See You Again

11 - Flowers and Memories

Collin's point of view

"I believe it now when you say Chaston is a very small town."

Surprised, I turned around and smiled, glad to see Jamie again ever since our little outing downtown a few days ago. I found myself lost in front of the colorful flowers displayed outside.

"Which one do you think I should pick?" I asked suddenly, still focused on the flowers, my hands buried in my coat pockets.

"Honestly, I'm not qualified to give you a proper answer.'

"How so?"

"Well to me, sir, every flowers are pretty. I have no comments on that. And if you're looking for any specificities such as the meaning behind them, which occasion suits them better, I think you're gonna need the florists or even better - internet."

"Clearly, the florist is busy with other customers." I pointed through the window.

"Oh..."

"Let me redraft my question: which one do you like the most?"

"Um.. Anemones." she finally said after a moment of thought.

Why not roses? Most people would have chosen a rose - easy, well-known, perfect for any occasion.

"Okay, let's go with the anemone then." I grabbed two bouquets and headed inside to pay. "I'll be right back."

The payment settled, I stepped out of the flower shop.

"Are you busy?"

"You mean right now? At this very moment?" she asked.

"Yes, right now. At this very moment."

"Not really, but..."

"You already planned something else, of course. No worries. Nevermind..."

"I was actually going to say that if we're going somewhere else, I'll need to get back to the inn to grab a coat."

I felt a blush creeping in. "I can walk you there."

She agreed and after we passed by the inn, I took the lead to our next destination, but as we walked she began to slow her pace until she finally stopped.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, my brow furrowing in concern.

She didn't reply, and I could sense her discomfort.

"Is the place bothering you?"

"No, rather the person we're going to see." she admitted.

"Why's that?"

"I don't know. It feels like a personal place and I'm not sure it's wise to bring a newcomer...like me here."

"So you're leaving?"

"No, I'm trying to respect your personal space."

I smiled softly and stepped closer.

"Jamie, I was the one who asked you to come with me."

"I was the one who could've refused."

"But you didn't. So why stepping backwards now?"

"It's important to know our own limits and here is mine." she replied.

"Please, stick with me. Whether the place is personal or not, I don't mind it one bit. Maybe having you here will make a difference."

Jamie's point of view

We walked through the cemetery and approached a headstone that read "Samuel Stewart - 2019 - 2024." When I saw it, I froze instantly. So young what could have happened to that child?

Collin set one of the anemone bouquets next to the other flowers laid there, clearly recent judging by their freshness. He didn't say a word and I shared his silence.

"His mother, Charlene, went into labor at the coffee shop " he began. "I stil freshly remember how panicking that day was. The hospital was a good distance away, Rose was running back and forth, totally stressed. Janice stayed with Charlene while I sprinted to the garage to pick up the car. We were so scared she'd give birth on our way to the hospital. I don't think I've ever driven that fast in my life, it was almost illegal." he snickered at his last words.

I took a deep breath while he kept on telling the story.

"Luckily, we made it just in time and the doctors knew what to do. I stayed with her, keeping her company until Sammy uttered his first cry."

"What about his father?" I asked.

"Disappeared who knows where. He left Charlene when he found out she was pregnant. I saw Sammy's first as well as his last breath."

I stiffened at his last words and I swear I saw him stiffening too.

"A few years later after Charlene moved downtown, we had the habit to see each other at the park with Sammy. He begged me for a balloon and I stupidly gave in. When I left later in the evening, he apparently let go of the balloon by accident and thus his mom's hand too. He ran into the street to grab it. Charlene was screaming his name and I turned back. I tried to rush over, but the truck was just inches away."

"Oh my God..."

"I'll never forget this feeling when I held him in my arms that day."

"Collin, I'm so sorry."

"Yeah. Me too." he said, staring at Samuel's grave. "Me too."

I finally understood the reason why he was looking this drained, when I saw him in front of the flower shop. Even I - who hadn't seen the whole event happen - imagining what he described was hard enough to shake me. Samuel had his whole life ahead of him, but the world had other plans for him. Life is tough and sometimes it feels cruel. Did Charlene really have to go through that? Did Samuel deserve such a fate? What about Collin's feelings? Was guilt drowning him? The answers were complicated or non-existent, I'd even say. This went beyond human's understanding. No one can control accidents, no matter how hard we try to prevent them.

We turned back on our path. My heart felt heavy. My time in Chaston had also its fair share of sadness and Samuel's story was a part of it. Suddenly, it began to rain. Since the bookstore was the closest shelter, we headed there to find refuge. Once inside, away from the downpour that had soaked us a bit, I set my coat on the counter. Collin put the second bouquet of anemone next to it and offered me a chair. He disappeared briefly but then came back with a cup of coffee he handed me. He pulled up a chair beside me, sat down as we both fell into silence for a moment, processing the heaviness of the day.