Dear Evie: The Lost Memories of a Lost Child Read Free Page A

obviously concerned about me when she laid the card on the table and patted my hand.
     
    “I thought that was what I was doing with you, Mom, talking to someone about it.”
     
    “I know, dear, but you need to talk to a professional. Talk to someone who can help you work through your problems.”
     
    Okay , I thought to myself, my mother thinks I’ve lost my mind, and my husband is becoming angry with my obsession, so I guess I do need to talk to someone else . I had to admit I was surprised at my mother’s reaction to my dreams. She reacted nervously when I described the little blonde-haired girl with the big blue eyes that would stare at me from my dream. I always felt very afraid in my dreams, but it wasn’t that I was afraid of her; it was more like I was afraid for her. And of course let us not forget, I’d just seen a vision of some lady in the kitchen. At least I thought I had, but I did not share that information with Mom. Vanessa Tipton was determined that I go see the doctor she recommended. She jotted down the name and address for me, and even insisted I call from her phone and make my appointment. The doctor was willing to see me the next day. I was shocked she had an opening so soon. It seemed even the doctor was in a hurry to help me. I gave my parents a hug and told them I loved them. I promised them I would let them know how it went with the doctor. The sad look on my mother’s face was making me a little uneasy. She obviously felt there was something very wrong with me.
     
    “Mom, do you think I’m crazy?”
     
    “Of course not, baby girl. You are so strong and smart. Your dad and I have always been so proud of you.”
     
    “So you aren’t sorry you kept me?”
     
    I said this with a cheesy smile, as if joking; but I was honestly beginning to believe they might have ended up with a crazy daughter. My mom walked over and stood beside me. She gathered my hands into hers, and I knew from the look in her eyes that she had a thousand things running through her mind. I saw that her eyes were wet as if she was holding back tears, but I could also see a deep love. One thing I had never doubted for even a second was that those wonderful people loved me with all their heart. And I loved them too. Whatever was wrong with me and whatever was giving me nightmares and causing intimacy problems had nothing to do with the Tiptons.
     
    “Katie, you have been the greatest blessing of our lives. The day I saw you in the hospital, I fell in love with you. But there was obviously something that had caused you to completely forget your life before coming to the hospital. You were so withdrawn and afraid when you came to us. It has always been a concern of mine that the past you seemed to have forgotten might resurface and that is something you need to explore. I only want what is best for you, sweetheart, and that is why I rushed to suggest you seek help.” Mom smiled. She looked at me with a twinkle in her blue eyes. “It wasn’t because I thought you were crazy, but if it turns out you are, I will love you anyway,” she teased.
     
    We both had to laugh then. Not so much because it was funny, but a laugh of relieved tension and that familiar feeling of comfort I always had with her. I picked up the paper with the doctor’s name and information on it and placed it in my purse.
     
    “Thanks, Mom. I guess we will see tomorrow for sure.”
     
    ***
     
    The next morning I set out for the doctor’s office, convinced it was a total waste of my time. I arrived at the address Mom had written down, expecting to see an office building or clinic, but instead I found a Victorian house with a fence around it and a gate that sported a sign that read, Dr. Anna Martin, MD Clinical Psychiatrist. It wasn’t in a business area but in a neighborhood. The street was basically a dead end, but it circled to give access to each house, and then merged back into itself. I noticed that the other four houses in the circle also