The Forgotten Ones

Martini

Song: I See You by Missio 

Willa: 

I looked down at the piece of paper and the address written on it. I then looked up at the flower shop in front of me. Nothing about it looked familiar, but something in the back of my brain wanted to go inside. I tried so hard to remember something on the walk here. It seemed like my feet knew where to go on the walk. The turns and everything were not new, but it was all new to me. I took a deep breath before I walked towards the glass door, hearing a bell ding as I opened up the door. 

Looking inside made the outside look so different. The inside was covered from the ceiling to the floor in all sorts of plants. My eyes wandered around, looking at all the pretty flowers and plants, all waiting to be watered. I had the urge to pick up a tub of water and feed them. The place, although small, still held so much and it looked so beautiful. The windows were large which allowed for a lot of sunlight to come inside. It all just seemed crazy to me to be here and feel so familiar with the place but also feel so out of place. As I was looking around and looking at all the plants, I almost forgot the reason I was here. I looked back at the front desk where a girl was sitting at, talking to an elderly customer. Deciding to wait until they were done talking, I continued to look at the plants, loving the different varieties there were in the store. Some of the plants were colorful and others were different shades of greens with different heights. There was also a wall full of flowers of different varieties. Some were buddled together, ready to purchase and others were in single buddles, ready to be put together. 

I only wondered more about how I got into this business. I am terrible with planta and could never keep a plant alive. It's why I always opt with buying fake ones. No need to go through more grief of killing another plant. But, at the same time, being in this place, it just feels like I have stepped into another world. I almost felt at home. 

Finally, the girl at the front desk was done talking to the customer so I walked up to her, nervous because I didn't know if I knew this girl or not from my memories. "Hi, what can I help you with?" She says with a bright smile. Judging from her greeting, I can assume we have never met before. 

"Is the owner here?" I ask, not sure if I actually wanted to meet the person who owned the place or not. The person smiled and nodded. "Yes, she is actually in the back. Let me go ahead and get her really quick." She says before she hops off the chair and disappears behind a door. The nerves started to run around. I didn't know whether I should run away or I should stay. In the back of my mind though, I knew that I had to do this. I didn't want to run away from something that could potentially help me. I stood there, shifting on my feet as I patiently waited. 

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the door opens and now two people exited came in. The girl from before and an elderly woman. The woman, with short white-grey hair, looked friendly and almost fragile. The head began to hurt again, but I ignored it, fascinated by the lady in front of me. She looked at me and her eyes widen. At that moment, I knew that she recognized me and knew me. I almost felt guilty for not knowing who she was. She seemed so friendly and nice just by the looks of her. 

"Willa?" Her voice was soft and small. I smiled although, I still didn't know who this woman was. 

"Mary, can you help out in the back while I talk with her?" The lady asks towards Mary, the front desk person. Mary nods before she again leaves to the backroom. The old lady then again looks at me before she goes in for a hug. I froze, not knowing what to do. To me, she is a stranger. But to her, I am someone who worked with her for many years. I just wish I knew who she was. My head began to hurt more. She finally pulled away, her hands still having a hold onto me. 

"You came back. I didn't know how long it would be until you would come here again. I didn't know where you were, but after I heard about your accident and hearing from Jessica about your memories, I didn't know what to do." She had so much sadness in her eyes, yet she still had a smile on her face. I was stuck on words. I didn't know what to say. It just seemed like all I could say was, "I am sorry." The lady just smiled.