The Pact - Season 1: Episode 5

After that day, neither me nor David talked about our childhoods for a while. We had been true to each other, and now that we knew the weird secrets that we both had, we left them behind us, and enjoyed our lives together as any normal “new” couple would. We spent the days at the beach, and the nights either partying out somewhere, or else taking long strolls in the park or by the beach. Those days were heavenly, and I wished they would never end. I knew that I was falling in love with David, and I’m sure that he felt the same way about me too. But even though we never spoke of the past again, the fact that we had shared that secret with each other made us bond together even more. It was not only as if we had something in common, but it seemed like fate had worked to bring us together to understand each other.

A few weeks after our first date, David drove me to the park, and he told me that he would like me to meet someone very special, and very dear to him. When we arrived, I heard a female’s voice greeting him, and I turned around. And behind me, I saw a beautiful girl with dark hair, dressed in blue. It took only one glance at her, and I recognised her at once. It was the same girl that was with David in the pool that first day I met him. I had thought that she was beautiful that day, but today I realised she was even more beautiful up close. She smiled at me, and her eyes smiled too.

“So this must be the Michelle that you never stop talking about, right?” she teased David. She turned to me, “Hi, I’m Lynn, this idiot’s younger sister. Geez, what do you see in him?” And she laughed.

“Just because you’re too bitter to appreciate the beautiful things in life, it doesn’t mean that everyone else is,” he teased back. She laughed, and took my hand in hers.

“Don’t take any notice us of. We’re always teasing each other. “ I smiled and I said,

“I have an older brother too, so I know what it feels like to be seen as the worthless, baby sister, while big brother thinks he owns the world,” I laughed.

“Hey, you’re siding with her. That’s not fair. I thought you loved me,” said David.

“Well, us women have to stick together to protect each other against alien species like you,” Lynn answered. At that moment, David’s cell phone rang.

“Oh yeah… sure… right now? … Ok, I’ll be there soon… no, no, we’d better finish it today, because I need to be free tonight… yes, with my girl. Ok, see you in 30 minutes.” He turned to us. “That was Uncle Phil, he needs me to run down, and help him finish setting up for that engagement party they have tomorrow. I’d better run, because if I don’t go now, he might keep me there all evening.”

“Do you have to do it?” Lynn whined. “You’re always running errands for Uncle Phil.”

“They call it a summer job. I need the money, and you know it. Anyway, I’ve got to run. Will you two girls be allright on your own?” I smiled, to assure him that I will be ok, while Lynn said,

“There goes big brother again. Of course we’ll be all right. We’ll have so much fun together talking about you. I guess Michelle is dying to hear all the gross details about her boyfriend.” David walked to her, and tickled her as he said,

“Don’t you dare!” And laughing to himself he walked away.

Me and Lynn ordered a coffee, and we sat down at a table to drink it.

“You really seem close to your brother,” I said. “I noticed that from the first time I saw you at the pool with David. In fact, that day I thought you were his girlfriend.” She smiled.

“Yes, David and I are very close. We’re not just a brother and sister, we’re also best friends, and we tell each other everything… Well, almost everything, anyway, because I think that there are some details that I won’t tell him, and that I wouldn’t like to hear from him either,” she winked as she said this. I laughed,

“Of course, and I’m not going to tell them to you either. I can understand you two, because like I said, I too have an older brother, Steve, and there’s the same age gap between us, like between you and David, and we’re really close to each other. In fact, that’s why I moved here to Lenton this year, because I spent last year alone in Texas, while he was here, and I was lost without him.”

“Didn’t you have any friends over there?” she wanted to know.

“Oh, yes, I did. But none of them were like Steve. I don’t know what I would do if I ever had to fight with him, or lose him, or something.” Lynn nodded.

“That would be hell. A few months ago, me and David had a big fight, and I cried for days, because it was the first time it ever happened, since we were kids. In the end, we made it up after about two weeks, but I never want to go through that hell again… So,” she changed the subject, “you really like David, don’t you?”

“Oh yes,” I said. “I love David, he’s amazing. He’s everything that I think about, and every day seems brighter, just because I know that I’m going to see him, or hear his voice on the phone. Honestly, I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. And I don’t know if you can understand me.” She suddenly looked sad,

“I can. I’ve felt like that once. But it’s over now.”

“What happened?” I asked. “It was the reason why David and I had that fight. I met this guy Tyrone, and I really fell in love with him. And I’m sure he felt the same way about me. But David would not let me see him. He was going through a rough time, and … oh well, I know I can’t see Tyrone, so I’ll just have to accept things.” I looked at her.

“Lynn, David has told me all about Tyrone, and all that he has gone through. So I know. And he has also told me about his childhood … well, that he doesn’t remember it, anyway.” Lynn looked uncomfortable.

“And who does? We all think we remember our childhoods, but then we think hard, we realise that’s it’s only fragments that we remember, and we don’t really remember it at all.”

“But David doesn’t remember any of it. And he would really like to know what happened. He feels that if he had to know he would be a complete person.” Lynn shook her head.

"Michelle, I really like you, and I really would like to be friends with you. But please, do not ask me about David’s past. If he wants to know it, he is free to go and search for it anywhere that he likes. But I’m not going to be the one to destroy my only brother’s sanity. My god, I can’t imagine what he would have been like today, if he hadn’t forgotten. So please, don’t ask anymore.” I nodded my head.

“I understand. You know, my brother, he suffers from the same thing. When we were kids, something bad happened to him – I don’t know what, because I was never told – and he was really, really sick. And then gradually, he forgot all about his childhood. And many times I believe that it’s better like that for him. Although sometimes I would like him to remember, so that I would at least know that I am not crazy.” She laughed.

“What do you mean? My brother doesn’t remember his childhood, but that doesn’t mean I am crazy, because I do remember it.”

“It’s different for us. David doesn’t remember his childhood, and he feels that gap, and he accepts that. Steve, my brother, doesn’t remember his childhood, but he has made up one in his mind. So it’s like this – we were kids at the same time, grew up together – but we remember a totally different childhood from each other.” Lynn looked serious.

“Are you sure it was your brother who forgot his childhood, and made up a new one? Couldn’t it be you?” I looked at her in amazement. This thought had never crossed my mind.

“Wow, I never thought about that. But you know, that does kind of make sense, in a weird way. Because everyone agrees on Steve’s version of our childhood, and they all dismiss mine.”

“Are you sure you remember everything about your childhood?” I shook my head.

“No. I only remember that we lived in England, not in America, and I have some flashes like you said everyone has. But even my parents never confirmed with me that we had lived in England. I don’t remember anything bad happening to me when we were kids – I just remember it happened to my brother.”

“Maybe that is what you want to remember. While you were going through whatever it was, your mind started building this whole fantasy childhood, and you thought your brother was the sick one, not you. And maybe you believe you lived in another place, because you don’t want to associate Texas with what happened to you.”

“I don’t know, I’m really confused now. Do you think that could be what really happened?” She shrugged.

“I don’t know. I’m just thinking of all the possible scenarios. I’m going to major in Psychology, you know, and they’ll be teaching me how to do this thing.” I laughed.

“Oh, you shrinks, you’re always making people believe that they are crazy, so you could get money out of it. Always trying to find hidden meanings when there aren’t any.” She leaned over the table.

“Michelle, joking aside, I’m going to tell you a secret. I do not want to make money out of it. I do not even want to work as a shrink. But after what happened to my brother when we were kids, I was always fascinated by the way the mind works. And I am taking this course, so that maybe one day I could be able to help my brother, without him suffering much.” I looked at her in amazement. There was so much love in her voice.

You really love your brother a lot, if you are willing to sacrifice your career just to help him get better.” She nodded.

“I would even give my own life for David. You cannot understand, because you don’t know anything about us. But after what happened to us when we were kids, I think I would die if something ever had to happen to him. Maybe someday, when I’ll get to know you better, I will tell you the truth about us, but for now please understand that I cannot trust anyone. It’s for David’s sake.” I nodded in agreement.

“Lynn, we just met, and I cannot expect you to trust me. I haven’t even known your brother that long, anyway.” She smiled at me again, and then laughed her ringing laugh again, to break the tension of the moment as she joked.

“Of course, when I become a famous shrink, I will try to fix your mind too – but that’s going to cost you, because honestly I don’t think there’s much hope for you considering the fact that you actually like my brother.” I looked at her surprised as to why she was saying this, when I saw her laughing and looking over my shoulder. I turned and David was standing there, a wide grin on his face.

“Seems like you too have gotten along really well, haven’t you?” he said as he pulled a chair next to us.