Chapter Six
Tammy looked over at her mother as David left. Elaine Veneze was not a very complicated person, and Tammy could tell that she had something she wanted to say. That was fine with Tammy, because she had something she wanted to say as well.
Instead of getting right to the point, Elaine tidied the covers that were spread across Tammy's waist and asked if she were excited about going home.
A bevy of butterflies danced in Tammy's belly at the mere mention of the word. Taking a deep breath, she smiled at her mother. "It would be wonderful if I could come home with you, at least until David and I know one another better."
Elaine studied her for several moments. "Do you think that would be best, dear?" she finally spoke.
"Yes, I do. I mean, David seems like a nice man, but... I don't really know him, and, and well, I don't know him," Tammy finished uncomfortably. The truth was, Tammy felt a growing attraction for the man that claimed to be her husband. But what if she had forgotten the past for a reason? Of course, she didn't think he mother would lead her into a bad situation. But what if she didn't know all the details?
"David is a nice man, sweetheart, and he loves you very much. The doctors say that the best thing for you is to get back into a familiar environment so that you can go on with your life. Don't you want those two years back?"
"I don't know," Tammy said in a small voice. "What if something horrible happened, Mom? What if..."
"You were in an automobile accident," Elaine said calmly. "Nothing more. Now, I'm going to be staying with you and David for a couple days, so I've got to earn my keep. I'm making a very special dinner for your homecoming, and I still have to pick up leeks."
Elaine stood up to leave, but paused. "I mean what I say, Tamellyn. David does love you, and whatever in your memory is frightening you, he can help. Just give him a chance. If it doesn't work out, my door is always open to you, you know that."
Tammy nodded her thanks, and settled back against the cushions. Everything would work out, it had to.
~*~
David re-entered Tammy's room, a garment bag hanging over his arm. Elaine was no where to be seen. "Where'd she go?" David asked.
"She said something about making a special dinner and having to shop for it." Tammy told him.
David raised his eyebrows at that, but said nothing. "Well, I brought your favorite outfit to wear home today. Would you like for me to call the nurse to help you get dressed?"
"No," Tammy said, "I can do it." She took a deep breath and slipped her legs over the side of the bed. She was decidedly stiff and achy. David had brought her a yellow drop-waist sundress and flat shoes that could not possibly have been her favorite outfit. But it was probably the easiest and most comfortable thing for her to put on in her present condition. Walking slowly toward the bathroom, she looked at herself. Her hair was a mess. With the brush David had brought she tried to brush her hair, but she could barely get her arms over her head without gasping in pain
She turned at the light tap at the door. It could be no one but David, and she had probably been in the bathroom quite a while. "Come in," she called.
David creaked the door open and witnessed her struggles. Without a word he took the brush from her hands, and led her back to the bed. With smooth motions, he began to brush her tangled mass of hair. It was such a simple thing, but Tammy found that she was deeply touched by the action.
~*~
As David drove along the shady lane that led to he and Tammy's house, he kept a running commentary going about the neighborhood. He told her how much she had liked the way the entire area smelled in the spring, and how she'd insisted on planting honeysuckle along the fence in their backyard. As it was early fall, the trees were just beginning to change colors and held the promise of a brilliant flourish of colors. Tammy didn't speak through it all, but David knew that she was listening, because she smiled every so often. Mostly she looked out of the windows and took it all in. They had searched for months to find the neighborhood, and it was having the same effect on her as it had then. His Tammy had fallen in love with it, it seemed as if this new woman was fast falling for it as well.
Their house was situated in the middle of a cul-de-sac. David pulled into the drive, and brought the car to a stop. Smiling encouragingly, he climbed out of the car, and went to open Tammy's door.
She stepped out, an indefinable expression glowing in her eyes. Carefully leading her up to the front steps, he paused meaningfully in front of the burgundy door. Tammy had picked it out special. He watched her closely for any sign of recognition. None came.
Not giving up, he slid his key into the lock, and pushed the door open. The faint smell of potpourri greeted them - thanks to Elaine. But then, Tammy had learned that from her mother, only she'd developed her own mix.
Tammy breathed in the smell, her eyes stormy with some mix of emotions that David couldn't began to sort out. She looked carefully from one side to the other, her gaze lingering on the flowers and brushes that decorated the front of the house. Then, facing forward again, she crossed the threshold.
They had both taken a part in decorating the place. Nothing would have struck a cord as having been from her previous life. David followed her as she wandered through the foyer and into the living room. She circled the room and then entered the kitchen, dining room and den, examining them likewise. Then she started on the closets and the bathroom. Finally she came to a door that opened to a set of stairs.
"Your office," David supplied the answer to the question that danced in her eyes among the other emotions there. He reached past her and clicked on the light switch. The steps were plushly carpeted, but still they creaked under her feet. As she reached for the hand rail, he remembered that she had never liked long stairwells.
At the bottom of the stairs was a finished basement that had been made over into an office. Several filing cabinets sat along one wall and two desks sat nearby. . Neatly pilled reams and sheets of paper were stacked on one of the desks next to a computer. The other desk contained a computer as well as other office supplies. A stack of boxes finished off the contents of the room. Tammy seemed to be drawn to one of the computers, however.
David flipped a switch and the screen came to life. "This one was a wedding gift," he said. "You have an older one upstairs. Would you like to see the upstairs?" he added.
Tammy nodded, and followed him to the first level. Her motions were noticeably slower than when they had first entered the house. "Would you like a drink first?" David asked. "I shouldn't have had you climbing all of those steps. We're home for fifteen minutes, and already I'm disobeying doctor's orders. I don't know what I was thinking. Next time I'll..."
David continued to berate himself as Tammy suddenly sank into a sitting position on the nearest surface, which happened to be the steps. David hovered, making sure that she was okay. All the while, he continued speaking. "I really should have carried you in. I know you must have been--"
"David," Tammy finally spoke, her voice edged with strain. "Could you stop that please?"
David did. He stopped dead in his tracks. "Stop what?" he asked after a second. He's searched his mind and couldn't figure out what it was that he'd done wrong.
"Stop blaming yourself," Tammy said. "I'm a grown woman, and I can take care of myself. See..." she pushed herself up from the step to illustrate just how capable she was. Her face twisted slightly in pain and she swayed.
David reacted unconsciously, catching her against himself. He held on to her for a second to steady her. "Are you alright?" he asked. He watched her intently for any sign of more trouble.
Tammy's face flushed, embarrassed and a little shaken, she pushed away from him, slowly. "Fine. I'm fine, just not used to these steps is all." She looked away and down to the floor with a heavy sigh.
"Tamellyn--Tam," David started, and then waited until she looked up to acknowledge him. "I want to take care of you. I've taken some time off so I can do just that. I know this is all a bit...new to you, but I'm here to help in any way you want me to."
He smiled then. "I'm used to these stairs," he added. "I'll introduce you."
Tammy smiled back, "Could you introduce me really quickly? I'm starting to feel just a bit lightheaded."
"Your wish is my command, milady," David responded, leading her up the stairs to their bedroom. Tamellyn had decorated the room completely from new. The only thing from her past was the off white coverlet that covered the King sized bed.
David helped her under the covers, and placed her shoes near the bed. "I'll be right back," he said going into the bathroom for a dixie cup of water. Removing a small white pill from one of the many bottles, he held it out to her. He then left her alone in the room, where she lay, running a hand absently along the rough white coverlet. He wondered what she was thinking.