Free Forget to Remember by Alan Cook Page A

occasion. It’s
not every day my long-lost granddaughter—or her
doppelganger—returns. No, I don’t need help. I’m not so decrepit
that I can’t get around by myself.”
    She said the last to Paul who was attempting
to help her up. Rose said good-bye to them and went home. The long
table of dark wood was already covered with a linen tablecloth,
china plates, and silverware Carol suspected was real silver and
not just stainless steel masquerading under the name. The large and
comfortable chairs matched the table.
    Once she had gotten to her feet, Mrs. Horton
walked steadily into the dining room. She sat at one end, with Paul
and Carol on either side of her. Audrey, who had apparently eaten
earlier, served them, starting with a bottle of red wine Carol, who
was certain she wasn’t a connoisseur, suspected was quite
expensive. Paul commented favorably on it. Carol limited herself to
two glasses.
    Carol half expected Mrs. Horton to quiz her,
but she didn’t. Instead, she played the perfect hostess, making
sure they had plenty to eat and drink, including apple pie Audrey
baked from apples grown on the property. She told Carol Paul had
filled her in on the circumstances of how Carol was found and
mentioned her amnesia briefly. She didn’t ask whether Carol
remembered anything and said she looked good, considering what she
had gone through.
    She kept the conversation going by telling
stories about her family, including Cynthia, always referring to
her in the third person—she, not you. Carol got the impression Mrs.
Horton was telling her this family history so that Carol would be
able to answer questions about it. Or maybe she was watching to see
how Carol responded. However, she never acted as though she thought
Carol were Cynthia.
    Paul also told some stories about the
Sakais, but he deferred to Mrs. Horton and let her do most of the
talking. He did ask her if Cynthia had a scar on her abdomen. Mrs.
Horton said she didn’t know about any scar.
    While they were sipping Cognac and drinking
coffee, Audrey brought Mrs. Horton a photo album, containing
pictures of the Sakai family up to the time when Cynthia was about
ten years old. Several pictures appeared to be missing. They must
have fallen out or been used for another purpose.
    “Unfortunately, I don’t have any recent
pictures of Cynthia. After she disappeared two years ago, I gave
Helen the albums and pictures I had from when she was older so she
and Richard could use them to help with the search.”
    None of the shots of Cynthia or Michael or
her parents registered with Carol. The young Cynthia must have been
a cute girl, but Carol couldn’t relate to her. She saw Paul was
watching her expressions carefully.
    “Elizabeth, I was hoping you’d still have
some photos of Cynthia when she was older. I’m about to go through
their house. I’m sure I’ll turn up some photos that are more
current.” He took a sip of Cognac from a miniature silver-covered
glass.
    Mrs. Horton closed the album. “I’m an
early-to-bed, early-to-rise person these days, so I’m going to kick
you two out.”
    Paul pushed back his chair. “I’ll take Carol
to her hotel. Tomorrow we’ll go to the Sakai house and around
Chapel Hill, to see if that jogs her memory. We’ll meet you here
for lunch, as we planned, so you can see her in the daylight.”
    Mrs. Horton looked at Carol. “Yes, my eyes
aren’t as good as they used to be. What hotel are you staying at,
dear?”
    “I don’t know.”
    Paul quickly answered. “The Carolina
Inn.”
    Mrs. Horton nodded. “Good. It’s a nice
place. You should be comfortable there.”
    She had risen from the table and walked with
them the short distance to the front door, using her cane. “Paul,
be careful driving out of here. I hope you didn’t drink too much
wine. Take good care of Carol.”
    “I’m fine. I will.”
    “Carol, give me a hug. It’s nice to see a
young person here again.”
    Carol hugged her gingerly, afraid she