Just Like Seven Years Ago

Our Meeting

I'm making my way to the nearby supermarket. I'm going to pick up a few things for my aunt before I leave for home. I pull into the parking lot, and just a few other cars are here. The wait won't be long at the cashier today.

I jump out of the car and make my way inside, going to the familiar aisles to collect the usual items for my aunt. I have one unusual request today, which is ice cream. She is diabetic, so I have to make sure I get the right kind and preferably a single serving. Something tells me she will eat all, no matter what size I give to her, so I need to make sure it's a single serving.

Since I have collected all other items, I head to the freezer to select an ice cream. A small figure is there holding onto the freezer, trying to slide the door, but can't seem to get it right.

"Let me help you, hunny."

I slide the door, and I am rewarded with the cutest smile. A single missing tooth and a twinkle in her eyes. It's the most adorable thing I have seen all day, maybe ever.

"Thank you. What kind are you getting? I love, love the bubblegum flavor. Have you -"

"Elsa? Elsa?"

I'm assuming that's her name because she spins around quickly and heads in the direction the voice came from.

I continue to try to find a sugar-free ice cream for my aunt. I find one, just a vanilla flavor, but it will have to do. It seems like it's the only available flavor. I turn around to go cash out, and I stop in my tracks.

"See? She opened the freezer for me. I didn't. I already saw the one I want, though. Can I -"

"Kris?"

"Jay!"

I set my grocery basket down and almost ran to the girl who used to be my best friend. She hugs back so tightly, pushing me at arm's length, only to pull me back into her embrace.

"It's so good to see you! It's been so long!"

Being released from her hug, I say, "it's great seeing you, Jay. It certainly has been long."

We don't get to say much else when cutie comes interrupting us with the ice cream she so wants.

I look down at her, and back at Jay, "yours?"

She looks at the kid, and back at me, like she wants to say something, but then just nods. Jay starts shuffling through her handbag and brings out her phone.

"I gotta have your number, Kris. We gotta catch up."

It's been so long since I heard my name this way. I feel so happy seeing her again. Exchanging numbers is a great idea. Seeing as how she now has a kid, we, obviously, do have a lot to catch up on.

We exchange numbers, I get properly introduced to Elsa, and we head off in opposite directions.

How odd to have a dream about Jay, and see her so soon after?! It was great seeing her, no doubt, but I just didn't know she was even living in this area. I think if she was just visiting, she would have said so.

So many years have passed, but she still looks the same. Well, there are a few changes, but she's just like the eighteen year old Jay I used to know. There is so much for me to share with her, and I know she has plenty to share with me as well.

I grip my steering wheel and quickly maneuver through the traffic to get back to my aunt's. In record time, I am pulling up.

I hand her the ice cream and move to put away the few things I have bought.
I return to find her halfway through her ice cream. The sad part is that my ailing aunt is almost mute now. Just very few words. Aside from diabetes, she is also suffering from Parkinson's disease. Complications from both of them are taking a toll on her. I sit with her while she finishes her ice cream, which is a task in itself for her. I make sure to clean her up and then kiss her goodbye.