Selene's latest Gift. (Chapter 6)
"Then, he told me to throw the coffee beans on the floor, because they need to be grounded first to make coffee grounds!"
She snickers lightly with growing intensity, slapping Davidβs arm as she loses it. All while he chuckles at her cheesy words.
"Sounds like a nightmare, dealing with so many different people at the same time." David barely let out, still recovering from Emmaβs story.
"Ah, all good times hun, trust me." She hugs David while holding his arm.
While walking through the park, theyβre both hit with the blossoming fragrance of fresh dew lying lightly on the lush grass. The feeling of the new year still lingered on their skin. Their time being occupied by frequently seeing each other has made the previous year speed by without realizing. They both sighed together as they reached a tidy grass field. David lifted his arm, pointing behind Emma. She humored him with a smile, turning around to see an ancient oak tree standing alone in the midst of the field. Its branches swooped lower than usual.
"There, thatβs the spot I was thinking about." David drops his arm, smiling harder than ever before, turning to Emma.
"Though, I remember it looking healthier."
They walk over to the tree. David places a blanket at the trunk; Emma places the picnic bag. They sit facing each other. Emma looks around, her lips curled upwards, nodding her head.
"Fancy place you got here hun." Β
"Ahh it's whatever, just got my deposit back, actually." David shrugs her comment off, imitating her with his hand.
"Iβm being serious! Itβs peaceful, relaxing- whatβs there not to like?" She said, holding her crossed legs.
"Mm, I'll believe your sincerity this one time. It is a nice place. I used to... uh, I'm actually not sure what I used to do here. But I remember it." Davidβs brows clench, desperately trying to recall.
"Oh? Is this another thing you canβt remember?" She lets go of her crossed legs, leaning over and placing a hand on his knee.
"Another... thing? Wait, thereβs multiple?" Davidβs brows tense, his face scrunching up in confusion.
"Erm yeah? Like us spending New Yearβs Eve together, you and I going out for a drink for the first time, you meeting my parents. Even the street I live on, youβve forgotten hun.β she factually spoke, using her fingers to count each example.
"Damn, thatβs...scary... I didnβt know there was so much I was forgetting... Iβm sorry Emma." David looks away from her. Balling up his hand out of guilt.
"Oh no David, donβt. Itβs okay, I understand. I just wish you told me earlier about your accident." She places her hand on his, feeling each otherβs warmth
"...Which you donβt remember either, right? Her voice was soft as she approached him.
"Itβs really fuzzy. I only remember being in my car, I think. Thatβs really it.β he clenched Emmaβs hand.
They look into each otherβs eyes. David draws in a deep breath through his chest, slowly exhaling through his nose. Nodding at Emma as he lets go, leaning back on his palms, stretching his legs out.
Emma places a finger on her chin. "Hm, actually Iβm interested. What DO you remember hun?" Emma spoke, eagerly leaning forward to listen to David's words.
David took a moment to look up into the deep blue sky, drawing in any and all thoughts to remember.
"Well, for whatever reason, the latest day I can 100% remember and recall, is the 21st of September back in 2024... I remember being in my house, waking up to go to work. I think I got a call from my boss calling me into work quicker or something along those lines. I took my keys and left. Thatβs all I remember from before. So... I lost 6 months of memories when I got in the accident. Ever since, everything has slipped my mind a lot more easily than normal." He spoke with somberness.
"Wow... that must be really scary. Iβm so sorry David." She moves over to David, embracing him deeply once more.
"Youβre so brave David. Iβm so proud of you hun." she finishes, embracing him harder.
"Thanks, Emma. That means a lot to me." David embraces her back.
"How about your parents? What do they think about it?"
She says, letting go.
"They wanted me to spend a lot more time with them, but I canβt just go back to them. They're far and it's a pain in my ass to reach them." He begrudgingly admitted. His tone weakening.
"Iβm so sorry, David. Is there anything I can do?" She places her hands on Davidβs face, pulling him into eye contact.
"No, itβs alright. I got pretty lucky surviving and recovering from it. Iβm fine with just having that. I promise." he swallows a knot down his throat. Breathing deep once more into a slow exhale, regaining his tone.
"Right...okay." She withdraws herself back into her crossed leg position.
"Anyway, Iβm not sure but I think Iβm starting to remember what I did here, but take what I say with a grain of salt... I think I used to come here to like, think, have a clear mind maybe, like peace in being alone if that makes sense."
"Of course that makes sense hun I like this place. Itβs disconnected from everything, itβs quiet, it feels slow. Like, me being here, nothing else seems to move, like nothing is bothering me, and Iβm not bothering anything. Itβs perfect hun." she poured out while looking around the scenery.
"Yeah, it is, isnβt it?" He smiles at her. He too looks around at the scenery, then is given the response of a gentle breeze passing by them.
