Memories of stella..A New York love story by Jude kyrie

.a New York love story from Jude kyrie
Memories of Stella

It was early morning in times square
she awoke shivering
not sure how she got to be on this bench.
Then the panic filled her heart.
She did not know who she was or where she lived.
She tried to remember who she was
but nothing no name or family nothing.
Panicking she looked for her wallet or purse
something with a clue to her ID.
But her pockets were empty.
She could say words in English but no familiar memories.

A beer delivery truck passed by her.
it had big advert on the side of it.
for the brand beer it delivered.
It said STELLA ARTOIS THE STAR OF BEERS.
She needed a name .
she would use Stella as hers.
until she remembered her own name.

A man came up to her and said you alright lady?
Have you been sat there all night.?
I saw you last night as I left work.
Err ...yes I think so
but I just can't remember anything at all.
He looked at her closely she was very pretty
and dressed quiet nicely.
Nothing at all? he said  
she shook her head.
I have no ID.
nothing in my my pockets and no purse.
I see he said kindly.
do you want me to take you
to the hospital or police station.
Just the mention of police brought a resounding NO!
not the police.she panicked.

She felt safer with him
He seemed handsome and kind.
He said look,
I can't leave you here.
New York is not a good place
for a lady to be wandering around.alone.
I can take you to my place if you would like to rest.
It's just two blocks walk.

Perhaps after you eat and rest
you will remember something?
I won't leave a pretty lady like you out here.
She looked into his kind face
he was about thirty five ordinarily
handsome and well dressed
with piercing blue eyes.

She said would you mind I am so hungry and tired.
He took her arm gently
and they walked to his apartment.
Then she looked into his bathroom mirror
her face was pretty her hair neatly styled
and dark red lipstick and grey eyes
with carefully applied eyeshadow
she was pretty if not beautiful
yet she was a stranger to herself.
She told him to call her Stella and
he introduced himself as Adam.

She slept all night
After he fed her a large plate of
spaghetti with meatballs
it was so good.
she drank a glass  of wine
and they talked for a while.
He said he was divorced and single.
and if she liked she could stay at his place
until her memory came back.
and she could.go home again.

The mention of home scared her like the police
she told him.
Home and police sent shivers through her.

Six weeks turned into three months then nine months.
and nothing changed.
Well almost nothing
he had fallen in love with her.
He did not tell her of course
she was way too pretty for him out of his league really.

But she liked him that's for sure
she even kissed his cheek
when he took her shopping
and bought her several dresses and a coat.
It was not the kiss he craved from her but still a kiss.

They walked together in the city
went to the theatre and movies.
and took weekend drives out of the city
to have a picnic lunch or eat at a wayside cafe.
He did not remember feeling as happy ever.
It was Christmas tide they watched
the tree being lit in the rockefeller center
 it was beautiful.
and he took her to see the christmas show at radio city.
She was watching the leggy showgirls
When she grabbed his arm.
and she said I know this place I am  remembering it.

His heart sank to his shoes.
what if she had remembered it and then the biggie
What if she had to go home and leave him.
he was desolate.
But he smiled and said that's a good sign stella
Perhaps it's all coming back.

She went back to the radio city
the next day when Adam was at work.
And she waited at the stage entrance.
A group of pretty showgirls arrived for dance practice.
One came over to her.
Janie she said?
Stella looked up and half recognized the girl.
They are looking for you honey,everywhere.
Who she said I don't remember anything.
Your husband and the police
she gave her her name Janie Evans.
She told her where she lived.
she said  you are. a dance choreographer at the radio city.

She went home to her own place taking a cab
It was an apartment in a old walk up.
It was so familiar but still she did not clearly remember it.
but slowly the fog was lifting she felt panic not safety.
fear caught her chest and twisted her heart,
as she knocked on the apartment door.
A big man answered he was angry looking
and had  cruel look in his eyes.
Well well lookie lookie who's  here it's crawled back.
A drunken woman was in the room in her bra and panties.
Who's this? she yelled
it's just the bitch  I married he sneered.
Who have you been fucking bitch? he yelled.
You've been  gone
Nine fucking months without a mouse fart.
He got red in the face she knew it was anger.
She did not see the fist as it hit her face.
Blood flowed from her nose.
she fell and he kicked her in her ribs.
Then threw her down two flights of stairs
She lay at the bottom a woman screamed
as the Brutish man came jumping down the stairs
to continue her beating.
A young policeman outside  heard the woman's scream
and rushed inside to witness
the big man  kicking the prostrate lady in the ribs.
He drew his weapon and shouted
stand back away from that lady.
but the man drew his boot back
and went to kick her head to deliver a deadly blow.
He shot twice the first a flesh wound in his arm
the second passed through his heart
he fell on the floor in a heap
he had hit his wife for the very last time.

She was in a coma at the hospital for six days.
Her face bandaged.
she had four broken ribs,a dislocated shoulder,
and a broken arm, and leg.
When she awoke the room was empty
she thought where am I ?
but it all flooded back in waves  the full memory of her past.
She had been late from work when it happened.
he was angry and drunk.
where you been you fucking bitch.
he hit her and she fell back banging her head hard on the wall.
Then she ran and ran.
not even picking up her purse on the table.
Then the park bench in times square.
the truck Stella Artois ….Stella.
And Adam
oh her Adam her gentle friend
she loved him so much.
Then she saw him he had been sat with her
on vigil all night every day
since he phoned all the hospitals in new York city.
and found her when she did not come home.
He had tears in his eyes
and finally said what was overflowing in his heart.
Oh Stella, thank God, I have prayed for you,
made deals with God to save you.
I love you so much honey
She looked into his beautiful eyes
and saw in them
all the love that heaven can bestow on one heart.
I love you too my darling my sweet Adam.

Eighteen months  later.

They went for the lighting of the Christmas tree
at Rockefeller centre, now a new York tradition for them.
Adam  held his beloved  wife Janie
he still tripped up and called Stella now and then.
She snuggled close to him so safe and comforting.
He would make sure no one could ever hurt a single hair
on her head ever again.
She felt safe protected and loved.

Then as the first snowflakes of the festive season fell on New York
Silent night was being sang beautifully by a children's choir.
The magical Christmas  lights
too many to count lit up the sky so beautifully.
Their baby girl stirred in her stroller
See...Stella..Stella ... Janie cried to her little girl.
look at all the beautiful tree lights.

And way way above them in the christmas night sky.
The wise old winter moon.
looked down on the old city that it loved.
And added another beautiful love story
with a happy ending
to its everlasting collection.
That he kept hidden
deep inside his tender heart.