LITMIR.BIZ

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has had a chance to get together. We’re curious as to why you had such a secretive trip,” Ben said with a twinkle in his eye to show he was teasing her. Liisa turned widening eyes at him.

      “What are you talking about? I haven’t been anywhere since I returned from the University.”

      “No, dear,” Ellen said. “You did come home last month from your second trip. The first time you came home about five months ago. A few days later you suddenly left to return to Norway and you were gone several weeks. When you returned you had so many paintings that Arnold felt you deserved a showing. That’s why he arranged everything for you.” She spoke softly, beginning to look worried.

      “Please say you’re teasing me,” Liisa said frantically, looking around dismayed at them.

      “Aw, come on,” Ronald snickered. “What are you trying to pull?”

      “Liisa, honey, calm down. Don’t you truly remember your trip back to Norway?” Paul asked with a concerned frown and pulling her against him. She numbly shook her head. He could feel her trembling.

      “Let’s take this methodically,” Paul continued. “Start at the beginning. What do you remember about the last six months?”

      Liisa hesitated and thought, “Just what’s happened lately,” she said with a catch in her voice and tears swimming in her eyes. The family looked puzzled at each other.

      “Let’s go back farther,” Paul said, determined to help her remember. “Do you remember telling anyone that you’d return when you left the University? Or did you get a letter from someone asking you to come back to Norway?”

      “No!” Liisa answered, almost screaming, now sobbing copious tears.

      “Leave her alone,” Ellen said firmly almost crying herself. “She said she didn’t remember anything.” Liisa sat bewildered and heart-sick, looking as if she were in a trance.

      Ronald was perplexed. “Whew!” he whistled. “I sure opened a can of worms. I had no idea that this would happen when I asked an innocent question. Dad, has she been sick or maybe had a head injury?”

      James sauntered across the room looking seriously, but lovingly, at Liisa. “It’s obvious she’s not trying to evade your question. I know it’s disconcerting to Liisa, and to all of us, but it’s clear that several weeks seemed to have been wiped out of her memory. This is not a usual textbook case of amnesia, but I agree that it’s possible. I suggest that we drop the subject for tonight. It’s too upsetting and we’re not reaching any concrete conclusions.”

      “Liisa,” Ben spoke gently, “please come into my office tomorrow morning and let me run a series of tests. Honey, you did leave us, but it’s also plain that you don’t remember what happened.” The tension was palpable in the room.

      Gloria, with tears streaming down her cheeks, pulled the unresisting Liisa to her feet and walked her upstairs to her old room. Ellen and Gloria washed Liisa’s face and hands and encouraged her to brush her teeth, which she did like a zombie. They put one of Gloria’s nightgowns on her and tucked her into bed. Ellen grieved to see the vacant stare on Liisa’s face and observe the shallow breathing.

      Ellen leaned over to kiss Liisa’s cheek. “Go to sleep, my darling, and dream sweet dreams. Your Uncle Ben will make it all better. We all love you and will help.” Ellen pulled a rocker beside the bed, humming and singing softly as she did when the four children were little. Finally Liisa closed her eyes and breathed evenly.

      “My dear, I don’t know how to approach this,” Ben said with a catch in his throat when Ellen came downstairs.

      “At the moment there is only one thing to do. We must all pray. Now all of you get to bed. We’re going to need the rest. Oh, my poor child,” Ellen burst into tears. Ben held her while she laid her head against his chest, sobbing in her grief.

      “I’m going back to my apartment, Mom,” Paul said as he gently took his mother from his father’s arms and hugged her. “I have to be in mediation tomorrow, but I’ll be in touch. Dad, let me know what you find just as soon as you finish tests that will have immediate results. Of course some of them will take several days.” Ben nodded.

      James wrapped his sleeping baby warmly and cuddled him against his chest as he went out to the car.

      “I want to know, too, Dad,” Gloria choked on a sob.

      Silently Ronald crept up the stairs to his room. With heavy hearts everyone went their own way and prepared to spend a sleepless night.

      Was Liisa an excellent actress playing a macabre joke? No way. Was she just pulling their legs - so to speak? No. She was one of them; loved by all and she loved them. She would never be so cruel. Would tomorrow bring answers or more heartache?

       Chapter Two

      Liisa woke with a feeling of dread. Momentarily frightened, she couldn’t remember where she was. With a rush she remembered the night before.

      What shall I do? Did I really make a second trip to Norway? I must have because the entire family knows of it. Why did I go back and what did I do? When and how did I paint so many pictures? Her head began to ache with the frantic thinking. Too – she felt empty. Empty in stomach and heart.

      With a small, disgusted sound, she threw the covers off and staggered up. Showering and dressing helped a little. Someone had hand-washed her undies and hung them to dry in the bathroom. She hated that she had to wear yesterday’s clothing, but she hadn’t planned to spend the night, therefore, had not brought a change of clothing.

      “Good morning, sweetheart,” Ellen called gaily to Liisa as she walked into the kitchen. With her familiar, big smile, she gathered Liisa close in a motherly hug, laughing because now she had to look up at Liisa. “Orange juice is on the table. I heard you moving around and thought I’d bring a tray up to you, but here you are. Coffee is on and I’ll fix you eggs, bacon and toast in the wink of an eye. Does that please you or would you prefer something else?”

      “Oh, please, Aunt Ellen. I can’t eat much. Maybe toast and coffee.”

      “Absolutely not!” Ellen turned and pretended to glare at her. “Are you trying to ruin the reputation of my kitchen? You know that people eat well in this house. Just look at Ben’s waist and see for yourself.”

      “Aunt Ellen, I don’t have to leave this kitchen to see a waist that eats well.”

      “Sassy child,” Ellen giggled. “I’ll have a cup of coffee while you eat and we’ll chat. I’ve had my breakfast but we haven’t had much of a chance to talk with the gang around.” Ellen spoke of her family with a proud smile.

      “Aunt Ellen, may I get a word in now?” Liisa said with a tender smile. I just remembered, I can’t eat or drink anything because I have to fast for my tests. I’ll just sit while you have a cup of coffee and we’ll talk.”

      “Oh, I’m sorry. I should have remembered. Won’t it bother you to see me drinking coffee?”

      “Not in the least.”

      They talked about her paintings and Liisa told Ellen that Arnold had suggested she do portraits.

      “Arnold said he thought the portrait of the mystery man was one of the best he’d seen. He felt that I could be successful and enjoy doing portraits of families, especially children.”

      Ellen smiled. “Arnold is a champion. He has been so good to you and I sure do appreciate it. If he thinks you would do well with portrait painting, why don’t you do a few and give it a try? You could start on Jerome. Your Uncle Ben and I will commission you to do the work.”

      “I would love to do Jerome and I refuse to accept payment for it. I’ll do one and give it to Gloria and James as a surprise Christmas gift.” I know Arnold is proud of me because he’s known me all of my life. Too, it helped his gallery when my showing was

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