The Memory Painter

By the time Linz returned, he had composed himself and was standing in front of a dramatic framed puzzle that took up the entire back wall. A little plaque underneath it read: “LIFE: The Great Challenge by Royce B. McClure. World’s largest puzzle, twenty-four thousand pieces.” The puzzle was a whimsical composite of an ocean surrounded by wildlife, sailboats, and hot-air balloons, all under the Milky Way. It made him smile.

He took a deep breath and turned around. She handed him his coffee.

Bryan murmured thanks as he tried to hold all of the memories swirling in his mind at bay. He could now recognize Linz from over two dozen dreams and counting. He had never had this happen with any one person before. But even if he could take an eraser and wipe away all those memories, his pulse would still be racing. There was something about her being that electrified him.

He moved on to study the apartment’s one remaining eccentricity, an indoor sand garden that took up one full corner of the living room.

Linz studied him as he stood there in silence.