Old Memories

A cold breeze, the warm sun, a lazy afternoon.

The lazy weather draws out a long yawn from me. Eyes watering.

"Go upstairs."

I hug a cushion in my silent defiance.

"Want eggs?"

I nod.

"Fried?"

"Pouched if it isn't too much trouble."

*Ding Dong*

Our quiet harmony is abruptly broken.

We both exchange puzzled looks.

I get up to get the door in my confusion.

She raises her hand to signal me to stop.

"It's my house." It comes out a little sharp.

"Um. I meant whoever it is, is likely looking for me." She provides an awkward explanation. One she didn't owe me, yet it warms my heart.

A toothy grin.

*Ding Ding*

The bell beckons her.

From the couch I can see it's an overenthusiastic woman, forcing a tray of cookies on the slightly uncomfortable Madam.

I snicker, to which she gives me a death glare over her shoulder.

It's been a minute or two, I'm surprised the woman hasn't left yet.

I walk over behind. Seeing me come over, the woman's chatter pauses, as her eyes move from the Madam to me, the Madam turns to follow the woman's gaze.

I extend a handshake.

She smiles.

"Lovely to make your acquaintance. I'm Anya."

I shake her hand with a slightly stiffer smile.

This time it was the Madam snickering.

"Anya,..."

I pause to look at madam.

"...pretty name. I'm Jaeha."

Anya looks between the Madam and I.

"I'm her..."

"Tenant." Madam cuts in with a calm, composed explanation.

This woman, she sure knows how to cut without drawing blood.

I smile.

"I see."

She doesn't pry.

"We moved in next door and wanted to say Hi."

She hands the try of cookies to me.

"And offer these as goodwill."

She shines a big smile at the two of us.

"I'll see you two around."

And just like that walks away.

What a strange girl.

"What a strange girl." Madam speaks my words out loud.

I stare at the cookies in my hand.

"Pouched?" From behind me.

I turn.

"Yes, that would be lovely." And so we return to our domestic mundanity.

The temperature drop by the evening feels harsh.

Fog everywhere. I hand her a cup of coffee while taking a seat next to her.

"Thank you."

Each breath produces smoke.

"Anna."

I pause mid sip.

"How is she?"

"Hopefully well."

We hadn't spoken about her in awhile. Didn't really have any reason to.

"You abandoned her."

I couldn't look her in the eye to deny her words.

"She's a grown woman."

"You made her trust you and then abandoned her." Again.

Usually she wouldn't push it so much.

"She's been informed that I am dead. She's moved on."

"Ah, that's what you meant." She jeers.

"No closure."

Her tone was neutral but her eyes were dripping venom.

"It's for the best."

With a look of displeasure, as if looking at something rotten.

"Perhaps."

"Men are truly trash."

She laments, as she takes a sip of coffee while looking out into the mountains.