Memory Documentation

chapter three | documenting a rekindled friendship

She glanced over her shoulder as I shut the door behind me. "London? What are you doing here?"

I squirmed as her reprimanding stare weighed down on me. Oh, great. Not only will I get in trouble with Papa, but London, too! Ever since we moved across the hall, London's been the big sister I've never had. That means, calling me out on my bullshit. Because of that, Papa and London have become quite the tag team.

"I think the real question is, what were you not doing here?" she grilled, rising from the couch with her hands on her hips.

I pressed my own hands against my face with a groan. "I'm really sorry I didn't call to let you know where I was. My phone died today and I had no charger to use. But I have an explanation as to why I'm home so late."

"I sure do hope it's an explanation and not an excuse," spoke the firm voice of my papa. He came out of his room with a frown that screamed worry and disappointment, but what stood out to me the most was how tired he looked.

"Are you okay, Papa? You don't look so well."

I came to join him as he trudged over to the couch and sat down. "I was feeling a bit sick today, so I had London come check up on me. She insisted she would stay until you came home in case I needed anything, but clearly you were gone longer than we thought you would." Papa patted London's arm and said, "Go on back to your place, sweetheart. It's late."

"All right, but if you two need anything I'm a knock on the door away," London said and gave me one last where the hell were you look before leaving me to face my Papa's wrath.

"It's an explanation, not an excuse. I promise," I said, then gently took his hand. "But before I explain, please go back and lie down?"

He allowed me to lead him back into his room and onto his bed. I waited until he was comfortable under the covers before I sat by his side and began to talk. "Do you remember Christopher Radley, Papa?"

His eyebrows furrowed down as he tried to think back. "Christopher?"

"Yeah, Chris from my childhood. Son of Rebecca and Mark and brother of a girl named Camryn. We lost contact with all of them when we moved to California." Neither pieces of information were enough to jog his memory, so I continued. "He and his family took care of Reece back when I was still in the orphanage, Papa. Don't you remember him and Jessica?"

Reece and Jessica were the trigger words. After all, how could he forget the two people that led me to him in the first place? It was Reece's idea for him to consider me for adoption, after all.

"Oh, I remember now!" he exclaimed. "Christopher was a good friend of yours, wasn't he?"

"Yes! You won't believe it, Pa. He goes to my high school and I've seen him around for a while now but hadn't said anything to him. But the boy I gave that free hot chocolate to was him, and he came by the café again tonight. We were catching up after I closed and kind of lost track of time in the midst of all that." I pressed my forehead to the back of his hand. "I'm so, so sorry I'm late!"

I prayed that Papa would understand. No matter how long I get grounded, though, at least I know that Chris will be there when that time expires.

Papa stared at me for a moment, his expression blank and hard to read. Before I could repeat another apology, he reached out and poked my cheek. "So Christopher is the reason for this smile of yours?"

I pressed my lips together but didn't bother to smother the smile, nor deny the truth. "I had a nice night, Papa," I said quietly. "It was nice to see him again. Talking to Chris about him, his family, Reece, and Jessica... It feels familiar. Almost makes New York feel like home again."

Papa hummed. "Home again," he repeated. "Well, I like the sound of that."

I smiled and rested my cheek on his hand. "So, was that enough explanation or did it sound like a lengthy excuse to you?"

To my relief, he smiled back in understanding, eyes still closed. "I always knew I liked that boy Christopher. You two were the bestest of friends."

From there, he placed a kiss my hand goodnight and told me he would be staying in bed tomorrow. After being released, I rushed to my room and immediately took my dead phone out to charge. I went to get ready for bed as I waited for it to gain enough battery to turn on, then took the empty cup and added Chris's number to my contact list. With a quick text to tell him that it was me, I slipped into bed and laid in the darkness. My insides were still crackling with happiness when my phone buzzed with a message.

Chris: No school Tuesday. I have a surprise.

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oOoOo, tuesday??? what could thattt meannnn...

;)

chapter question: tell me about your childhood friend! my childhood best friend was the wild to my shy and we were the bestest of friends. we lost contact, unfortunately, and were reconnected recently but have drifted too far apart. still, i wish her all the best and will cherish those memories we made together :)

thank you all so so much for the love and well wishes you sent towards me and my mom! you guys are the absolute sweetest and i'm forever grateful for you. i can't say it enough.

i hope you liked the chapter, and i'll see you soon!

p.s. the song 2002 by anne-marie reminds me of chris and darcy so much (that first line!! s/o to my a thousand words readers) and it's my absolute favorite song right now. give it a listen!