What She Has Forgotten

Chapter Five: Los Angeles

4 months later--

Rey's POV - - - -

"I think moving is the best thing Poe, things haven't been so great for me these last 4 months. " Poe was standing in my doorway as I packed.

"You really think so. I mean, I know it hasn't been easy, but is running away a good choice?"

"I'm not running away. Dad thought it was a good idea and so do I. "

"It's a good thing then I'm coming along." I stopped and smiled.

"You are?"

"Ya, I was lucky as dad, I got a job that finally puts my degree to use. "

"Is it your first time?"

"First time for what Rey?' He asked as he walked to my closet to help.

"First time in Los Angeles  ?"

"No.... well. I guess you still don't remember.  I keep forgetting.  You and I went there when your were in 8th grade and I was a senior."

"Oh, I guess that would explain this." I pulled a L.A. hoodie out of my closet. I smiled.

"Rey." He stopped my hand from grabbing something else," do you ever want to remember? "

"Actually Poe, I don't know. I want to but I'm scared of the pain that might come with it."

"Don't you think that pain is worth remembering if you get all the good stuff you've lost?"

"I guess...."

                         .     .    .    .   .   .  

A couple of hours later and we were there. Sitting in front of our new house. It was cute. Really cute.  Small porch out front. Cute Pickett fence lining the back yard.  Red door. Two stories.  Cute. Dad pulled into the driveway. I got out. Smiling. I grabbed a box of mine and the keys and ran in. The inside was cozy. Cute. And cozy. There was two rooms upstairs and one rec. room downstairs. ...for Poe.

I got the room with the window seat.
Poe walked in. " Do you remember this house? "

"Ya, mom's old house as a kid. This was her room." I smiled thinking of her. And how I lost her.

"I have a surprise for you kids today."

"What?" I aksed her. I was only five and Poe Nine.

"Los Angeles."

"Why there?" Poe asked.

"I used to live there. It's where I grew up."

"Oh." Poe and I said in unison.
Hours later we pulled up in front of a house.  We walked up to the door and rang the bell. A nice lady answered the door.

"I'll let you look at the house then we will talk price."

"Are we buying the house mamma?"

"No, Rey, sadly no. Our place is in San Diego. "

"Then why are we here?"

"I grew up in this house kids. This very house. " tears were gathering in her eyes. We explored the house with mom crying all the way.

The drive home was quiet.  Mom was silent. 

"You know kids, I lov......  "

I was all a blur. A truck. Driving on the wrong side. Hit our car from the front. Killing mom. I'm injuring Poe and me, but not critically. 

"Rey..  Rey...  you here?"

" ya. Sorry. I was just thinking of mom. ."

"I think about her everyday. " he walked over and hugged me.

"You start school in a couple of days."

"It's going to be hard since in starting a couple months after the first day of the new school year. But I'll make friends."

"I believe you will."