The streets are relatively empty, so I accelerate as much as I dare. That nagging pain in my temple flares up one more time, and I remind myself that pretty soon, Graham will be out of my life forever. One headache out of the way.
I press my foot down on the gas and the car leaps forward. Vaguely, I’m aware that I should slow down. But I don’t want to. I press the button to lower the windows and it feels so good to have the wind whipping at my face as the scenery zips by. Graham is going to be gone. That asshole will be out of my life. Thank God.
As my foot descends onto the gas, the windshield disappears from my view. And then everything turns white again. A second later, I’m back in my living room again. Sitting on my sofa.
For a moment, I just sit there shaking. I don’t know what that was, but something tells me that what I just experienced was the memory of something that really happened to me. I discovered Graham had been stealing money from my company (and not to mention cheating on me). And then I tried to leave him. Except…
Was that when it happened? Was that when I got in the car accident that destroyed my brain?
As quietly as I can, I dig my phone out from underneath the couch cushion and stare at the screen. I need to talk to Harry. I need to tell him what I remember. Except there are no other replies from Harry. He has truly decided to leave me alone.
Tomorrow, I won’t remember any of this. I won’t remember my flashback about what Graham did to me before my accident. I won’t remember what a liar he is. I won’t even remember that Harry contacted me. I’ll wake up in the morning next to Graham, and it will be like this day never happened. I’ll read that letter I wrote to myself and think this is my life. Maybe Graham will let me have my phone or maybe he won’t. But there will be nothing else.
The thought of it is like a hand squeezing my heart.
I’ve got to do something.
I run into the kitchen and grab the pen on the kitchen island. I don’t know how much time I have before Graham comes back downstairs. I take the pen with me into the downstairs bathroom and close the door behind me. There’s no lock.
I pull down my pants. On the inside of my right thigh, as high up as I can manage, I write the words:
Find Harry.
Then I write the phone number I have for him underneath.
I’m taking a chance. It’s possible Graham could spy the words I wrote on myself. Or the writing could wash away before I have a chance to see it. But I’m hoping it won’t. I’m hoping this will be a way to help me remember.
I pull up my pants and come out of the bathroom.Ziggy is waiting for me outside, panting excitedly. At least he’s happy.
I rub his head. “What’s up, boy?”
And then I see what’s in his mouth. It’s a set of keys.
Graham’s keys. The car keys and the keys to open the front door.
I can get out of here.
Chapter 36
I don’t have much time. Graham is upstairs in his office, and I’m sure it won’t be long before he discovers his keys are missing. If I’m going to leave, it has to be right now.
And I’m not sure I can do it alone.
I slide my phone out of my pocket. I bring up the text messages from Harry, which I never deleted. Hell, I’ll be in enough trouble if Graham discovers the phone—the text messages are the least of my problems. I quickly type in a message to Harry:
I found Graham’s keys. I’m leaving this place and I’m never coming back. Meet me at the McDonald’s we always used to go to.
He’ll know what I mean by that. Back when we first bought the house and were feeling broke from the huge mortgage we signed, we tried to save money by eating atMcDonald’s. Alot. I would order six chicken nuggets and a small french fries with a Diet Coke. Harry would get a quarter pounder with a Sprite and large fries. We always used to sit in the far corner, at the same table if we could snag it.
If I still remember, I’m sure he still remembers too.
I grab the sneakers that I abandoned at the front door. I have to be quick. Graham could come out of his office at any moment. After I tie the laces, I check my phone again. This time, Harry has responded:
This is a mistake. Don’t do this. I can’t meet you.
I type my answer:
I’m going anyway. Whether you meet me or not. But I have no money and no driver’s license. I could use your help.
