Withered {Major Editing}

Chapter 9: The backyard of Memories

I take a view of the whole backyard, spotting the many things that bring back memories of when, this too, was my home.

•••

Liam's P.O.V
Straight ahead of me was a white swinging bench and ozens of flowers lined up against the backyard's wooden fence. The ones behind the swinging bench were planted in pots, while the ones near the house were planted in the ground. The pillars that held up the outside roofing up were wrapped around with mini lights and the table and chairs held memories in them as well.

Flashback: Flowers along the Fence

The backyard was too empty for me and Iris' liking so we decided we should buy things to place there.

We go to Home Depot and there, we buy a swinging bench and an outdoor dining set. We head to the plant section to pick out just four flowers. I selected two different kinds while Iris only pick roses, which were her favorite. We buy four colorful flower pots and head home.

We set up the chairs, tables, and swinging bench. All we had left to do was plant the flowers. Iris said we should line them up behind the swinging bench so that's what we did. We set up the pots, giving some space between them.

We alternated the flowers so that it was her rose, my flower, her other rose, then my other flower.

When we finish planting, we sit down on the grass, just in front of the flowers. I put my arm around her waist and she rests her head on my shoulder. "It's me and you," she smiles pointing at the two flowers in the middle.

I didn't notice until she pointed that I was in front of my flower and she was in front of hers. "But babe," I grin. "there's space between them so there should be some space between us," I joke, scooting away from Iris. She pouts and latches her arms around my waist.

"Nuh, you're making me sad and black is no where on the flower pots!"

"Huh?"

"You don't get it? The flowers are us and the pots show our emotions," she says. "In my eyes, black has no emotion in it other than sadness and hatred. That's why it's my least favorite. I've told you this before. Now stop making me sad, because it isn't a valid emotion on the flower pots, and cuddle me!" she demanded, arms still wrapped around my waist.

I smile at how cute and childish she's being and lift her onto my lap, burying my face in the crook of her neck.

Flashback: Lights, Table, & Chairs

I cover Iris' eyes as I lead her pass the glass door. I uncover then and watch her she smile widely at the scenery. The roofing pillars were wrapped up with small, bright lights. Two plates of pasta laid on the table, somewhat surrounding the red, lit candle.

I lead her to her seat and push in the chair for her. After our meal, I go up behind her and lock on a necklace with a heart shaped charm around her neck.

"Happy anniversary," I whisper in her ear.

"Aww, hon. You didn't have to get me this," she says, smiling, looking down at the necklace. "Dinner was a great enough gift to me babe."

I take her hand in mine and place my free one on her cheek. I stare into her grey eyes and whisper to her,"You're worth more than enough."

Flashback: The Swinging Bench

"I've been waiting for you Iris! You got me all worried. It's dark out, we should be inside, sleeping already," I scolded Iris as she sits on the swinging bench, under the night sky. I was in the bedroom, waiting for her to come back from the restroom so we could sleep. Fifteen minutes later, she still wasn't in the room. I went to check on her and started to go nuts when I couldn't find her in any of the rooms.

She frowns at my words and swings her legs back and fourth, fiddling with her finger. "I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to make you mad.." Tears quickly form in her eyes and stroll down her cheeks. Shit, I made her cry. I'm not even mad at her and she thinks I am.

I sit down next to her and pull her into a long hug. She continues to cry and I try to reassure her. "Don't cry sweetheart. I'm not mad at you." I rub her back. She looks up at me and sniffles.

"I just wanted to look up at the stars for a bit, I'm sorry hon.." I wipe her tears and lay her down on the bench, head on my lap.

"It's okay dear. Next time just let me know, okay?" I smile as she nods her head.

We stay outside for a few more minutes, talking about the night sky. "Hey babe, that was me before I met you," I say, pointing up to a lone star. Iris giggles and lightly nudges my stomach. "What?" I laugh. "It's true."

"Well that's not you anymore," she yawns and lands her eyes on the moon. "There was this one quote I saw on Facebook, about the sun and the moon."

The light from the moon sends a twinkle in Iris' eyes. Her soft hands entangle with mine and her long, brown hair brushes against my leg. She looks at me with a smile then back at the moon as she says the quote.

"The quote was,'the sun loved the moon so much, he died every night to let her breath'."

"That's sweet," I smile, Iris' gaze meeting my eyes, her lips returning the smile.

"It really is." Her eyes slowly close and I feel my heart skip a beat. My sleeping beauty. I lean in and kiss her forehead, lift her up and carry her into the house.

Present

The backyard, where my memories with Iris lived, looked so much more different. There was now what seemed like a hundred of flowers. The flowers I picked out weren't there anymore. Only roses made an appearance in the garden. Yes, roses only. The six colorful pots were replaced with over twelve black ones and the swinging bench was now covered with fake, black roses.

I hear Iris' voice in my head, the last three words she said to me in the car playing through my mind.

"...after you left."

"...after you left."

"...after you left."

She keeps repeating it, like a broken record. I don't know why. Her voice tries to say something else, but the same three words continue to repeat over and over. "...after you left."

(Last Edited: September 01, 2018)