"I Remember it Well," by Wayne J. Gardiner, in Black Cat Weekly, #134, 2024.
This is the third story by Gardiner to get reviewed here.
It may be related to the aging of us baby-boomers but I have detected an increase over the last decade of stories about people with memory problems. Seems like a theme better fit for shorts than novels, I think.
Charlie Hackett is an aging ex-cop and his memory has been failing for a while - in fact that's why he became an ex-cop. At a funeral for a fellow veteran he spots a woman a decade younger and he is certain he knows her from somewhere.
Joanne Harner is sure she knows him and doesn't suspect that he can't recall the details of their previous encounter - one that was life-changing for her.
Charlie, and the reader, slowly piece together his connection to Harner, and then Charlie -- for the second time -- has a decision to make.
A nice story about a man with interesting dilemmas.
Robert, thank you so much for the hat tip. It's always an honor to have you recognize one of my stories. I likewise look forward to reading your work in Alfred Hitchcock.
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