Chapter 6

            The present . . .

           Three months later . . .

            It had been three months since the plane crash, and Ava was doing somewhat well. Her bruises and scratches had faded away to her relief, and her sprained ankle had heeled six weeks ago. She had just gotten the cast removed from her arm yesterday.

            However, she wasn’t making any progress in recovering her memories. Her behavioral neurologist and psychologist had told her to not be discouraged, but she couldn’t help it. She loved Mrs. Porter but she wanted her own life . . . and place.

            It was Labor Day weekend in Helena and the city was hosting an event in the park for the holiday. The city park was open to citizens who wanted to picnic and play games that were provided by the city.

            Ava attended the event with Mr. and Mrs. Porter and one of their sons. He came to visit for the holiday. Mr. Porter, didn’t have to pull a haul until Tuesday so he was home for a few days.

After Ava’s ankle had healed, she had learned how to cook thanks to Mrs. Porter’s tutelage. It had been evident she didn’t know how to cook before the accident because she had started a small grease fire six weeks prior while trying to fry chicken. Luckily, Mrs. Porter had a fire extinguisher under the sink. Otherwise, the whole kitchen would have burned down. During the week after that, Mrs. Porter kept the fire extinguisher close as she taught Ava the trade of culinary arts. It wasn’t until recently Mrs. Porter put it back under the sink – when she was confident that Ava knew what she was doing in the kitchen.

Ava and the Porters were able to find a nice spot next to a tree.

“Let’s take this spot before someone else does,” Mr. Porter said. “I can’t believe no has taken it yet.”

“Maybe someone just left,” Mrs. Porter said.

They set up shop – as Mr. Porter would say. Ava spread the blanket as the men unfolded the chairs. There was a chair for Ava but she elected to sit on the blank. Oliver, the Porter’s son, decided to join her. Ava and Mrs. Porter had fixed a load of food; Italian pasta salad, chicken salad, fruit salad, etc.

After nibbling on some food, Oliver asked Ava if she wanted go for a walk. She had agreed. Oliver was a decent looking guy for a nerdy type. He was some sort of top-notch guy for NASA. He lived in Houston and traveled a lot for his job. Of course, Oliver had told Ava his job title but it was too much for her to remember. Oliver had dark red hair. She figured that was the color of Mrs. Porter’s hair before she got old. His eyes were brown with some flexes of green. You could see the green in the sunlight. They strolled along not saying a word.

Ava looked around at all the families who were in the park. Some couples had really small children with them – some so young they were in strollers. Other couples had children who looked to be in elementary and middle school. She wondered if her family was celebrating the holiday – and how they celebrated.

There was a spot set up for volleyball. At least six nets were set up and five of them had people playing at them.

“Hey,” Ava said with interest.  “You want to see if we can get in on a game of volleyball?”

“Nah,” Oliver said. “I’m not really physical. I never was good at sports.”

Ava nodded as they kept walking. “To be honest I don’t know if I’m good at sports either. I just thought it would be fun – it looked like fun.”

“Be patient. I’m sure you’ll get your memories back soon.”

Ava wanted to believe that, but three months was a long time when you had no idea who you are, were, or was trying to be. During that time, she had learned very little about herself.  While her ankle was healing, Mrs. Porter had taught her how to knit and crochet, which Ava found she enjoyed.  She also toyed around with the makeup that was in her cosmetic case.  How to put it on came naturally to her. She had experimented with different looks like a little girl playing in her mother’s makeup drawer. Between that, knitting, and learning how to cook, that was it really.

They came along a large patio. It appeared board games were being played at each two person table.

“Let’s try a game of chess.”

“Chess?” Ava said with a slight frown. “I don’t think I know how to play that.”

“No problem. I’ll teach you. Come on,” Oliver said with some excitement in his tone. It was the only time he had shown any enthusiasm for anything since Ava met him two days ago.

            They sat down and played. The rules seemed confusing to Ava – or perhaps she wasn’t interested in it.  It did seem rather boring. After thirty minutes, she was definitely sure. Chess was boring, and she didn’t like thinking so much for a silly board game.

            “Well, that figures,” a male voice said.

            They turned to see a brown-haired man who strolled up to them like a real man – a confident man. He wore umber colored shirt with a collar and blue jeans.

            “You finally get a pretty woman’s attention and you play chess with her. Typical,” the guy said with an awe shucks smile.

            He definitely got Ava’s attention. She could tell he was a little older than her but not by much surely.

            Oliver gave him a little smile. “Hey, Jesse, it’s been a long time.”

            “It has and you haven’t changed a bit.  Aren’t you going to introduce me to your date?” Jesse asked with intrigue.

            “Ava this is Jesse Steele. Our mothers were childhood friends.”

            “And were still friends till the day my mother died. Nice to meet ya,” Jesse said as he extended his hand to her.

            “Charmed,” she said softly as she took it.

            Jesse smiled as he pulled her hand to his lips.

            “Oh, for Pete’s sake,” Oliver said as he rolled his eyes. “You’re wasting your time. She’s not interested.”

            Ava’s head snapped to look at Oliver as if to say, says who? All Ava knew was she had known Oliver for several days and the man who just introduced himself seemed more interesting than him.

            Jesse chuckled as he lowered her hand. “Right. Tell me, Ava.  Has Oliver had the decency to feed you yet?”

            “Yes,” Ava answered.

            “I mean real American food, honey,” Jesse reiterated with a grin.

            “And what does real American food consist of in your world?” Oliver asked.

            “Bonafide Angus beef, of course,” Jesse answered. “Why don’t you two come to my set up for a few minutes.” He looked at Ava. “You’ll love it.” He winked at her.