A Promise to Remember

When I got up from Ted Wiley's bed, he lazily handed me my underwear. "I'm changing the door code, so don't come by unless it's urgent." I froze, blurting out, "Why?" He grinned. "She said yes to being my girlfriend yesterday. I can't have her spotting you here—she'd flip. It took me forever to win her over." Chapter 1 I blinked awake, my body throbbing with exhaustion as every muscle protested. No matter how many times we'd been together like this, Ted Wiley's raw, unrelenting energy still left me reeling. Rolling over, I saw he was already stirring. His chiseled muscles caught the morning light in a warm, honeyed glow, while his eyes remained half-lidded, lazy and distant. "Up so early?" he asked, his voice carrying that gravelly morning husk. A sharp twinge shot through my waist as I leaned down to slip on my stockings, only to discover yesterday's pair had been shredded beyond repair by his eager hands. Ted flipped onto his side, dangling my bra from one finger with a wicked grin. "A grown woman like you still rocking plain white lace? Talk about outdated. Time to switch things up." I snatched it from him. "Fine, I'll grab some new stuff. What kind do you..." "No point," he interrupted. "I'm changing the code soon. Stay clear unless you need something." I was stunned, especially since we had been entangled in this arrangement for a full year now. At first, it was just sporadic calls every few days, but soon enough, except for his late-night shifts, I was practically living here. I'd tidy up the place, prepare meals, and in the evenings when we finished early, we'd sink into the couch with movies and popcorn, our hands wandering long before the plot reached its climax. We moved like a real couple, easy and intimate. I'd grown so accustomed to it that I'd even let myself fantasize he felt the same—that we could build something lasting, perhaps even a happy little family. But now, here he was, cutting me loose. "Is your family coming by?" I stammered. "Or is work piling up? I could..." He propped himself up, his smirk deepening. "Nah. She finally agreed to be my girlfriend." It took a moment for me to realize who "she" was—the fresh-faced college graduate he'd been pursuing, according to the rumors. Over the years, women had paraded through his life like fleeting summer flings, none lasting more than three months. I'd dismissed this as just another whim, nothing worth worrying about. My mouth went dry. "You're serious about her?" "Dead serious," he chuckled. "She is not like the others. You wouldn't get it. She is pure and innocent. I can't risk her finding out about us; it'd crush her. I chased her hard." Sunbeams sliced through the gaps in the curtains, harsh and dizzying. "Oh... Okay," I murmured after a beat, forcing myself to sound calm. "I'll pack up and head out today." "No rush," he replied casually, tugging on a pair of gray sweatpants. "You gave up your old place, right? Hang around here a couple of days until you find something new." I squeezed my eyes shut, a bitter sting exploding inside me and leaving me off-balance. "Thanks, but no. I'm out now." I didn't even know why I was in such a hurry. He was right. I had nowhere else to go, but staying felt impossible, as if he'd stripped me bare and left me exposed under the harsh light, with shame threatening to swallow me whole. My belongings here were sparse. Most of what I'd bought was for him: pots and pans for cooking his dinners, fresh sheets for the bed, and quirky pillows and knick-knacks scattered around the place. Chapter 2 His apartment was designed in a stark minimalist style, and he'd once complained half-jokingly that I'd turned it into a cozy mess since I'd started staying over. Yet my true personal items fit easily into a single suitcase. As I reached the door, he called out to me. Bare-chested and leaning casually against the frame, he flicked a lighter to his cigarette. "Nora, you're not getting any younger," he said through a puff of smoke, his lips twisting into a half-grin. "Find a good guy and settle down. We'll stay friends, yeah?" I caught his meaning and nodded. "Yeah." ... Eldonfield's winters were damp and insidious—not bone-chilling, but the kind of cold that seeped straight into one's core. Flurries danced down, tiny wet specks kissing my nose. Glancing up, I saw the once-clear sky had turned moody, with fine snow whirling on the breeze. Eldonfield hadn't seen a proper snowfall in years; ever since I'd followed Ted here, the winters had felt stripped of their former magic. Memories pulled me back to my northern coastal hometown, where sea gales transformed moisture into thick, fluffy blankets overnight. By dawn, the snow would bury everything knee-deep in pristine white—a bold, exhilarating sweep, unlike this city's clingy drizzle that tugged relentlessly at the heartstrings. I dumped my bag and sank onto a bus stop bench, dialing home. My mom picked up quickly, her tone buzzing with cautious hope. "Nora?" The cold air nipped at my nose as I rubbed it, soothing the burn. "Mom, I'm craving your apple pie." Alice Pledge perked up immediately. "I'll whip one up! Let me check flights. Holidays are coming, and tickets might be tough..." "No need," I cut in. "I'm heading home for Christmas this year." A pause followed, then pure delight. "For real?" "Yep." I tipped my head back, a flake stinging my eye as I blinked back tears, my voice growing thick. "Actually, I'm thinking of moving back for good." ... That afternoon, I submitted my resignation. My boss tried hard to keep me. "Is it the salary? Let's talk about bumps. The manager is leaving next year, and you're next in line. Walking away now would be a huge mistake." I smiled softly and shook my head. "I appreciate it, Gloria, but I need to spend time with my folks back home." Ambition had never been my driving force. I had no dreams of climbing ladders or becoming someone important—just a desire for a quiet, content life. I'd followed Ted to Eldonfield because he was building his career here. I had been convinced that if I stayed by his side long enough, he'd eventually see me. But love, it turned out, couldn't be forced through sheer persistence. On my way to the hotel, a curbside bookstore was blasting lyrics that struck a chord. "I don't care what they say, I'm in love with you. They try to pull me away, but they don't know the truth. My heart's crippled by the vein, and I can't stop crying..." I lingered there, the words echoing my own story. I first met Ted at 17 and had bent myself for him ever since. Now I was hitting 30, and this madness had to end. That night, dreams transported me back to the teenage Ted—the boy who had transferred to our small-town high school in his sophomore year. While the other boys were still scruffy and unpolished, he arrived in a black down jacket, with curls framing his forehead and a tall, lean frame that made him stand out. Chapter 3 Ted was stunning, as if he'd stepped from another world. By that afternoon, girls from every grade had crammed against the windows, gawking at him. A few days later, even the prom queen slipped him notes, but he brushed them all off, preferring to doze in the back row as if nothing mattered. He ignored books and lectures alike, and the teachers turned a blind eye. Only during tests would he nudge my back and say, "Hey, let me copy your answers." He seemed to assume I'd comply, and I did. That irritated the other guys, who branded him a show-off and started picking fights with him every few days in the alley behind the school. I'd catch glimpses of those brawls almost daily. One evening, as I biked past, I spotted him slumped against the wall, smoking through a battered face. I hesitated, then braked and fished a Band-Aid from my pocket. "You're bleeding," I said, offering it to him. He glanced up with an icy stare. "Scram." What a jerk! I wasn't crushing on him; it was just basic decency. After that, I ignored his nudges for answers. A month later, his admirers dwindled, but the rumors only grew. Some said that his jacket was from some obscure luxury brand, costing 30 grand. Others whispered he was the son of a mistress, abandoned when the wife discovered the affair. His mom couldn't handle life in Eldonfield anymore, so they'd returned to their roots. The stares shifted, blending envy with scorn and a twisted curiosity. One dusk, as I biked through the alley on my way home, I found him sprawled on the ground in the aftermath of a brutal fight. His knuckles were bloody, his face marred with cuts. Blood trickled from his forehead. I nearly kept pedaling, but the falling snow had half-buried him, and his pallor was ghostly. Worried, I approached and nudged him gently. "Are you okay?" Getting no response, I panicked and pulled out my phone. "I'm calling 911." Only then did he crack an eye open, frowning. "It's you again." I was annoyed, but urgency took precedence. "You're really messed up. Let's get you to the hospital." "Mind your own business," he spat, his lids dropping again. I dialed anyway. He was shivering in just a black hoodie, so after a moment's hesitation, I shrugged off my red down jacket and draped it over him. He tensed and called out as I turned away. My faded, frumpy coat looked almost comical on him. "You know my mom is a mistress, right?" I mounted my bike. "I've heard the rumors. And?" "Then why help me?" "You're not her. Being the other woman sucks, but it's not a death sentence." Silence fell as snow dusted his lashes, and he stared at me. The sirens began wailing in the distance, and I waved. "Don't forget to return the jacket." He was absent for a week after that, and his opponents fared no better. His mother, Mamie Hubbard, stormed into the school, resulting in their expulsion all around. Chapter 4 A week later, Ted returned and handed me a blue down jacket, averting his eyes. "Yours got trashed. This is a replacement." I accepted it without question. It was only much later that I learned its value could have bought every piece of clothing I'd ever owned. From there, things gradually eased between us. He thawed toward me, and I became his only friend in that small town. Just before finals, he suddenly asked, "Have you thought about studying abroad?" I blinked in surprise, and he flushed, his ears turning red. "My mom's planning to send me to Araros after graduation. Want to join?" I gave a bitter laugh. "My family can't afford to send me overseas." "Where are you headed, then?" "Nyxifall, probably. The south is too muggy for me, and Nyxifall's close enough that I can hop on a train and be home in a few hours." He yanked my hat down over my eyes and fell silent. During the dream schools exercise, I expected him to list Araros, but instead, he matched my choice of Nyxifall. I was shocked. "What about Araros?" He slumped over his desk. "Nah, it's overrated. Nyxifall sounds solid." ... Three days before the exams, he ripped up his slip. When I probed, he stayed silent. That night, I learned the truth: Pierre Wiley's wife and son had both perished in a car crash, and he was summoning Mamie and Ted back. Pierre finally paid attention to his one remaining heir, offering legitimacy and inheritance if Ted stayed in Eldonfield. Ted scoffed at the money, but Mamie slapped him amid tears. "All the suffering I've endured over the years for what? For you! If he marries me, I'll no longer be the mistress, and no one can call you a bastard anymore!" Under the birches in the summer heat, with cicadas droning loudly, Ted hung his head. "I'm sorry, Nora. Nyxifall is out for me." His voice was cracked from crying, his eyes rimmed red. After a moment's thought, I tiptoed up and tapped his head. "No sweat. I'll join you in Eldonfield instead." ... Morning light filtered in, and I opened my eyes, my head pounding from yesterday's flurries. Still, my friend's birthday beckoned. Gift in hand, I couldn't skip it. My phone buzzed with a message from Ted: [Forgot these. Swing by tonight.] Attached was a photo of the Snoopy pajamas. They were a sneaky couple's set I'd bought—one for him, one for me. Whenever he wore his, it sparked a fleeting illusion of happiness, as if he belonged to me, even if just for a moment. In hindsight, it was pathetically laughable. I replied: [Toss them. Don't need them anymore.] There was no response, and I flopped over, covering my eyes with my arm. Life in Eldonfield had changed Ted profoundly. I learned then that his mom hadn't been the mistress after all. She had been Pierre's first love, bearing Ted out of genuine passion. But Pierre had abandoned them for a status-matched marriage. Chapter 5 After the marriage, Pierre continued straying, even scheming to produce more heirs. Mamie endured endless torment and rows, spiraling into severe depression before ultimately jumping to her death. Pierre seemed to reform afterward, but the chasm between the father and son was irreparable. Ted stopped going home, diving instead into booze, reckless driving, and heavy smoking. He became the stereotypical trust-fund kid, reveling in nightly excesses. Once aloof toward girls, he now navigated relationships with the skill of a seasoned player. The pure, untainted boy I'd known had faded into an illusion—a ghost from my memories. ... That night at the party, I met Ted's new girlfriend for the first time. She was fair-skinned and fresh-faced, wrapped in a camel coat with chestnut curls tucked into a cashmere scarf. Her smiles crinkled her eyes—sweet rather than stunning, but radiating an innocent purity. Ted had been right; she was leagues apart from his previous girlfriends. "You're Nora, right?" Audrey Vincent bounced over, clasping my hand with a grin. "Ted talks about you all the time. What a liar, saying you're plain. You're gorgeous!" As a woman, I could easily detect the veiled hostility in her eyes. Her intuition must have sensed that my history with Ted wasn't ordinary. Before I could respond, Ted intercepted us, linking his hand with hers. "Meet Audrey, my girlfriend." The crowd erupted in whoops. "This is the first real girlfriend Ted's ever introduced! She's definitely keeper material." "Audrey's impressive, snagging him when no one else could." "When is the wedding? I'll bring a handsome gift!" Audrey blushed, nestling closer to Ted with a shy smile. The latter shielded her. "Ease up, guys. Don't spook her." His friends teased back. "Already in protector mode? We're drowning in sweetness here." We settled into our seats, and out of habit, Ted claimed the spot to my left. I was about to nudge him when Audrey approached. She pressed her lips together, probing, "Nora, would you mind swapping spots? Since you're single, it's best to keep some distance from a guy who has a girlfriend, right?" Her blunt request made me frown. Since I had taken that spot first, the one who should move was certainly not me. But Ted poked me. "Come on. Just humor her a bit." I glanced at him, then rose and relocated to the opposite side. The night buzzed with energy, booze flowing freely. Mid-meal, Audrey nudged Ted. "I want some of that salmon." He responded automatically, "But aren't you allergic to fish?" My fork halted mid-air as silence stretched. Audrey's expression soured. "No, I'm not." Ted froze. "Oh, must've mixed it up." She pressed, "Who is allergic to fish, then?" He shrugged. "Brain fog. I've had too much to drink." She shot me a dark look, then deliberately dropped a piece of salmon onto my plate, staring intently. "Try it, Nora. It's good." Chapter 6 An oblivious friend slurred from the side, "Audrey, you don't know, but Nora is allergic to fish." "Oh, really?" Audrey replied in a flat tone. After several rounds, everyone was tipsy. One flushed guy declared, "Ted, we all bet you'd stay single until 30. Didn't expect you to find the one so soon." Another grinned foolishly. "Yeah, we thought you and Nora were so close that you'd end up together." Audrey's face clouded over, but Ted laughed it off. "Us? Nah, we're just best buds. That's hilarious." He cackled as if it were the punchline of a great joke. His friends piled on. "Pure platonic vibes all the way, ha!" I joined in the laughter. "Ted and I? That would be absurd." Ted came over, slinging an arm around my shoulders. He was plastered, his cheeks rosy and his eyes watery. Tilting his head, he asked, "You don't actually like me, do you?" I searched his eyes for something, but there was nothing. To him, we were truly just friends. I forced a grin. "As if." "Good." He nodded, shaking my shoulder. "We're best pals forever." Despite all the booze, I'd never felt so clear-headed. I echoed softly, "Best pals." ... The next morning, I booked a direct flight home. Before boarding, I took one last peek at my phone. Ted had posted a new update—a photo of him and Audrey, their hands laced together. No captions were needed. It was an official announcement, flooded with congratulations from their friends. I stared for a moment, then yanked out the SIM card and tossed it into the trash. Returning home proved smoother than I'd imagined. My parents picked me up at the airport, and with the holidays approaching, the streets were alive with twinkling lights, wreaths, and Bing Crosby crooning White Christmas. It lacked Eldonfield's glitz, but the lingering scent of fireworks grounded me in a comforting way. My mom was thrilled since I'd skipped three Christmases at home to spend them with Ted. But her joy lasted only briefly before she slipped into nagging. "You're almost 30 now. When are you going to settle down? Our neighbor's daughter is a year younger, and her kid's already toddling around, all chubby and adorable. Even my younger coworkers are going on blind dates. Oh, and the guy next door is handsome. I'll introduce you." She snuck glances at my expression while talking because I'd always hated blind dates. My eyes had been fixated on Ted, leaving no room for anyone else. After our drunken slip-up blurred our boundaries, my focus had narrowed even further to him alone. Alice's talk of marriage had always irritated me. But now, as I gazed at the whirling confetti from firecrackers outside the window, exhaustion washed over me. Settling down didn't sound so bad after all. Chapter 7 "Okay," I replied. "Don't fight it," Alice pressed on. "I know you like that Wiley boy, but... wait, what?" My eyelashes drooped. "I said okay. Introduce us." After dinner, my old app rang with a call from Ted. I'd switched to a new number, sharing it with only a couple of close friends, but I still logged into the old one occasionally to tie up loose ends before deleting it. He sounded casual, as if nothing had happened. "Why is your phone not connecting?" Before I could answer, he continued, "Anyway, I've got the holiday prep all sorted. Anything else you want? I'll have my assistant grab it." His words triggered a memory: the year Mamie died. I'd gone home, but on Christmas Eve, I video-called him to wish him happy holidays. It took ages for him to answer; the screen was dark at first, showing only a fading ember from his cigarette. "Yeah?" he rasped. As the screen adjusted to the light, I saw he was alone on the balcony, surrounded by scattered bottles and cigarette butts. Outside, the world was alive with lights and fireworks, but that joy seemed worlds away from him. He sat there in the shadows, smoking in isolation, and my heart broke for him. I smiled through it. "Merry Christmas early! Got a gift for me?" He chuckled, and a transfer notification pinged on my phone. He had just sent me 100 thousand dollars, which blew my mind. After a long pause, he murmured, "Nora, come back soon. I'm really..." The wind scattered his words; I couldn't make out if it was "lonely" or "missing you". Worried about him, I faked a work emergency and booked the next flight back to Eldonfield. At 3 a.m., the city still pulsed with life, but Ted's place was pitch black. I banged on the door, breathless. "Ted, open up!" I thought he was asleep, but he answered quickly, staring at me in stunned silence. "Y-You're back?" I beamed. "I'm here to keep you company for the holidays." He gaped, and as the awkwardness built, he suddenly pulled me into a crushing hug, as if trying to fuse us. From then on, I'd always spend the holidays with him before heading home. It became our unspoken ritual. Yet this year, with Audrey by his side, I hadn't expected him to reach out. I glanced out the window. "I'm already home." Ted paused, caught off guard. After a moment, he hummed, trying to sound natural, "Oh, makes sense. It's been years since you spent the holidays with your family." "Yep." I clutched my phone. Silence stretched across the line, broken faintly by Audrey's voice in the background. "Ted, a little help here. The hot water is acting up." "Coming," Ted replied. "Gotta go," I said, my lips tightening. "Yeah," he said flatly. Chapter 8 I hung up, and the screen dimmed. I'd expected insomnia, but instead, I crashed hard. At 2 a.m., thirst woke me—the dry northern winter air was something I wasn't yet readjusted to after my long absence. Heading downstairs for water, I was about to go back up when I heard faint rustling from the bathroom. "A burglar!" My body tensed, my hair standing on end. My heart pounding, I held my breath and tiptoed toward the stairs for my phone. But as I passed the bathroom, the door flew open. In a panic, I grabbed a nearby umbrella and swung it wildly. He caught it, yanking me close and clamping a hand over my mouth. That was when I realized the intruder was shirtless. My tank-exposed back pressed against his warm, verbena-scented chest, still damp from steam. This guy was breaking in, not even dressed. Terrified he'd suffocate me, I bit down hard on his arm and thrashed wildly. But he was too strong, holding firm. When I couldn't break free, I dissolved into tears, afraid he'd kill me first and then my parents. Sobbing into his hand, I pleaded tremulously, "Mercy! My dad's cash is in the window cabinet—maybe two grand. If that's not enough, I can Venmo more, but I only have a few grand left. Take it and go; we'll pretend this never happened. I'm young. I haven't even been in love and haven't married. I don't want to die, please..." A soft laugh escaped him, and then the living room lights flicked on. Blinking against the brightness, I saw a young man standing before me, shirtless, with droplets tracing his toned abs down to his waist before pooling on the floor. He stood at least 6'2", making me feel tiny in comparison. My tone turned complex as I said, "Buddy, with a face like yours, you could make 30 to 50 grand a night in the city. Why resort to burgling us? We're broke." His cherry-tinted lips curved into a faint arc, and I noticed his voice was melodic. "You are Alice's daughter, right? I'm the renter next door. My heater broke, so she let me use your shower. Sorry for the scare." It clicked after a beat. Alice had mentioned the rental on the drive home. We'd bought the adjacent beach cottages years ago; though cheap in our small town, they offered stunning ocean views from the balconies. With tourism growing, renters had started appearing. Blushing furiously, I wished the ground would open and swallow me. "Sorry, I..." He waved it off. "My bad. I got spooked too. Ow!" On his arm was a bite mark, already starting to bleed. Overcome with guilt, I said, "Let me grab some iodine to clean that." Chapter 9 I never imagined my first night back home would involve sitting on the couch with a stranger, our heads nearly touching as I tended to his wound. Dabbing the cotton ball on it, I learned his name was Chase Sterling, an artist here to sketch the local landscapes. "Looks pretty deep," I frowned at the wound. "Think you need a tetanus shot?" He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Nah, a rabies shot might be more appropriate." It took a second for the tease to register. I glared at him, though my guilt softened the intensity. He grinned. "Seriously, that bite's perfectly round. It has a certain artistic flair." Alice adored Chase, constantly inviting him over for meals. She'd wink at me slyly. "That boy is great, always helping with chores. And so handsome! If you two got together, your kids would be..." "Mom," I sighed in exasperation. It wasn't that I had anything against Chase, but I'd once noticed his coat, casually tossed on our sofa. It matched one Ted had worn, from a century-old, Italian custom brand, costing at least six figures. He was clearly from a wealthy world far removed from mine. Yet he had a knack for charming elders. Since his arrival, he had handled tasks like hauling water buckets, earning praise even from my picky dad. On Christmas Day, Alice invited him to dinner. I grumbled to her privately, "Why did you drag him over?" She rolled her eyes. "He is all alone here. You okay with him eating solo, no turkey or anything?" I conceded, watching as he joined us at the table, his brown eyes sparkling. "Alice, your turkey is incredible." Her grin stretched wide as she piled more onto his plate. "Eat up, then!" Conversation flowed, but she inevitably circled back to her favorite topic, glancing at me with a sigh. "Nora, when are you going to bring a guy home?" With Chase still there, I felt awkward. "Mom, come on." Chase chimed in, "Nora's so gorgeous. I'm sure she's got suitors lined up. Don't worry, Alice." Alice gushed, "Worry? She takes after me, cute from the start. I'll show you her childhood photos later." "Mom!" I protested. Chase's lips twitched. "I'd love that." After dinner, Alice pulled out the photo album and flipped through it. "Here's her at three months, chubby and adorable," she drawled. "Such fair skin and big eyes; the neighbors called her a doll. This is her school play. Oh, that heavy blush is hilarious." Midway through, my dad called her away. I approached, feeling awkward. "My mom is like that. Don't feel obligated to..." Chase looked up, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "No issue. She's right. You were really cute as a kid." His words made me freeze. After the specials ended, fireworks continued popping outside. Our small town allowed them, and though they were cheap, the bursts lit up the sky in dazzling colors. Chapter 10 I stood on the balcony with a beer, my friend's words lingering in my mind. Ted was taking Audrey to a resort in Skyulland. My friend's tone had been disappointed. "You've been by his side forever. How didn't you snag him? You'd be set for life." I'd laughed it off, but the sting of pathos remained. They were likely honeymooning sweetly now; his future holidays and his life would no longer need me. My friend had once called me cheap for our messy entanglement. It was true: he'd never said he liked me, yet I'd clung on, blurring lines. My love ran too deep; I couldn't bear losing him. Even those illusory intimacies had fooled me into feeling like I owned him. But they were like these fireworks—a brilliant flash, then nothing but fading embers. A voice interrupted my thoughts. "Mind if I join?" I turned to see Chase with a cigarette in his lips. I shook my head, and he stepped closer, cupping his hands to light it before taking a deep drag. Grasping for words, I asked, "You okay spending the holidays alone? What about your parents?" Chase exhaled smoke. "They're far away." I winced and apologized quickly, "Sorry." He glanced at me, amused. "They're on an Antarctica cruise." I shut up, feeling dumb. He laughed, coughing from the smoke, then grabbed my beer and took a swig. "Um, that's mine," I mumbled. He handed me a fresh one while keeping mine. "What do people do for fun here in winter?" I followed the shift, pondering. "Not much. Too cold. Maybe catch a movie?" Chase nodded, filing it away. I pressed, "Why did you come here anyway?" "For inspiration," he replied, squinting at the horizon. "Don't you think the winters here are particularly beautiful?" "True," I agreed. "When are you leaving?" He didn't answer right away. After a bit, he stubbed the cigarette on the can and smiled faintly. "Planned for spring, but now I think I'll stay a bit longer." "Why?" "Because..." My phone rang suddenly, and the screen lit up with an unknown number. I gestured to him, and he sensibly stepped back inside. "Hello?" I answered. After a long silence, Ted's voice came through. "Nora, you changed your number?"