Memories of Tomorrow (Original, English Version)

14 - Oliver Taylor

Everything’s working well until I got distracted again. Well, it was a distracted Lee that distracted me. I don’t think she’s feeling well.

I stopped Aya when she walked by my booth.

“Is something wrong with Lee?”

She glanced at Lee by the kitchen counter, somewhat spacing out.

“I’m not sure. She said she’s just thinking. Maybe something’s bothering her, I don’t know. She’ll be fine.”

I can only stare at Lee. She didn’t budge from the counter, but she assisted Aya with the orders coming out of the kitchen.

I tried to focus on my work again. I had to decide on a few proposals for next week’s presentation.

When it was time to go, I walked with Lee home.

“You seem bothered.” I stated as we walk side by side. Lee was quiet. She used to start our conversations.

“What’s your position in the company?” She suddenly asked, which effectively caught me off guard.

“I’m the head of one of the departments.” She took two seconds before she stopped walking. She stared at me.

“You’re obviously lying.” I was suddenly nervous because of her statement. I’m not sure if I should tell her the truth about my work. I don’t want her to think of it as a big deal.

“Alright, I own a small company.” Not too big a lie. I do own the company, but I guess you won’t call it small. She didn’t continue walking.

“If Taylor Industries is small, what would you consider a big company?” I froze at her question. She knew.

“How did you know?” I sighed, defeated.

“Aya taught me how to use Google.” She answered matter of fact.

“I was going to tell you, but… I don’t want you to feel I’m out of your league. That we’re not on the same league.” I noticed her frown.

“I guess it’s just shocking. I didn’t realize I’m friends with a millionaire. It’s too much to get my head around into.” She resumed walking, I followed.

“Does it bother you?” I asked.

“A little. I don’t have that many wealthy friends.” She winced. “Scratch that. I don’t have that many friends. I don’t have wealthy friends, and you’re on the extreme side of that spectrum.”

“I hope it doesn’t change anything.”

“I’ll try.” I let it go.

The following morning, I went to her house. We have a date and I’m taking her to an amusement park. I told Cara that it’s for kids. But she was like… so? Lee doesn’t remember if she’d been there. She’ll have fun.

I knocked a few times, calling her name, before the door opened. She looked like she just woke up.

“What is it?” She asked, squinting at me.

“Good morning, beautiful. We planned a date today, didn’t we?” I like to see her this way, too. She’s not too conscious of her appearance, even when she stayed at my house.

She opened the door wide and beckoned me to come in.

“If I remember correctly, you said Saturday afternoon. This is like one of the two days we’re allowed to sleep in.” She went back to her bed and covered herself with a blanket. In no time, she’s asleep again. I frowned; did I really say Saturday afternoon?

“Can I borrow your key? I’ll just go out to buy breakfast.” She didn’t answer, but she poked her hand out to point at her bag under the mini-table. I took it as a sign of permission.

I looked inside her bag and found a ring of keys. I tried to find which one is for the front door.

“I’ll just get breakfast. I’ll be back.” I told Lee before going out. She only groaned in answer.

I went to Tracy’s to order breakfast to go. I saw Gary in the kitchen.

“You guys work in the morning, too?” I asked when he stopped to chat.

“Some of us in the kitchen work full time. Today is Marlon’s day-off. Mine’s tomorrow. What’s up with you today?”

“I’m taking Lee to the amusement park. I forgot we agreed to go in the afternoon. I’m getting her breakfast instead.”

He nodded. “It’s good to know that girl is starting to have a life. If she’s left alone, she’ll just sleep the weekend off.”

“Really? I thought she’s likely to go around, visit stores and places.”

“She’ll go if Aya invites her. Now that you’re here, I think she only goes out when someone invites her. Keep inviting her. She’ll eventually feel comfortable outside.”

“Planning on it.” A ring on the kitchen counter signaled that my order has come out.

Gary wrapped it up and handed the package to me.

“Here you go. Enjoy breakfast. Do you have a milkshake there? It’s her favorite.”

“Oh, really? I should get one.” He nodded and turned to prepare it. Cookies and cream milkshake.

When I returned to Lee’s apartment, she’s still sleeping. I sat in front of her mini-table, reached out to a book under the table and began reading. It was a novel. I chuckled as I remembered the story as I read. The prince and the pauper by Mark Twain. The book is fairly old, looking torn and well-read. I was half-way through the story when Lee sat up. She squinted at my direction, then froze.

“We did agree on a Saturday afternoon, right?” her tone is apologetic.

“Yes, we did. I brought you breakfast instead. I had nothing to do so I just stayed.”

She eyed the package on her table. “I’ll just take a shower. I’m sorry.” She rummaged through a drawer for a set of clothes.

“Don’t be. Would you like to have coffee first?” I opened the package to take the coffees out, and the milkshake. I should probably reheat the coffee.

“Can I use your kettle?” I asked.

“Feel at home.” She sat down for a minute to take a sip of the milkshake. Cold beverage in the morning, huh? But then again, it’s almost noon. She dashed into the bathroom.

I started setting the food on her table. We’ll eat as soon as she comes out. I could hear the water from the shower. I know I shouldn’t be imagining her under it. I groaned. Focus, Oliver.

She came out wearing jeans and a white shirt. A towel is wrapped around her head.

She plopped down across the table. She audibly inhaled.

“It smells amazing. Where did you get these?” She asked.

“Tracy’s.” I raised an eyebrow at her. “Where do you usually eat breakfast?”

“There’s coffee and bread at the office where I work as a secretary.”

“You eat on the job?” I want to clarify.

“Yes. Lunch is also free. Our boss orders from the diner beside the office.”

Now I know why her kitchenette is not loaded with equipment and utensils. She only has two plates, two sets of spoon and fork, two mugs, two water glasses and two small bowls. She noticed me taking stock of her kitchenette.

“Then you eat dinner at Tracy’s.”

“Yes. Fortunately, I don’t spend much of my earnings on food. It mostly goes to my rent and utilities. Can I have the bacon and egg?”

“Please. Take what you want. They’re for you.” She gave me wide eyes.

“Surely I’m not meant to eat all these.” I grinned at her reaction.

“No, I’ll help you finish them all. Give me anything.” She pushed a sausage and egg combination towards me. She divided the pancakes into two. I can tell she likes it, with butter and syrup. She also divided the toasts, and the chicken fillet. She set the salad between us.

“So, where are we going? You’re too early.” She finally asked.

“Well, have you been to the amusement park?” I asked tentatively. Her eyes actually sparkled.

“That place with the swan in the pond? And the Ferris wheel? Booths with games. Mini-theater?” She asked excitedly.

“Yeah, would you like that?”

“Of course. I’ve never been there. And you need someone to go with you on the swan. And I’m not sure if I’m afraid of heights, so I haven’t tried the Ferris wheel on my own either. The games should be fun. Darts. Balloons. I want to win a stuffed toy.”

“Good. I thought you wouldn’t want to go. It’s mostly for kids and youngsters.”

She stared at me as she took a bite on a fillet. “I’m still young.” She declared.

I had to smile at her, “I guess, so am I.”

It was before noon when we arrived at the park.

“So, would you like the swan?”

“It’s going to be really hot in the water right now. But I guess it will be too crowded later. Let’s go.” She grabbed my hand and I had to smile inside. I didn’t ask for holding hands, but she initiated. Though it only lasted for a short time.

Pedaling the swan for direction was a little crazy. We got wet from the splashes of water from other swans and the drizzle from the fountain. Lee was laughing so hard, every time we’re having a hard time turning the swan’s direction, she just laughs out loud. Eventually, we were able to direct the swan back to the starting line. We were tired and wet but clearly having fun.

“We should take a break. Try some booths over there.” I directed her towards the area filled with booths, mostly are about hitting a target. Darts to balloons. Toy g*n to dummy pictures of clowns or fish. We stopped at one.

“How many hits do I have to make to get a little cow?” Lee asked the man behind the counter and pointed to a blue stuffed cow.

“I should go first. The guy should get what the girl wants.” I stated.

“Hit five out of seven. Hit seven, you get the big teddy. That would be five dollars a set.”

She watched on the side, “No pressure, Taylor.” She teased, leaning on the counter and watching the dummy pictures.

I fired one but missed. I also missed the second. Just one more miss and I lose. I didn’t realize this would be more nerve-wrecking than a project presentation. I go for the third and I exhaled my breath. Hit. Four more, Oliver. I just had to… well, missed again.

Lee didn’t tease but she asked for a set as well. She had this serious expression on her face as she held the toy g*n. Surprisingly, she fired the first one on the ground.

“Does that count?” I asked the man on the counter. He nodded. Why did she waste one shot? But my concern was for nothing. Lee fired the next five shots perfectly hitting targets. She was elated, while I’m shocked. She put the g*n down on the counter.

“I’ll get the blue cow, please.” The man was also shocked.

“Don’t you want to hit six? You can take the small bear.”

“No, I want the cow.” She answered politely, smiling from ear to ear. I’ve seen that maniacal smile before.

“Did you remember something?” I asked when we started walking to a different booth.

“You can tell?” She looked surprised.

“In a way.” I stopped us from walking. “Do you want to tell me?” Her expression changed into one of excitement.

“I don’t know if it’s a good thing. But I feel like I’ve used a g*n before. I feel like I remembered how it’s assembled, then when I pointed it to a target, I get this feeling of calm and nervousness at the same time. Like hitting the target would be a good thing and missing would be dangerous.” She rushed to say, she’s wringing her hands as she told me. I stopped them by holding them. The toy looks cute.

“I’m happy for you. Maybe you’re part of the police department.” Then she winced.

“Or maybe I’m a criminal, that would be a bad thing.”

I pulled her closer. “Hey, you’re a kind person. You have a good soul. I know you’re not a criminal. Remember when you fired the first shot to the ground? Why do you think that is?” I asked, wanting her to rationalize it.

She shook her head slowly, “I don’t know.”

“Maybe you want to make sure the g*n’s just a toy. You don’t want to fire it only to find that it’s real and that you might hurt someone beyond the booth. It’s a good thing.”

“Does the police do that?” She inquired. I shrugged, not sure either.

“But it’s a good explanation, no?” I urged her. Finally, she nodded and smiled again.

“Why do you want the cow?” I pointedly looked at the toy. It’s not as cute as the bear.

“It reminds me of you. I’m giving it to you.” She held the toy towards me, an expectant look on her face. I laughed a little as I took it.

“Why?” She shrugged.

“I just do. When I saw it, I saw you in it. It’s cute.” She stared at the toy in my hand.

“Will you keep it?” She asked shyly.

“Of course. It’s my favorite toy.” My statement made her laugh again. I stared at the stuffed cow again, yeah, it looks cute when you stare at it for long.

“Cars are men’s toys.” She commented.

“I should get you one as well.”

She teased me, then. “If you can, but no pressure.” We tried the darts on balloons this time. She beat me to it. She’s good at darts as well. She asked for a small green zebra.

“You don’t like bears?” I asked, staring at the stuffed animal she’s carrying. She shook her head slowly while watching me.

“Where should we go next?” We looked around.

“Are you hungry yet?” I asked, but she turned to walk towards a food stand.