Carlos and Sergio were walking down the promenade. Their move to this new city was going surprisingly well and they were adapting. Deniz, Carlos' girlfriend was seeing the effort he was making to show her how serious he was about their relationship and was more appreciative of everything else he was doing. Their relationship was going great. Sergio just wanted to see his friend settled and would go back to XXX.
The promenade was crowded with bustling people, trying to buy and sell and haggle with the occasion person, down on their luck asking for a bit of change.
"Things have really improved with me and Deniz," said Carlos. "I'm not too sure about this city but, cities are easy to come by. Knowing you've found the one for you, well. I'm not taking any chances."
"I'm happy for you," Sergio acknowledged. "I'll hang around for a couple of more days and maybe start organise my return."
Carlos smiled at his oldest friend, grateful he was willing to put his life on hold for a bit and be there every step of the way.
"Spare some change, sir," said a female voice in the background.
Sergio fumbled in his pockets but both men, just kept walking on.
"Please," she said.
Carlos froze midstep. There was something about the way she said please. Sergio still looking for coins, didn't see Carlos and bumped into him.
"Hey!" exclaimed Sergio, "Whats the big deal?"
Carlos turned to Sergio. "When was the last time you spoke to Anna?" his voice was dead quiet as he pulled out his phone and started dialling.
Sergio was perplexed by what was going on. "Anna?" he asked confused. "I don't remember, maybe about 3 weeks ago....?"
Carlos angrily put his phone back in his pocket. "Damnit!" He exploded. "Its going straight to voice mail."
Sergio put his hand on Carlos' shoulder. "Talk to me," he said.
But Carlos could speak and Sergio looked into the direction he was looking at.
****
The two gentlemen who walked by looked like they were nice people. I thought to myself, maybe, they have some coins to spare.
"Spare some change, sir," I asked, but they just kept on walking. I raised my voice a bit louder, "Please,"
The taller one stopped, his friend walked into him.
Maybe they'll help. Oh, he took out his phone. Damn, they were going to call the cops on me.
I kept my head down and pretended this made me invisible. People don't want to see me anyway, I'm easily ignored. It's so so cold and I'm hungry. I might have to sleep at the police station tonight at least its warm but I really need to figure what to do....oh if I could just eat.
The two men were walking towards me.
"Anna?" said the taller man.
I shrank away from him. He was going to call the cops on me. I wouldn't look up. "Please go away, I don't want trouble."
"Anna?" said the shorter man.
"Please, I didn't mean to bother you. I don't know how you know my name, but I don't want trouble."
The shorter man put his hands up in the air, "can I come a bit closer Anna?" he asked me. "I just want to talk."
I don't remember the last time someone was nice to me on these streets. I don't remember much of anything. The man was trying to be nice, maybe I can just talk. But I need to test him.
"I'm so cold," I said. I didn't have to say anything else. The shorter man, took off his coat and put it on me.
It smelt like the ocean and musk, it was a smell that was familiar but from a different life.
The taller man had tears in his eyes. The shorter man said, "My name is Sergio, and I know your name is Anna because we are friends." He came closer, "We've been friends for a very long time. Do you remember?"
I bit my lip. His scent was familiar but wasn't that the perfume most men wear now a days. How was he any different from the men I met here who were always trying to harm me because i just didn't remember who i was. He looked sincere and I felt at peace with him. None of my instincts were telling me that I had to get out of this situation. I didn't want to risk it. I didn't survive three weeks on the streets trusting random people. Although this man was the first to say he knew me. I was just tired and hungry.
"No," I finally answered.
"what are you doing here," the taller one asked. I shrank. He was angry and he looked like he was angry at me. I was scared.
Sergio looked at his friend and back at me, "you were asking for some change, can I ask why?"
I looked into his brown eyes. "I just wanted to buy some food."
The taller man started swearing and walked away. Sergio ignored him. "Do you want to come home with us to eat?" he seemed honest and I wanted to go but his friend scared me. Besides, how do I know he wasn't just some charmer. The rumbling in my stomach trumped all thoughts, but I should still be careful.
"There's a place across the road," I said. It was well lit with lots of people coming and going. It was such a public place, if something went wrong, I could always call for help.
Sergio had tears in his eyes when I looked back up at him. "when was the last time you ate a meal?" he gently asked.
"It's been some days," I answered.
His friend came back a bit calmer with an pained anguish look on his face. "I'm Carlos, Anna, Remember?" he sounded like he was pleading with me. How was that possible.
My rumbling stomach brought everyone back to reality. and I started to walk away. I had so many questions, if they really were my friends they would help me remember. I froze in front of the deli. I was keenly aware of how I looked and probably even smelled. I had Sergios jacket on that kept me from the cold but it didn't hide my homelessness.
Carlos was beside me. "Whats wrong?"
Carlos baffled me. I was sure he was angry at me. I was confused and more questions were rising.
"I want to wash my face and hands but I'm not sure they will let me in," I confessed. Without saying anything to me, he went in, spoke to the manager and came back out.
"I'll go with you, Sergio can order the food." Carlos said.
"Wait! I didn't tell you what I wanted yet, I protested.
Sergio chuckled, "in all the years I've known you, from this place you're getting a chicken sandwich with extra fries and sauce and an ice tea,"
My heart and stomach were swooning. How did he know? Maybe...maybe they are telling the truth.
Sergio looked directly at me, "Tell me I'm wrong,"
I shook my head not trusting to say anything. I didn't want to get my hopes up, but maybe, finally...I'll know who I am. Carlos held the door opened for me and cast an angry look at all those who looked in my direction. He lead me to the bathroom and I handed him Sergio's jacket to hold.
I washed my face and hands not wanting to believe after 3 weeks living on the street, someone has a memory of me. Why didn't my family look for me? Why didn't they? did they not know I was missing? how could they claim we were friends if they didn't know where I was.
If they really were people I could trust, maybe I could sleep in a warm bed instead of the police holding cell. Maybe, maybe. Hope is a terrible thing to have but after 3 weeks of uncertain torture, hope was all that was left.
I wept in the toilet for the memories I could not remember. For the life I no longer knew. But if they were really friends, maybe I finally get some answers and peace.
Carlos stood outside the door like he was my bodyguard and I felt special and protected. He put back Sergio's jacket on me and let the way out. Dining was al fresco and Sergio was waiting for us with the orders. I immediately sat and began wolfing down the sandwich. The other two didn't touch their food. I guess they wanted to see if I was going to eat more or not. The silence at the table was reassuring. I was warm, I was fed and for the first time in 3 weeks, I felt safe.
Anna, you are our dearest friend and we love you like a sister. We are never letting you out of our sight again
