5 Minute Reads | Anthology

Dexter by ecstaticxsoul

by ecstaticxsoul 

The blazing sun hung high in the clear blue sky, casting Dexter's shadow on the pavement as he trudged up the road. The house where it all began was his beacon as he kept his sights ahead. He did not veer to the other houses which too housed memories –good and bad ones. From his and Jane's firsts to those silly arguments they'd have every now and then.

He caught glimpses of all those memories as he drew closer to the cul-de-sac. The anticipation still killed him even though he knew what was coming.

A gush of wind blew by sweeping his curly black hair into his face. He brushed the strands away as he crossed the street and made his way to the gate leading into his house. His double story, desert tan colored childhood home. He nudged at the small silver gate, opening it wider and then he stepped in. At the same time a wave of nostalgia swept through him because it had been 3 years since he'd been there.

3 years since he'd revisited the memory of the first time he saw Jane.

He walked up the paved path then up the small steps leading to the mahogany colored front door. He grasped onto the door handle and pulled it down. And the second he stepped inside his lungs filled with the familiar scent of lasagna. He followed the smell all the way to the kitchen and there was his mom –Adrianna- standing by the oven. Her dark curly hair, which resembled Dexter's, tied up as it had always been when she was busy in the kitchen.

She glanced in Dexter's direction almost as if she could sense his presence. And he smiled even though he knew she couldn't see him.

A few seconds later the intercom bell rang.

Adrianna looked out of the kitchen window which had a view of the front of the house. "Dex!" She called out.

Dexter drew his attention to the teenage boy who walked into the kitchen. His youth made Dexter wonder where all the years went. It seemed like yesterday when all this happened.

"Get the door please." Adrianna said with a warm smile. He mirrored her smile, nodded then walked out of the kitchen.

Dexter followed the teenage version of himself all the way out of the front door to the gate.

"Hi," a female voice sounded from the other side.

"Hi," Dex said as he opened the gate to find a girl, about his age, with bright red hair. Her hands were tucked in the pockets of her maroon hoody. "Can I help you?" He leaned against the side of the open gate with his arms crossed over his chest.

Time stood still as Dexter watched the younger version of himself interact with the younger version of Jane. Only realizing now that there was a hint of hostility in his voice.

"Uh, I'm Jane," she extended her hand and Dex looked down at it for a second then he reached for it and shook it. "We just moved in down the street. . ." she gestured behind her, tucking her hand back into her pocket. ". . . and my mom forced me to come do introductions around the neighborhood." She let out an exasperated breath then she smiled revealing clear braces.

"Aw that sucks," he said the first thing that came to his mind. "Sorry." He apologized for nothing in particular.

She rocked forward on her tiptoes. "It's no problem but it does really suck. Some of the people I've met already are quite sketchy." She giggled and Dex found himself laughing too.

"I know, it's not the best neighborhood."

"How long have you lived here?" She asked casually.

"All my life." He pursed his lips and nodded his head.

"Oh, okay," she looked behind her then looked back at Dex, her brown eyes meeting his sapphire eyes. "Uh, we're at the fifth house on the left from the intersection. Incase you'd like to bring us a fruit cake or something." She joked and Dex chuckled.

"I'll tell my mom to get on it then." He joked.

With one nod of her head, Jane turned to her right and started walking, sensing that that was the end of the conversation. But then she turned back, catching Dex still watching her. "I didn't catch your name." She stopped in front of him.

"I'm Dexter." He said with a polite smile.

She nodded again then walked away.

She'd just made it a distance away from his house when he'd thought of something.

"Jane!" Dex called after her and she whipped her head around, her bright red hair falling into her face. "Can I interest you in the best lasagna you'll ever have in your life?"

She paused for a second then she walked back to where Dex was standing. "Sure." She smiled and Dex held the gate open for her as she walked inside.

Dexter followed his younger self and Jane's younger self back into the house still caught in a trance by the memory. Soon after introducing Jane to his mother they had dinner. And indeed it was the best lasagna Jane had in her life.

Dexter left shortly after that walking back down the street, away from his childhood home and away from the memory. It was true in fact that he didn't know the value of that moment until it became a memory.