“Then we deal with it,” I stated firmly. I sat back and looked at her.
I spoke gently. “There is a very good chance it’s going to happen, Rabbit. You’ll remember your past or one day you’ll run into someone who knew you. We can’t live in fear of it. I don’t want us to live like that.”
“Maybe I won’t leave the property either,” she huffed. “Then I won’t run into anyone.”
I stood up, annoyed. “Don’t even say that. Do you fucking think I chose this? Do you think I want that for you? Never leaving here because you fear what’s out there?”
She stood up and came over, wrapping her arms around my tense form. “I’m sorry, Joshua. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m just nervous.”
I sighed and pulled her closer. “You would start to resent me, Rabbit. Not right away, but eventually. Never leaving gets old really quickly.”
“I’m sorry,” she repeated gently. “I didn’t mean it. I’m just nervous.”
I kissed the top of her head. “I know.”
We stood together, the closeness comforting. The intercom buzzed.
I looked down into Rabbit’s worried gaze.
I grinned encouragingly, wanting her to relax.
“Brace yourself for the whirlwind that is Cecilia.”
Rabbit didn’t stand a chance.
Cecilia blew in, arms full of bags, issuing orders to help her with the rest. She directed where things went, roughhoused with Bear, pulled Rabbit in for a hug, confiscated my cup of coffee and, after taking a sip, refused to give it back, then informed me I looked great but I needed a haircut; all in the first ten minutes.
Then she pulled Rabbit into the bedroom, showing her the items she had picked up for her, even though Rabbit had insisted she didn’t need anything. Luckily, Cecilia was far more practical and had picked Rabbit up other items aside from the shoes and boots I had requested. Things like some socks of her own and some shirts that would actually fit her. I stood rubbing the back of my head, watching them empty the bags. I was glad to see the conditioner I had requested, but I really didn’t know shampoo made a difference as well. Or that women liked different lotion for their body as opposed to their face. Good thing Cecilia knew. There were other bottles, jars, and boxes, and I was completely lost. It all seemed so … complicated. I could see Rabbit blushing when Cecilia pulled out some pretty lingerie and I had to leave the room. Seeing Rabbit’s pink cheeks and thinking about Rabbit wearing the item she was holding up made me twitch and wish Cecilia was already gone; and I knew that wasn’t happening any time soon.
The delivery service I always used arrived, bringing a familiar face as well as the items I had ordered. Jim Unger had been helping me since my first winter here and was well used to the many tasks I needed done. For a while I was busy with restocking the kitchen and bathrooms while Jim drove the truck back into town to fill the tank with gasoline and refill all the empty gas containers so they would be ready for the next emergency. Once everything was complete and he had departed, I trudged back to the house to see how Rabbit was making out with Cecilia.
I was surprised to find Cecilia alone at the table, drinking what was probably her sixth or seventh cup of coffee. “Where’s Rabbit?” I asked while helping myself to a cup.
“Lying down. She had a headache.”
I sat down, nodding. “She’s been getting them a lot.”
Cecilia looked at me. “She told me you think she is trying too hard to remember things.”
“I think she is pushing herself too hard. I don’t think her mind is ready yet,” I explained. “I think that’s what is causing the headaches, but I want to be sure. I want her to see a doctor. I’m going to contact Daniel and see if he can help. Would you be able to come back and take her? I don’t want her to go alone … and I can’t take her.”
Cecilia nodded. “Of course, Joshua.”
She sat back. “Tell me everything.”
I started with hearing the car and kept talking until I had brought her up to date with everything, including the online searching I had done. I left out the intimate details, but was honest about the events that led up to Rabbit trying to leave and my theories on what had happened to her before she got here. She winced when I spoke of the harsh words I had said to Rabbit, but other than a few questions for clarification, let me talk uninterrupted.
Finally, I sat back and looked at her.
“Wow.”
I nodded. “I know. Wow is right.”
“Sounds like the premise for one of your books.”
I chuckled. “Life does tend to imitate art, Cecilia.”
Her voice was soft. “You love her, Joshua?”
I sighed. “I do. I have no idea how it happened but I do, Cecilia. Very much so.”