Lost in the Echo

Ahna sat quietly in the corner booth of a cafe' on the corner of Main st. in the town of Unionville. Well, if you could even call it a town. The population was 234 in the winter months and most of that were families that had lived there for at least 3 generations. Although Unionville had all the modern conveniences, the cafe' was the only place visitors could get Wifi. With the purchase of a cup of freshly percolated coffee and one of Jesse Smallwoods prize winning blueberry cheesecake bombs of course.

Ahna had grown up outside of town on her grandparents’ farm but had moved away to go to college in the city. Her grandmother Mae had called her a few weeks ago to ask her to come home and help with the farm. The pandemic had caused most of the small

farmers to lose money and they were on the verge of losing everything to the bank.

As she sat there trying to contact lenders and come up with a plan, Ahnas mind began to wander. Back to the last time she was home 3 summers ago and to the man she almost married.

His name was Brent Daughtry and he was the most beautiful soul that she had ever had the pleasure of meeting. He had eyes as blue as the ocean and she was not afraid to swim. They were what everyone called a power couple. A perfect match. Twin

flames. Everyone in town was jealous of the love they had. It was like they had been together for a thousand lifetimes. Each one better than the last. They were supposed to meet at the cafe' the day she left town 3 years ago but he never showed up and she never got over it. She loved him with every fiber of her being. Although it broke her heart that he didn't show up, Ahna

had decided that if she saw him when she got there ,she would ask him out to dinner for Valentine’s day so they could talk. After all it was their anniversary. Or at least it would have been.

Just about the

time she was lost in the memory of the last time they kissed, the doorbellschimed and in walked Brent. The butterflies in Ahnas stomach fluttered so fiercely she almost threw up. She

started to jump up to greet him but then the heartbreak set in. The betrayal. The memory of Brent leaving her waiting for him to never show up. Those thoughts caused a wave of bitterness and anger to flood in and drown the butterflies in her stomach. But still she at least wanted to confront him and ask him how he could do that to

her as he is obviously still alive and well.

Ahna hopped off her chair and pranced confidently over to Brent who was now standing at the counter smiling and joking with Jesse. She tapped him on the shoulder ready to give him what

for. Maybe more than what for. Brent turned and looked deeply into her eyes, smiled and said" Well hello Dollface, my name is Brent. And you are?" Ahna was speechless. Surely he is joking "Brent, it’s me , Ahna". Brent gave her a confused look and replied" Pleasure to meet you Ahna." See

you later Jesse" and he left. Just like that. Not a second look, not

another word, just left. Like he didn't even know her.

"Ahna,I have to tell you something" Jesse began. "Brent doesn't remember you. He doesn't remember anyone or anything from before the summer you left." Still shocked Ahna questioned " What do you mean Jesse? What

happened?" "Nobody knows Ahna. He came in here after you left and ordered a coffee so I told him he had just missed you. He had no idea what I was talking about. So I called Doc Mchale and had him come over to see if he could make sense of things but all Brent remembered was he was supposed to meet someone and as he walked down the road to town a man in a black Cadillac

stopped him to ask directions and that's it. He has no memory at all other than the last 3 years.

Ahna couldn't believe it. There is no way Brent didn't remember her. He had to remember her. He just had to. They were meant to be together. At least she thought they were. So she got in her Jeep and rushed down the road towards Brents house. About halfway down Old Willow lane she saw him walking. That walk is the same as it always was. More like his feet were gliding across the top of the crisp fresh snow. Surely this was all a joke. He had heard she was coming home and got Jesse in on it. Yea, that's it. Ahna pulled

up next to Brent and rolled down her window "stop playing games and get in Brent its cold outside". Brent opened the passenger door and hopped in " Of course. I could never turn down a ride from a beautiful stranger." he said with that million-dollar smile of his. "You really don't remember me Brent?" she asked tearfully. Brent studied her face for a few seconds too long. Ahna knew now this was not some elaborate prank. " I'm sorry darlin should I?" Her heart sank deep in her chest. Should she tell

him how they were so in love and planned to be together forever? Should she? Or should she just leave the past in the past and move on with her plans? A million scenarios were running through her mind right now. "Tell me where you are going and we will talk when we get there" that was the best she could do to come up with something to say. As they got closer to Brents house, Ahnas emotions were all over the place. All the old feelings came rushing back. She grabbed Brent and kissed him passionately on the lips. As they kissed it was like she could see the last three years rewinding. Back to their last kiss. When she opened her eyes Brent was smiling at her. She sat back in the seat and

waited for him to say something. Anything.