We'll always have Paris

I sprinted out of the theater. I had to find my mom before she left town for good. I couldn’t remember where she lived. I couldn’t remember her phone number. If I didn’t stop her before she left, I could never make up for the time lost between us. I headed towards the end of the street and went straight for the hospital. Maybe she hadn’t left, or maybe the doctor could help me find her. If the doctor got past the fact that I ran away... It wouldn’t matter. Nothing would get in my way. I rounded the corner and nearly ran into another girl. Something was bothering her, as I nearly knocked her over and she just passed by without so much as a glance. I watched as she headed towards the apartments deep in thought. I came to realizing my purpose and turned. Again, I nearly ran into another person. He looked every bit determined and enraged. Yet another passing without acknowledgement. I can’t imagine how I ever got along in such a place...

Without many other distractions, I finally made it to the hospital.
“Doctor, quick is that woma... my mom still here?”
“Oh there you are! You know, it’s not good for a patient to go running off mid-treatment.”
“Okay, whatever, I know. Please, my mom?”
“She left after you ran away.”
“Do you know where she was heading?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch her life story.”
“Well look, I’m sorry I ran away, but I’m a little bit confused right now. I can’t remember most things, but I do know I need to find her.”
“...I’m sorry I really don’t know.”

The tears just wouldn’t stop coming. I failed my father, and now my mom would forever think I hated her. I didn’t even know how bad I had treated her. All my plans of using this amnesia and starting anew completely went down the drain. Now I was stuck in this stupid town with no recollection of where a live for a start. I headed back for the theater, the only home I apparently had left. Sirens blazed by as I went back across the street. People were crowding around the apartment building as police ran inside. Here I was feeling sorry for myself, when someone in that very building was seemingly having a much worse day than I. I couldn’t go on like this. I had to get over it. I missed my chance, but I could learn for the future. Forgive and forget. I had to from now on.

I opened the doors to the theater and realized I heard a tv on in one of the nearby rooms. I had forgotten to lock the doors... I creeped up to the room and slowly opened the door. The person in front of the tv was facing away. I took another step when the person jumped up and turned around.
“Heather!! I scared the heck out of me! I was so worried about you. I had no idea where you were, so I came here. I thought since your father loved movies so much, maybe you were here.. but then I heard about a murder! There was a murder, and you were out there all alone with no memory of anything. What if it had been you? What was I to do! If you had been killed or anyth..”
“Mom.. It’s okay. I remember enough now. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for how I treated you before. Although I can’t remember it, I know it can’t have been good. I understand everything now. I don’t want us to be separated anymore.”
Tears came into her eyes.
“I... I never thought I would hear you say that... I’ve missed you so much... I’m sorry I left...”
Tears came into my eyes.
“It’s all my fault not yours. Can you forgive me?”
“No.”
“Oh... well...”
“No, there’s nothing for me to forgive. We both messed up and that’s that. It’s in the past. I love you. I always have.”
“I love you too mom.”
“Now what do you say we get out of this crazy town of murderers and depressed people as soon as possible?”
“I’d be up for that. This town is full of people feeling sorry for themselves. I don’t want to do that anymore. How can anyone feel sorry for themselves, when there’s a family out there dealing with a death? That’s much worse than anything I can be dealing with. I don’t know why I ever came here.”
“Let’s go sweetheart. Here’s the start of a new life for us both, no, here’s the start of a new adventure. Here’s looking at you kid.”

Forgive me for ever having mistrusted you, darling. But you have been a little distant these past 7 years

My mind came back to the present just as the credits rolled up the screen. Now it made sense. The spontaneous beach trip. The list of his favorite movies. That sad, sad smile... My father knew he was going to die, he knew he was sick. It was only 7 months later. Why hadn’t he told me? Was he worried about the burden it would lay on me? I couldn’t even remember what happened two weeks ago anymore, why these memories, why now?
I searched for the door to the projector room, and walked up the 7 steps to turn off the movie. My hands seemed to have the muscle memory of what to do to take off the reel. I opened up the reel case sitting on the nearby table. With 7 turns the reel was rolled up and I began packing it away. Just as I was putting the lid back on, I noticed something taped to the inside. I carefully ripped it off, and flipped it over. My name was written on the front. I unfolded it to reveal a letter.

My dear Heather,
I don’t know when, or if even, you will find this letter, but I do know that if you do, I will already be gone. I apologize for not telling you of my sickness earlier, but I didn’t have the courage. I meant to tell you on our final trip together, but alas you wore such a cute smile the whole time, I just couldn’t bare to tell you. I understand if you feel any anger towards me, but you must not feel any anger for your mother. She was forced to leave. We discussed it, and we both felt it was the best decision. I single letter can not describe the situation, so I urge you to talk to her. I know you have probably not spoken to her in a very long time, as you were known to be hard headed, but she will gladly explain to you the details. Just listen.
Remember I love you very much, and as long as you keep your imagination with movies, I will always be by your side.
Love,
Dad

I stood there, staring at the paper, for what felt like eternity, but in reality only 7 minutes passed. The paper was the last bit of my dad. His swooping handwriting, with i’s that looked more like 7’s. His last words, and he wanted me to forgive my mother. I had very few memories at this point, so I had no reason to only guess at my relationship with my own mother. Perhaps it was time to forgive and forget. Perhaps it was time for a happy ending.

We're From Out of Town

Looking at the town while I tried to find the theater from the man’s directions I realized something. I must have been insane to ever want to live in such a place. Everyone I passed either seemed a little crazed, or had a very suspicious look on their faces. I suppose people were friendly enough, but everyone I talked to obviously had something else on their mind. I certainly seemed like the town wasn’t all 100% present (mentally of course). As I looked up at the apartment building that seemed to be the focal point of the town, for the life of me I could not figure out what dragged me into the town. I started backing away when I turned around and ran right into someone, knocking them onto the pavement.
“I’m so sorry about that! I was so lost in thought,” I said to the woman as I helped her up.
“It’s no problem, really.” She looked a little bedraggled, but I don’t think it was from the fall.
“Hey haven’t I seen you somewhere... which is saying something since I can’t seem to remember a thing.”
“Oh, yeah, I think I saw you running out of the hospital this morning. You almost ran into me then too.”
“Oh.. yeah, sorry. Funny running into you again ...?”
“Spring.”
“Heather.. um.. well, I guess I’ll see you around..” I turned and walked away as quickly as possible. She obviously didn’t want anymore to do with me.
I suppose I was just as lost as everyone else in the town. Could it be that’s the reason for me fitting in and living in the town? Or did the town just do that to people?

After who-knows-how-long, I finally found the theater. The only reason I could tell it was a theater rather than an abandoned sawmill was from the kiosk tacked on the side. I walked up to the door and attempted to open it. Locked tight. There had to be answers in here. From the little I could remember, there just had to be, but I had no idea how to get in. I put my hands in the pockets of my jeans in contemplation of my next steps. There in my right pocket, was a small metal key. “There’s no way...” I put the key into the slot on the door and turned. -click- I pulled open the old rotting doors and walked in.

In the darkness my feet carried me to a huge switch on the wall. I pulled it and the whole theater came to life. The screen blinked on and a voice said, “I think you're all fucked in the head. We're ten hours from the fucking fun park and you want to bail out. Well I'll tell you something. This is no longer a vacation.” I sat down to watch the scene, just as the darkness fell in again.
        ---
His laughter was loud and bouncy. The kind of laughter that could make you laugh in itself.
“Nothing better than a good movie about a vacation, to start off a vacation!” my father said.
The hotel room was small and simple, but it was possible to hear the waves crashing on the beach. I smiled back at him. I couldn’t feel happier. We were at the beach together, and my dad had brought all of his favorite movies for a week long marathon between beach visits. Once the movie ended I asked, “Daddy, why do you like movies so much?”
“Because.. they can offer an escape or just add to the world of imagination. When I was little and whenever I had a bad day, my dad would sit me down and put in a movie I’d never seen before. I haven’t really had the opportunity to show you any movies since I’ve been working so much, that’s why I thought this vacation was a good chance.”
“Oh, that makes sense. I want to watch all the movies in the world!”
That booming laughter came again.
“Perhaps you could, but promise me this, when you’re older and you’ll be living off on your own, you’ll keep watching movies. That way I’ll always be with you.”
“I promise, cross my heart and hope to die! But you’ll always be with me anyway! I won’t have to pretend!”
All that came in response was a smile, but it wasn’t really happy. It was kind of sad...