Reminisce

By Diane Dresback

If your memories make you who you are, then what happens when you change them?

Nick frequents a bar to drink away his pain. The separation from his wife and inability to see his 5-year-old daughter is too much to bear. He meets Rachel, an expert billiards player who accepts bets from unsuspecting men who naively believe they can outplay her.

Sensing Nick's hopelessness, Rachel offers solace to his present struggles. She convinces him to join her, along with other shattered souls, at the elusive Parlor—a dark and foreboding place located in an abandoned warehouse.

Swallowing one pill enables Nick to re-experience a memory complete with sound, touch, smell and emotion. He gets hooked on this enticing, bittersweet escape.

What harm can come from reliving the good times in his mind?

Rachel reveals her attempt to deal with a past trauma by manipulating its memory adding a haunting layer to the seductive escape.

Might that be a solution for Nick's own woes or will it evolve into a nightmarish end?


See what readers are saying about Reminisce:

"I found myself completely engaged and pretty much read it straight through. I'd highly recommend this book if you enjoy twists and turns and a good surprise ending!" Reviewer

"…its thought provoking nature stays with you after you set the book down." Reviewer

"Makes you angry and sad in equal parts…The twist is unexpected and heartbreaking. Cleverly and emphatically written." Reviewer

"The story is about sadness and guilt, and how hard it is to forgive yourself…also about what lengths people will go to relive special events in their lives." Reviewer

"…the descriptive twists and turns will lead you to some surprising answers." Reviewer

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mindclover Productions LLC
• Release date: Sep 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781963762105

Book preview

A FEW READER COMMENTS

ON REMINISCE

I read a lot and I have to say that this story totally surprised me in the end! It moves along and I found myself wanting to turn the page as it were to find out what happens next.

I found myself completely engaged and pretty much read it straight through. I’d highly recommend this book if you enjoy twists and turns and a good surprise ending!

The story is about sadness and guilt, and how hard it is to forgive yourself. It is also about what lengths people will go to re-live special events in their lives.

GET MY FREE SHORT STORY

If you have not already signed up for Diane M. Dresback’s Insiders email group, you can do so and receive a free digital short story prequel to the Awake As A Stranger trilogy. By signing up, you will also receive periodic notifications of book releases, free giveaways, and author updates.

 Inklings_FrontCover_230508_f:b.jpeg

This short story prequel offers insight into transformative events that happened to Treaz and to Omani as children; situations that affected who they grew up to be. These two women do not meet until they are adults, but their lives are on target to intertwine in the most peculiar and fascinating manner.

Get YOUR Free Copy of Inklings Here!

BOOKS BY DIANE M. DRESBACK

TRILOGY

Awake As A Stranger trilogy

…Awakening (Book 1)

…Rebellion (Book 2)

…Altercation (Book 3)

STAND ALONES

Postponement

Reminisce

Promise of Protection

Room For Another

A Courageous Adoption story based on True Events

NONFICTION

From Us For You:

Inspiring Stories of Healing, Growth and Transformation

Your Action, Your Success:

Motivating Yourself To Get Things Done

Reminisce

Copyright © 2015 by Diane M. Dresback

All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Contact Information: www.dianedresback.com

Published by Mindclover Productions LLC

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

ISBN - 978-1-963762-10-5 (ebk)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Get My Free Short Story

Books by Diane M. Dresback

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all of my independent filmmaking friends that have encouraged and supported so many of my creative storytelling endeavors.

CHAPTER 1

Sitting at a back table in Ya Nuan Chinese Restaurant, Justin had pacified his growling stomach. A local food critic recently posted a blog boasting the best Kung Pao Chicken in Phoenix. The assessment had been correct and was by far the best Justin had consumed in a long while.

After practically licking his plate clean, a short, thin Chinese man of about 45 approached him. He introduced himself as Bob, the owner of the establishment. Justin didn’t think he looked or sounded anything like a Bob with his rather heavy Chinese accent.

You enjoy the Kung Pao? Bob inquired.

Dude, it was amazing. The only place that’s even remotely close is this little dive back in Kansas.

They have Chinese food in Kansas? Bob said with a totally straight face.

Uh, yeah, Justin replied. Bob laughed causing Justin to laugh.

I’m just joking with you. Probably one of my cousins.

Really?

Bob patted him on the shoulder. You want some more?

Justin hesitated. The food was not expensive, but he wanted to reserve funds for later that night when he planned to meet his roommate. After completing an intense week of engineering mid-terms, a night to cut loose sounded justified.

Recognizing the hesitation, Bob added, On the house. With the restaurant located in close proximity to the downtown Arizona State University campus, many of his customers were college students with limited funds and away from their families.

Sure, Justin said. Why not?

Bob grinned and returned a few minutes later carrying a plateful of steaming Kung Pao Chicken. He also knew that young college boys always had voracious appetites. He set the yellow plastic plate in front of his customer.

Justin sighed and smiled. Thanks, man.

As Justin savored the tender spicy meat covered with crunchy peanuts, he and Bob conversed. They talked about Justin’s school studies, what he did for fun, and his longtime girlfriend who attended a community college back in Kansas.

Rubbing his bloated belly, Justin thanked Bob again. I definitely will be back.

Great to hear, replied Bob. I’ve got a question for you.

Shoot, replied Justin pulling out his wallet.

You’re a nice young man. I know you study hard and definitely know good food, Bob smiled, and you miss your girlfriend.

Justin nodded as he removed a ten and some ones.

Dinner’s on me tonight if you do me a favor.

A favor?

My friend would like to meet you. He has medicine to enhance a good memory with your girlfriend.

Justin wasn’t following exactly but had an inkling. He knew the term medicine could mean any number of things. And somehow, he got the distinct impression that an old guy peddling medicine from a Chinese restaurant sounded fishy. But he liked Bob in some strange way and couldn’t stop his curiosity from growing. What do you mean?

I promise it will be a very pleasurable experience, Bob added.

You’ve done it? Justin asked.

Of course. I’d never ask you if I didn’t try. My memory was about my sister, he said. Justin thought about it for a few moments. Periodically, he did partake in smoking some weed and swallowing a few pills, but never to excess. He looked at his watch. A couple of hours remained before the scheduled meet-up with his buddy. Justin looked back up at Bob. A memory about his sister? It couldn’t be all bad then. The thought of what Bob promised, an enhanced memory with his girlfriend, pushed him over the edge.

Bob sensed his young customer was about to agree and took hold of his arm. You come to meet my friend.

Justin allowed Bob to lead him through a bustling kitchen full of chopping, frying, and yelling, then down a long hallway. Packed shelves with boxes of paper cups, piles of yellow plastic plates, and stacks of styrofoam to-go boxes made the walkway narrow causing Justin to turn sideways to pass through.

Bob stopped in front of a reflective metal door and turned. You’ll feel like you’ve just been with your girlfriend, he commented and led Justin through the closed door and into a store room.

Suspended by a wire, a single light source illuminated the center of the room leaving the edges in almost total darkness. In the dim light, Justin saw stacks of cardboard boxes of restaurant supplies pushed up against the walls and shelves holding recognizable cleaning items — bleach bottles, mops, rags.

Justin hesitated but Bob guided him forward. It’s okay, I promise, and motioned him to sit on the folding chair placed under the light bulb. Clanging pots and raised Chinese voices barely audible through the closed door.

A man with jet-black eyes, matching shoulder-length wavy hair, and caramel-colored skin stepped out of the darkness. A five o’clock shadow on his face. In his hands, what looked like a scuffed-up forest green motorcycle helmet with the face guard removed.

Justin started to stand up as movie images from Goodfellas raced through his head.

I will not let anything bad happen, Justin. I like you, said Bob. My word is good, and a pleasant smile remained on his face until Justin lowered himself back into the hard seat.

The man raised the green helmet over Justin’s head but stopped when the college student raised his hand. Bob, what is this about, again?

It will be fine. It won’t hurt. The restaurant owner chuckled as he patted the young man’s shoulder.

Justin’s eyes moved to the man holding the helmet. Is this your friend?

This is Sid. He’s from Calcutta. He graduated from Harvard. You can trust him.

So, this is some kind of clinical trial then, right? Justin asked attempting to justify the predicament and put his nerves at ease. Convince himself that his rarely failed instinct about people remained intact.

Yes, yes. One you’ll love, replied Bob with a toothy grin.

After a few more moments, Justin let his shoulders drop allowing Sid to glide the helmet over his head. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the chair.

Justin has a girlfriend he hasn't seen in a long time, Bob commented to Sid who snapped red, white and yellow wires to the back of the helmet.

You’ve had some good times with her, I would imagine, Sid said in a modest Indian accent, not looking at Justin.

Yeah. She’s back in Kansas. It sucks being so far away.

Sid grunted an acknowledgment. Pounding on the metal door caused Sid to snap his head towards Bob.

I’ll take care of it, Bob said and hurried towards the door.

Ninety minutes later, the balding restaurant owner cracked open the storeroom door and peeked inside. Justin chatted happily as Sid removed the round adhesive patch that adhered to his forehead.

Dude, that was epic, Justin gushed as he saw Bob enter. Can I bring a friend next time?

Sure, sure, replied Bob as he escorted Justin out of the room and to the delivery entrance at the back of the restaurant. But, we must keep this on the down low, understand?

Oh, of course. No worries, man, Justin said as he shook Bob’s hand and walked out into the alley.

Bob returned to the store room. Must have been a success.

Sid slipped the helmet into a black nylon bag and tightened the cotton drawstrings. Completely. I’m going to need more of these. He held out a small capsule in his hand.

No problem.

Appears we’ve got a deal then, Sid said as he and Bob sealed their partnership with a handshake.

How about some Szechwan Shrimp? Bob offered raising his wiry eyebrows high. Sid smiled.

CHAPTER 2

Cassie tossed white bread chunks into silty water giggling uncontrollably as the pieces disappeared gulp by gulp from the surface of the water. At almost 5 years old, there was no place she’d rather be than at the side of her father, Nick.

Look, look! she pointed and exclaimed. The fishes have lips!

Late in the afternoon as the day cooled and kayakers paddled across the calm water, Nick began to teach Cassie how to fish. He had purchased a neon pink fishing pole and a matching plastic tackle box complete with a starter supply of hooks, weights, and flies. She always insisted on pink everything.

No icky worms, Cassie demanded folding her arms across her chest.

Nick nodded. Okay, we’ll just use cheese, then. He squished a hunk of soft American cheese around the hook. Taking her soft hands in his, together they cast the line into the water enjoying the whoosh sound.

Now what? she asked gazing up at her dad with big eyes, soft ringlets dancing around her face and down her back. Cassie had inherited her brown eyes and brown curls from Nick. He loved that fact.

Nick sat down on the flat rock he had scoped out earlier in the day. Now we wait.

Cassie plopped herself down next to him dangling her tiny bare feet over the blue water. Toenails painted a shimmery bright pink. Here, hold this. She shoved the fishing pole to her father and proceeded to push the wrinkles out of her pink and white flowery sundress before taking the pole back. She held it tightly with both hands. How long do we gotta wait, Daddy?

Sometimes it takes a while.

Cassie sighed dramatically. Even though Nick would have been perfectly contented having remained there without speaking for hours just knowing his daughter was by his side, he knew she’d get bored quickly. Mommy said you’re going to a party next week.

Yes. It’s Jessica’s five-year birthday party, she said. It’s gonna be at the pizza party place. They’ve got rides and one of those humongous jumping things. And, we getta crawl through those big plastic tube thingies. So, Mommy says I gotta wear my shorts and not a dress. But, I don’t know why.

Nick smiled. You like dressing up, huh?

Cassie grinned like a Cheshire cat and nodded her head with confidence. She had lost her first tooth and she pushed her tongue in and out through the hole in her lower front gum. Yup.

Just like Mommy?

Cassie nodded and her curls bounced around her porcelain cheeks. Mommy’s pretty and I wanna be pretty like her.

Mommy is pretty, Nick said, and you are just as pretty. Then he leaned over and whispered in her ear. Maybe a tiny bit more pretty, but don’t tell Mommy.

Cassie giggled and her toes curled. Oh, Daddy.

Her fishing rod made a sudden movement and she became very excited. Daddy, Daddy! I gotta fish, I gotta fish!

Nick smiled. Alright, alright.

Cassie jumped up, her eyes darting around the water searching for the culprit. Do I pull, now?

Hang on. Let’s make sure he’s still on there. Nick stood, placed his hands once more on top of his daughter’s and jerked the pole back. Sure enough, the fish had taken hold of the line. A little fish based upon the strength of the tug, but that didn’t stop the creature from fighting hard to break free. Nick deemed it perfect for Cassie’s first catch.

Now wind it in, he said still keeping a firm grip on the bottom of the pole ensuring she didn’t drop it.

At a snail’s pace, she rotated the pink steel reel. The pole grew heavier as the fish rose to the top of the water. Daddy, I’m gonna drop it, she cried out as the rod bent slightly at the top.

It’s okay, honey, I got it.

Nick helped and together they worked until a fat six-inch squirming fish popped out from the water. Reddish-orange spots arranged in neat rows along the deep yellow belly and black backbone. A Sunfish.

Oooh, look what I got, look, look! she shrieked with excitement as the fish wiggled and flipped on the line.

Nick gave his daughter a few moments to eye her prize and relish in the catch. Grasping the fish with one hand, Nick tried to remove the hook with the other. He accidentally tore the mouth of the fish slightly causing a few drops of blood to appear. When the hook came free, he looked back at Cassie whose eyes had become as wide as saucers. Ready?

She nodded half-heartedly and he tossed the Sunfish back into the water where they watched it dart away in a split second.

When he looked back at Cassie, she stood straight-faced and solemn. It was too little to keep, sweetie, he said.

I know.

You want to try again?

Cassie shook her head, looked down at her feet and remained silent. Her fishing enthusiasm expired. She sat down, hugged her knees to her chest, and stared into the water.

Nick sat down next to her putting his arm around her tender shoulder.

What’s wrong, Cassie-lou? She didn’t respond, but a couple of giant tears dropped from her eyes onto her now water-spotted sundress. Aw, honey. Nick put down the pole, picked up his daughter placing her on his lap facing him. He’ll be okay.

Tears rolled freely down her cheeks, her gentle spirit wounded. She looked for comfort in her father’s eyes. But, he’s hurt, she said.

Nick caressed her soft hair, pushing the curls behind her ears. Tomorrow he won’t even remember what happened. He’ll go back to his regular life just swimming around this big lake, happy as can be.

No, Cassie’s lower lip quivered. He’ll remember and be scared to eat cheese anymore.

I promise, he’ll be fine. Nick hugged his daughter tight for a few minutes until her tears stopped. He brushed her wet cheeks dry. Come on, I’m done fishing. Let’s go get ready for dinner. I’m taking you and Mommy out to a fancy restaurant so you’re gonna have to get all dressed up real pretty.

A loud smack came from the pool tables located across the bar and Nick Devlyn was jolted back to the present.

CHAPTER 3

Nick sat at a lengthy walnut bar with a half-consumed beer in front of him. Recently turned 33, he pushed back his disheveled waves and sighed. That afternoon spent at the lake had not even been six months before, although it felt like years had passed.

He rubbed his eyes and then glanced at his tan nylon windbreaker lying sprawled across