"This is your mommy's bedroom." William took them to the side bedroom. Everything was the same as before, as if Mary had lived here yesterday.
"And here is where Mommy watched TV. She loved watching TV shows." William pointed at the sofa in the living room. "Your mommy loved eating snacks and laughing loudly.
This is the kitchen area and the dining table..."
Wherever they went, William had a story about Mary. Not only did he not forget every detail about her, but as time went by, the more he missed her. His memory had gotten clearer as they explored the apartment.
William had a sudden realization. He didn't live here alone in the past four years. He lived with his memories about Mary every day.
Ring... Ring...
The phone rang again. As soon as William picked it up, he heard Mary shouting.
"Where are you? Why aren't you downstairs?" Mary snapped. "Take them down now. I've arrived." Holding their two small hands, William walked to the balcony. Pointing at the Porsche downstairs, he spoke. "Look, it's your mommy's car! Can you see it?"
"It's really Mommy's car!" Elissa screamed as she waved to the car. "Mommy, I'm upstairs! Come up!"
Hearing the voice from the phone, Mary got out of the car and looked up at the high floor, seeing the three figures above.
"Mary! You should come upstairs!" William's deep and husky voice came through the phone and into Mary's ear.
"I don't want to bother you." Mary lowered her head. "Please take them downstairs."
"Either you come up on your own, or..." William glanced down at her from above. "You can let them stay here for the night."
"You..." Mary suddenly raised her head and saw the figures on the balcony slowly walk inside the room. The phone call was suddenly dropped.
"Damn it!" Mary shouted on the phone and stomped her foot on the ground. She then marched off to the apartment.
Memories started rushing in, she remembered when she first walked inside the apartment and walked out for the very last time. Her forehead scrunched up in annoyance. Ding!
The elevator door opened. As she was about to step out, Mary saw two people standing outside the elevator.
"Uncle and Aunt?" After a short pause, Mary greeted them.
They were the neighbors who lived next door four years ago. They still lived in the apartment.
"Mary? Is that you?" The old lady was shocked. "Oh my God! You're finally back!"
"Well..." Mary nodded awkwardly. "Yes, I am."
"Why did you leave all of a sudden?" The old lady was so glad to see Mary again. She held Mary's hand and said, "We just went on a trip. When we came back, we heard news that you left."
"Yes." The old man that lived next door spoke. "Why did you leave? William was so devastated!"
"He... What happened to him?" Mary was startled.
"Oh... Ever since you left, he was a complete mess!" The lady next door patted the back of Mary's hand. "He got drunk late at night. Then he sat outside the door and kept shouting that he was waiting for you.
It was winter then. He sat on the floor sadly. We tried to persuade him to head inside but it was useless. The second day he caught a cold. I heard that it was very serious...
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