Neither of us were saints. We both had our share of stupid mistakes and regrets, especially when it came to each other. One each in particular, kind of a chicken-and-the-egg thing.

You see, we had some hard times and after a small mistake, which could have been easily forgiven by either of us, we decided to separate for a little while. It was in this time of us being apart that other things happened, bigger things. You can't forgive things like this any easier than you could... say... erase a life.

We did end up back together after a while, and neither of us spoke about our time apart much. We were happy to be together again, for a while.

We learned of some of the consequences of our actions in the months spent apart. There was a lot of fighting, cursing, crying. Neither of us wanted to have to deal with it, but there we were. We either dealt or...

or...

Well, normally the only other option would be to try to ignore it, but that never works. Does it.

These thoughts were running through my head as we stepped up to the apartment door of a friend-of-a-friend whom we had just happened to meet. We were here because of a strange turn of events. It had all started with one key phrase about our time apart, which was muttered in his company... and which happened to be overheard by him.

"I can take that away from you, if you like." he had said with a smile.

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I stared at the door in front of me and wondered if I had released my final grip on reality and plummeted into the depths of a depression fueled nervosa. People simply can't do what he was implying. Hypnosis maybe, but I refused to believe a parlor trick could do what years of counseling and open discussion had failed at.

That was the key, even though we had discussed it all... even though it was "water under the bridge," even though everything was "alright now," it wasn't. There was still hostility. There was still... everything that was there before. We were just more civil about it now.

At a sarcastic "Well?" I lifted my hand to the door and rapped gently against it with my knuckles. I smirked slightly. Maybe if this all worked then...

The door opened and our friend-of-a-friend greeted us warmly. He stepped back and allowed room for us. We stepped in and made polite pleasantries before he finally smiled wider and said, "Well, shall we get down to business then?"

He lead us from the entranceway through a hall and into what seemed to be his living room. It was common and unremarkable, nothing really standing out. It was pleasant and homey. I felt a bit more relaxed and at ease.

He motioned for us to sit and we did. We both sat on the couch just barely further apart than a normal couple would. Noone would even notice, but we did.

"Would you like something to drink? I don't get many visitors with my work schedule the way it is and I find it fun and relaxing to be a host sometimes. We won't be but a minute, but you're welcome to stay and discuss anything you like."

I smiled politely and declined. My wife declined as well.

He nodded understandingly. "Well then, without further ado..."

I held up a hand as he got up, "Uh... listen... what exactly is it... that..."

I was finding it hard to express what I wanted to know. I didn't even know what he really meant except that he could help us in some way.

A look of thoughtfulness crossed his face and he said, "I don't really know how to explain it. I can take the memories of what was causing so much trouble. I don't pretend to know how it works, I just can." after a moment he added, "It's going to be fairly far-reaching. Many memories that are connected to it are going to be lost as well. This is something that you really should be very intent on pursuing."

My wife had leaned forward and without hesitation said, "I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to do it."

"Is it hypnosis?" I asked.

He thought a moment and said, "I don't believe so. I don't try to put anyone under or anything, nor do I do any mumbo-jumbo..." he smiled slightly.

My wife stood up and said, "Just hurry up!" with nearly a snarl.

I stood up too and waited. Even if I had wanted to stop her, she wouldn't let me at this point.

Our friend's friend closed his eyes and held his palm out in front of my wife's face. There were no spectacular lights, no smokey dissipation from my wife's body... no... nothing.

A moment passed and our friend-of-a-friend opened his eyes. My wife just stood still for a few more moments before blinking repeatedly and glancing around.

Our friend's friend turned to me and said, "Ready?" to which I replied,

"No."

He looked puzzled. I shook my head and held up my own hand. "No, I don't want to do it." At this he frowned.

I touched my wife's arm to get her attention, barely even letting my fingers fall on her forearm. When she looked at me I smiled slightly and said, "Kathy, I'll take you home, ok?"

She nodded slightly and said, "Thanks... I... think I forgot my car."

I nodded and then turned back to our friend, "I'll take her home. Thank you. If you ever do finally decide on a payment let me know and I'll take care of it."

He nodded and escorted us to the door, still frowning slightly.

I opened my car door for Kathy and helped her in. She seemed a bit disoriented.

"I'll take you to your mother's for now, you mentioned they were fumigating your place."

She blinked at me and said, "Oh? Oh... thanks. That's very nice of you." I attempted a smile back but I coughed slightly because of the knot forming in my throat.

After dropping her off, we never saw each other again.