Memories Of A Winter Story

A New Chapter Of An Old Story

"You pinky swear?"

"Pinky swear."

As I open my bedroom window, the cold winter air flows into my lungs causing me to let out a dry cough. I've never been one to ever like the cold but the thought of winter makes me want to grab a hot cup of coffee – specifically a café au lait, build myself a pillow fort in front of my fireplace, then finally topping everything off with my favorite warm fluffy blanket. This time of the year is and will always be my favorite, since I actually have a valid reason as to why I never go outside. But this year was going to be different. Since I just moved here a week ago, I thought I might as well walk around town or maybe drive to the city and explore some stuff there for a bit. It may be a bit of a bother but it's not like I have anything else to do other than sleep, eat, and play games anyways.

I get dressed, grab my jacket, and finally open the lightly decorated door – I step outside and the cold dry wind instantly hits me, sending chills down my spine. "Jeez..this place is colder than Redlands. I guess the weather in Petaluma is just 90% cold." I say to myself as my breath lets out thin smoke due to the insanely cold weather. I take out my keys from my pockets and lock the front door. I turn to see 3 kids - possibly siblings playing in their front yard. I moved here a week ago but I barely know any of my neighbors. So far I only know the kind old lady that lives on my right. 

"Jace! Perfect timing!" I hear a familiar voice call out my name. I look to my right and see the kind old lady. "Speak of the devil" I think to myself. "Good morning, Mrs. Andrew!" I say happily. I've never really liked having neighbors. I've just never been very fond of them – but Mrs. Andrew is an exception. "I made some Christmas cookies. Would you be a dear and come in and have some?" she asks with that warm smile. "Sure. I'd love to" I say smiling back at her.

Mrs. Andrew's house was heavily decorated with a bunch of Christmas decorations. An inflatable snowman in the right corner of the room, a somewhat big Christmas tree in the middle surrounded by two circular couches. Her house looked bigger and tidier compared to mine – granted, I did buy the cheapest one on the block. I've never been inside of Mrs. Andrew's house before so this was the first. 

"Go wait over there, Jace dear. I'll go make some hot chocolate while I'm at it!" "Oh, you don't have to. Really its fine" I say, politely declining the offer. "Oh~! But I insist!" I give her the 'i-know-no-matter-what-i-say-you-will-still-do-it-anyway-so-I'll-just-say-yes-' look, signaling her I give up. She gives me a cheeky smile and happily went to her kitchen to make some hot cocoa. I was so distracted by the decorations and Mrs. Andrew, I actually forgot to take off my jacket. I guess that explains the sudden heat.

A few minutes pass by, and me and Mrs. Andrew were having a blast talking to each other about our families, where we came from, and just our interests in general while eating her extremely delicious Christmas cookies and some hot cocoa. I never thought I'd have so much fun talking to a 72 year old lady and for a someone her age, she's actually pretty cool and weirdly relaxing to talk to.

 We had been talking for 2 hours straight. I helped her wash the dishes and finally take my leave. I close the bright red door, now checking my phone; "11:30 AM". "Time really does fly-" I get cut off. Suddenly I bump into someone. I immediately apologize and continue to walk to my car – is what I would've done if the person I bumped into didn't grab my hand before I could walk away. A familiar but rather plaintive voice suddenly speaks up "Cason..?"