Times and Memories (Part 2)

(This is part 2 of Times and Memories. Part 1 is in the post written before this.)

The car made a smooth turn into one of the parking lots of the local mall and came to a stop. She was jolted out of her thoughts at the lack of movement. Pushing away from the door, she let out a soft yawn while glancing at the person next to her. “Why are we stopping here?” She had assumed they were going to head directly to their destination.

“I’ve got to get some stuff they wanted. You can wait here in the car. I won’t be long,” the man beside her answered as he got out of the car. Sighing, she sat there silently for a few moments before the silence got to her. Grasping the car handle, she swung the car door open.

“Fresh air,” she sighed at the cool breeze that caressed her face. Squinting her eyes, she looked up into the cloudless sky where the sun was shining brightly. Laugher filled the open spaced car park as families loaded their cars with their groceries. Closing her eyes, she tried to take it all in to try and forget what was waiting for her a few miles away.

Taking in a deep breath, she slowly breathed out, counting every second that went by in an attempt to keep her mind occupied. It was almost working until a familiar voice called for her.

“Moon, is that you?” the voice came out unsure at first but when she opened her eyes to look at the female, the voice grew stronger, sounding more convinced. “Oh my god, Moon it is you!”

“Amber!” she herself could not hide the joy that filled her voice. Opening her arms, she hugged her old friend enthusiastically. “Oh it’s so good to see you.”

“How have you been? Where is that man of yours? When did you arrive? Are you here to visit her?” Amber shot all those questions at her. She couldn’t help but laugh at Amber’s string of questions.

“I’m fine. Came in today and yes I am here to visit her,” she quickly answered all the questions tactfully ignoring the second one altogether.

Amber held her at arms length and took one good look at her. “God you look good. The city suits you fine I suppose.”

“I enjoy it there but it’s good to back here,” she blatantly lied to her childhood friend. There was nothing good about her returning here.

“Well I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you. God knows it’ll do her some good,” Amber winked at her friend obviously pleased at having this surprise reunion. She had missed her friend when she had returned back to their hometown two years back. At that time, Amber had been away at her grandmother’s funeral. It had been some time since they had last talked and Amber could clearly remember the conversation despite how short it had been.
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“Amber!” she squealed in delight at hearing her friend’s voice. “I didn’t think you’d call!”

“Are you kidding me? My best friend has just gotten a job at the New York Times as a journalist! Of course I’d call,” Amber was perky as usual and the excitement in her voice was infectious.

“I know! Can you believe it? I start first thing tomorrow and I’ve got my own desk and all!” At that, both the girls screamed into the phone.

“You should know that everyone here is real proud of you Faith.”

A smile formed upon Faith’s tan skin as she took it all in. She knew how proud her parents were of her but to hear her friend say it just made her want to jump up and down in excitement. Instead, she composed herself and spoke calmly into the phone, “Please tell everyone I miss them Amber and tell them Ray and I send our love.”

“Will do, darling! And don’t forget to call!” Amber screamed into the phone before both girls laughed and bid their farewells.

“So? Which do you think I should wear? This or the first one?” In stormed Ray, ruining any chance of peace Faith thought she could have. And in an odd way, Faith wouldn’t have it any other way. Clicking the phone back into place, Faith turned to stare at her sister who stood in the middle of their apartment dressed in a black cocktail dress. The one piece attire was something Faith would never wear for it was entirely too revealing but Ray was the confident one who loved to dress her best. Toss Faith a pair of jeans any day and she’d be happy.

“Um…I think the first one was cute but this,” before Faith could complete her sentence, Ray cut her off.

“Cute? I don’t want to look cute! Faith, I have to look sophisticated not cute!” Ray plopped onto the white couch that lay in front of the plasma television. “Damien is a famous lawyer,” Ray stressed on the word lawyer before carrying on, “And he’s taking me to a restaurant for our one month anniversary. I have to look my best!” Faith could see that her sister was whining and grinned to herself.

“You didn’t let me finish idiot. What I meant to say was the first one was cute but this one makes you look classy.” And it was true. The sleeveless cocktail dress had a deep V-cut in the front that ended just below her bosom. The silk-like clothe was gathered at the point the neckline ended only to fall in cascades of black material, ending just above Ray’s knees.

Upon hearing that, Ray’s smile returned and her emerald eyes shone brightly. Jumping up from where she was seated, she skipped over to the body length mirror on the wall and made a spin. “You really think it’s nice?”

Returning her sister’s smile, Faith walked over to the bane of her existence and placed her hands on her sister’s shoulders. One pair of emerald eyes looked into another pair before Faith whispered conspiringly, “I wouldn’t be surprised if he dropped to one knee and proposed marriage right there and then.”
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