Yesterdays

Pigtails, giggles, whispered confessions, and the endless possibilities of two young hearts. That is what brought her to the tree house before her on this sunny afternoon in July. She was hesitant at first to come here, to see the place they had grown up in together. It had seemed like such an easy thing to do all those years ago. Now was much harder but she had made that promise and she would keep that promise no matter what. With resolve she moved forward and started her accent up the now wobbly ladder to the treehouse above.

The smooth worn wood slid beneath her fingers as she made her way along the small balcony. Where once there had been splinters waiting for one careless graze of a small hand, now it was smooth as butter to her touch. She felt the afternoon sun on her face and let the memories sink back into her body. Today was the last day of memories she would have here and she had a promise to keep to her dearest friend. 

The inside was that same as back then. Peeling light blue paint on the walls, "like the sky" they had said. She searched for the secret spot on the floor, retracing their steps by closing her eyes and listening for that old familiar creek. It only took a minute but the relief she felt was real. Reaching down she slowly lifted the floor board to reveal a small tin lunch box.

In the corner there was still a small wooden chair and table set. She took the lunchbox and sat at the table. Making sure the chair could still hold her. She examined the box and chuckled to herself. It was covered in stickers, band logos and a note that very clearly stated "V & P's Eyes Only". Taking a big breath of slightly stale air she unclasped the latches and opened the tin.

There they were in all their glory. Ten to fifteen small square polaroids of two young girls, with smiles as big as watermelons and dreams ten times bigger. The first photo was when they were seven years old and the world was simple and endlessly fascinating. The tree house had just finished being built that day, so they had begged to be allowed to sleep in it overnight. Both of their mothers had given in after endless pleading and promises of good behavior. This photo was them smiling down at V's Dad as they were just about to head to bed for their very first outdoor sleepover. What it didn't show was that they had only lasted two hours before they got scared by noises around them and had to have V's mom join them, much to her horror. Giggling to herself, she slowly continued to look at each picture and tried her very best to burn those happy images into her memory. 

The last photo however wasn't the same as the others. This one had both girls locked in a tight and tearful embrace. She remembered this day like it was yesterday, for this was the day that their lives had changed forever. They were both going in different directions. One was off to college across the country and the other was staying home with her sweetheart to start a family. It had hurt them both terribly at the thought of being separated at that time, like losing half of each other's soul.

After looking at that one photo for what felt like an eternity, she managed to set it down on top of all the other happier memories they had shared to the right of the lunch box. What was left below all the pictures of days long past was what she had actually come for, two gold chains laid neatly together. Each chain had a half of a broken heart that when held together made it whole. She ran a chain through her fingers feeling each link as it passed. A small ache began to form in her chest and tears slipped down her cheek. 

They had purchased the chains when she had returned home after college all those years ago. For even though they had both grown and changed as women, their friendship had remained as solid as when they had first met at age 5. So they had purchased the chains and promised that if either one was to leave again they would wear the chain until they could be reunited. They had placed the chains in the most secure place they could imagine in hopes they would never truly be needed.

After a few big breaths and a gentle dab of her eyes, she slipped one chain around her neck and put the polaroids and the other chain back into the protective tin. Working her way back outside, she realized that the sun was starting to set. She made her way to the old wood ladder and carefully worked her way down to the lush green grass below. They had carved their initials on this ladder under the 7th rung. "V & P 4ever" it read. She searched the rung carefully finding the raised bumps and divots of the saying with expert memory. Even after all these years her body remembered. This tree house had been their sanctuary from broken hearts and a strong hold of every deep dark secret twelve year old girls have. 

She knew as twilight approached she had to leave this place but goodbyes are never easy. As she walked away she turned and took one last look at the old tree house V's father had built for them so many years ago. While it was the end of their time, she knew the next family would discover its wondrous ability to spark imagination and build friendships that could last a lifetime. With that final look she gave the tin box a little tap and turned towards her car. 

The next day as she made her way slowly through the line towards her friend. She replayed all those happy polaroids and found a smile creeping upon her face. It was better than the tears she figured and what her friend would have wanted. When she finally approached her friend she looked down at the familiar face, it had changed with time but not in memory. The small twinkle of the pendant that matched her own caught her eye. "Best Friends Forever. I'm glad I could keep my promise to you. Till we meet again my dearest friend." She could feel her friends love even in this moment of sadness. They would always be connected in her heart. A friendship like theirs really did last forever.