Liisa. Sioux Dallas

a cup of hot tea. Her stomach was too jumpy to hold much food. She, of course, wanted to know what was wrong with her, but at the same time she was fearful of hearing the results. What if it was something very serious?

      At six twenty her doorbell rang. Answering the door she was surprised to see Ellen and Paul standing there.

      “Liisa, we’re going with you. Ben told me earlier that he would be talking to you and I didn’t want you to be alone,” Ellen stated

      “Admit it, Mom. You are just plain nosey - like all of us,” Paul laughed.

      Paul drove his car. They rode in silence. Liisa knew that Ellen was praying and felt that Paul was also. She had talked to God many times about this and had finally left it in His hands.

      Ben was surprised to see Ellen and Paul. “Good gosh! Do you think this is a circus?”

      “Why, Ben,” gasped Ellen horrified, with a catch in her throat. “We all love Liisa and you know that no mother would let her child go through possible heartaches without being there for her.” Ellen said indignantly, almost crying by now.

      “I’m sorry, dear,” he said hugging her. “Of course, you’re right. You just took me by surprise. Am I forgiven?”

      “Ben Johnson, you are so silly. Let’s hear what you have to say. We’re anxious and need to know the results.”

      “Sit down and let me talk to Liisa. Honey, do you mind them being here or would you rather talk to me alone?”

      “It’s all right, Uncle Ben. I know all of you are concerned. I’ll have to tell them eventually. This way we’ll all hear together.”

      Ben nodded and sat at his desk. He opened her folder and took a few seconds to read the top material. Liisa began to show nervousness. Paul apparently recognized this and reached to hold her hand.

      Ben took a deep breath and smiled at them. “Well, honey, anyone, at any age, would love to have your strong, healthy body. I do find that you’re a little run down, slightly anemic. Sensible food and proper rest will take care of that. Your MRI did not show anything to be deeply concerned about. The EKG did show a slight need to be aware of some unusual pattern. Putting everything together, my personal opinion is that, at some time in the near past, you had a traumatic experience with a bruise to the stern of the brain. You either had a blow to the back of your head or you had a fall and hit your head.”

      Ellen drew in a small sobbing breath. Paul scooted closer to Liisa and put his arm around her.

      Ben continued. “This is absolutely the only thing I can find. You might have had a shock that caused your mind to say that you would be happier if you did not remember what happened. I think that with rest and a feeling of security, you stand a good chance of regaining your memory. It could be what’s known as psychogenic amnesia or some doctors might call it dissociative amnesia. Why don’t we let it go as is for a short time? If you’re not satisfied, we can try therapy or you may want a second opinion.”

      “That’s all you can tell me after all these tests?” Liisa gasped.

      “Sorry, baby. Doctors are not miracle workers. We sometimes have to do some educated guessing. This is the best I can tell you at the present. Honey, you know how important you are to me. If I could fix it, I would.”

      Paul, trying to ease the tension said, “I could hit you on the back of your head and see if the blow would restore your memory.”

      “Paul!” Ellen cried out. “This is not the time to try to be funny, which you sure aren’t.”

      “Cool it, Mom. Dad can’t find any real damage. Liisa has been worried and uptight for several days. I’m just trying to lighten her feelings a little.”

      “It’s all right, Aunt Ellen,” Liisa said calmly and then burst into hard sobs that shook her whole body.

      Paul hugged her tightly and made soothing sounds to her. Her head just reached his shoulder. Ben tilted his head at Ellen and they tip-toed out into the hall. When they returned to the room, Paul and Liisa were gone.

      “Guess you’re stuck with me if you want to get home tonight,” Ben said slanting his eyes flirtatiously at Ellen.

      “I’ll take my chances with you, sir,” she answered. “You look like a gentleman to me. But my mother told me that looks can be deceiving.”

      “Ah, ha. You’ll just have to wait and find out.”

      They drove by Liisa’s apartment building and saw Paul’s car parked in front. It was a no parking area during the day, but it wouldn’t matter for a short time during the evening. “See, all’s well,” Ben chuckled.

      “Take me home. I’m tired and need rest and comforting.”

      “Um, I could use some comfort myself,” Ben said reaching over to hug Ellen to him. They went home silently with heavy hearts.

       Chapter Three

      “Liisa, is there something troubling you?” Arnold asked with concern. “You are so deep in thought that you didn’t answer that last customer when she was right beside you.”

      “Oh, Arnold. I’m so sorry. Yes,” she said slowly. I have had something on my mind. I’m sorry I was not paying attention to the customer. Believe me, it won’t happen again.”

      “Honey, I won’t push if you don’t wish to confide in me, but, remember, I am here for you always.”

      “Thank you, Arnold. You are such a dear friend. I give you full credit for all good things that have happened to me and I sincerely appreciate your concern. My problem is something that I’ll have to handle on my own. I promise to be a better employee from this moment on,” Liisa laughed and leaned over the desk to kiss Arnold’s cheek.

      As Liisa left his office, she turned and, in a loud stage whisper, said, “Don’t tell anyone, but I’m really mad about you.” She blew him a kiss and left.

      Arnold frowned after her as she left to greet a customer. Something is wrong. I’ve never seen her acting like this. I hope she’ll let me help her. Liisa, Liisa, you’re like a daughter to me, or rather a granddaughter, he thought to himself.

      Picking up a bulletin Arnold read it through again with a thoughtful expression. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to think. Coming in quietly, Liisa thought he might be taking a nap and hated to disturb him, but she needed his approval on a twenty-five hundred dollar check. She touched his shoulder and he quickly opened his eyes and sat up. He grinned as he scribbled his initials on the check. “Great! Is this another one of your paintings?”

      “No, it’s one of those you picked up last month in the estate sale in Menden. The buyer says it reminds her of her grandparent’s old home on the ocean front.”

      “Wonderful,” he chortled. “When you get a chance to talk to me, come back in here. I need to discuss an idea with you.” He leaned back again with hands behind his head.

      Liisa thanked the customer and made arrangements to have the painting wrapped carefully and delivered in three days. One other customer bought an antique book rack and then left Liisa alone. She went back into the office to hear what Arnold wanted to say. She left the door open so that she could hear if someone came into the gallery.

      “That sale made it worth coming in this morning,” Liisa said with a triumphant grin. “I also sold a statue and some smaller paintings with that old book rack.” She plopped down in a brown leather chair, kicked off her spike heels and snuggled in a comfortable position with her legs and feet tucked under her.

      Arnold looked at the bulletin in his hands several seconds, and then turned to stare at Liisa. She began to get uneasy. “Is something wrong?”

      “No, no,” Arnold assured her. “I have a notice of an estate sale in Danbury on Thursday of next week. It’s