-Arrival-
I sat outside in the beautiful weather today while I waited for Forest to arrive. I look at my watch, quarter to twelve. I normally come to The Raven every so often to take in the world, drink tea and write up ideas for my novel, but today is different. Among the faces I could not recognize, the blurs of life passing by me, one stood out most of all. It was as if time had stood still for all of these years. I stand up. I don't say a word. I look at my old friend, and I take his hand. He looks me in the eye. My emotions swell up and I embrace him. Oh, how the memories came rushing back. We sat down and he ordered the old usual, english breakfast and an almond biscotti. We went on and on about this and that just like we did during yesterday's phone conversation. Then I finally was able to squeeze in the question, the question that had been aching me all night long.
-Change-
I asked him why he was here, in The Unconscious, of all places. He should be halfway around the world by now. He told me that he had to tell me in person, that it was extremely important. He was getting married. My heart sank. The years have gone by so fast. He finally proposed to Rose. I can still remember when he first told me the news of their relationship. I shook is hand, holding back tears, and told him congratulations. But then he asked me something. He asked me to be his best man. I smiled. I opened my mouth to tell him I would be honored. No words came out. I tried again. Silence. He looked at me. Hurt. I tried to tell him I couldn't speak. He started to stand up and walk away. I got up and ran toward him. I reached out to grab him but I couldn't move. He looked back at me, his face blurred. I could not recognize him anymore. Before my very eyes, he dissolved into sand. As I tried to call out his name, I woke up in a deep sweat. I look at the clock. 3:00 AM. I tried to call Forest around nine. No answer. Around ten o'clock. Nothing. At eleven, I went to The Raven. He never showed up. When I got home around four, I looked through an old photo album, reminiscent. But something was off. There wasn't a single picture of Forest and I. It's as if he had never existed.
