The Terminal Reunion

By Jeanne Amersfoort

Like a dirt road, winding through the countryside, filled with potholes and rocks finally meets up with the highway, so Denettes life after drugs has met the highway. Its been four long years in college after taking on the quest of a new beginning, barely escaping the devastation of addiction.

Here it is, clear sailing on the highway of success on the way to her new job with a newspaper crew as an investigative reporter. Yet, in the back of her mind, Denette finds it hard to believe that her past is truly gone. As she reserves part of her mind to being cautious, just in case a blast from the past attempts to spoil what will finally be the true victory over her shadowy past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 17, 2013
• ISBN: 9781490809755

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 Jeanne Amersfoort.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4908-0976-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-0977-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-0975-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013917480

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/16/2013

CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Three

Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Five

Chapter Twenty Six

Chapter Twenty Seven

Chapter Twenty Eight

Chapter Twenty Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty One

Chapter Thirty Two

Chapter Thirty Three

Chapter Thirty Four

Chapter Thirty Five

Chapter Thirty Six

Chapter Thirty Seven

Chapter Thirty Eight

Chapter Thirty Nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty One

Chapter Forty Two

Chapter Forty Three

Chapter Forty Four

Chapter Forty Five

Chapter Forty Six

Chapter Forty Seven

Chapter Forty Eight

Chapter Forty Nine

Chapter Fifty

Chapter Fifty One

Chapter Fifty Two

Chapter Fifty Three

Chapter Fifty Four

Chapter Fifty Five

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank my family for the continued encouragement and enthusiasm toward this endeavor as well as my friends who support my dream.

The most important acknowledgement goes to my best friend and love of my life, my husband Ernest, who edited, encouraged, and pushed me to continue when I would feel like giving up. Without his love and support none of this would have become a reality.

I Must Go Back For Tomorrow

D OCTOR, I’VE BEEN ON the pill for years and you’re telling me I’m pregnant? A few weeks later, her doctor recommends Lo la to have an abortion because of fetus distress. She says, No way!

Lola sees the life of her now-grown daughter, young, healthy, brilliant, and successful, slowly being dissolved by drugs. Her daughter’s living death and the horrors that come along for a free ride are all but consuming Lola, her husband, and their other daughter and her family as well.

One morning, Lola reads an article about a scientific project experimenting with time travel. Secretly, Lola volunteers to travel back in time thirty years, to the day she turned down the abortion. This time she takes the doctor’s advice. Returning, she finds the undoing of her daughter is causing unimaginable consequences and horrors, touching her family and many others. Lola believes the only way out is to go back and undo what she has done. However, it seems that may not be possible. She calls on God to please open the way for her to undo her mistakes she herself has brought to pass by undoing what God had created. She cries out, I must go back for tomorrow. Lola finds that God’s grace and mercies are more than enough to deal with her daughter’s trials—all the way to victory!

The Lethal Quest

D ENETTE, YOUNG, BEAUTIFUL BUT all wrapped up in the drugs and party scene. She had managed to turn her life and that of her family upside down. In desperation, her mom stumbles upon a once-in-a-million chance to take part in a test run of a science project to travel back in time. The day comes when she travels back thirty years to the day of her appointment with her doctor, when she was told to consider having an abortion because of questionable health of the fetus (Denette). This time she agrees.

She returns to the present time only to discover that the void of her daughter’s being is of unimaginable consequence. She works desperately to return to that day of Denette’s undoing to restore what she had tampered with. Her opportunity to travel back comes just in the brink of time. Returning to the present, she finds that this time the process of restoring Denette’s life is truly by the hand of God. However, the process of restoration can often be as painful and difficult as living in darkness itself! And so begins, Denette’s Quest.

And now on to The Terminal Reunion . . . .

CHAPTER ONE

29979.png

A FTER HER DAD PUT her suitcases into the trunk Denette put her purse and thermo lunch bag in the front seat then turning around with tears filling her eyes she said, Dad, mom, I’m going to miss you both so much. I can’t believe I’m actually moving to Indiana. I look back just four years ago and remember what a mess I was. If it hadn’t been for both of you, who knows what would have happened to me and look where I am now. I actually have my own job as a newspaper reporter in Fort Wayne. I guess the four years of college paid off, huh? I just wished I had this same job only closer, like Coeur d’ Alene, or maybe Spokane, that way I could come home at least once a month. I love you both so much and I appreciate what you did for me, you two are the best parents in the whole world.

We love you too honey, her dad said.

Her mom agreed then continued, You’re right, we did do a lot to help you but you did the heavy lifting. You worked hard for your degree and you walked away from the drug culture and never looked back. We are so proud of you."

Hugging them both with tears in her eyes Denette opened her car door got in and rolled down the window.

Remember, her dad said looking into the window, since you are first going to stop for one night with Brad and Regina, and you don’t like driving at night, he paused, looking at his watch, then continued, it’s five am right now and if you only stop for gas, you could be in Reno just before dark. The weather is great even though it’s March, and the forecast is for clear skies, and you’ve got a brand new car, you shouldn’t have any car problems. He smiled at her as he stood back and said, You look so good in your new blue car. What is it with you and your blue cars?

They both laughed remembering her blue Chevy Cavalier that her parents had bought her to use in her quest to make things right with her loved ones whom she had used and abused during her addiction days. I love blue cars, blue compliments my eyes, Denette responded as she batted her eyelashes at her dad.

Denette and her parents laughed and after laughing her mother requested, Please don’t forget to call us when you arrive at Brad and Regina’s. We love you honey and remember we are so very proud of you. Then Lola, Denette’s mom cautioned, Drive carefully.

They waved goodbye and watched as she drove away remembering the last time she drove to go and visit family. It became the nightmare of all times.

Don’t worry, Ernest, Denette’s dad said, knowing what his wife was thinking, this time it will be different. There’s no one following her.

Ernest, being a security officer at one of the local Silver Valley refineries, was careful by nature plus just a couple of weeks ago received a call from Detective Palinsky regarding the release of Julie, aka Janie who was responsible for Denette’s memory loss. He chose to keep that information to himself so as not to worry his wife. The detective told Ernest he had no reason to believe that Julie was coming after Denette but was just being cautious and wanted to inform the family of her release.

I know, Lola responded, but as a mother I can’t help worrying.

Denette looked in her rearview mirror and saw her parents waving and it warmed her heart. She still couldn’t remember much of a span of about two years due to amnesia which happened four years ago. Feeling blessed to just be alive she remembered what her mother had told her about how she was almost killed because of her bad choices and getting mixed up in dealing drugs. Bobby, the son of a mob boss, was accidently killed by his half brother as he was trying to save Denette from being murdered by Bobby. Why can’t I remember any of this, she thought?

She got onto the freeway and settled in for the long drive as she turned the radio on and set her cruise control. Driving down the freeway Denette’s mind wandered back to when she was on this very same freeway before. As a teen her family went to visit her aunts and uncles and Denette’s parents allowed her to invite her best friend, Jenny.

Reflecting back on what her dad and mom had told her made her a little uneasy because she couldn’t remember but was told that just four years ago she traveled this freeway on her way to California hoping to make amends with her family because she had used and abused their love for her when she was addicted to drugs. She visited Uncle Ken and Aunt Jen in Shasta then onto Point Arena to visit her Uncle Don. After she had visited her Uncle Don she visited her Aunt Sharla in Fort Bragg. It was her first night on the road when she met a woman who called herself Janie but her name was actually Julie. It was this woman who caused her amnesia by hitting her in the back of the head with a gun. She worked for the mob boss and was sent to kidnap Denette so he could find out how much she knew before killing her.

Denette shuddered as she remembered her mom telling her about her niece being kidnapped in exchange for her. That’s when she was almost killed and Brad, her brother-in-law rescued her along with Paul, Bobby’s half brother. She frequently thought about Paul and prayed for him. Her sister, Regina, told her that Paul was a good looking man. She said he was about six feet with sandy brown hair and eyes so dark brown that they looked black. He was quick to smile and had a decorous, humble demeanor along with being soft spoken. He had a big teethy grin that had a disarming affect. She told Denette that there was an inner depth or strength of integrity that was present. There was something very compelling about him, something very intense. He not only helped her brother-in-law rescue Denette from the mob boss and Janie but he saved her from being kidnapped at a rest stop as she was driving to Reno to visit her sister, Regina and her husband, Brad. Since he knew all about the mob boss and the activities he turned state witness and was placed into the witness protection program.

Denette often wondered how he was doing with his new identity. She also felt like she should have thanked him however knew that she could never do that so she had to be content in just praying for him. She had added him to her prayer book so she would never forget to pray for him.

She was jarred back to the present as a speeding car rushed by her followed by a police car with its lights on. Ah-oh she thought, someone is going to get a ticket. Too bad they didn’t use their cruise control on. That’s why I always put my cruise control on, I have such a lead foot I would be in big trouble if I didn’t use it, she thought.

After the excitement of the police car pulling over the speeding car she settled back into listening to music and driving. She looked at her watch realizing it was only eleven and that she was getting very hungry. Reaching over to her thermos bag she pulled out a sandwich. As she started eating she thought that maybe she should stop but decided against it because she wanted to get to Reno at a decent time and stopping to gas up took up enough time. She decided she would stop at a rest stop as she got closer to Reno and eat her other sandwich so Regina wouldn’t have to fix her something to eat when she arrived.

After driving most of the day, she crossed into California and saw a sign saying Reno one hundred and sixty miles. I wonder if I could stop at the same rest stop as I did before she thought, then realizing she couldn’t remember which one it was anyway. She drove on a ways until she noticed it was five thirty and decided she would stop at the next rest stop. Just a few miles down the road she saw a sign telling her the rest stop was only five miles away.

Five miles down the freeway she exited into the rest stop. After parking she quickly rushed into the bathroom and as she was coming out of the bathroom and almost to her car she experienced an insidious flashback or a déjà vu type feeling. She felt as though someone was grabbing her from behind and pushing her forward to her car. Suddenly she saw the face of a man who she thought she should know but couldn’t figure out why. The next moment she found herself on the ground next to her car. She looked around and saw nothing out of the ordinary. Standing to her feet she quickly got into her car and locking her doors just sat there wondering and asking God what had just happened.

She grabbed her cell phone and dialed her mom’s cell phone. After a couple of rings she heard her mom saying, Well, hello dear, how’s the drive going?

Oh my gosh mom, I think I remembered something. She was talking so fast that her mom could barely keep up. I stopped at a rest stop to use the bathroom and eat and when I came out of the bathroom I think I felt someone grab me from behind and push me forward then I saw the face of a man, kind of behind my car. It was so frightening. I didn’t lose consciousness but kind of because after the experience subsided I found myself on the ground by my car. I was terrified. I know it isn’t real but I am still terrified. She started crying and could not say anything else.

Denette, her mother said in a soft reassuring tone, it was part of your memory coming back, something like what you just described did actually happen to you. I know it must have frightened you but honey, it was just a memory.

But mom, Denette protested, it was so real. I’m shaking all over I don’t even think I can safely drive right now. I don’t want these memories I don’t want to relive all this stuff. I thought I was over all this. Mom, why is all this happening?

Honey, her mom explained, it is probably an isolated incident. You must have stopped at the same rest stop you were at four years ago and it triggered a memory. It probably won’t happen again.

You think? Denette questioned, Are you sure?

I can’t say that I’m sure, her mom responded, but since it was probably triggered by the familiar rest stop then it stands to reason that it probably won’t happen again unless you go somewhere familiar again, but then again it may very well happen from time to time, you need to understand these are healthy in a way, so if you can try to work with these flash backs it might be a healing of sort. Does that make sense?

I guess so, Denette answered then agreed, I guess you’re right.

Honey, her mother questioned, are you okay?

I think so, Denette responded, I’ve quit shaking now, but wow, that felt so real. I guess I’ll be all right. Just talking to you helped me. I’m going to continue on down the road, I’ll call you when I get to Regina’s. Love you, mom. Thanks for helping me through this.

No problem, honey, her mom said, Love you, drive careful, talk to you soon.

As she sat in her car she decided she must eat so she took out her sandwich and nibbled on it. After the first couple of bites she realized she was in fact hungry. She even finished off the cookies her mom had packed then drank the juice. Feeling better she whispered a prayer of thanks as she started her car, backed out and drove onto the freeway. She sat in silence still trying to understand what had just happened. The mind is a funny thing, she thought. She reached over and turned the radio back on to keep her mind busy.

CHAPTER TWO

30024.png

A FTER DRIVING FOR A few hours she decided that the last leg of the trip was always the worst. It seems so much longer than the first part of her trip. I guess it’s because I’m getting tired, she thought. Looking at her watch she noticed it was six thirty. I should be there before long, she thought.

Following the MapQuest paper she printed, she exited, took the boulevard then she pulled onto Regina’s street. She pulled over to call her mom knowing that she would be worried because of what happened at the rest stop plus if she didn’t call now she knew she would forget because of the thrill of seeing her sister. Pulling out her cell phone she dialed her mother. It rang and rang and she was about to give up, knowing that since her mother was the administrator of the Silver Valley hospital she may not be able to answer, however on the fifth ring she heard her mother say, I’m sorry it took me so long to answer, I was on the other line. Are you there?

I’m almost there, Denette answered, I’m on her street, I just wanted to stop and call you real quick because I know when I get there I will get caught up in all the excitement and forget to call you and after my rest stop incident I didn’t want to make your worry more.

Thank you honey, Lola, Denette’s mom said wondering why she was still so very worried about her daughter’s safety, I’ll try to stop worrying now. Go ahead and get there so you’re sister will stop worrying. I love you, honey.

Love you too, mom, Denette responded, bye

Pulling back onto the street she drove on slowly looking for the numbers on the houses then spotted her sister’s house number and turned into the driveway thinking I’m finally here. The front door opened and all three kids and Regina came out to greet her.

You’re finally here, Regina exclaimed as she reached over and hugged her, I’m so glad you didn’t have to drive in the dark.

Me too, Denette responded and was about to say something else when Cloe came up to her hugging her and Denette hugged her back saying, I’m so glad to see you again. My goodness you’ve grown, you’re turning into such a pretty young lady.

I know, Cloe agreed as she stood as tall as she could.

How old are you now, Cloe? Denette questioned.

Nine, Cloe proudly answered, then continued trying to impress her aunt, I’m really big now and I can help mommy with the house work.

Wow, Denette exclaimed, then looked at Cloe with a look of amazement saying, I wish I had someone to help me.

I’ll help you, Cloe responded then offered, I can do all kinds of stuff now that I’m older.

Well, Denette said, I think your mommy likes you helping her here at home, I’m going to be a long way away from your home so I guess that won’t work out, but thanks for the offer.

Besides that, Regina said looking at her daughter, What would I do without your help?

You’re right mommy, Cloe responded as she went to her mother hugging her saying, What would you do without my help?

Denette looked over at Brandon and Ramon observing they were just standing by, politely waiting to be noticed so she said, And look at you two boys, Denette, walking over to Brandon and Ramon, observed, you guys have turned into such handsome young men. My goodness you’re almost taller than I am.

She stood next to Brandon and noticed she was a little shorter than he was. How old are you now Brandon, I think you are a little taller than I am?

Fifteen, He declared as he squared his shoulder.

Denette moved to stand next to Ramon saying, Ramon you and I are the same height aren’t we? How old are you? She questioned.

I’m a teenager now, I’m thirteen, He proudly stated, Look, I’m almost as tall as Brandon, isn’t that cool?

Brandon looked at Ramon affectionately as Denette responded, Yes that’s really cool, I bet you guys play a lot of one on one basketball, huh?

Both boys agreed as they all walked into the house still talking trying to impress their aunt.

Walking into her sister’s house she was a bit apprehensive wondering if she might have another flashback or a déjà vu type memory because she hadn’t been at her sister’s new house since she lost her memory however was relieved as she felt no terrifying memories. She kind of wondered why she didn’t have any problems because her sister had told her that while she was visiting someone had broken into their house to kidnap her and she was also told that Brad fought with the intruder while she came up behind the intruder hitting him with a bat. She couldn’t imagine doing that.

As she kept following Regina and the children, she was looking all around trying to see if anything looked familiar however to no avail. It was as if she had never been in this house before and yet she knew she had. She couldn’t get over what a beautiful home her sister had. It was obviously in an upscale neighborhood. The décor was soft hues of dusty blue and rose colors which made the entry room cheery, continuing into the hallway which led into the kitchen the color hues changed to beige and earth tones. She felt she should try to act normal because everyone knew she had been here before. The boys went into the family room as Regina, Cloe and Denette went into the kitchen.

Since Brandon turned fifteen he has asked to have his room downstairs Regina explained jarring Denette out of her awkward feelings, so we have allowed him to make the guest room into his room therefore you will be in his old bedroom instead of where you were last time, Brandon’s old room is now our guest room. She paused looking thoughtful then continued, I’m so sorry, I forgot. I bet you don’t even remember this house, do you?

No, Denette self-consciously answered, I don’t but I didn’t want to make anyone feel funny so I just tried to act normal. Unless I absolutely have to ask questions, I just try to figure things out without drawing attention to my memory loss. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she tried to get her emotions under control then continued, "I don’t know why but it is kind of embarrassing to me when I know I should remember but I don’t, that’s why I don’t ask questions, I just try to go with the flow and hopefully somewhere along the line I usually figure things out.

Don’t you ever feel that way around me, Regina gently scolded, I don’t ever mind answering questions you might have.

Regina was about to say something else when Cloe leaned over the upstairs railing and yelled, Mom, are you going to bring Aunt Nettie up here so I can show her room to her?

Regina reached over and gently touched Denette’s shoulder saying, We’ll talk more later but for now we must go upstairs, Cloe is dying to show you your room. She helped fix it up and is so excited that your room is right next door to hers.

Denette smiled saying, We better get going before she can’t contain herself any longer.

They ran upstairs just as Cleo was about to come down and get them.

Are you ready? Cloe asked grinning from ear to ear as she stood in front of the closed door leading into Denette’s room. When Denette nodded her head yes Cloe slowly opened the door revealing the newly decorated guest room.

Wow, Denette said as she looked at the guest room. She stood speechless as she noticed the beautiful room with flowery curtains and matching quilt and throw pillows. The walls were an insipid pink color with the baseboard being a shade darker but the same color hue. The carpet was an off white which also matched the curtains and quilt.

Denette was so impressed with her sister’s and brother-in-law’s very large home. It was a two story home with a double car garage and a big fenced back yard which had been personally landscaped by Brad. Upstairs were four bedrooms with one being the master bedroom and large private bathroom as well as a walk-in closet. The laundry room was also upstairs and a bathroom which connected two bedrooms and a half bath connected to the third bedroom which used to be Brandon’s room and was now the guestroom. The downstairs had a bedroom with a connecting bathroom which was now Brandon’s room and a family room, formal dining area, very large kitchen with beautiful hardwood flooring. Denette was thinking how blessed her sister was when Cloe interrupted her thoughts.

Do you like your room, Cloe asked, do you, huh?

Like it? Denette responded, I love it. As I walk into this room I feel like I am walking into a flower garden. She reached over to her sister and hugging her she said, Thank you so much for this, it’s just beautiful.

Cloe rushed to Denette hugging her for a very long time then questioned, Does this room help you feel better about not having a good memory

It sure does Cloe, Denette responded, thank you so much for all your hard work.

I’m glad you like it, Regina said, Cloe and I worked on it for a long time, huh Cloe?

Sure did, Cloe declared, I got to paint the trim, or as mom called it, the baseboard, it was so much fun. Mom was afraid I couldn’t do it but I showed her didn’t I? She paused then said, Well, I gotta go now because Amy, my friend next door, wants me to go swimming in her pool, I love you Aunt Nettie I’ll see you later.

She ran out of the room and went next door.

As Regina and Denette were walking back down stairs Regina said, You should have seen the mess I had on the floor before we put the white carpeting in that room. Cloe did a good job painting but it wasn’t just on the baseboard. She had such fun making the room ready for you.

They walked into the