Page 14 of Embers in Our Past

“This will look perfect in my hallway, right next to that one piece you made me when I finished law school. Remember that one, it’s of Boston Harbor?” she says, and my laughter dies immediately.

“Of course I remember. But what do you mean? I painted this for me,” I say, reaching for my canvas.

“No, no. This night was about painting keepsakes for each other. You’re leaving me, and I needed something to remember you by. You need something for your new apartment that reminded you of me, and this is the perfect something, obviously.” She rolls her eyes.

“This is your something?” I ask.

“Yes, it’s gorgeous!” she exclaims.

“Obviously,” I answer, sarcasm evident.

“Hang it with pride, my friend.” She pats my cheek.

It’s hideous. But I know that if I don’t hang it up, she’ll FaceTime me and ask to see it, and if I scramble and don’t show her evidence of it, she’ll call me out on it. Then she’ll visit, and if I don’t show it to her, she’ll throw a tantrum. That’s just Marissa’s way.

“I’ll think of you each time I walk by it,” I tell her.

“Obviously,” she says, and she’s not being sarcastic.

CHAPTER 6

Abby

I lookout at the water while drinking my coffee, and I feel at home. Although I didn’t have much to unpack compared to most, it still felt like I took forever to get things out of boxes. Time has flown and I’ve now been here nearly six weeks. The moment I stepped foot on Boston soil, I felt like my heart was home.

As I was boarding my plane the night of my flight, I was nervous. Marissa had to talk me down off the ledge multiple times, making sure I made it on the plane when I was at the airport. I remember at one point; she even had me FaceTime to ensure I truly sat in my seat. But when I looked out my window as we made the descent into Boston, it felt like all the nerves dwindled, and my heart was beating for my beautiful city again.

My phone rings, and I smile the moment I hear the ringtone. “Hey Lover”by LL Cool J ricochets off the walls of my new apartment. Without looking down at my phone I know Marissa’s voice will grace me the second I hit accept.

“How’s my little Bostonian doing now that she’s back in her neck of the woods?” Marissa starts without a hello.

I laugh because she always gets me to smile. “I’m well. You know you don’t have to ask me that each time you call. I’ve been back a while now. How are you?” I’ve settled in nicely now that all the boxes are finally unpacked, and I know where everything is. It took me a while to remember where I stashed all my things after throwing the final few items in any spare space I could find.

I got antsy when I kept putting off the last boxes in the corner and gave in to simply throwing items into the cabinets where I had space. I’ll admit I haven’t ventured out much aside from a few strolls outside and getting groceries at some nearby markets. Luckily, I haven’t run into anyone I know yet, but I know it’s only a matter of time. I didn’t tell any of my friends out here that I moved back to the city.

I’m walking through the hallway, taking note of the ugly-ass picture Marissa painted on that last night we went out.

“This painting of yours is an eyesore, by the way. But it somehow brings the whole apartment together, I’ll have you know.” I chuckle into the phone.

“Oh, I bet you miss me each time you pass it.” She laughs.

“You know I do. It’s the best housewarming gift you could have given me.” I make my way to the kitchen to retrieve my second cup of coffee for the day.

“Well, you know me, I always like to be a little different with my housewarming gifts,” she says. “But that’s not my housewarming gift this time around.”

I think back to one of the gifts she sent us in the past. She mailed Clay and me a large pillow with a picture of herself on it for us to put in our first apartment together before we got married. It was the ugliest selfie, displaying a clay mask and alien headband. It legit made us jump anytime we moved it throughout the house. Clay got a kick moving that pillow all over the place just to see me lose it each time I’d walk into a room.

“Oh, I can’t wait to see what amazing item you’re adding to my new place.” Maybe it’s a life-size cutout of Matt Damon or something.

“Here’s the thing. It’s not quite an item but an experience,” she says hesitantly.

“I will not go skydiving, Marissa. Absolutely not!” She tried to get me to do it once, and I swear, as much as I love her, I refuse to do it.

“No, not that. You think I’d miss watching you jump out of a plane and not be there to witness that? Come on! No, this one you have to agree to before I tell you what it is, but remember, life is short, and we have to live life to the fullest. Also, remember how awesome your best friend is and that you moved back to your favorite city because I convinced you to.”

“Oh yes, you are the best, oh wise one,” I tell her, laughing between sips of coffee.

“So, you agree to my gift?” The way she sounds, I know she’s up to something, but my curiosity is piqued.

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