Unchained Memories by Maria Imbalzano Page A

Where were you? I thought you got off around seven and planned to come late.”
    A pleasurable current soared through Clay at the thought of his impromptu evening with Charlotte. “I ended up having a bite with an old friend. A last minute thing.”
    “What’s with the mouse-eating grin?” John lasered in on Clay’s inability to camouflage untempered glee. It must be catchy, because even John had a grin playing at the corners of his mouth. “Spill it. Who’s the woman?”
    “What makes you think it’s a woman?” Clay could feel a full-blown smile taking over.
    “Because no male friend would cause that reaction.”
    “You think you know me so well.”
    “Now I’m even more convinced over your failure to answer a direct question.” John put his hands behind his head and crossed his foot over his knee, signaling he’d wait all day if that’s what it took, to get a straight answer.
    And Clay was actually dying to tell someone about the serendipitous events that had brought Charley Taylor back into his life. “Are you sure you want to hear it now? The story starts about ten years ago.” Clay shouldn’t be taking precious time out of John’s hectic schedule to beam about a bewitching infatuation, when John could hardly afford it. “We could have lunch next week when you’re over the hump.”
    “And keep me guessing for the next few days? No way. I’m all ears.”
    So Clay settled in, thrilled to relive in the telling of the story of Charlotte.
    ****
    After leaving Renee’s, Charlotte decided to walk the mile or so to her office for some much needed air before working for a few hours. With the early spring came a few unseasonably warm days and daffodils and tulips were popping up all over town. She passed the Roman Catholic Church, her old parish, and an unexpected joy permeated her being as she recalled the many happy occasions she sang with their choir. Interestingly, the memories didn’t inundate her with sadness.
    Maybe because they weren’t closely associated with the accident. Could it be that finally, after all these years, she might be able to smile over recollections from her life before that fateful day? She’d always thought she needed to stay away from her hometown, away from any of those memories in order to move on. Perhaps coming back to Princeton would prove to be good for her.
    Her steps felt lighter, the breeze on her face invigorating as she strolled down Nassau Street taking in the throngs of people making the most of a beautiful Saturday late-afternoon. No one seemed to be in a rush, including her.
    She passed an office building with the name of an accounting firm before retracing her steps. J & J Accounting Services. Wasn’t that the name of Clay’s brothers’ firm? A receptionist at the front desk glanced at her through the glass door and smiled, motioning for her to come in. She must have thought Charlotte had an appointment since it was a few days before April 15th. Charlotte shook her head and lifted her hands, showing the woman she had no documents for any imagined meeting.
    Just then Clay appeared in the doorway. She blinked to make sure she hadn’t conjured up an illusory spirit. He pushed open the door and stood before her on the sidewalk.
    “Were you looking for me?” His arched eyebrow and the smile playing around his lips did funny things to her stomach.
    “N—no. Of course not.” She hadn’t meant to sound so indignant, but she couldn’t let him think she’d been stalking him. “I was just walking through town to my office. I’ve been at Renee’s all day, babysitting. When I saw the sign I stopped, wondering if this was your brothers’ place. I guess it is.”
    “Yep. After work, I brought over my tax stuff. John was not amused.” Clay shrugged.
    “It is a little late, don’t you think?” She eyed him, attempting to assess his mood. Was he happy to see her?
    He ignored her question. “I’m starving. Did you eat dinner yet?”
    Her heart did a happy