Forgetful Memories

"Happy birthday, dear!" Willow's mother greeted her.

"Thanks, Mom." Willow smiled, her light brown bangs fell over her eyes.

Her mother waved to the kitchen table. "Sit. I will get breakfast and you can go through the mail." She walked into the kitchen. "I think there are a few cards and things for you in there!" She called back over her shoulder.

Willow pushed her bangs away with a finger and sifted through the mail. She opened a few cards from family members, friends, and her parents. An unopened envelope with her name and address on it sat further away. "Is this part of it too?" She asked, holding it up.

"Oh yes," Her mother brought a bowl of fruits and set it in front of Willow. "There's no return address, so we set it aside."

"I'll open it." She whispered. Her mother retured to the kitchen and busied herself among the food and dishes.

The envelope easily opened. She pulled a card out; the card was a sparkly pink and purple with a decorative "Happy Birthday to you!" on it. Her fingers gently opened the card and a folded letter fell out. She left it and read the writing in the card. The handwriting seemed strangely familiar, but she could not think of why.

"Dear Willow,

Happy Birthday! Enjoy your special day. I might drop by for a visit soon, not sure when yet. I said a lot more in the letter enclosed with this card, please read that."

Willow sucked in a breath and blew it out, who could this be? She picked up the letter and slowly unfolded it. The same handwriting filled most of paper. Her eyes read the writing:

"Willow,

I assume you're reading this now. Well, I want to say please don't hate me. Sorry for how I hurt you; I want to start over with you. I miss you, Willow. I miss seeing you, I miss hugging you, I miss talking with you, I most of all miss seeing your beautiful face. I again apologize for what I did to hurt you, I understand if you don't want to get back together with me. I am very sorry for hurting you.."

Willow paused, she couldn't remember who had hurt her and when. This person was obviously a guy she was dating; yet did she ever date anyone? Her mind ached to remember who this stranger was and what he did. As hard as she tried, no memories came to mind. Nothing came to her, Willow sighed and continued the letter.

"So, please find it in yourself to forgive me. I understand if you found some other guy better than me. But I wanted to say I really love you, Wil. I really do. I have so enjoyed every second we spent together, every moment we shared in silence, and every laugh or tear we've shared. You're an amazing girl, and if I had't hurt you, I would've asked you to marry me. I laugh thinking about it, but it's true. There's no one else I'd rather be with than you, Willow. I apologize again for what I did, I know it was an awful thing to do. At the time, it was for the best. But now, I realize I was wrong.

I wish you a happy 19th birthday, my love. And I hope, that if you haven't found someone else yet, you will again accept me as yours.

Love always,

Kyle"

Willow let the paper fall to the table. Her heart raced, who was this man? She stared at the scrawled signature at the bottom, Kyle. The name sounded a little familiar but she wasn't able to place why. Her mother came into the room, holding a plate with waffles. "Who was that from, dear?" She asked.

"Mom, who is Kyle?" Willow stammered over her words.

Sarah, Willow's mom, set the plate down and tilted her head. "Kyle?"

"Yes, that's who this letter is from." Willow whispered, fingering the edge of the paper.

"I have no idea, Willow." Sarah looked at the letter, her face started to turn pale, then red with anger. "You were dating someone?!" She screamed.

Willow swallowed hard. "I-I don't know!" She replied.

Sarah smacked a palm onto the table. "Is that why you were gone continually ? Is that why you always snuck out late?" Her brown eyes narrowed. "And this guy wanted to marry you, Willow! Is that why you came home crying one night, refusing to tell me what was wrong?"

"Mom! Stop!" Willow stood from her chair. "I don't remember meeting or dating or even talking to any guy named Kyle!" Her voice shook. "I don't know who he is, or how he knows me!" She rushed to the front door and grabbed the handle. "I need to go for a walk!"

"Willow, wait!" Sarah called after her.

Willow opened twisted open the doorknob and pulled the door open. In front of her stood a young man, no older than 20. His red-brown hair was smoothed back and his blue-brown eyes held surprise. He held a bouquet of flowers in one hand and was about to knock with the other. "K-Kyle?" She stammered, not knowing how she recognized or knew him, since she had no recollection of meeting him.