Karlie flung open the door before Taylor even knocked, and only stood there staring. Her heart was racing and mind in disbelief as Taylor stopped moving and began to spew incoherent word vomit, not knowing what to say.
She had been planning to stand in front of the door for several minutes to gather her thoughts, but Karlie threw the door open before she could figure out what to say.
“K-Karlie,” said Taylor, “It’s so good to see you. You look w-well, I see.”
Karlie only stared, face blank. She was soaking in every detail of Taylor, did not know if she could really believe that Taylor was there.
Another few moments passed in silence.
“I-I should go,” said Taylor, “I shouldn’t be here. It was nice seeing you, Karlie.”
“No, come in please,” said Karlie as Taylor was turning, “Let’s have dinner. Are you hungry?”
“Yeah,” said Taylor, “I think I am.”
They smiled lightly at each other as Karlie held open the door for her and stepped inside.
----------
“It’s beautiful,” said Taylor, looking around the house.
Karlie wanted to tell Taylor how beautiful she looked, but only smiled and said, “Thanks.”
Taylor did not yet know that it was her house, the house Karlie built out of her memories of Taylor.
They were sitting at the dinner table with their food finished and were now catching up on everything the two of them had been missing.
“It’s been a long time,” said Taylor.
“Too long,” nodded Karlie in agreement.
“How is everything?” Karlie asked, “Tell me everything.”
Taylor smiled before she began to speak. Karlie had always loved Taylor’s voice, would love it until the day she died.
The sun was down now, and they were in the living room, sitting facing each other on two armchairs. Taylor had told Karlie about all she could remember at the moment – her new friends, college life, places she had been – but had not yet mentioned Mark.
“So what about you, Karlie? I’ve just been talking and talking. You must be tired of my voice by now.”
“Of course not,” said Karlie, “I’ve been okay. Life hasn’t been as eventful for me as for you, but I’m doing just fine.”
“Where are your parents?” asked Taylor, “I really want to see them. They were so sweet.”
“They were sweet, weren’t they? I really want to see them, too,” said Karlie sadly.
“I’m so sorry,” said Taylor as she realized the meaning behind Karlie’s words, “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine.” And Karlie smiled sadly.
“I’ve been up to other things you know,” Karlie continued, “I’ve been brushing up on my cooking. I’m one heck of a cook now.” She smiled a brighter smile at Taylor.
“I can see! That dinner was delicious,” said Taylor brightly.
They moved past the topic of sadness and death and onto the future – and Taylor still did not mention Mark.
All too soon, it was too late for Taylor to stay any longer, so she stood up to leave, and Karlie escorted her to the door.
“Thank you for the lovely evening,” said Taylor.
