Remember

Chapter 2

 It had a been over a week since my encounter with the mystery man at the bar. I was becoming focused on him and spending all my nights off at The Phoenix in hopes that I would see him. It was starting to affect my figure and my wallet so I decided to call it quits and return back to my goals. I had worked nonstop all week trying to ride out the overtime pay period strong so I'd have some money to pay off the balance on Casey's dress. Together our parents made a modest income and were doing all they could to financially be there for Casey and her fiancé Kam, but the girl had taste and although her and Kam were taking on the wedding finances alone I knew I had to step up and pay for her dress which was way over her expected budget, but when she found the one. I couldn't help look into my mothers eyes and see pain that she wouldn't be able to give Casey what she truly deserved. So I did what any good sister would do and I took it on as my responsibility. Casey cried and so did my mom as they hugged me until I myself began to cry. 

I was to pick up Casey for her last fitting before her big day and do a little shopping afterwards. I went through the drive thru to grabbed us each a speciality coffee. The line was long as I had hit the morning rush-My phone began to ring and I pressed the speaker on my car steering wheel. 

"I promise I am almost ready." Said Casey 

"Its fine I am stuck in line." 

"Ok well that makes me feel better. Try not to spill it this time." She laughed 

"Ha-Ha." 

"See you soon." 

 I hadn't noticed the car in front of me until it pulled forward to the window. It was the sickest Audi I had ever seen. I knew instantly it was an rS7 blacked out and I was in love. I couldn't believe it. My dream car right in front of me. I wish I could tell the driver that he or she had great taste, but that would be weird. I had thought of getting a used one, but Jake had talked me into getting something practical and less expensive when it came to maintenance. So I bought the closest thing I could get to an Audi. A black on black Honda Sport Hatchback. I'll admit I really did love my car and it was smooth driving and had all the fancy perks my last car didn't have. It was a graduation present to myself when I finished RN school and after putting many long miles on my Toyota it was defiantly a much needed purchase. 

I continued to aw over the car in front of me and watched it whip and purr away out of sight. I pulled up to the window and pulled out my debit card. The cashier looked at me with a big smile.

"The car in front of you paid for your oder." 

"Oh that was nice of them. I guess I'll pay it forward." Except to my surprise there was no one behind me. 

"Weird I guess rush hour is over. I'll pay it forward next time." I promised and she handed me my drinks. 

"Have a good day." She said smiling and waving her hand. 

I drove to Casey's apartment and shot her a quick text that I was here. I waited for her patiently sucking on my delicious hot drink that tasted of my favorite caramel and chocolate. She rushed out with her honey blonde hair perfectly curled into beach wave hair and make up that looked as if she was signed up for a pageant or if the pauperizes was going to come and randomly take pictures of her. The girl idled the Kardashians and had expensive taste with a wine in the box budget, but she made due and was building up a heavy clientele at work doing hair and make up. Her dream was to open up her own salon and have it be a full service beauty one. 

She climbed into the passenger side and I handed her drink to her. She took a sip and placed it in the cup holder. 

"Thanks I defiantly needed that." 

"I can't take total credit someone in my dream car in front of me bought it." 

"Aw I love it when people do that." 

"Yeah sweet. Anyways-you ready to go try on your dress?" 

"Hell ya! I am so excited." 

I turned up my music and we bumped and half ass danced our way to the bridal boutique. 

Casey looked so beautiful in her Pnina Tornai-the girl really did have very expensive taste and out of everything they had purchased for the wedding the dress was the most expensive item. It was a full ball gown and with a sparkling corset and sweetheart neckline. I thought I would cry again at the thought of her walking down the aisle in this. 

I waited for Casey to get dressed and went to go pay off the remaining balance of her dress. The lady waiting on us returned. 

"It looks like the invoice was paid off in full." 

"No there should be a balance of at least 3grand left. I know because I was sent an email about it two weeks ago." 

"Well according to my records it was paid off in full with cash."

"Are you sure it wasn't someone else's dress?" I questioned trying to wrap my head around the fact that someone paid 3grand toward my sisters dress. 

"I promise you-Its a Pnina Tornai-I would not be making a mistake like that." 

"Well do you know who paid it?" I asked

"Unfortunately I do not." She said 

I stood there once again dumbfounded. Casey came toward me-glowing and on cloud 9. I looked at her and the shock on my face was very apparent. 

"Whats wrong?" She asked her equally as worried now. 

"Someone came in and paid off the balance." 

"Who?!" 

"Good question. They paid in cash." 

"Mom and dad wouldn't be caught dead carrying that kind of cash and if Kam did have that kind cash I doubt he'd have the common sense to come pay off the dress. I doubt he even knows where boutique its at." 

I stood there and my anxiety was on the high. Why was I freaking out about someone paying off my sisters dress? I should be screaming for joy. Thats extra money to put towards her wedding. The wedding of her dreams. 

"Look there has to be a reasonable explanation. Lets go get some lunch-my treat because you look like your about to faint." Casey turned toward the boutique lady, "Please if there is a mistake will you please call me." 

"I promise there is no mistake, it is paid in full. Congrats on the wedding. You will make a beautiful bride." Said the boutique lady 

Casey took my car keys and we drove to our favorite Mexican restaurant and we sat down. Casey had to order my Mangoyada Margarita because I was still stunned by the extra 3grand that was still in my account and the fact that once again a mysterious stranger paid for something that wasn't just a simple 10dollar order, but an expensive wedding dress. Casey started chowing down on chips and salsa without a concern in the world. 

"How are you so calm about this?" I asked her sipping on my drink 

She shrugged, "Because clearly someone was generous enough to do it without a second thought so why should I be freaking out about the situation. You should be equally as excited if not more." 

"I am, I'm just a little freaked out because what random stranger comes into a boutique and pays for someone's dress?" 

"I don't know someone super nice and generous who clearly has enough money to do such charity." 

I snickered, "Charity! I was going to pay for it." 

"Is that why you are upset Emma?" 

I didn't say anything and began to also chow down on some chips. 

"Emma I know how important it was to you to pay for this dress, but its not the end of the world. Who ever it was obviously really cares. I think you should finally except this miracle and enjoy the day with me. Please-" 

I let out a big sigh and picked up my margarita to motion a cheer. We clanked glasses together. 

"So what's on the docket for the rest of the day?" She asked 

"Well our favorite bath store is near by and I'd like to stop by and get some new bras and underwear." 

"Can we also stop by Sephora? I need some more make up." 

I smiled, "You need more make up?" 

"Sshhh, it's for work." 

"Ok whatever you say." 

"Finally that margarita is kicking in. I can finally see what color you didn't have coming back to your face." 

"Still wish I knew who it was so I could at least thank them." I said 

"Well one day maybe you'll get the opportunity. The world works in mysterious ways." 

We devoured our drinks and our meal and continued on with our day stopping at all our favorite stores. I splurged and spent way more then I should have at my favorite bath store on candles and I bought need bras and underwear that I very much needed. Casey bought some make up and I actually got some too. We drove back to her apartment and I stayed for dinner. Kam came home and we told him about the dress being paid off. He too was just as skeptical as I was, but we didn't push the topic further. 

I left after we ate and returned home. I wasn't sure why, but I felt as if in the darkness of where my home was someone was watching me. I lived in a nice neighborhood with cookie cutter houses. My house was an attached condo so if someone were going to try and do something they'd have a hard time getting away with it because I had a security camera and my elderly neighbor was always home being the neighborhood watch dog. 

I went inside and was welcomed by Chloe. I always felt bad leaving her, but she was older and less hyper now. I got her when I was still a tech and had a hard time adjusting. Especially after I was assaulted by a patient. I had anxiety and nightmares, my mom suggested a dog, but I was hesitant because I needed one that was going to be good with being in apartments or condo's like the one I was in now. A coworker had recommend a Frenchie and I did some research not wanting a dog that I knew nothing about. I was sold on the idea of getting one and saved up my money to purchase a female. I looked all over and when I saw Chloe I knew she was the perfect dog for me. She was black and when she was little her head was big and she would look at me with her alien eyes and her big ears. I couldn't stand how cute she was. She was almost like my child because I took her everywhere I could when I could. 

I sat down on the couch and she gave me a few face kisses. I gave her some scratches on the head and hugged her. 

"What a crazy day Chloe." I said 

I reached over and grabbed the remote and turned on the tv and tossed my throw blanket over me. Chloe settled down next to me and before I could even began my show I began to doze off. 

I was standing in the boutique looking at my sister in her dress. Tears were starting to form in my eyes as I saw how beautiful and happy she looked. A voice came from behind me, but I did not dear take my eyes off my sister. 

"The dress would have looked better on you." He said and I could feel his breath so close to my ear. 

I jolted awake, my heart about to beat out of my chest. I got up as quickly as I could and ran to each of my doors to make sure they were shut and locked. I was never one to be afraid in my own home before, but I could still feel his breath on my ear as if he were right next to me and not just in my dream. 

I wasn't crazy. Things were starting to get weird and I was beyond immune to weird and crazy, but this was a whole new level of them both.