Remembering You [Folive]

12| new york

TWELVE

     Fletcher got asked to present an award in New York at the art museum where he's featured at. He gladly accepted because it'd get his mind off of Olive. Chyna advised him not to go,  but Fletcher needed a break from everything. The past month had been emotionally draining and art was his ultimate therapy.

So Fletcher packed a backpack and headed on a plane to New York where he stayed during the fellowship six years ago. He stayed at his Grandma Dottie's house. She immediately asked about Olive.

"Why aren't you with her Fletch? Is her memory back?"

Fletcher tossed his backpack on the couch in her living room. He flopped on his stomach on the cushions.

"Yeah, I guess. But she got mad at me for not telling her I was her boyfriend from the beginning."

Grandma Dottie came over from the kitchen, patting Fletcher's back. "What did you do instead?"

He sighed. "Told her the story of how we met and our complicated friendship."

Dottie shook her head, smiling. "Oh Fletcher, love is complicated and telling a bedtime story certainly isn't going to do it all. Love takes fighting, sacrifice and patience. Tons of patience."

Fletcher rolled his eyes. Dottie sounded like a character tale fighting and sacrifice, but she was absolutely correct. Love did take fighting and sacrifice, and Fletcher didn't use any of those things when it came to Olive. And he certainly did not have patience.

But what was he supposed to do when she was going out with Angus? Tell her "you look happy but sorry, I'm going to rip that away from you" or "actually, I'm really your boyfriend and the guy you're going out with you just using your amnesia to his advantage."

But he wasn't in New York to mope about Olive. He came to present a prestigious art award at the New York City art museum.

***

Meanwhile, Olive was stuck at home, laying in her bed getting all her memory back. She remembered her love for Fletcher and how Chyna was her best friend. She even remembered how she felt about Angus and she shuddered when she realized she went out with him. But only a little, because oddly enough, that time she spent with him strengthened their friendship.

Olive finally got out of the house where Angus took her for burgers and milkshakes. In the car, she stared out the window, her mind wandering. She and Angus didn't exchange a word. When they were seated at a booth, it wasn't until after they ordered where Olive finally asked about Fletcher.

"My memory's back," she told him.

"I've heard. That's great." Angus forced a smile.

"Fletcher's my boyfriend Angus, not you. I'm sorry." Olive reached her hand across the table and placed it on top of his.

Angus sighed. "I guess the jig is up."

Olive smiled. "But we had a great time."

Angus shook his head. "I wasn't honest. I should have helped you and Fletcher, but I only pulled you two apart. I took advantage of the situation."