happy to be going home from hospital? So why do you have to break it to her at all. When it is time to go home simply take her there. There is to be no question about it." Gaylin pushed himself up from his seat and handed David a card. "There is a number where you may contact me if you need me. Good day to you both." Dr Gaylin walked out of the conference room leaving Elaine and David to stare after him.