JEANIE

Dear Travis,

I had another dream about you. It is when I had first met you.

And I called you arrogant. And snobbish.

But little did I know that you were none of those things.

I thought that you obviously couldn't be great because Lucy liked you. And I always knew her taste in men is horrible.

She always seemed to pick the worst ones.

But you... you weren't like the others.

And it seems that the one good man she took home I happened to fall in love with.

Another reason for me to feel sorry for her.

But it isn't her fault.

I failed her in being her best friend. By letting someone come between us.

I would never change a thing though. Even if I lost my best friend. But maybe she isn't my best friend if she didn't stick by side through that.

But enough of this.

Back to the dream.

It showed how I thought you were just the one for Lucy.

I almost woke up laughing.

But I woke up crying. Because I missed you. A ton. And all I have are memories.

And what kills me is you don't. You don't have the memories of us. You don't even remember my name.

I only hope one day that you will be able to remember me. And us. And our life.

Before it is torn to shreds.

Thanks for all the memories I had, Travis. They are worth keeping and remembering.

Even if they kill what's left of me.

Jeanie.

TRAVIS

When I wake, I feel the overwhelming need to eat food. I push the covers off of my legs, and climb out of bed to go to the downstairs.

I pause in the kitchen.

This isn't my house.

I glance at the counter and see a note on it. It is written in a handwriting I don't know.

It said "Travis, I know you might be feeling weird in this house, and might have some questions about the last year and a half. I have my address written at the bottom of the page. Come there, and I will answer them all. Lucy B."

I frown. I haven't heard that name in a long time. Lucy, from high school?

Then I see a phone number too. Is it hers as well?

I call it. When it clicks, I speak, "Hello, is this Lucy?"

"Travis? Oh, ok, it worked. Come on over. You must have a lot of questions."

"About what?" Then I stop. There is something missing.

Then I feel this longing in my stomach,

Jeanie.

"Where's Jeanie?" I bark into the phone.

"Okay, so you remember her? Good. Just come over, and I will explain everything."

I hesitate.

"Why wouldn't I remember Jeanie? She's my wife..."

Then I trail off. No. We divorced.

I left her.

I close my eyes. No! I have to get to Jeanie to explain everything.

"I need to see Jeanie first. Where is she?"

"No!" her voice rises in panic, then seems to calm down, "Come over here. I'll explain and then I'll take you to her. Just come over."

"Why does my head hurt?" I ask, suddenly realizing the pounding headache I have. What is wrong with me? Why don't I know where I am, or where Jeanie is?

"Just come over please. Or I will come to you. Just let me explain, please. You'll only hurt her more."

"Who? Jeanie?" I never want to hurt her. I would die for her.

But you already hurt her. You left her.

I close my eyes. I did. I did leave her.

She probably hates me.

"I'm coming over! Don't move!" Then she hangs up, and I sit on my couch. I glance around the room. It looks like my house. But I don't feel at home here.

The only thing it is missing is her.

My Jeanie.

Where is she?

I miss her.

I remember the night I left. I remember our marriage. And our honeymoon.

So then why do I feel like I'm forgetting a year of my life?

What is going on?

There is a knock on my door. It has to be Lucy.

I open the door and there she stands. Wide-eyed, and her hair everywhere. I could tell she went crazy getting here so fast.

What is so important that I can't see Jeanie now?

"Sit on the couch. Now. I'll explain," She says, rushing past me to take a seat. I follow her and frown as she swallows.

"Are you going to explain how I got here, why Jeanie isn't with me, and why I don't remember anything after I left Jeanie?"

She smiles. "Yes. I am. But you can't interrupt me. Just let me finish. Then you can go see Jeanie."

I nod. I can do that.

"After you got divorced, I... hypnotized you to forget her, and your marriage to her. We've been together as a couple for the past year, and we recently became engaged. But then you found out what I did, and demanded that I make you remember. That is last night. You woke up this morning with your memory back."

I think my mouth is hanging open. But I can't tell because of the enormous shock I am feeling.

"What?" I ask in a small voice.

She sniffs. "I hypnotized you, Travis. To make you forget Jeanie. And she knows that you forgot her. But now you remember. I wanted you to know this before you go and see her."

"Why? Why did you do this?" These questions are voicing every question I have in my head right now, because I can't figure out why she did this.

"Because..." her voice breaks, "because I loved you, and wanted you to love me. I figured since you were divorced, you wouldn't care about her anymore, so I decided to make you forget her altogether. It is wrong of me, I know that. And I'm sorry," She doesn't look at me.

I look at her. Then I glance at my left hand, and see my golden band missing.

There is no way in history that I could ever not care about my Jeanie. But you could maybe make me forget her, I guess.

"How did she take me being hypnotized?"

"She asked me to make you remember her again. I knew it was hard on her."

I smile, closing my eyes. So she still loves me. At least that's something. She doesn't fully resent me for what I did.

"Here's a note for you. You wrote it before I got you unhypnotized." She hands me a piece of paper, and I read it quickly.

"So you didn't add anything else in my brain? You just made me remember?"

She nods. "And I made sure that there is nothing left of hypnosis in your brain. I cleared you out. There will be some side effects because of how long you were hypnotized though."

"Thank you, Lucy."

Her face transforms into a smile. "It is my fault for doing this to you. I don't know why you're thanking me."

"Sometimes you need to forget some things. Just to help you realize how much you need them back." I stand and kiss her cheek.

"Thanks," she hesitates in saying that. She stands, "I'll drive you to Jeanie's house," She says, and we both walk out of the house.

"Is there any way I could sell this house soon?" I ask, glancing back at the place I am currently staying at.

She laughs. "Why? You moving out so soon?"

I shrug. As nice as a house it is, it isn't a home without Jeanie. And I know she probably has her own house. But that's fine, because wherever she lives, is where my heart lives.

"What have I been doing for the past year?" I ask her as I get into the car.

"Working. Spending time with me," Lucy answers as she turns the engine on.

I nod, staying quiet. I want to ask more questions, like how I acted around Jeanie when I didn't know her, and what Lucy and I did as a couple, but I stay quiet as we drive.

It is weird to me being with another woman when my heart belongs to another. I don't even want to think about it.

Then my stomach starts to ache. I forgot that I hadn't eaten in a while.

We pull into a driveway a few minutes later. I smile when I see the house.

She hasn't moved out of our house.

I walk up to the front door, Lucy slowly pulling out of the driveway. I don't hear her drive away as I knock.

No one answers.

Then it opens.

I expect to see Jeanie standing in the entryway, but instead, I see Caryn and Susie.

"Caryn and Susie? What are you guys doing here?" I ask.

They both stare at me.

"Where's Jeanie?"

"Do you remember?" They ask me. I nod, slowly, hesitantly.

"Yes."

"Jeanie's at work," Caryn folds her arms over her chest.

I feel my heart sink into my stomach.

Right. She probably had to work more often because I wasn't here to provide.

I hate myself.

"Do you want to come in? She should be back soon."

I nod. "Sure," I turn back to where Lucy is, and see she is still here. I wave her off, and she drives away.

We all walk into the living room.

JEANIE

"Thanks for picking me up, Fran." I sag my shoulders as I slide into her passenger seat. She smiles.

"No problem."

We start to drive back to my place, and I groan.

"What?"

"I don't want to go back. I want to escape my house with the twins. They have been driving me crazy with their talk of Lucy putting Travis back to normal. I don't even know if she will."

"Would you take it to the police?"

I shrug. "They are the last people I want involved in this."

"Then come to my house. I'm sure Jared wouldn't mind you coming over to stay. You can sleep downstairs in the guest bed. I haven't had you over in a while. Please?"

I sigh, "Well then, I have to get home early in the morning. Because the twins are leaving tomorrow."

"Perfect."

"Ah, but I don't have any of my stuff."

"We'll drive over there once they're asleep, and you can run in. Or if you text them you won't be there, they might run out to get some food. Or you can suggest it."

I nod and text them. Caryn texts back that they were already going to, and I sigh. I know they will be leaving soon, so we drive slowly back to my house, and I see the car gone, letting out a sigh of relief.

I hop out as Fran pulls around and I walk up to the door and go inside. I go to my room and pack a quick bag to take with me, and then I grab my pillow and a toiletry bag.

Just as I'm heading out of the house, I shut the door behind me, and turn to lock it.

I pull the key out of the hole and turn around.

"Jeanie?"

I stop short. It is dark, but I recognize his build. And from the light of the moon above us, I see his eyes, which are fixed on me. And his lips are in a smile, showing his teeth around his slight beard.

My knees go weak.

"Jeanie." He steps forward, and I take a step back. What is he doing here?

What did Lucy do to him?

"It's me. It's me, Travis."

I stare at him. Did he remember?

"Do you know me?" I ask him, desperation coming through my voice.

Does he really remember me?

"Yes. I remember now."

What if he's lying?

"What day did we get married?" I ask him.

He takes a step closer.

"July 21."

Correct.

"What's my middle name?"

"Jean. Your real name is Lara Jean."

Anyone would know that.

He comes closer, just an arms length away.

"When is our first kiss?" I ask, my breath coming short and quick at his being so close. I wanted nothing more than to hug him.

He smiles, "That one night at dinner. Just a few days before we got engaged."

It is him.

"Jeanie. It's me. Lucy made me remember again." His hand slides around my waist, pulling me close to him. I feel his breath on my cheek as I look up to him.

"You remember?"

"Everything," He says and leans his head down.

I break out of his embrace.

"Then you remember that you left me," I say, my voice hard. He hangs his head.

"Yes. I remember."

"Then you remember that I'm not your wife anymore. That you don't love me anymore. And that you are not allowed to touch me."

He swallows.

"I remember Jeanie. But there are some things that are still true."

"Yeah, you left. And you forgot me."

"It is an accident."

I know it is. But it still hurt. And now I am taking it out on him.

A horn beeps. I see Fran sitting in the car. I remember I have to leave.

"I have to go." I brush past him.

His hand finds my wrist, and he stops me. "Jeanie, wait. Please."

I tug my hand free and immediately miss his hand wrapped around my wrist. I hold it delicately as if it will break as I slide into the car, shutting the door.

"What took so long? Couldn't find your toothbrush?" She jokes, driving away.

I look behind me and see Travis watching me. I turn back.

"Nothing."