Chapter 4
To:
Episode Two (Part Two)–
[A Walk Down Memory Lane]
I took a deep breath, glancing at Doris with a twinkle in her eyes. “Before we head off, there’s this Pasta Bar I want to visit. They make the best pasta I’ve ever tasted, and I used to love it as a kid.“}
Luckily, the shop was still there, though the sign had been updated. The owner, a familiar face, was still the same old man from my childhood.”
“I haven’t been back here in years,” I confessed, “I wonder if it still tastes the same.“}
Back in the day, food was scarce, and I wasn’t picky. Anything could feel like a gourmet meal.
“You’re just having plain noodles?” Doris raised an eyebrow. “Not adding anything?“}
“I used to think this dry–mixed version was the best thing ever. The owner’s secret sauce is homemade. I got you one with toppings; you should try it.”
Though the taste was as delightful as I remembered, my appetite wasn’t what it used to be.”
So, Elowen, does it taste the same as it did when you were a kid?” Doris asked.
“Exactly the same, I said, eyes glistening with tears. “It’s really good, but my appetite’s just not the same.“>
I even couldn’t finish my plate.
Doris, wiping her eyes while eating, said, “Elowen, I feel honored to have shared this meal with you.“}
As we’re eating, the owner suddenly placed a plate with two fried eggs in front of us.}
“I didn’t order this,” I said, turning to him.”
“It’s on the house,” the owner said, lighting a cigarette. “You remind me of a spunky little girl who used to come here. I heard she’s a big star now.“”
“I remind you of her?” My eyes watered uncontrollably. “She must be happy to be remembered.“}
“Yeah, she came back once for some event, but I couldn’t get in,” the old man continued, still cleaning tables. “She always had dry–mixed noodles with a fried egg.”%
“Did you say she was spunky?” Doris chimed in.
‘Spunkiest kid on the block, but everyone loved her,” the old man chuckled, stubbing out his cigarette. “I wonder how she’s doing now. This place is getting torn down, and I’m getting too old for this. Probably won’t see her again.“}
“But didn’t you say she became a big star?” Doris reminded him. “You could
see her on TV, right?“}
“I only remember her as a little girl. All grown up, I wouldn’t recognize her. They’re always in costumes or makeup; can’t tell who’s who,” the old man lamented.%
Quietly, Elowen whispered to Doris‘ camera, “After I debuted, I started using Elowen Pierce as my stage name.““}]
“Grandpa, she’s probably just really busy. But if she came back, you’d definitely recognize her,” Doris reassured,
“Maybe, the old man sighed. “But she’s always sent me money these past years. She never left a name, but who else would send money to an old man like me? I’ve given out so many free eggs, I hope I got it right at least once.”
As we left the shop, Doris asked, “Elowen, you really just wanted to see him, didn’t you?”
“You caught me, I admitted, not shying away from the camera. “He was all alone when I was just a kid, always smiling at me. He’s still alone after all these years, so I send him a little money every year
Suddenly, Doris remembered something and nearly dropped her phone, the camera swaying off–target.“!
“Those tabloids always paint you as living lavishly without substance, even calling you the stingiest star because you stopped sponsoring a student,” she fumed
That was a rough chapter in my life. The backlash cost me a major endorsement.
“I did tell her f’d support her until she found a job. But then she asked for the latest iPhone and to travel abroad. She thought, because I’m
a celebrity, I shouldn’t mind spending a little extra, I explained, handing Doris a mint. “The garlic in the noodles was strong. I figured the money could help a kid who needed it more.”
As they strolled towards the high school, they were met with locked gates.
“That’s the classroom building over there, and behind it is the library. They’ve renovated the track since then, it’s now all–weather“.”
Chapter
“Elowen, the audience would love to know how you met Mr. Quinn. Care to share?” Doris inquired with a grin.”
“I was pretty clueless in high school,” I laughed. “He transferred in senior year. I always thought he was out to get me, probably jealous of my top grades. We were rivals, couldn’t stand each other.“}]
Walking along the school fence, I gestured towards the fifth–floor classroom. “See that? That was the honors class where I studied my senior year. It’s crazy how time flies. From a student who couldn’t get enough sleep to an adult who can’t get enough sleep.“}
Doris chuckled, “Late nights on set, right?“}
*Exactly. You catch a nap whenever you can. Can’t show up looking like a zombie with cameras everywhere“.}
“So how did you two end up as a couple?” Doris pressed on.
Elowen shook her head with a smile, “You wouldn’t know it, but he’s quite the strategist. I thought he was always just a few points behind me, and I’d feel so smug. Turns out he calculated both our scores. He said he found my smugness adorable, so he’d intentionally mess up just enough to come in second. People might call him a typical guy when they hear this. When I found out he was actually smarter than me, I was so angry, I ignored him for a month.
‘After finals, he confessed to me. I was convinced he was a liar and told him I’d sooner be a dog than date him.”}
“And guess how he confessed? He said he saw in a movie that asking someone their favorite food meant you liked them. So, for a month, he kept asking me what I liked to eat. I thought he was running a candy store with all the treats he brought.“}
If he hadn’t been so straightforward in the end, I might never have realized he’s into me.“}]
“I tell you, once this video goes live, his CEO image is toast. Because he said he was the real fool just to be with me.” I continued speaking to the camera, “You’ve seen the story now, and I hope from here on out, there’s no more entanglement between us. He deserves his own life, and I hope those who care about me won’t go looking for him or worse, hurl insults at him. I can’t be the one to watch over him forever, so I hope you all can do that for me. And what’s the point in prying into everything? The person’s gone, and it doesn’t mean anything anymore. No matter how distant we become, the kindness he showed me was always real.“}}
After leaving high school, I felt a bit worn out from all the paths I’ve walked.
I found a set of steps by the lakeside and took a seat.
Doris was down below, holding up her phone to film me. “Elowen, what are you thinking about now?”
A breeze blew, and my wig fell across my eyes.}
I rubbed my tired eyes.!
“I signed up for organ donation, so you all better live life to the fullest for me, okay?“}
There was something I didn’t say out loud.
‘Quinn, you got the better of me, and right now, I miss you so much.”
