Memory Documentation

chapter nine | documenting who has my love

We were open for only a short time today. Everyone came into work to help with the hustle and bustle that came with the last day of the year. I was helping Evan and Ben man the register and tables when Papa came in, bundled in a thick coat.

"Hiya, boss!" Ben greeted as he placed a lid on a steaming coffee cup. He called out the man's order before asking me, "Did you happen to mention where you went this morning?"

"Of course, I did." With a post-it note resting on my bedroom door. I was fortunate enough that Papa had such a relaxed and easy nature. He didn't kick my butt very often (not like I give him much reason to), but obviously his leniency was not to be abused.

I rounded the counter to greet him and wound my arms tightly around his waist. "Good afternoon, Papa," I chirped.

"Oh, she's cheerful today," Papa mused aloud, patting my back as he did so. "Does that mean you had fun with your friends?"

"The best time." I proceeded to tell him about the good time, rambling on and on about how wonderful I felt when I was with them. Papa, being the good ol' Papa that he was, sat and listened to everything I had to say, all while taking bites of his sandwich silently.

"She's in one of the best moods I've ever seen her in," Evan noted as he took Papa's plate away. "What a treat to have you smile so brightly today, kiddo."

His comment only served to make me, and Papa, smile more. "I'd say the same. It's wonderful to see you smile, honey," he said, tapping my cheek. "I think your moods are improving at an incredible rate lately. It's all thanks to that boy, isn't it?"

I answered him honestly, with no hesitation. "It is. Him and his friends. They make me so happy."

Chris himself was enough to brighten my life significantly. But it's also the people and lessons that have come along with him that's been pulling me even farther away from the dullness of my previous ways. I was a little hermit emerging from her shell, experiencing the world bit by bit. It was all so unexpected.

He's been away for nearly the whole break, and I'd be lying to everyone and myself if I said I didn't miss him. This entire day, I have surrounded myself with people who liven up my world up like the holidays. The boy who does it almost effortlessly was all the way across the country, and I couldn't help but wish he were here to bask in my sunlight today.

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Luckily for me, technology has come far throughout the ages. All I've got to say about that is thank God communication was one of the many that benefited from these advancements. Video chatting was not, nor will it ever be, as good as having Chris here beside me, but with him at his grandpa's house and me at Evan's, it was as good as we were going to get. I was able to see and speak to him from across the country, and it was enough for me.

Papa and I ended up spending the evening with Evan and his family. I even begged Ronnie to come along, knowing that she lived a very solitary lifestyle. There was no way I would allow her to be alone today.

I was sitting in Evan's wife's office, away from everyone still finishing dinner. Chris was, well... hiding in one of the guest bedrooms with his laptop on the floor and half his body hanging upside down from the bed.

"And after that, I went to work back at the café," I finished as I twisted around in the rotating chair. "It was a smart idea, having everyone get together so early in the morning. We were able to spend the rest of the day with family and other friends."

"If it was a smart idea, then it probably wasn't Bryson who came up with it," Chris teased. "I can't believe you thought I secretly ordered them to ask you to hang out."