September Stories

She Remembers

An old abandoned boat house on the lake in my hometown has been my safe haven and hiding place ever since I was a kid. At first nobody cared that a little girl played there on her own or with her sister. When I started making money, I've put quite an effort into making it all official and purchasing the place – just to be on the safe side. Over the years it got cluttered with all kinds of memorable junk both from the past and the future. Still, it was homey. Nothing high tech here, even the kettle had to be plugged in. Feels good for a change, like the old times. Sure, now that I lived a few hundred miles away, it was not as easy to get there. Well, here's where the perks of being able to travel in time and space kick in. 

Chirpie was there, as always. My little yellow canary, a gift from grandma on my 10th birthday. Not going to lie, I have a feeling it's a different bird now since canaries normally live no longer than 10-12 years. I haven't questioned me on the subject, but I have strong suspicions that future me had something to do with it. Or I somehow got very lucky and the original Chirpie is still alive and well, right here in her cage. Who am I kidding though, of course I will have replaced her.

Chirpie chirped happily seeing both of me enter. There was a small handwritten note lying near her cage. Me picked it up and read out loud: 

"I'm saying she's had her seeds today already. I've cleaned up, she only needs some fruits or veggies for today." Said me folding the note. "I'll check the fridge, I figured we might be here a while, so we should have all the groceries".

I nodded absentmindedly. First rule of the safehouse: always check the schedule when arriving. You don't want to bump into your future self by mistake. Why wouldn't me do that first? Nevermind.

I turned on the laptop. It's taking some time to load now. I might need to look into getting a newer one. Maybe ask one of me's. But most likely will end up shopping a few decades back. They almost stopped making gadgets compatible with the old systems these days. And I know I have zero intention of upgrading this place.

Me came back from the storage room with some nicely cut apples. She smiled gently at Chirpie and opened the cage. The little bird sprang from her perch and whistled accepting the treat. I couldn't help smiling myself. Not many of us get a chance to observe themselves like this. Sure, I've met my future and past selves many times over the years now. But not as often as one might think. I never stopped admiring what kind of person I am, was and will be. Lucky to see the proof, to know that I can be proud of myself. Never worked for Mother though, haha. I guess you can never live up to everyone's standards. And I doubt our relationship is going anywhere close in that direction.

Finally, it's on. Looks like I have three days till teen me arrives. I quickly filled out the form and booked all of them.

"You haven't written us yet in, have you?" I asked me.

Me shook her head.

"Wouldn't have been able even if I wanted to."

Of course. Classical trap. 

"It couldn't have been that long since it last happened for you," I frowned. "You must remember everything." Never liked that. I always preferred forgetting what happened for the most part.

"I don't, actually." Me stopped smiling. "We'll see how it goes."

Now that's intriguing. I turned back to the schedule. After teen me spends two days here, everything was quite busy for a week or so. I found a few empty days and wrote myself down. I have to feed Chirpie every day after all. 

I avoided looking at the second of September. Don't even know if it's empty or me's coming. I can't, not now. The future me will have to cover here on the day of our anniversary. I'm not sure I will be able to get out of bed at all that day. But then, once again, nobody cancelled work.

I raised my head and looked back at Chirpie. Me put her back in the cage and started unpacking. 

Must be an odd life, that of Chirpie. She could witness a 10-year-old and a 30-year-old me on the same day. Now, I can't really tell if that ever happened. Definitely haven't met a 30-year-old me when I was 10. And have a few years ahead to find out. But that's not the point.

Chirpie was – very likely – one of the most adored birdies in this universe. I came to the boat house every day to visit her, play with her, give her treats. I wonder if she even realizes that she's being taken care of by a single person. Not a single other living soul was allowed here. Zoe was an exception. I couldn't keep it a secret from her. Not from Zoe. She was completely out of her mind when I explained the scheduling system to her. Probably, my best invention.

Chirpie liked Zoe. At least I got that impression. But it was different. That's how I knew Chirpie recognized me, no matter how old I was. She was cautious around Zoe. Maybe even a little more high-pitched. But they got along. I wonder if Chirpie will miss Zoe. I need to write down to dig up canaries' IQ or something. She probably won't. But I can still check, right?

I closed my eyes, memories flashing with the speed of lightning in my head. All the times I was here. Alone, by myself or with Zoe. Always accompanied by Chirpie's trill. If birds could speak, I'd probably spend ages talking to my little friend. Discussing good ol' times. Unlike her, I've never witnessed the two of me in the same room. Maybe it's all yet to come. I still talked to her from time to time. Feels more sane than talking to yourself. Unless it's weird me who's allowed to do that from time to time.

"Hey, stop spacing out, let's talk."

I shrugged, realizing I was not alone. Technically, there wasn't anybody except myself here. But what's with the puns, they're as old as, well, me. I looked at myself, sitting on the floor, legs crossed, browsing something on my laptop. I stood up and peeked behind my shoulder.

"Why are you looking at a map?"

"Beacuse that's the last thing I remember from this day."

~~~

Darkness.

Light! I was singing happily for the girl came. I liked the girl. She brought treats and let me fly. I told her thank you, she smiled. She's funny. I like the girl.

Darkness.

Light! A woman woke me up now. She's nice. She brings me treats and pets me. She doesn't smile much but I still like her. I told her to cheer up, but her smile was still wrong. I like the woman.

Darkness...