Locked Memories

Henry lights up a cigarette in the outskirts of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, he sighs as he witnesses day by day that this place, he’s lived in for almost a decade is finally sinking. His wife, Lila who is suffering from severe depression has done nothing but the usual: wake up, eat, sleep, and repeat. They have been married for about twelve years, but no children. It’s been a dream that they get to live by the French Quarter where they can share their common enjoyments like jazz music and the constant vibrant nightlife that it’s known for. Henry was a long-time civil engineer for a small company located in New Jersey where he met Lila. She was just an admin when he started out, they bumped into each other in the break room then the rest turned to history.

Henry walked back inside their apartment, standing by Lila as she slept. He gently puts his hand on her forehead, wondering what will happen between them as they continue to live in this crumbling environment. She turned her whole body towards him, staring in a formidable expression.

“You know the answer is going to be no”.

“But I wasn’t going to ask you anything”.

“Whatever, Henry”.

Lila rolled back to her position, ignoring Henry. He muttered under his breath “It wasn’t always like this”.

Just four years ago, the Government announced a scarcity among agriculture and necessities that humans use daily for survival. At that time, Henry does his typical morning routine as he flipped through the channels of his T.V., coming across this news. “Wow, so climate change is real”, he laughed to himself slightly. He didn’t think much of it, as he grew up in a conservative family where stuff like this hardly mattered.

Greed overtook the lives of others, where fields of what produces our food was once abundant to almost nothing. Babies pop every day, then everything needed becomes polluted. Still, hoarders love to hoard a whole Wal-Mart leaving the most vulnerable to suffer quicker. Every year we get less and less.

Luckily for Henry, he’s able to obtain some food and at least, toilet paper from his mother who has a hoarding disorder. The apartment that Henry and Lila live in currently used to be so much fuller. Or so much cleaner.

Lila loved adding new plants in addition to her plant family she once had. Every Saturday, she either brings home a new succulent or some exotic plant she finds from Home Depot or local Farmer’s Markets. Now the plants are so still, with dried up brown leaves ready to crumble so quickly once touched.

Rain has ever so gotten worse in New Orleans; there are barely any sunny days. Just rain, trinkling on the windows then to the street grounds. This has happened for over two years now, non-stop. Lila gradually became so quiet and moody for not even a specific reason. This “end of the world thing” may have gotten in her head, but it isn’t known if her family had a history line of mental health disorders.

Henry and Lila fought almost eight times a day over any little thing, nine or more maybe. The animus between them seemed to be impossible for reconciliation. Even couples therapy hadn’t helped while they had to switch counselors often.

“Lila” Henry called her name has he walked back into their bedroom.

“What do you want?”

“Lila…I just wanted to talk”.

Lila rose from where she laid, sitting, and heavily glaring at Henry.

“Do we have to go over this now?!”

“Are we going to live like this forever?” as Henry

She stood up and faced him. “You can’t be serious right. Can’t you look what’s happening around you? Are you dense?”

Henry’s voice cracked; he still held on to little hope despite losing almost everything.

“Hello?” Lila asked. Henry could barely grasp on to the right words.

“Lila, I get that we’re all probably dying soon, but all I can remember is just how happy we were”. Lila slowly unclipped her necklace, the heart shaped locket that was given to her by Henry. “You know what Henry?”, Lila gritted her teeth as she threw the locket to the ground.

The whole room turned white.

A wave of silence seemingly filled the entire surrounding area. Henry and Lila woke up to a familiar place but with fog around. It was night-time in New York City, crowds were walking past them as part of their usual rushed New York culture.

“Lila! What happened?” as Henry shrieked. Lila quickly held on to Henry’s arm.

“I don’t know! I don’t even remember what I just did.”

They were looking around aimlessly, until one thing caught their eyes. They were eyeing a couple that looked like them. No, it was them. They were holding hands, skipping through the city. But this version who looked so much younger.

After their first meeting at their previous workplace, both couldn’t help but feel as if time stopped. “I know we just met, but if you would like someday want to take a little spontaneous trip to New York?” as Lila raised her brow. Henry agreed and they decided to make it their first date that weekend.

It was a rainy Saturday in New York City, the sky so gray and packed with giant clouds as the drops gradually grew heavier. The rain filled the entire world with its cumbersome beat, suggestive in gloominess of lasting falling pools of water, that smoothly fell over the city. Henry and Lila were both running and skipping while Henry held one clear egg umbrella. They seemingly looked excited, containing wide grins on their faces; both just had coffee from Le Café Coffee where both agreed it became their favorite café.

They were happy and not just that, they fell in love. It may be a little quick, but everything felt right as time stopped. While they were different, they loved their differences in which made their day even more exhilarating. This was time before life started to slowly crumble into pieces. They stopped by a gift shop that contained admirable tokens for tourists.

Henry and Lila slowly walked around the store window shopping. One thing caught Henry’s eye. As Lila went off the wander the other side of the store, Henry stood behind her with something he hid with both arms crossed behind his back.

“Uhh, is there something you got for me?” it was blatantly obvious.

“Can you face that wall real quick?” Henry asked.

“Sure”.

He wrapped a necklace around Lila’s neck, a silver heart shaped locket. She stood their in shock.

“Wait, we’ve only met this week…”

“I know, but I can’t describe what I’m feeling right now. I kind of already like you, and I thought this suits you”.

She gave a broad smile as she held the locket. “This day will always be memorable”.