Free A Memory Unchained by Gloria Graham

poked her head in the door and asked, “Are you
    alright, Mrs. Thornton?”
    Pamela had just nodded and continued shuffling the
    papers on her desk.
    Her nerves were on edge by the end of the day. The
    phone had been ringing but no Jeff! By closing time she
    was depressed and disappointed. He said he would call, she thought. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Their time had been just something to pass the day to him. Didn’t they share
    something special and real? Pamela was heartbroken.
    She cried until she had no more tears. Then every
    thought she had of the weekend began to make her
    mad.
    “He’s just using me,” she finally told herself. “Believe
    it you idiot! You’ve been had! He brought up your religion for an out!”
    She was mad at herself for letting her guard down, for
    being taken in by this suave, handsome playboy.
    Pamela buried her head in her arms and sobbed. She
    had forsaken Tom’s memory and for what? She felt she had
    degraded his memory and replaced it now with feelings of
    guilt! Tom still had a hold on her life.
    All weekend she kept hoping for a call from Jeff. It never came. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying.
    The whole episode had hurt her deeply. His rejection
    had been a tremendous blow to her ego. It was something
    she was having a hard time dealing with.

    76 __________________Gloria Graham
    The week had gone slow with no word from Jeff. It
    was Saturday again. Pamela still felt depressed when her
    phone rang.
    Guy Ashland, a coworker, greeted her with, “Hi baby.
    How about going dancing tonight?”
    She sighed. He was a pest! She had refused his offer to
    go out at least once a week for the past year and he still persisted.
    Pamela started to cut him off quickly when she had a
    second thought!
    “Please!” he said in a tone that made her feel sorry for
    him.
    “I guess I am in circulation again,” she thought.
    Guy was handsome, fun loving and young! “Too young
    really,” she addressed herself again.
    He asked again, “Just dinner and a little dancing. I’ll
    be a good boy, I promise,” he laughed.
    Pamela finally agreed.
    He would pick her up at 8:00 PM. She began to think
    of what to wear. She reminded herself that she could put
    Jeff Desmond out of her mind for a while at least!
    Guy looked unusually handsome to her. Pamela won-
    dered why. She remembered she had only seen him in his
    gray uniform in Orland’s stockroom. He was very good
    looking she thought.
    The sign flashed, “BLUE TURTLE,” above the door-
    way. It was one of the better restaurants in Boston. Guy
    had reserved a special table in a very private area.
    Pamela felt it was a little too secluded to suit her but
    Guy could care less what it looked like.
    She tired quickly of his off color jokes and advances.

    A Memory Unchained___________ 77
    When he finally suggested they dance, it was a welcome
    relief.
    Guy pulled her close as they danced. Pamela wondered
    how long she could last!
    As the Combo finished the number, Pamela caught
    sight of a familiar face across the dance floor. It was Jeff.
    Her heart skipped a beat. She tried not to stare. She didn’t want Jeff to see her looking at him!
    “What’s wrong baby?” Guy stopped Pamela on the
    dance floor.
    “Nothing,” she answered abruptly. She snuggled closer
    into his arms when she realized Jeff had spotted her.
    Guy was a show-off and he could dance. He could
    make anyone look good on a dance floor and she wanted
    Jeff to notice her.
    There was only one problem; Guy instantly got the
    wrong idea. He pulled Pamela closer during the slow
    numbers and kissed her softly on the neck. He was mak-
    ing suggestions she didn’t like in her ear when Jeff tapped him on the shoulder.
    “May I cut in?” he asked.
    Guy looked surprised.
    “Do you want to dance with this guy?” he asked.
    Jeff stood waiting for Pamela’s answer.
    “Sure,” Pamela agreed, “if you don’t mind.”
    The Combo slipped into a slow love song as Jeff pulled
    Pamela