Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
The following morning was Erin’s session with Ethan, he was up early and eating breakfast at the hospital cafeteria when he saw Doug walking in. He quickly waved to his friend “What are you doing here? You’re session isn’t until Sunday.”
“I know. I wanted to talk to you about something.” Doug sat down across from Ethan “We didn’t get a chance to yesterday.”
“What is it?” Ethan was curious because Doug wasn’t the type of person to have a serious conversation if not needed.
“Its about Mia.” Doug paused to see his reaction but Ethan only nodded calmly, obviously masking his expressions carefully “I know, Ethan.”
“Know what?” he asked, this time confused “Could you just cut to the chase?”
Doug sighed with his hands clasped together “She’s engaged, Ethan.”
“Yes. I know that.” He frowned “What are you trying to say? Did she send you here?” he asked wide eyed.
“No, no…” Doug denied, “I know you’re in love with her. You always have been, but I thought it would fade after all these years. But when we saw each other months ago, the way you looked at her…it was like high school all over again.”
Ethan’s face blushed over as he turned away “I always thought you didn’t pay attention.”
“No, I did, but Mia didn’t. She never knew and I think if she knew about Prom, she would think different of you.” Doug was just testing his friend.
“No!” Ethan cried. He lowered his voice when a few people looked over “Don’t tell her, please…you promised me 9 years ago, you have to promise me now. She can never know, Doug. For God’s sakes she’s engaged. There’s no chance for her and I. I already came into terms with that.”
Doug’s lips slowly curled into a smile “You’re still the same stubborn dork that I knew back then!” he laughed and shook his head “You are so sad, you know that? A successful single and sometimes handsome doctor…you are a good catch, so tell me why you aren’t married yet?”
“I…I don’t know.” Ethan shrugged “Maybe I’m not meant to get married.”
“Or maybe you are meant to meet Mia again and finally get the chance you deserve.” Doug noticed how Ethan’s eyes bulged out “I like Darren, don’t get me wrong. He’s a great guy. But you’re a great guy too. Mia has lost her memory but she remembers you and me. The ball is in your court, you’ve got to make a move or it will jump to another court.”
Ethan shook his head sadly “I can’t do that to her. Do you see the way Darren is so crazy about her? How he’s frantic the minute he sees her? He loves her, there’s no way I could ever stand between it.” He glanced at his watch and knew his time was up “This is going to be the first and last conversation we will ever have about this, you got it?” he threatened Doug.
He only laughed, “Please, if that’s what you call a threat, it’s no wonder you got beat up.”
“DON’T!” Ethan pointed at Doug with widened eyes “You promised Doug. If you are to speak of that night, you will never know any pleasure unto man.”
“We were 18, Ethan! Who cares about promises!” Doug said with exasperation.
“I care. We’re 27 now and promise me, you’ll keep it to your grave.” Ethan glared at his friend until he eventually nodded “Say it.” He commanded.
“I promise.” Doug sighed and rolled his eyes away “You’re going to die a sick love puppy.”
Ethan laughed “Better that than a lonely old man. I’ve gotta go meet Erin now.”
“Bye puppy.” Doug teased.
By the time he got to his office, he noticed she was already there sitting outside his door. Her eyes distant while they fixated on the wall “You’re early.” He greeted.
She looked up with a smile and graciously took his helping hand as he pulled her up “I don’t like being late.” She answered.
“Come on in.” he unlocked the door and let her in first. He settled down on his chair and turned to her with a smile “Do you prefer the swivel chair or the couch?”
“Mia told me you were friendly but not straightforward.” Erin cracked a smile.
He laughed “And she didn’t tell me you could be funny.” Ethan tilted his head “I had no idea using humor could be a defense mechanism.” Her smile faded and the eyes dodged his “Erin, it’s okay to be sad. It’s part of everyday life, but the minute you dodge it by pretending it doesn’t hurt, you’re really pushing the thorns deeper into your heart.”
“I want the couch.” She said after a moment of silence.
Ethan nodded “Okay.” He got up and followed her over to the leather couch while he took the chair next to her.
She glanced up at him oddly “Don’t you people take notes or something?”
He smiled “You want me to?” she shook her head “Wanna see what I write?” Erin frowned while he got up and retrieved his yellow notepad “This is what I do.”
Erin flipped page after page “Doodles?” He nodded and put the notebook back “It’s nice to know they pay you hundred dollars an hour to doodle while people pour their hearts out.” There was definitely a touch of sarcasm.
He laughed “One, they don’t pay me. I do this on a voluntary basis for hospital patients. The hospital pays me. Two, I only doodle because some people feel better when I write things down on a note pad which somehow shows that I’m paying attention.” Ethan explained, he wasn’t at all offended by her “I listen intently and I remember everything my patients tell me. If you ask me, it’s a punishment…God gave me good ears.” He joked.
She looked down at her hands “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to incorporate that you don’t…”
He reached out and patted her hand “Don’t apologize. I’m not insulted. Now, can we start?”
“Sure. What do you want to know?” Erin asked, she felt more at ease with him.
“Your childhood.” He started off at the beginning “Just say what’s on your mind.”
Erin shook her head “I don’t remember much of it.” He tilted his head with a sigh and she quickly put up her hands “But I’ll tell you anyways.” She laid down on the couch, her eyes closed as she talked about her early days “I was almost four when my parents died in a fire that burned down our home. I was sent to an orphanage within days. I remembering asking for my mommy but the nuns would always hit my hand with a ruler and tell me that they were dead. I cried for hours until there were no more tears. Within a year, I was moved to three different orphanages. But St. Mary’s was the one that I grew up in. It was the only one I’d rather stay in. Because that was where I first met Brad.” Her eyes welled up with tears but she didn’t want to open them, afraid that they would fall once more “He use to come to the orphanage playground and talk to me cause I always looked so lonely and he felt bad for me. At first, I took his friendship as pity but I realized after that he really wanted to be my friend. I was eleven that year. Afterwards, I was sent out to a public high school and again I saw Brad. We became even closer friends and I realized at that moment that I had fallen for him.”
“But he never knew.” Ethan nodded “Were you afraid to tell him?”
“Yes and no. I didn’t care for him to know, the secret did not bother me. It was also during the time when Becca and I grew closer. We became the three musketeers, going everywhere together. They were my only friends and she was the only one that knew about my crush on Brad. That is until years later when I joined the P.R.A. I was recruited by Dennis, who was the lieutenant at that time. After high school, the three of us split up and went our separate ways. I started taking self defense classes to kill time and it was where I met Dennis. He was teaching a class and called me his favorite pupil. He approached me one day after class and told me he wanted to speak to me in private. That was where he tested my skills. He pretended to attack me and I gave a good fight, still in the end I lost but he was impressed and asked me to join the team. I saw Brad again and my renowned feelings grew more. It was where I got to know Mia, Reina and Andrew. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into until the first mission. I wanted to quit then and Brad wouldn’t let me. After that we trained and trained until I was ready for battles. I had him to thank.”
“How was your relationship with your other teammates?” Ethan leaned his elbow on his knee.
“It was okay. Mia reminded me a lot of Becca, I guess that’s why we got along so well. Reina was different, she was more reserved, cool and you could never guess what’s she’s thinking by looking at her face. Andrew was harmless and a bit of a flirt. Too bad he had to die that way. It turned Reina against us and started a huge war that seems to never end.” She concluded.
And so the talked continued, she poured everything out. Tears streamed down and after it was done, she felt the weights being lifted off her shoulders. Ethan commended her for the work “You did really well. But I want to remind you of something. It seems to me that you are a very strong headed girl. But everyone has a weakness. Yours is Brad and the people you love dearly. Don’t get caught up in the moment, the future is wide open. If you turn back, you will only hit a dead end.”
She smiled with a short nod “You’re good.”
Ethan turned away humbly “Thank you. I just hope I helped.”
“More than you’ll ever know.” Erin replied sincerely “I just hope you can help Mia too.”
“Do you mind if I share some ideas with you?” Ethan had been thinking of a lot of things to do to help her regain her memory.
“Of course.” She nodded eagerly.
“You know about her fear of heights right?” Ethan began, she agreed with a nod “I was planning on taking her up on a hot air balloon ride, hopefully it’ll remind her of it. She also has an eye of a hawk. She notices things around her, maybe if we tried to attack her, it’ll bring back the fighting agent in her? Oh and I was thinking maybe we can do some reenactments of her kidnappings or with Darren. It could trigger her memory.”
Erin smiled crookedly “If I didn’t know better, Dr. Chan. You have a crush on Mia.” He blushed over but shook his head in denial “Tell me, are you that passionate about ALL your patients?”
“She is a close friend after all. I only want the best for her.” Ethan didn’t want to look in her eyes as he knew it would give it all away. The last thing he needed was another person to know.
“You’re lying and I know it. Why can’t you look me in the eye?” Erin pointed out.
Ethan pushed himself to look her in the eye “Mia is only a friend.” He said firmly.
“Now you’re not blinking.” Erin shook her head sadly “You’re pressuring yourself.”
“Do you like to make men squirm?” Ethan asked tilting his head.
“Do you like to dodge questions?” Erin asked. He let out a long sigh and she stifled a laugh “I’m just teasing you. But honestly, I want to thank you for everything. I feel much better.”
“Good.” Ethan let a sigh of relief out inside his mind “I’ll see you next Monday.”
Erin was close to the door as she turned to him “Monday? I thought there was only one session?”
“Joe wanted you to have a couple.” Ethan replied sincerely.
“Okay.” Erin nodded before leaving the office. She leaned her back against the door and sighed. She found her way out of the hospital and took a cab. The guy asked her where she wanted to go and without thinking she answered “Wai Memorial.”
It was the first time she’s been back after the funeral. She didn’t bother bringing flowers knowing that Brad would think it’s a waste of money since they will eventually rot anyways. It was a reason why he never bought her flowers, only gifts. The trail up the hill was longer than she remembered. Her eyes quickly spotted his headstone but there was something odd. A new bouquet of white roses was left in its place. She approached it gingerly and turned her head up to see if anyone was there. Not a soul was in sight.
“Who came to visit you?” she asked softly. Must have been one of the team, she pushed the suspicious thought away and began talking to him “I’m back. Sorry it took me a while. Joe thought it would be best if I talked to Dr. Chan. It helped me today, but then it reminded me of you.” She lowered her head and a tear escaped before she had a chance to shut her eyes “I thought I could do this…but I can’t. I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye.” She sobbed to herself “Don’t leave me…please…I feel so alone.”
“Erin.” Her eyes snapped open. It was Brad’s voice except it was echoed. She got up and spun in circles “I’m right here.” His voice was gentle and calm.
When she turned back to the grave, she saw a silhouette of his body sitting on the stone “Brad!” she stepped towards him but he put his hand up.
“No…You cannot touch me.” He urged gently “I came to say that I’m sorry. I lied to you. I knew he would kill me. But I wanted you to be safe.”
She shook her head while new hot tears stung her eyes “Why? How could you let me live like this?”
“Because you have to. For me.” Brad said with a content smile.
“How?” Erin asked.
“You will know.” Brad’s figurine faded away when a gush of wind blew over.
Erin reached out “No! Don’t go!” she yelled.
“Erin?” Ted was a few feet away when he saw her mumbling something to herself. He rushed over to her with a bouquet of white lilies in his hands “Who were you talking to?”
She spun around to him showing her teary face “I…” she pointed to the stone and then realized how unbelievable it would sound if she told him the truth “Nothing. I was just talking to Brad.”
He dared to reach out and wipe her tears, she didn’t back away either “I hate seeing you like this.”
“I’m sorry.” Erin bowed her head and remembered the flowers “Do you know who brought these?” she pointed to the roses.
Ted bent down and examined it to see if there was any card, but there were none “It’s from Lily’s Boutique, we can go there and check if you want.” Erin nodded and he placed his flowers down “You miss him a lot don’t you?”
“How could I not?” Erin asked. Suddenly an instinct came to her “Ted, can you go with me somewhere?”
“Anywhere.” He didn’t hesitate.