Read Online The Edge of Recall by Kristen Heitzmann - Free Book Online Page A

cell?”
    “I don’t know. He just said to have you call him.”
    She got it. He wanted to hear for himself what condition she was in, and he wanted her to initiate the call since she had missed the appointment. “I’ll take care of it. How’s the house?”
    “A whole lot nicer than anything else I’d be in.”
    Having Genie move in had been a stroke of genius. It gave her a safe place to stay and kept the house, plants, and stray cat cared for.
    “You haven’t forgotten the plants?”
    “Takes about three hours each time, but yeah, I’m watering them.”
    “Well, thanks for the messages. Take care.” Tessa drew a breath and speed-dialed Dr. Brenner. His receptionist answered and Tessa identified herself.
    “One moment.”
    Then Dr. Brenner came on the line. “Good morning, Tessa.”
    “Almost afternoon here.”
    “And where is that?”
    “Southern Maryland.”
    “Aha. I thought you’d finished in Virginia and were coming back.”
    She thought warmly that it sounded like something a dad would say to an adult child who had changed plans. “I’m so sorry I forgot to cancel my appointment. I made a snap decision and got caught up in what I found.”
    “That’s not like you.”
    “I’m sorry I didn’t free up my slot.”
    “You know that isn’t my concern.”
    “I know.” The last time she’d missed without notifying him, she’d been in a bad place. “It’s just when Smith called—”
    “Smith Chandler?”
    “He found a labyrinth, an actual historic labyrinth. I’m standing on it now. Or what’s left of it.” She looked over the ridged field. “Actually, if you didn’t know what you were looking at, you’d miss it altogether.”
    The doctor’s silence created a void she rushed to fill.
    “I have the chance to re-create it. A Chartres-style labyrinth, eleven circuits in hedge. I’ve never seen that design done vertically. I’m . . . really excited.”
    “I can hear that.”
    “So I’ll be here for a while.”
    “You think that’s wise? Two stressors and no safety net?”
    “I can call, right? I could have a session on the phone?”
    “Yes, Tessa, you could. But will you?”
    She ran a hand through her hair. “I thought you’d want me to face Smith. I thought you’d recommend it.”
    “I would. If it didn’t involve a labyrinth.”
    “I didn’t know until I got here. He was very mysterious. But I wouldn’t miss this opportunity for anything. I know you understand.”
    “You know my concerns. I don’t like your fascination with things that terrify you.”
    “Only in my dreams.”
    “Dreams that arise from an untapped trauma.”
    “Or the memory I’ve described again and again.”
    “A happy memory of flying over a labyrinth with your father would not account for the terror and despair of the nightmares.”
    They’d had this argument ad nauseam. “I’m fine.”
    “If you uncover that trauma while unearthing this labyrinth, and have no one there to help you process it . . .”
    She didn’t mention the sense of danger she’d experienced. While she appreciated his concern, she didn’t want to intensify it. “I’ll be fine.”
    “Let’s discuss Smith and why you didn’t tell me you were going to see him.”
    “I was between appointments when he called. I decided to see what he wanted.”
    “And then forgot your appointment altogether.”
    “Not intentionally. But this is a chance to deal with things, with . . . Smith. I want closure.”
    “Do you?”
    “After I create this labyrinth.”
    Dr. Brenner sighed. “I’d like you to check in weekly by phone.”
    They hadn’t talked every week for a long time, but with her elevated stress level it might be a good idea, and with the money Gaston was paying she could afford to. “All right. But I’m fine.”
    “No nightmares?”
    “None I can’t handle.”
    “Hmm. I’m penciling you in at three o’clock your time Wednesday afternoons.”
    It would be good to fill him in on the progress, someone who