Nostalgy

▶ Nocturne Op.9 No.2 ; Frederic Chopin

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▶ Nocturne Op.9  No.2 ; Frederic Chopin

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9 years ago...

I tugged the hem of my mother's dress, pointing towards a doll behind the showcase.

"I want that, Mommy!"

She looked down and smiled gently at me, "Mommy will buy it for you some other time, alright?"

I frowned and pouted my lips, "Pinky promise?" 

"Pinky promise."

I hooked my little pinky finger with hers and a smile blossomed on my tiny face when our thumbs touched.

Father picked me up from the ground and kissed me on the cheek.

"Look at you!" he exclaimed, "Little Alicia has horns now!"

I shook my head, my pigtails slapping my cheeks.

"They're not horns, Daddy. They're pig tails."

Mother and Father laughed, and I laughed along with them although I had no idea why they found it funny. Father carefully lowered me to the ground and I held his hand tightly.

We were walking along a busy street, and there were many people crossing back and forth. My grip on Father's hand tightened when a stranger bumped into me. The man brushed past me without apologizing and I fumed. I poked Father's waist, since it was the only place I could reach, and he looked down at me.

"That man didn't say sorry to me."

His eyes twinkled with amusement and laughed, "I will go find that man and make him apologize."

I just shook my head and sighed, massaging my temples. "He's not worth it, Daddy. Don't waste your time on rude people like him."This earned another laugh from both of my parents and I grinned widely.

"Oh! Darn it! I think I forgot my wallet inside the car."

I looked up at Father and frowned slightly.

"You go on ahead with Mommy, alright? Daddy will be back." Father sank down to his knees and gave me a kiss on the forehead before he walked left. Mother smiled at me and I took her hand.

"Where are we going, Mommy?" I asked, my pigtails bouncing beside me.

"To a café, darling." 

"What's a café?" I questioned again.

"It's a small coffee shop, dear."

"I don't like coffee," I said, wrinkling my nose in disgust. Mother laughed and pulled me closer to her.

A  faint melodious tune drifted along the street and I paused. "Did you hear that, Mommy?"

"Hear what?"

I tried to block out the cacophony of the outside world, and paid attention to the soft tune. I decided to follow where the tune was, and foolishly let go of Mother's hands.