73 Memories

The Ninth Memory

I woke up early on this particular morning, deciding I would make breakfast for my father and me.

When he got up, I smiled at him. "Good morning dad," my voice was cheery, but he looked like he would rather be anywhere else than here.

"I don't know what you mean about 'good' morning. It's an average day in Portland," he grumbled. "Is that for me?" Dad pointed to the plate I had sat down on the counter.

I threw a fork on it. "Yeah, it is. Enjoy it on this average day."

I stormed up to my room, skipping out on the breakfast I had made for us. I hoped that by the time I was out of the shower and ready for school, he'd be gone.

But he wasn't. So I stayed in my room the rest of the time until my father yelled for me. I smiled, thinking maybe he had actually remembered.

I skipped down the stairs. "Yeah, dad?" My voice was hopeful.

"Someone is waiting for you outside."

My smile fell off my face at his sentence. "Okay."

I went to the front door and pulled it open, and you were there on the small porch.

"What's up?" I asked you, and you smiled at me.

"Do you want a ride?"

I felt my mouth open slightly. "Really?"

"Well, yeah. It wasn't a joke. Go get your bag."

I nodded and ran up the stairs to grab my bag before I made my way back down them. I tripped at the end, but thankfully you couldn't see me fall. I got back up and walked to the door, pulling it open and closing it behind me.

We walked across the street to your car, and when we were both in, you turned to me with a huge smile on your face. "Happy Birthday!"

"What?"

Your face turned into a look of confusion. "Happy Birthday? It is your birthday, right?"

I nodded slightly. "Yeah, it is. But I didn't think you would remember."

You scoffed playfully. "Of course I remember. Why wouldn't I?"

I didn't know if I should tell you, or if I should lie. But when I looked at you, you had tilted your head and I knew I would tell the truth. "Because my dad didn't."

"Why not?" Your eyes had softened, and I was happy that you believed me because that meant I had some of your trust, too.

"I don't really know. He doesn't really even talk to me anymore."

You reached into the back of the car, and I didn't know what. "Well then, he's missing out. But never to fear, I've bought you a present."

I was really shocked then. "No, I can't take that."

"But you can see?" You grabbed my hand and place the little gift bag in my hand. "Now, all you have to do is open it, take the present and say thank you."

I sighed. "If I refuse, you won't stop, will you?"

You laughed and nodded. "Correct. Open it."

Again, I sighed. "Fine." I opened the bag and reached it, pulling out a bracelet. It was beautiful, the prettiest thing I'd ever seen. It was metal and it had a flower design in it, with little blue jewels encrusted in the middle of each flower.

"It's beautiful," I whispered. I pulled my gaze up to look at you and smile. "Thank you."

You grinned, "See? That wasn't so hard!"

I laughed and struggled to put it on, but failing miserably.

"Um... I can help you if you want." Your words were barely audible, but it was the only thing I could hear.

Stupidly, my face heated up as I extended my arm to you. "Okay."

Your hands were big, so it was still a little hard for you to get it clasped. But you did.

"Happy Birthday," you said again.

"Thank you, so, so much."

And I meant that, because the fact you remembered something I told you once when my father couldn't remember it, it really stuck with me.

It made me realize that as dangerous as it was, I actually had a friend.

And even worse, I wanted it to be something more.