A red bicycle.
A birthday cake.
A lullaby.
Then suddenly, another memory appeared.
A man shouting.
A door slamming.
His mother crying.
Daniel stood up.
He walked to the window.
Something was coming back.
Something he had forgotten.
He remembered his father.
He remembered his mother arguing with him.
He remembered his father saying that they were leaving.
Then he remembered being taken somewhere.
A car.
A long road.
A motel.
Then darkness.
Daniel grabbed the edge of the table.
His breathing became heavier.
He suddenly remembered another face.
A man he had never thought about for decades.
The man who had driven the car.
It wasn't his father.
It was someone else.
Daniel sat down again.
Who was that man?
The next morning, Daniel returned to the diner.
The waitress looked surprised.
“You're back.”
Daniel smiled.
“I have a question.”
“Sure.”
“Do you remember the man from yesterday?”
She immediately knew who he meant.
“The rude guy?”
“Yes.”
“What about him?”
“Did you know him?”
The waitress shook her head.
“Not personally.”
“But you've seen him before.”
She thought for a moment.
“Yes.”
“How often?”
“A few times.”
“Does he come here alone?”
“Usually.”
“What's his name?”
The waitress hesitated.
“I think it's Marcus.”
Daniel's expression became serious.
“Marcus what?”
“I don't know.”
She looked toward the door.
“Why?”
Daniel didn't answer.
Because the name had triggered another memory.
Marcus.
He had heard that name before.
Not recently.
Years ago.
A long time ago.
He suddenly remembered his father speaking to someone.
“Marcus will take care of it.”
Daniel's stomach tightened.
He thanked the waitress and walked outside.
He needed answers.
That afternoon, he returned to the old woman's house.
She opened the door.
“You look worried.”
“I remembered something.”
She stepped aside.
“Come in.”
Daniel sat at the kitchen table.
“Do you remember a man named Marcus?”
The old woman froze.
“Marcus?”
“Yes.”
She slowly sat down.
“I haven't heard that name in years.”
“You know him?”
She looked frightened.
“I knew of him.”
“Who was he?”
“He worked for your father.”
Daniel leaned forward.
“What did he do?”
“I don't know exactly.”
“Please.”
She looked at him.
“I remember your father telling me to stay away from him.”
“Why?”
“He was dangerous.”
Daniel stood up.
“Where can I find him?”
“I don't know.”
But then she remembered something.
“There was a garage.”
“What garage?”
“Your father used to take his car there.”