Remember

Chapter 31: Mystery Girl

"What do you mean I have to stay with you for a week?" I argue with Sawyer as I walk into his warm house.

"Stop. There's nothing you can do." Sawyer says with a sigh. I've been complaining the whole way here.

"I'd rather be at Lisa's. Why did I have to lock the stupid door behind me." I pause thinking for a second, "I'm sure you know how to break in through the door; you've unlocked it before. Take me back." I continue to plea, trying to come up with a possible solution, rather than stay here.

"I like the noise you make when you shut the fuck up." Sawyer says gruffly. He walks off somewhere and I'm left alone in the living room. I'm angry that I'm stuck here once again, no matter how hard I try to avoid. 

I sigh sitting down on the gray leather couch, but move to a comfy armchair when I keep slipping off the couch. I take out Sawyers phone, looking at it, hoping it would give me an answer. It's quiet for a while, when the silence is filled with Sawyer playing the piano. I can feel his anger through his playing and it distracts me from trying to figure anything out.  If anyone should be angry it should be me.

"Oh, hola mija." Nancy greets. I turn to her startled, too focused on the phone.

"Hey," I greet with a warm smile. Maybe she can help? "Do you know the password to this phone?" I ask, my hope slightly rising. She stops dusting the side table and looks at me.

"Déjame ver. Let me see." She says, sticking her hand out. I hand her the phone and she takes out glasses from her apron pocket and examines it. "It's Sawyers no?" She asks and I nod.

"So?" I whisper, trying not to distract her. "Do you have a clue what it could be? When is his birthday? What are his favorite numbers? What's his favorite color? Did he have a childhood pet?" I bombard her with questions. She looks up at me, her glasses sliding down her nose and smiles. 

"His birthday?" She pauses then continues, "Is on October fifth. I'm not sure what his favorite number is, maybe eight? And his favorite color could be, how do you say?" She stops talking and closes her eyes. I'm surprised she remembers the questions I asked and answers them in that order. She snaps her fingers remembering. "It's ember or amber." She says, her accent thick, so it's hard to understand.

"Okay, okay good. We're getting somewhere. What about a childhood pet?" I question. My smile growing by the minute.

"He did have a dog, it was a retriever. His name was Arlo." She says. I hear a beep in the kitchen and we both jump at the sound.

"Oh that's me, don't want to burn the food." She says and heads toward the kitchen.

"Wait," I say and she turns around waiting for me to continue. "I was wondering if you could teach me Spanish?" I ask. She smiles, but it falls when she turns down the hall, and she sees Sawyer playing his piano. She walks closer to me and grabs my hand. "I don't think he'd want you to learn, but yes I'll teach you." She whispers to me. The bell noise rings again and she hands me the phone. She disappears into the kitchen.

I smile smugly, walking back to the armchair. I turn on the phone and type in his birthday, but realize she didn't give me his birth year. Ugh. I always miss something. Next I try his favorite color although I know it wouldn't be that. My next choice is Arlo. I type it in slow hoping its it, but nothing happens. I try spelling it differently, and still nothing happens. I place the phone down and pick up some books that are on the floor and start reading. I need a break from figuring this out.

I pick up any random book and start reading, I thought it would be boring, but it's an interesting read. I've just started and I've learned a few things about deduction. Sawyer couldn't have learned through books to observe others could he? I find a comfortable position to read in and I block everything out.