Reconnect: The Story of an old flame

Note

I'd like to preface this story by admitting that it is about 90% true. Names and places have been changed but for the most part I've stuck as close to my own personal experience as possible. 

Why the main theme seems to be romance, the story is really about a woman trying to find peace as she recovers from the tragedies in her life and how she rediscovers parts of herself and her past along the way. 

It's a story about closure and how that leads to new beginnings. 

Some events are entirely made up, others, usually the ones you'll find too good to be true, are as real as you and me. 

Thank you.

INTRO:

What do you think of when you look back at your teenage years? What stories do the fuzzy memories in your mind tell you? Do you hear those songs that played non stop on the radio? Do you see the faces of the people you went to high school with? Is it the feeling of walking down those familiar halls on the way to class and waiving to friends?

Do you remember what you did on Friday nights? The football games, the parties- telling your mom you were staying at a friend's house?

Do you remember what it was like trying to cram before a big test? Feeling like your life could be over if you didn't ace it? What about that club you were in, the one that took up all your extra time and dedication?

What about the people who weren't so kind to you? The bullies? The times you almost got into a fight? Your friends who backed you up when it looked like things were getting messy? Are you still friends with them?

What do you remember about those years, about the countless hours of seemingly endless and fearless youth? Maybe it was your first car, or your first job... or maybe a boy.

I don't remember much anymore- I mean I do, of course. I'm still friends with the same two girls and we reminisce over a bottle of wine and a nice dinner often but I'm always surprised by the details and stories they have. I don't remember half of it- it's like I've blocked it out. There are so many seemingly important moments in my life that I get told about, moments that I completely forgot existed.

I suppose that's my own fault- I worked very hard to lock certain things away.

Especially anything remotely related to him. I did everything in my power to lock him away in the back of my mind, to erase as much of him as possible.