The Forgotten Past

Chapter 2

I come here almost every Wednesday evening and each time I find myself staring at the lake and thinking about all of the happy memories with mom here.

I remember that when I was little, I once laughed so hard that I didn't realize where I was walking and suddenly I found myself in the water of the lake. Luckily I could already swim but mom was pretty terrified. I remember a dog jumping into the water and swimming towards me. He was probably trained to safe people.

I swam back to the edge and got out. I also remember my mom saying something to the owner of the dog, who by then wasn't much older than me.

"My dear boy, you have such a brave dog, he is trained well, ''my mom said to the boy. He replied: "Thank you ma'am, he is a great dog ''

I still find this the funniest memory I have from here and I find myself wondering who the boy was, and who he is now.

I take a lot of pictures, as always. There are not many people here. Usually people walking their dogs or just walking around watching the leaves change color for the autumn season which I find so beautiful to see.

I'm looking up at the gorgeous trees above me and not to where I'm walking so I suddenly find myself bumping into a rock and almost falling onto the ground fully covered with leaves. God that hurts! I bend down to see if my foot is okay since it definitely does not feel that way. The only thing I find is that it's pretty hard to stand on. God, I really need to pay more attention to where I'm walking. But luckily my camera is okay.

I try to stand back up and try to walk but my ankle won't let me. From the corner of my eye I see a dog running towards me and his owner, I think, behind him. The dog starts sniffing me and then looks up at me with his big dark brown eyes. His owner is around my age, maybe a few years older and has brown slightly curly hair. He looks at me and puts his earplugs out of his ears and says, "Are you okay? Can you stand? '' My eyes meet his and I notice those rich brown eyes and they really remind me of someone. When I don't respond he continuous, "you really should pay more attention to where you are walking. Those pictures would be a waste if your camera broke,'' he says while a small smile creeps up on his face.

When I finally realize what he said, I feel ashamed. Was he watching me? You have a camera around your neck dumbass, most people notice that. Well, that's pretty much true.

"I- I- didn't see that rock'' I say, while making an attempt to stand up and failing miserably. His hands automatically grab me by my elbows and he pulls me up.

When I look at his dog it's watching me while sitting beside his owner.

"Well I noticed that. Most people don't,'' he says and I don't understand what he's talking about. That people normally don't notice others falling over a rock? Or that most people don't see that rock in the middle of the path?

"Do you think you can walk? ''

"It's not that bad, I can definitely- '' I say while trying to step onto my foot but it still hurts very much. I swear under my breath and think about how the hell I'm going to get home.

"I can help you walk to your home. You don't really have much of a choice,'' he says. Good point. Well I could always call dad. I search my pockets for my phone- but with no success.

Geez could this day be even worse?

"You know you don't have to do that right? ''I say while looking into his rich brown eyes.

His hands are still gripping me by my elbows to make sure I won't fall.

"Well, I could just walk away and leave you here not knowing if you ever made it home safely. But wouldn't that make things a bit awkward? '' He says and I just keep looking at him and I don't respond. But he is also right about that. "Okay that's true,'' I say and continue, "I live ten minutes from here. I would really appreciate your help, " I say. He smirks at me and puts my hand over his shoulders to make the walking easier. I have to say that it does really help.

After walking for about 5 minutes in complete silence I get the feeling I should say something. But what do you say to a complete stranger who is helping you walk home?

You have a really nice dog, no too lame. I'm deep in thoughts trying to come up with something reasonable to say when he speaks.

"Did you get some good shots of the lake? I see you here quite often taking pictures,'' he says with a calm voice. So he was watching me. The thought makes me a bit nervous. "Yes I do come here quite often. Every time I'm here I find something different to photograph, it such a magical place,'' I say, trying to keep my voice steady. But I end up with not much luck.

"You have a really nice dog, what's his name? '' I ask. It doesn't really sounds that lame when I say it out loud. "Thank you, Eddie is a golden retriever. I tried to train him well,'' he replies with his head turned sideways to look at me. "Well, you have definitely succeeded at that, he is so caring,'' I say while looking at Eddie who is running in front of us. I smile and look at the owner of Eddie and see that he's still looking at me.

We arrive at my front door and I say, " Thank you for helping me, I appreciate it a lot ", and he nods in return and turns around and then walks from my house to the sidewalk. I search my jacket for my keys and then notice that Eddie is sitting on the ground watching me with his big dark eyes.

"Eddie, come here!'' his owner shouts. I look at him and then back at Eddie. A moment passes and Eddie turns around and runs back.

Such a cute dog.

"You'd better be careful the next time you go there,'' he says with a laugh.

"I will, thank you again,'' I respond and then he walks off with Eddie by his side.