Memory Documentation

chapter three | documenting a rekindled friendship

"I guess it's all right." He rested his chin down on his arms, peering up at me with lingering sadness in his stormy blue eyes. "It's better this way. I'd rather she be with someone who truly makes her happy than anchoring her to stay with me. It's over and done with." He sighed, then straightened up his posture with a composed smile. "Let's change the subject. How was California?"

I played along. "It was... a rollercoaster."

His eyebrows raised. "Do tell."

"I'd actually rather not... Not right now." I smiled apologetically and glanced down at my phone screen. Midnight flashed back at me. "If I were to tell you about how California really was, we'd be here till opening."

Papa wasn't aware of my reason for not being home yet. My battery died earlier on today, and I've always relied on one of the kitchen cooks to bring their charger that, much to my dismay, was forgotten at home.

I'm so dead.

"Aren't your parents going to get mad that you aren't home yet?" I asked Chris, shooting him an incredulous look as we grabbed our things to leave. "My apartment isn't too far from here, so I'd be okay walking home. You should go."

He arched an eyebrow, saying, "Aw, come on. Trying to get rid of me already, Darce?"

I almost faltered in my steps. That definitely was not the case. I had such a nice time catching up with Chris that I wouldn't mind spending a couple more hours with him in the cafe, if it weren't for the pressing reasons to leave.

"You know that's not what I'm saying. I just don't want you to get in trouble."

"Don't worry about me. Mom doesn't get off her shift until one a.m. anyway, and I'll just explain to my dad tomorrow why I wasn't home for dinner. I'm sure the two of them will be thrilled to know that I've run into you again."

"Reuniting with your childhood best friend who you haven't spoken to in years sounds like a good excuse to me." I just hope it works on Papa, I thought.

He bumped my shoulder with his before he wrapped an arm around me and squeezed. "I'm glad we're okay."

I reveled in his tight hold, marveling at how instantaneously natural it felt to be in his presence again. It's been so long, yet it feels like we've done this just yesterday.

Shortly after stepping out of the cafe and into the reality we've shut out for a few hours, we arrived at my apartment.

"Wow, that was quick," Chris commented, staring up at the building. Then he turned and handed me his empty hot chocolate cup. I pointed to a trash can just a few feet away, but he shook his head. "My phone died long before I came to the café to talk to you. I wrote my number down on the cup, so when you go up there just add my number to your phone.

I rotated the cup in my hand until I found the scrawl of numbers beneath the logo. The joy that sparked within me crackled and glowed and grew until I was expressing that joy with a smile so bright a sparkler would dull in comparison. I couldn't help but throw my arms around him for another hug.

"I'm really glad that it was you I gave the hot chocolate to that night," I murmured.

His arms wrapped around my waist in a tight grasp, rocking me from side to side as he laughed. "Me, too. Walking into the cafe was a good move on my part."

I held on to the happy, buzzing feeling as I made my way up to my apartment. I noticed straight away that the lamp in Papa's bedroom was on, so he was awake, as expected. What was unexpected, however, was my neighbor from across the hall sitting on my couch, watching TV.