Memory After Memory

Chapter 2

Viney just shrugged and looked at the clock. She lived on the outskirts of town, so it took a while to get there. "I dunno. I guess it's just been a while and I don't really know what to say. I'm also tired. I was on my way home from work when I saw you on the side."

I figured I'd try to start some conversation. "What about the latest makeup or any tea on the next town over?"

She shrugged again. "I haven't been paying attention. I've been caught up in other things." 

I understood that. If I've been in the hospital for 4 years, I'm sure a lot has changed. I was curious on that. "What all did I miss within the last 4 years?"

"Not a whole lot. Just growing up and I've got my own place now. I've been working my tail off trying to keep up with the mortgage and bills. Being 25 with a house is not easy to say the least."

I nodded. "I can't imagine. I bet it's great though, having your own place." 

She nodded and we spent the last bit of the drive in silence. I was just seeing the sights and what was new. Even the neighborhood we went into was new. When she pulled into the driveway of her house and parked her car, quickly getting out. This immediately felt like a different Viney from what I remember. She used to talk for hours and get out with me, but she was different. Maybe she really had changed over time. Everyone does, even if it's within a week. We went inside and I'm not gonna lie, I'd rather live here than try to find my parents and live with them again. Everything was placed neatly and it was spotless. The living room consisted of 2 couches, a chair, and a flatscreen TV that was playing the news. The shelves under the TV had a few movies, 1 or 2 video games, and an Xbox, one of the video game cases open. I assumed it was in the Xbox. It was kind of warming to be in here.

"Help yourself to anything you'd like. There's a room at the end of the hall to your right if you want to settle down in there." Viney was getting ready to wash dishes in the kitchen

I went down the hall she mentioned and found my room. It was plain, a simple dresser and a mattress on the ground with a heater in the corner. It was clean, so obviously she cared about it. Aside from the obvious, the room felt...empty. It felt cold compared to the living room and the paint was faded. 

I couldn't complain, but rather, I was grateful. Viney offered me a place to stay. What more could I ask of her? 

"Sorry it's not much. I wasn't expecting company. Otherwise, I would've made it look more cozy rather than this." She stood in the doorway.

"It's okay." I said. I didn't want to overwhelm her or make her feel bad about it. "I'd rather be in here than a hospital bed any longer than I was."

Viney laughed a little bit. "True, but I'm still gonna feel bad about it."

"Don't." I was at least happy that I made her feel a little bit better. It felt good to hear her laugh. 

She went back out there and I turned on the heater so I didn't freeze anymore. I looked at the walls and thought of all the things I could probably paint on them to make it more lively in here, give it more color and life. After a few minutes of deciding, I left my room and decided to help Viney with her cleaning. 

We blasted music as we cleaned. We listened to some of the music I remembered and she showed me some of the new music. I was amazed at how much music had changed in 8 years. She had also caught me up on some celebrity drama and what was going on in today's world, as well as showing me the newest stuff such as what Tiktok was. My mind was blown by what I missed. I was so fascinated, yet weirded out about amount of change I now have to face.

"There's so much to take in. How will I ever stay caught up?"

Viney gave me a pat on the back. "Don't worry your little mind about it. It'll take some time before you even wrap your head around how huge this town got."

I nodded. "Ain't that the truth. There's so much here, I was almost suffocating before you came and got me."

She gave a dramatic bow. "You have been rescued."

I busted out laughing. "You're my hero."

Viney gave me a light shove and started laughing with me. This was a moment I hadn't realized I missed until now. I thought about all the other times we would go out to the park or go to another person's house to cause trouble purely for the adrenaline. I miss those times.

A knock on the door took me out of memory lane. Viney went to answer it, since she was closer anyway. She welcomed whoever was at the door. I didn't want to interrupt them while they talked, so I stayed where I was, cleaning the master bathroom. 

As I was cleaning her counters, Viney called out to me. "Amy, come on out. Maybe you know this person."

I was about to protest, then I decided against it. I put the rag down on the bathroom counter and walked out to the living room. I froze in place as soon as I got there.