The Journal of Memories

“Oh my god!”

I heard Luna from upstairs yell. She has been up there for twenty minutes already.

I should have picked a crappier house. She probably won’t want to leave here.

I heard footsteps coming down the stairs and into the kitchen, “Look what I found!”

I turned around to see her in a long black gown with sparkles. She had combed her hair neat against her head and she also had a long, silver necklace with a green stone around her neck. It matched her bright eyes perfectly. She twirled, “What you think?”

I laughed, “I think you would look better without the gauze wrapped around your arms. You look like a weirdo.”

She chuckled, “You are so mean. I wish I was stuck with someone else to talk to.”

I pushed a cup of tea towards her, “Drink your tea. It’s going to get cold.”

She sat down on one of the stools and picked up her cup. I sat down too, “You do look nice though.”

She held a hand to her ear, “I am sorry. I didn’t hear you actually being nice for once.”

I let out a sigh, “You are pretty in that dress. Are you happy now?”

She gave me a bright smile, “Yes. Thank you.”

I rubbed my arms from the cold. I was still in my wet clothes and it was starting to get cold again without being next to the fire.

“Oh my god! I am sorry I forgot you haven’t changed clothes yet,” She jumped off the stool and walked over to me, “Go upstairs and take a warm shower. I laid an outfit out for you.”

I chuckled, “Okayyy mom.”

She pushed me towards the door, “Oh honey you haven’t seen my true mom side yet. But, you will if you don’t get your butt upstairs right now.”

I laughed again, walking out of the kitchen and up the staircase. There were jeans, a long sleeve shirt, and a long trench coat laid out on the bed in one of the giant bedrooms.

Of course they are all black. She knows me so well already. I wear some color once in awhile.

I walked into the bathroom that was almost the same size of the bedroom. Turning on the shower and jumping in felt like my whole body was defrosting. My shower was about twenty minutes and I threw on the clothes she picked for me. They were a little big but were comfy and warm.

As I walked down the stairs I heard Luna playing with Macy in the living room. I stayed by the entryway watching her. She had changed out of the gown and was now wearing black pants and dark, purple sweater. Her smile was big as Macy was pushing her on the ground, licking her face. The fire’s light was making a warm glow around her.

She looks the most happy since I have been with her. If only we could stay like this forever.

She noticed me, “Ben get in here and play with this adorable dog!”

She gave me a big smile as I sat next to her on the ground, laughing when Macy instantly started licking me too. Macy finally stopped and curled up next to the fire. Luna let out a sigh, “I wish we could stay here. I feel somewhat normal again.”

“Yeah, it’s nice to relax a bit and have fun.”

She looked around, her eyes dimming, “It’s weird to think that somewhere out there are the people who live here. They probably don’t even know that this is their house... Just think of it, they are probably out there like we were. Cold and nowhere to go.”

My eyes connect with hers, “Maybe we should leave something for them. Like a thank you note. After all their house has really helped us. Things won’t be this way forever. They will come back home and get to live their lives again.”

Her eyes went back to brightness, “Yeah that sounds like a great idea. How about we do it before we leave.”

The fire was going down and making the room darker due to the snow outside. Luna let out a yawn, “I think I am going to bed soon. How about you?”

I looked down at my hands, “Yeah definitely. The fire is almost out too.”

We both stood up and walked up the stairs with Macy walking at my legs. We both stood at the top, staring at each other. Luna reached over and hugged me, “Good night Ben.”

I was surprised but hugged her back, “Night.”

We both separated into different rooms. I crawled into the bed enjoying the warmth from all the blankets. I soon drifted asleep.

Morning came quickly as the sun shone through the window. I let out a yawn, stretching my arms and legs. Hoping out of bed, I looked out the window, seeing the snow has cleared up.

Thank god. I don’t think I could handle more snow.

I walked down stairs to see Luna had already made pancakes and was sitting at the counter eating. I pulled up a stool, “I thought you didn’t eat breakfast that much.”

She chuckled, “Well I made a exception to eat with you this morning.”

She pushed a plate towards me, which I happily took, digging into the fluffy pancakes. I looked over at Macy as she was chewing on her own pancakes on the ground. I shook my head, “You are going to make her fat one of these days.”

Luna let out a laughed, “I know but she was begging me the whole time I was making them. It was too hard not to give her any.”

I laughed too and continued eating. Luna stopped again, “I never asked. Where did you find her?”

I swallowed my food, “I found her in Central Park under some rebel. She was my neighbor’s dog and I couldn’t just leave her there.”

She nodded and stayed silent for a moment.

“Oh yeah!,” She reached behind her, grabbing a piece of paper, “I starting the thank you note. I wanted you to read over it and sign it before it was finished.”

Oh, I never told her. She’s probably going to think I am stupid.

She noticed my change in mood, “What’s wrong Ben?”

“I-I forgot how to... read. I can remember a lot of things like how I loved to read and simple things but... when I tried reading again. The words just looked like scribbles and dots.”

Her mood changed too, “I am sorry... That must feel horrible not being able to do something you love. I will read it to you then.”

I smiled.

Thank god she understands.

“Dear people who live here, I am sorry but we had to use your house for the night. It was cold outside from the snow and your home gave us comfort. It also reminded us a little bit about what normal life is like. Thank you whoever you are. You home is truly beautiful and we hope you are able to return home safely. Signed Luna, Macy the dog and...,” She grabbed a pen scribbling down my name, “Ben.”

“That sounds good.”

“Yup another thing I do better than you, being kind and thankful,” She said while picking up our plates and beginning to wash them.

I laughed, “Ouch... I am going to pack up our stuff so we can get out of here.”

I began walking out of the kitchen but stopped when I heard a knocking noise.

What is that?

“Luna do you hear that too?”

She turned of the tap, “...Yes... It sounds like knocking.”

We both listened and followed it to a door across from the stairs. We both looked at each other, confused.

I opened the door a bit seeing a machine like thing hitting against the door.

Luna looked confused, “What is that?”

My brain was shocked.

A robot. Oh my god a robot! How is this the first one we have seen?

“It’s a robot!”

Her eyes dimmed then grew wide, “Oh my god! How could I have forgot that of all things?! Why is it hit against the door?”

I shrugged, “I am not sure. Let me open the door.”

I pushed the door open and the small robot came speeding out. We both followed it to the door. Luna looked at it weird when it went to the front door, hitting against it, “What is it doing?”

I shrugged again, opening the door. It sped down the stairs and down the street faster than we could keep up. It disappeared around a corner.

“Where is it going? And why so fast?”

I was really confused, “I don’t know.”

Why was that the first robot we have seen? And where is it going in such a hurry?