The Grabber

~Epiloge~

It was a cool morning in mid-March. Sunny skies, a cool breeze, the trees regaining their leaves. A season of rebirth. Growth. New beginnings. Andrea had plans for a new beginning. She could barely keep the smile off of her face as she got ready.
"Well, someone's bright and chipper," a voice spoke as they entered the room. Andrea was just fixing her hair.
"It's an exciting day," she replied. Rebecca handed Andrea a mug of coffee. It had been several years since the two had seen each other. Andrea was relieved to find out Rebecca still lived in the area. She wasn't the only one, either.
"Ooh, got big plans for your return?" James asked as he entered as well, slipping an arm around Rebecca's waist. It didn't take long for the two to realize their feelings for each other soon after Andrea had left. After three years of being together, James had popped the question. It was now 1981. Andrea's two best friends were married and had a home together. It was a surprise for Andrea to discover, but she couldn't be happier for them.
"I'm going to finally meet back up with an old friend," Andrea smiled. Andrea came back to Colorado on a whim. As soon as she had the money, she hopped a plane with a few of her belongings. She hadn't thought of a ride anywhere, a place to stay, or anything. She was too excited to see Al again. That had been her plan this entire time. Her only plan. Meeting Rebecca and James again along the way just happened to pop up. Andrea was very grateful for them allowing her to stay with them while she was here.
"Oh? Wait," Rebecca asked. "Is it Al?" Andrea nodded excitedly. "I haven't seen him recently. I wonder if he's still in town?"
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen him since you left," James thought. "Maybe he was so saddened by it, he became a recluse."
"You guys were awfully close," Rebecca agreed.
"I'll probably check by where he used to live. Surely he still lives there. He knew I would come back to visit. We just.. didn't know when." Andrea took a sip of her coffee as she had finished fixing her hair.
"He's going to be so happy to see you!" Rebecca beamed. "I'm sure it'll make his day."
"It'll make his year," James nodded. "Several years if he's stayed away from people all this time."
"He never really was a people person," Andrea shrugged. Rebecca walked closer as she fixed a few strands of Andrea's hair.
"It's just great to see you back and happy again," Rebecca smiled. "I haven't seen you this happy since you met him."
"It's been a bumpy road," Andrea sighed.
"I'll say," James chimed in. "You still remember where he lives?" Andrea felt butterflies as she pictured his home in her mind. The memories flooded back.
"Yep," she smiled. "I haven't forgotten after all these years. Do you think he'll remember me?"
"Of course he'll remember you," Rebecca scoffed. "You were the light of his life. You seemed to make each other very happy. How could someone forget that?"
"Unless he has memory issues. You know, with age." Rebecca shot him a look. He threw his hand up in defense. "Hey, we don't know how old he is."
"He'll remember you," Rebecca nodded. James chuckled.
"Of course he will. You stayed with him for, like, a week. I'm sure there were lots of memories then." Andrea smiled and took another glance in the mirror. She sighed a bit as the nerves began to kick in.
"Do I look okay?" She asked gently.
"You look amazing as always," Rebecca assured her best friend. "Doesn't she, James?"
"I know nothing about fashion."
"James."
"Yes, she looks great," James chuckled. He still loved to irritate Rebecca. "You look great."
"Thanks, guys. I think the nerves are coming on."
"A case of the jitters?" James nodded. "Just tell yourself you're excited, not nervous. Nervousness and excitement release the same stuff in your brain, so it's hard for it to really tell which is which sometimes."
"Yeah.. maybe that'll work."
"Everything will be fine. You'll meet, remember everything, and have a great time together. It'll be just as amazing as when we met again," Rebecca smiled. "Definitely let us know how it went when you come back."
"Will do," Andrea smiled.

...

As Andrea walked down the sidewalks to reach Al's house, she noticed more kids out again. They were riding their bikes, playing with friends, taking walks. Much busier than when Andrea lived her. She wondered what made the town seem more lively? The people didn't seem so worried. They didn't seem so scared. Andrea was so nervous and excited to see Al again, she didn't think much of it. Instead, she focused on the thought of seeing Al's face again after so long. She could hardly wait. To feel his hugs again, hear his warm voice again, see his wonderful smile again. See her dad again. She knew Rebecca's statement wasn't quite right. Meeting Al wouldn't be the same as meeting her and James again. It would be better. Her eyes darted from home to home as she counted up the house numbers. She was close.
"Twelve thirty-six, twelve thirty-seven," she counted under her breath. She could feel her heart racing in her chest as she came even closer. After a bit, she finally came face to face with the familiar home she had once called her second home. "Twelve forty-two," she smiled. She straightened her jacket as she approached the front door. Her heart leaped as she pressed her knuckles to the blue-tinted door to knock. She was a bit surprised to not hear Samson barking, but thought nothing more of it. As she waited for a response, she noticed Al's van was missing from the carport. Maybe he was out? Surely he would be back soon if that was the case. She decided to try another knock just in case. She perked up and bit her lip as she heard footsteps approaching from the other side.
"Hey, it's-" her smile faded as the door opened to reveal a face she was not expecting. "O-oh, I'm sorry.. you're not..."
"Can I help you, sweetheart?" The lady asked. Andrea was very confused. She blinked for a moment before speaking.
"Um.. is Al home?" She asked. The lady tilted her head.
"Al?" She echoed.
"Um.. Albert. Is he here? I'm an old friend of his. I moved away in '78 and finally was able to come back to visit him." The lady's face turned to one of confusion and concern.
"Albert? Albert Shaw?" She asked. "Who lived here in '78?"
"Yes, that's him," Andrea nodded. Perhaps he had simply moved houses. That was no problem if that was it.
"Oh... oh, sweetheart... I'm.. I'm so sorry.." the lady shook her head. "He died in '78." Andrea felt her body freeze.
"W..what?" She could barely utter. "No.. no he couldn't have. He was alive and perfectly fine when I moved... we made a promise to meet again..." The lady moved to the side as she looked to Andrea with compassion.
"Why don't you come on in? If he used to live here, you can relive the memories, if you like. I can explain everything. Where are you coming from?" Andrea slowly made her way inside as she cupped her elbows.
"I.. moved to Kentucky. I finally scraped up enough money to come back and visit.." she replied. She took a look around the living room. She glanced over the furniture that definitely was not Al's.
"You haven't been able to talk to him since you were gone?" She asked as she closed the door. She moved to a bookshelf that held many different books, photo albums and old newspapers she seemed to collect.
"No. He was... in a situation at the time. He.. didn't want me to... get tangled up in it," Andrea answered. She looked at the kitchen doorway. That's not how Al organized his kitchen.