Threads of Memories

Aria gazed up at the big New York apartment building, her stomach lurching. This was very different compared to her Maryland farm home where she had been raised. The windows gleamed in the sunlight, and the building towered over her, daring her to enter. She and her brother Adam, who was standing beside her, exchanged an anxious look, while their grandma and their dad stood beside them, admiring the big tower. "What do you think?" Dad chuckled, "Bigger than expected, that's for sure."

"Much prettier than back in my old days!" Her African-American Grandma rasped, a smile pulling at her lips. Prettier? This tower doesn't look pretty! She thought, flashing a skeptical look at the doors. Dad began guiding Grandma to the doors, while she and Adam followed. When Mom had died, Grandma had moved in to help out with the family, and since then it had been difficult. Aria swallowed the lump of grief that formed in her throat. She trailed numbly, dragging her suitcase behind her. She, Aria Williams, was being moved with her family into one of these big apartments in Brooklyn, far more different from the old countryside in Maryland. The big glass doors seemed to be dare her in.

People were everywhere around them, some people wearing suits as they walked across the road in a big crowd. Some people passed by wearing shorts and t-shirts, and more of a casual fit. So diverse... She wished her mother was here to see this.

"It's big," Adam commented, making Aria turn her head back to the building that stood in front of them.

"Yeah." Aria echoed bluntly. She didn't want to move. The farm where she grew up was perfectly fine. She could still remember the smell of the big barn where she groomed their horses. The longing to be back in Maryland tugged her heart. Dad had clearly thought that moving was a good idea. Two days ago he had declared, "It's time things change. We're moving to New York,", as the family was eating lasagna on a Wednesday night. I wonder what mom's opinion would have been.

Grandma and Dad opened the heavy looking doors, Adam, her brother, dashing forward; he was obviously excited, not like her. Aria trudged in, her arm aching from holding her suitcase. Bright white, lights shone from above as the family entered. A long reception desk was in front of them, with desktop computers aligned. Four elevators were side-by-side on the wall, and there was a hallway leading somewhere else. Aria looked suspiciously around, as the receptionist welcomed her family.

"Credentials please," an orange-haired lady said sweetly, her gray glasses halfway up her blue eyes. Dad nodded, pulling out passports and his phone. This is going to take forever. She inwardly let out a groan, and her older brother pulled out his phone and began playing minecraft, his gaze fixated on the bright flashing screen. Aria had the temptation to pull out her phone too, but it had no battery and shut down one hour ago. Grumbling under her breath, she sat down, her arms crossed. She abruptly pulled up her black hoodie.

After five minutes of boredom, the lady let them pass. "This sucks," she muttered under breath bitterly. Grandma gave her a concerned look but didn't say anything. The family went on the elevator a couple floors, and to Aria's amusement her younger brother was still on his iPhone. She was eighteen years old, technically an adult. Adam was sixteen and really, really, addicted to his games. A loud beep from the elevator startled her and the doors opened. It was a pretty fancy hallway, with two doors in front of them. Great. Looks like we're having neighbors. In Maryland she just lived on the big farm, far from most of the civilization. Dad scanned a card thing and the door unlocked itself, revealing a big hallway with several doors leading to rooms.

"Looks more of a hotel," Adam sniffed. Grandma twirled her bag and entered, everyone else following. Aria could see the main dining room that neat white bar stools in front of the kitchen counter. The kitchen was a nice size, and a living room with fancy furniture already in. A big TV was framed, hanging on the wall like pleading for someone to turn it on.

"What do you kids think?" Dad asked, already having a pleased smile on his face. He dropped the suitcases next to the sofa, and opened the fridge. "There are egg and mayonnaise sandwiches!" He offered. "It's your favorite, Aria." Normally she would love to eat it, but she wasn't in the mood.

Grandma walked forward stiffly. She reluctantly opened the curtains, revealing a vast view of the city that made her gape. Tall skyscrapers stood like carrots in the ground, cars were moving around, while neon lights flashed from malls and shops. 

The afternoon passed by quickly, and soon it was the late evening. Aria was curled up in her bed, reading a book quietly. Books were her only way to escape her world, and go through another place of mind. It was magic. Getting lost in a whole new world of a book was her favorite thing to do. She didn't even notice when Dad sat down beside her. "How are you feeling?" He asked quietly, pushing up his glasses. "I know this is a lot for both you and your brother, but Adam seems to be taking it in more easily than you."

"Fine I guess," Aria shrugged, "I just didn't want to move. I have friends back in Maryland." Sadly she thought of Belle, her best friend back at home.

"It's difficult, but people always move on sooner or later." Dad hesitated, then said, "How are you dealing...with your mom?"

"I miss her," Aria managed to choke out after a tense silence. "She always encouraged me to work hard, and I miss her so much," Tears threatened to roll down her cheek, and she blinked rapidly. "So much," If only she were here with me.

He took a deep breath, and slowly said, "I want to show you something." He bent over and began rummaging through the suitcase. Aria bent over curiously. Her dad pulled out a gold velvet covered box and sat back down beside Aria, saying quietly, "She wanted you to have this when you were older. I think it's time." He took another deep breath. "She had this necklace. I have always kept it with me."

"It's so pretty," She breathed, delicately running her finger across the necklace. "I've seen it before. I remember Mom used to wear it. But I forgot all about it..." Her voice trailed away.

Dad closed the case, gently moving it into Aria's hand. She looked up, surprised. "It looked great on her. And it will on you." Wow. She opened the case, and pulled out the ruby necklace. She slowly placed it around her neck, and closed her eyes, nourishing the feeling. "Oh, and one more thing!" Aria blinked open her eyes. He pulled out a stuffed animal rabbit, one that was awfully familiar.

"I thought I lost it a few years ago!" Aria gasped, cradling the gray rabbit stuffed animal. Then she blinked, startled. Memories flooded back. Mom. She could picture her kissing Aria good-night. Mom. She could almost see her and her mom going shopping together when she was twelve, and her mom tied her dark dark brown hair in braids. Mom... Grief threatened to make her cry but she struggled to hold it. All those memories, forgotten, now flooded into her head like water flushing past rocks.

"Take both of them with you when you go to college in two months." Dad hugged her, and Aria lightly sobbed, then wiped a tear away from her chin. "Your Mom's spirit will always be beside you, no matter what you think or where you are. And even if everything is lost, she will always be in your mind, memories, and heart." Mom. "Tabitha wouldn't want you to grieve. It's time for us to let go of our past. And look to the future." I'll do exactly that. If that's what she wants. Aria's heart ached. She was glad that her stuffed animal rabbit was with her. It brought back all her childhood memories. Forever in memory and mind. Forever in heart. The grief and loss that had an icy grip on her seemed to suddenly loosen, for the first time in forever.