Cursed By Rebirth? – Installment 7

Cursed by Rebirth?

By

D.M. KURTZ

Installment 7: Just Do It

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” For such a simple question, it was not nearly so easy to answer. Jason squinted down at Amanda’s slender form to his left and squeezed her hand.

“No,” he chuckled weakly. “But I need to do this, to… put it all behind me, for good.”

She smiled up at him, and her cheeks scrunched up with that little crinkle he’d come to love so dearly. With her free hand, she reached out toward the doorbell.

“Wait,” Jason exclaimed with a quick grasp of her wrist. He sighed and frowned.

“I, ah… I’m sorry,” he told her. “This whole thing is just nuts, but you haven’t stopped me once, and I… have I told you thank you?”

Amanda smirked.

“More than once,” she replied with a coy smile. She released his hand and moved to wrap both of her arms around his neck. “I seem to recall one thank you in particular…”

Jason blushed, and she laughed before pulling his neck down and quickly kissing his lips.

“Yes, this is crazy,” she said. “I never could have imagined that I would… we  would be here, but we are, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. You need this, and I need… I need you, so, let’s get past it, ok?”

The tall man nodded.

“Ok,” he consented, “Ok.” Amanda lowered her arms and once more took his hand in hers before, with a final deep breath, she pressed the little white button at the edge of the door.

The wait that followed the little chime that echoed from inside the modest home seemed to Jason to last for an eternity, but after a few moments, he heard footsteps accompanied by an angry female voice.

“I swear, Paul, if you think you’re getting one more cent from me – ” 

The door swung open and the voice stopped abruptly. For several moments, nothing was said while the short woman stood in front of them with her lips parted.

“Hi Evie-Evelynn,” Jason cleared his throat nervously. Evelynn seemed to almost immediately shut down at the sound of his voice, for her mouth snapped shut, her eyes hardened and she leaned back with crossed arms and cursed.

“Is this a joke?” she asked. “What, you show up at my door, no flowers and some skank on your arm?” She huffed and threw up both hands. “Has to be a joke.”

Jason blinked and opened his mouth to speak, but found that his voice was caught in a taut throat.

“He’s… It isn’t a joke,” Amanda came to his rescue. “Hi,” she added with a mock curtsy. “I’m Amanda, the skank.”

Not a great start. Jason winced at both the thought and the bitter encounter.

“I, ah… I’m sorry, Evelynn,” Jason told her.

Reallyyyy did not think this through…

“I didn’t… I was in an accident,” he blurted, and Evelynn sighed.

“Should’ve led with the good news,” she said dryly. “How bad was it?” She leaned forward suddenly. “How bad did you hurt?” The words were cold, menacing, even, but Jason knew that they were well-deserved.

“He has amnesia,” Amanda chimed in. “Or at least, he had full amnesia. Some of it has been coming back to him, which is why we are here.”

“I have nightmares,” Jason remarked. “They’re like these… flashes, and you’re there, and…” His lower lip quivered as he took a deep breath. “I know that I hurt you.” His voice cracked and Amanda squeezed his hand.

Get through it, man.

His jaw clenched with determination.

“I’m not… I can’t erase it, and nothing can make it right,” he continued. “But I just… I needed to see you, to try, at least, to make it right.”

After a moment, Evelynn sighed and raised a hand to her forehead.

“Do you really think that I’m that naive?” She asked venomously. “I haven’t been that weak, pathetic woman for a long time, Jason. If you want a divorce, just say it and stop wasting my time.”

Jason blinked. Tears had begun to form behind red eyes, but he quickly blinked and held them back. He did want to be free, but not necessarily from the marriage, even though that would have to be done for he and Amanda to be together. What he truly desired was an escape from the guilt and shame that the memories of his life with Evelynn had brought.

If she won’t forgive me, at least she can release me.

It wasn’t why he had come, but it would make the trip worthwhile.

“I do, that’s why I came,” he lied with a nod as he cleared his throat. “I just want the separation to be official.”

Eveylnn huffed.

“There it is,” she said with a shake of her head. “That’s the Jason I know. As much of a coward as ever.” She threw up one hand before motioning for them to move past her. “Come inside, then. I’ve had the papers ready for weeks. Just sign them and get out of here.”

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