[ RF ] Your friend asks you to pick up some stuff in their name . You do n't remember their name .

From across the mall food court, I saw a familiar face. She still wore glasses two sizes too big for her face, and still had that resting bitch face. The one she ’ s had since we were second graders. But she was the furthest thing from. I remember her being one of the kids who were always nice to me. I hadn ’ t seen her since we were in elementary school. As soon as I saw her across from the mall, I ran over and greeted her. 
 
 “ Hey!!! Do you remember me! ” I screeched, almost too excitedly. 
 
 I don ’ t know why. The thought of seeing an old friend who I haven ’ t spoken to excited me. What was she up to? Was she married? Is she a big shot lawyer at a big firm? Something about finding these things out made me excited. 
 
 “ Emily? Is that you? Oh my god, you went to Dove Hill elementary right? It ’ s been so long! I barely recognize you! ” She replied. 
 
 “ It really has been, I thought I had lost contact with everyone from those days, it ’ s so nice to see you! Do you want to catch up over drinks? On me! ” I replied. 
 
 Her smile faded. What did I say?? Did say something wrong? 
 
 “ I would love to, but maybe not today. My husband passed away last week, I ’ m getting some final things ready for the funeral. I ’ m sorry, I really don ’ t mean to be rude. I would love to meet up at some point, I ’ m just…you know. I can ’ t right now. ” 
 
 I froze for a second. Not the answer I was expecting. 
 
 “ Oh my god, I ’ m so sorry, I didn ’ t mean to intrude. If there is anything I could… ” 
 
 She cut me off. 
 
 “ Emily, don ’ t even sweat it. I just have a busy couple of days ahead. But I ’ m so glad I ran into you. It brightened up my day. ” She said, forcing a smile. 
 
 I felt bad. I know I had no reason to, but I was just sad she was going through this. 
 
 “ Listen, if there is anything you need help with, let me know. I ’ d be more than happy to lend a hand. ” I offered, not expecting her to take me up on it. 
 
 She gave me a hug and then her face lit up for a split second. 
 
 “ Actually, Emily, do you think you could swing by the florist and pick up the flowers I had ordered? They close in an hour, and I ’ m not quite done here. I can pay you for your time- “ she offered, holding out her hand at me. 
 
 I cut her off and slapped her hands away, playfully. “ No, I ’ m off work today, and I would love to help any way I can. ” I insisted. 
 
 “ You don ’ t know how much that would help me out. Thank you. ” She smiled, almost teary-eyed. She gave me a brisk hug and thanked me again. 
 
 She quickly grabbed a pad from her oversized purse and scribbled the address to the florist and her phone number and gave it to me. 
 
 “ Wait, how will they know it ’ s for you? ” I quickly quipped, realizing I don ’ t actually recall her name. Rachel? Or was it Ellen? No Ellen was the girl with the thick eyebrows. For the life of me, I couldn ’ t remember what her name was. 
 
 “ It ’ s all paid for, and it ’ s under my name. Just tell them you ’ re picking up for me. I can call you later today to get them from you if you don ’ t mind. You ’ re a life saver! ” She replied, and then quickly turned to head off on the rest of her tasks. 
 
 Shit…..Shit shit shit. 
 
 I then had a brilliant idea. Maybe if I call and she doesn ’ t recognize my name, she ’ ll answer with her name, or maybe it ’ ll go to voicemail and I can find out that way! 
 
 I headed towards the florist and once I parked, I decided to call her. 
 
 Ring ring. 
 
 “ Hey, Emily right? ” 
 
 “ Hey. How did you know…? ” 
 
 “ I figured, I was waiting for your call! ” she joked. 
 
 “ Oh…well I ’ m about to pick up the flowers. Should I give your full name? I actually don ’ t know your last name. ” 
 
 “ My first name should be fine, thanks again, Emily.'' 
 
 Shit. Shit shit shit. 
 
 

