Under the Sassafras (13 page)

CHAPTER
FOURTEEN

Mansir found MaeMae watching the news.
“MaeMae, I think I remember Joelette saying I was wearing a jacket when they found me, do you know where she might have put it?”

“
Qui
, have a seat and I’ll go get your jacket.”

She returned with a garment neatly folded
. “Joelette had this on the top of her sewing basket, ready to make like new. Are you sure you want it before she is finished?” MaeMae asked.

Taking the unfamiliar jacket from MaeMae he searched the
tears in the lining. “I will return it after I am finished helping Possum. The early mornings in that boat are chilly. Thanks MaeMae, I’m off to bed. Possum does like to get an early start.”

He tossed the jacket on his bed and turned to get ready for bed when he heard something hit the floor right by his foot
. Mansir watched as the gold shiny object rolled then wobbled in a circle before coming to a stand still.

He bent and
picked up the object and held it in his hand. A ring.

A wedding ring
.

He let out the breath he’d been holding
. He was married.

He sat stiffly on his bed and stared at the cold round object that stirred no past memories. He turned it over and looked at it up close, a plain gold ring with a message
etched inside.
Forever
.

He stood on shaky legs and walked to the back door, opened it and let the cool night air wash over him
. Again he thought of the small blonde woman that stood at the edge of his memory. He closed his eyes he begged her to turn around. His mind searched for a clue, anything.

The sound of Joelette returning made him hasten to turn off his light
. He was not ready to face Joelette, tonight, the information or lack of was too much. He still held the ring in his hand. He slowly placed it on his finger and it slid into place, as if it fit, as if it belonged.

If he was
married, why had he not been wearing his ring when Joelette found him? Mansir quietly took his shoes off and jeans and crawled in bed. He took the ring off and put it under his pillow. Mansir stared out into the night with questions buzzing around his head.

Hours after the household was
asleep Mansir still pondered the questions the ring had brought. What had he done to Joelette and her family? Pretending that he could fit into this family, into their hearts without all the pieces to his puzzle. He had done just what she’d been afraid of. He’d earned their trust, told all of them that he was certain he didn’t have a family, that he’d know it if he did. Now that trust would be gone.

Mansir punched his pillow
. Tomorrow he would distance himself from this loving family. He refused to cause them any pain so he wouldn’t spend another night here until he knew something about his past. He would still make good on his promise for the field and tutor T-Boy, but at nightfall he would sleep elsewhere. His thoughts and hopes about Joelette would also have to be different.

He felt the ring under his pillow and squeezed it in
his fist. This, he would keep a secret until he knew some answers.

###

“What’s the matter man, you haven’t spoke ten words all morning. You sick?” Possum asked while he and Mansir put away the net after another day’s work.

Mansir sat across from Possum
. “I’m screwed Possum. Last night I found something that put a lot of things into perspective, and I don’t know what to do. I need a place to stay until I work things through.”

“
Mais amie
, look no place else. I can make room, no problem. Are you in trouble?” Possum placed his hand on Mansir’s shoulder. “How can I help?”

Mansir fought the lump
in his throat. With all of his problems how could he be so lucky to have met a friend like Possum? “Thanks, I hope my memory will return soon and I don’t have to put you out very long. Let me sort things out a day or two and I’ll tell you what I know.”

Mansir walked slowly down the road toward the Benoit’s house
. Would Joelette understand why he had to move out of their house? He could no longer stay under the same roof and pretend he could be a part of this family. Not after knowing that he had a wife, somewhere.

He still had the underl
ying feeling that something was really wrong with that relationship. Why was the ring not on his finger? And the main question why did he not feel anything when he had visions of her. No memories, no emotions, what king of marriage was he in?

He could hear Ozamae coming before he saw him
. Saying goodbye to him once his memory returned would be brutal. But he knew what he had to do and knew it was for the best. He not only had to pull away from Joelette but also away the rest of the family too. He just hoped that when this was all over, they’d forgive him.

“
Hey, Mansir. Guess what I found today? A baby alligator. MaeMae said he has a hurt leg, so I get to keep him until she makes him well. Isn’t that cool?” Ozamae ran around Mansir like an excited puppy.

“
That is so cool. But watch your fingers, I bet he can still bite.”

Ozamae giggled
. “Don’t be afraid, I will protect you.”

Mansir looked up to see MaeMae and Joelette sitting on the porch
. “Hello, ladies.” He said as joyful as he could. “Mind if I sit with the two of you? I have something I need to talk about.”

He pulled up a chair across from them
. “First, let me re-assure you that I will be here everyday to work the field and every evening to tutor T-Boy.” He took a deep breath. “Possum asked me to stay with him and help with repairs around the houseboat. Repairs that are long overdue,” he added with a shy grin.

When he looked across to Joelette’s face he noticed the frustration
. He knew she was upset. She probably thought that he was going to skip out on her just like every other man had. But he wasn’t that man.

“
Do as you want, Mansir, but remember we have an agreement,” Joelette said quickly as she stood and went inside.

MaeMae put out her pipe, and looked deep in his eyes, seeking the truth
. “What’s really going on,
Cher
?”

Mansir leaned forward and took her small hands in his
. “MaeMae, everything I said is true. Possum does need me to help him out. But I need to sort some things out. See if I can find answers. But as long as I am here tucked away in this loving family I’m afraid I haven’t faced all the truth. It is true my memory is returning very slowly, I need more.” He let go of her hands and sat back.

“
I understand your frustration, but I don’t understand the rush. You know that Joelette will think you are running away?” MaeMae said as she rocked in her chair.

He hesitated for a moment, trying to decide how much to tell
her. “Joelette is the main reason I’m in a rush.” This was harder than he thought, but he would spare them the truth until he knew more. Why cause unnecessary grief?

“
MaeMae I have feelings for her and they seem to be getting stronger. How fair would it be to start a relationship with her not knowing my past? The one thing I’m sure of is that I do not want to hurt any of you. This, you can believe. I will have a talk with her as soon as I know more.”

“
Don’t wait too long Mansir. We both know she is not a patient women.” She stood and kissed him on the forehead. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“
Yes I’ll be here, I have a few things to finish up with in the shop.”

Mansir walked back with his hands shoved in his pockets and his head down
. Would remembering open up his old world and make him want to walk away from the life he’d made here? Did his old world make him as happy as the new one? None of those questions mattered until he knew who he was.

Hopefully Preston would know something when he came to Possum’s tonight
.

“
Hey Possum, did Preston come by yet?”

“
Qui
, you just missed him, he left you an envelope on the table. He had to get back to the plantation, work to do you know. Us Cajuns eat a lot of rice.” Possum, handed Mansir a beer and sat in his chair on the deck. “We need to take a ride out to their rice farm and let you meet the rest of the LeBlanc brothers. Heck of a fine family, and they own a beautiful piece of Louisiana.”

Mansir could hear his friend talking but the words didn’t settle in his mind
. He was too busy reading the report that Preston had left for him, informing him that the search in the neighboring states had found nothing about a man of his description. Preston promised to widen the search and asked Mansir to sit tight. They’d find something.

“
Hey man, are you hearing me? You look a million miles away. Are you having one of your visions?” Possum leaned his chair back.

“
Sorry, Possum, just so frustrated.” He waved the note from Preston. “Another dead end, Preston didn’t find any new information.” Mansir tossed the report back on the table. “I’ve managed to screw up everything. I’ve made Joelette mad at me and MaeMae doubt me.”

“
Do you want to tell me what you are rattling about?” Possum asked.

Mansir dug in his pocket and pulled out the ring
. “This is what I’m talking about. How could one little item cause so much trouble, Possum?”

“
Is that yours?” Possum asked continuing to look at the wedding band.

“
I don’t know for sure but I found it in the lining of my jacket and it fits. For the life of me I can’t remember anything about why I have this ring and who I share it with.”

“
Crap, man, you must be married.” Possum ran his hand over his face. “And you don’t remember anything about your wife or if you have a house full of kids, what a mess.” He drank the last of his beer, and jumped up. “No wonder you moved in with me. I bet Joelette is furious. She’ll have a harder time killing you while you’re with me.” He laughed and sat back down in his chair.

“
She doesn’t know. I haven’t told her yet.”

“
Man. You are in for a mess of trouble. That woman has strong feelings for you. You better hide.” Possum shook his head.

“
Don’t you think I know that? The one thing I never wanted to do was hurt Joelette. She is such a strong woman but she has a fragile heart. I love that woman.” It was the first time he’d said the words aloud. He’d thought them plenty of times, but to say them to someone else. “I don’t have the right now, not until I know what ties I have to this ring. So I’m more motivated than ever to remember my past so I might have a future. I just don’t know if it includes Joelette and her family.”

“
When you decide what you want to do next I’ll help however I can. Who knows maybe the ring belonged to your mother or you found it.” Possum slapped Mansir on the arm. “You’re my friend and I want you to find your true place, and if it was old Possum’s way the place would be here.”

“
Thanks, you have gone out of way for me and I appreciate it. If ever I can pay back the favor I would be proud to.” Mansir stood and walked away.

###

Weeks passed and Mansir was true to his word. He worked the field every day then went back to Possum’s. In the evening he would return to render help to MaeMae, play with Ozamae and tutor T-Boy, and then he’d leave. He and Joelette made small talk but no more long talks under the Sassafras tree.

Joelette thought she would lose her mind
. After the boys were settled in their room, she plopped down on the porch swing. “I’m so angry at him, MaeMae. How can he do this to the boys? They miss him.” She pushed her feet under the swing and put the swing in motion. “I miss him,” she whispered.

“
Joelette, the man is in turmoil. Don’t you see it on his face? He is trying so hard to put pieces back together and not hurt us in the process. Give him a little time.”

“
MaeMae, I wish I was as patient as you. But I can’t live this way not knowing what the problem is, I have to find out some answers. I’ll be right back.” Joelette got her keys and headed the truck down the road. He owed her an explanation. She jumped out of the truck and stood outside of Possum’s houseboat. What was she doing? She didn’t own this man. She didn’t even know him.

“
Are you going to stand out there or are you going to join me on deck?” Mansir’s voice covered her like a warm blanket.

“
Where is Possum?” she asked, as she sat in one of the deck chairs.

“
He had some business in town. Do you want something to drink,” he asked as he set down his cup of coffee.

She placed her hand on her churning stomach
. “No, what I need is answers, Mansir. If you don’t want to be around us anymore why didn’t you say so.”

He pulled his chair closer.
“That couldn’t be further from the truth, Joelette. It’s just the opposite. But I found out some information that I am trying to understand how it fits in my life or better still my past.”