Meeting Firstlove

   "Lea?"

  Alexis frowned to make sure the woman she saw was someone she recognized.

    The tall, slender woman smiled and approached Alexis.

"Hi, Alexis. I'm so glad you remember me," the young woman named Lea replied.

     Alexis smiled too, but awkwardly. She had known the girl before her to be beautiful, and now, to her, even more so.

    "How are you?" asked Lea, offering her hand.

     "I...I...fine...fine," Alexis replied even more awkwardly, as they were about to touch hands. "And you? How are you?" Apparently, Alexis was very happy to see Lea.

     "Okay." Lea looked alternately at Alexis' hand, then at Alexis' smiling face. "We're in the hospital, remember?" Lea reminded in jest.

     "Oh, yeah. In the hospital, and not in Rock Valley."

     "You remember that? That's where we had our first date!" Lea squealed happily.

    "And Rock Cafe."

     "Yeah. That's right. How's your dad? Is he doing well? Or are you here because...oh no, did something really happen to your dad?"

     "My father?" Alexis was confused again, obviously remembering Lea as her first love, but not remembering her own father.

     "Yes, your father? Is your father being treated here? If I'm visiting my friend who had an accident, then you? What are you doing here?"

     "My mom is having surgery."

    "Your mom? Didn't she pass away?"

     "She's my foster mom." Alexis led Lea away from the hospital hallway. Security was no longer responding suspiciously, because of Lea's presence.

      "Alexis. What happened to you? Are you in a daze? And why are you hurt?" Lea touched some parts of Alexis' face, namely the cuts on her cheeks and forehead.

      "Lea, I'm a mess." Alexis combed her dark hair with the fingers of her right hand. "I feel like I'm just getting to know myself."

     "Al, calm down. I'm free. We can go together if you need help," Lea offered, and Alexis smiled happily.

      "Yes. I think I really need you."

    ...

After the Rebecca's surgery, Alexis breathed a sigh of relief as everything went smoothly. Rebecca had returned to the recovery room, and if there were no complaints, would be discharged in the next few days.

Alexis was surprised to feel Lea's hand on his again.

"Has something really bad happened in your life, Alex?" Lea's gaze was sad, her sympathy and compassion extended to Alexis.

"I feel like I'm playing poker in a casino. I have to make a bet, when a decision needs a quick answer, because otherwise my life might get worse." 

Although it was awkward at first, Alexis moved her right hand to grasp Lea's.

"But seriously, I recognized you right away even though it's been a while."

"So is your mother, you still remember her, but why not your father?"

"That's what I want to know now. The last time I think I saw and talked to him was...when..."

Alexis loosened her grip on her hands and made them into a face cover.

"Damn it!" she cursed afterward. "I can't always keep my memories of my father, and even of myself!" 

Alexis stood up, venting her frustration by punching the wind.

"Damn it!" Alexis was still feeling very annoyed.

"So, we can say that you only remember faces, events, and names of certain people, especially women. Is this really what I think it is?" Lea really felt sorry for Alexis.

"Yes, you're right. It might be like that."

"I'm sorry I can't help you much. But it's probably because you and your father probably went through some big, bad things together."

Alexis turned around, the gleam in her eyes implying hope in Lea.

"How can you assume that?"

"I'm a psychologist. We've been apart for a long time since you transferred to another city, and we broke up, but I heard about you from your neighbor Andrew."

Alexis sat back down out of curiosity, even though it was her own life story.

"Tell me," Alexis pleaded.

"After graduating from high school, you decided to join the military, and then your father's business grew so much that he was named one of the richest men. After that, I never heard about you and your family again. I thought you were a different person and I was just an ordinary girl from a small town."

Alexis digested Lea's story, then tried to expand on it according to her own memory.

"You're right, I'm starting to remember."

"What are you starting to remember?" Lea asked excitedly.

"I had a bad experience, and it had something to do with my father."

"Was it? Because I think it was a big event, until you experienced severe trauma and natural amnesia is only a part of your memory."

Alexis sighed heavily as she was about to reply.

"That's what I can't really remember, and this really torments me."