Next door, Sam heard Alice rummaging through her closet. Alice was always cleaning stuff up, but rarely in the closet. It must be some old toys he thought and sighed. He had donated most of his toys years ago, ever since his best friend Tyler donated all of his and teased Sam for still playing pretend with his stuffed animals and dominos. 

Now all he had was his teddy bear, Michael, and a few board games. 

Thinking about Tyler made Sam excited. They were going to meet today, which would mark exactly three years since Tyler moved to a different town, then a different city, and then a different country even. It was hard to believe how time had passed.

 Sam had made friends over the years, but they just weren’t the same. 

  Sam put his classic book series and his thoughts on Tyler away. There were still a few hours before he was to meet up with Tyler, so he had to utilize the most out of his other time. Finals were coming, and Sam knew he had to ace them.

Sam turned on his speaker and switched to a study song. He opened up his calculus book and reached for his draft paper and pencils. 

“Over here!” 

Julie yelled to her friend Alissa as she motioned for her to pass the ball. Alissa dashed across the basketball court, skillfully dribbling and zig-zagging to avoid aggressive opponents. Time was ticking on the oversized timer that seemed to loom over the players. Alissa tossed the ball to Julie, who leaped midair and threw it through the hoop. Success! Julie’s team leaped and danced in victory as the crowd erupted in applause and shouts. Julie caught her parents’, baby sister’s, cousin Tyler’s, and Aunt Paisley and Uncle Jacks’ clapping, thumbs-up, and smiles and waved back, smiling with pride. The two teams strolled over to the refreshments stand, congratulating one another. Julie ran to the refreshments stand, feeling tiny fireworks of joy in her heart. 

The evening was streaking the sky a swirl of pink and orange sorbet. It reminded Julie of Saturday evenings when her family went out for dinner. Now Julie rarely had any time for relaxing family dinners. She felt all her life these days were school, basketball practice, music lessons, and programs nonstop. All she ever ate were sandwiches, sushi, and beef patties (whenever there was a microwave) -anything that was portable and fast. Despite the hectic schedule, she felt glad that she had a lot to do. It kept her busy and alive- and Julie loved that. 

“Awesome throw, Julie! You nailed it!” Alissa praised as she caught up with her friend. 

Julie beamed. “Thanks!” she said. “You did pretty well yourself! That zig-zag was professional”. 

Alissa smiled, then gazed around the field, as she had often done in the past. But in the past, all the fields were indoors. This was the first time they played basketball outdoors. Julie saw a cloud of sadness descend into her friend’s eyes. 

“What’s wrong?” asked Julie.

But before Alissa could answer, it was Julie’s turn to get a drink. 

Alissa saw Julie rush up to the stands and hastily glance at the menu with glee. Her turn was next, which meant she would have to confess to Julie about how she was feeling very soon. 

 She had always tried to hide her sadness and longing, but then again, other times were easy. Not this time. Nothing evoked Alissa more than a rustic playing field. 

“Alice! Sam! It’s time to meet Tyler at the basketball field!” Alice’s mom said as she passed by Alice’s room. 

Right! Alice totally forgot that she and Sam were meeting Sam’s friend at the field. Alice didn’t want to come, she didn’t even know Tyler that much. And basketball wasn't her thing. The only plus side was spending more time with family- and getting ice cream. She luxuriated in the thought of getting egg tart ice cream again. How long ago was the last time she savored her new favorite ice cream? She couldn’t remember. 

“Okay, mom!” said Sam in the next room. Alice’s daydream popped.

 “Coming!” Alice replied, shuffling all her toys back into the closet. She sighed. She would have to wait until the next time she felt nostalgic and had a bit of time to rummage through her toys again. That happening again was unlikely- rarely did she even have time to think in a day, let alone feel nostalgic. And whenever she was free, she was too tired to even think of her past. 

Chapter 6: Alice’s Mom, Maya 

Maya rarely thought about her past, let alone her childhood. Yet when others thought about their past she found herself reminiscing as well. Maya heard Alice taking out her toys - and recognized the sounds of the soft plush animals mixing with the hard and clinky toys that somehow combined to form the sound of her childhood. In the midst of her thoughts gently unveiled, she saw and heard her own childhood toys.

“One iced lemonade with sliced strawberries and mint, please” Julie ordered. She couldn’t wait to indulge in her favorite cool drink after a long day of games. 

“Thanks!” Julie said and excitedly took her lemonade. Even as night slowly descended, she saw the strawberries and ice bounce in the glistening liquid. 

Julie sipped the fresh lemonade. So good! thought Julie. She mulled over what made it so delightful. Was it the natural sourness? Or the hint of sweet strawberries? Maybe it was the classic red and white paper straw? 

But with a bit more thought, she remembered. 

Alissa gazed around the field. Her memories blurred with reality as she got thrown into a whirlwind of nostalgia. In her memory, she saw her hometown. She saw the vast playing fields, the long acres of grass. She heard the sounds of laughter, of joy, of cheers. She momentarily broke it as she remembered Julie. Julie had been her only silver lining ever since she moved. Adapting to city life was hard, and Julie made the transition glide relatively smoothly. She glanced over at her friend. Julie seemed to be in a daze as well. 

Julie immediately caught Alissa’s eyes and grinned. 

“Do you know what this drink reminds me of?” asked Julie, her eyes motioning to the drink in her hand.

“Umm, no….” Alissa responded. 

But in the back of her mind, she felt she knew. 

The enormous field lights flickered on, echoing in the deserted stands. Julie’s and Alissa’s family walked over to the refreshments stand, where Julie and Alissa were still in nostalgia. 

They congratulated and cheered them, celebrating their victory. 

“Awesome, Julie!” said Tyler. 

“Thanks, cuz!” Julie said. 

Suddenly Tyler’s eyes grew wide, the look when someone was just reminded of something, usually something important. Tyler hastily glanced at his watch. “Oh, I have to meet Sam around now. Be back soon!” he said and dashed toward the entrance. He hadn’t seen Sam in so long. Not since he moved- like around 5 times ever since. Every time one of them was free to see each other- was exactly when the other was busy or something just came up. This time Tyler was determined to see him. 

Sam, Alice, and their parents arrived at the brightly lit stadium momentarily. Even though it was only dinnertime, the sky was turning a deep shade of blue. 

Sam liked it. It meant fall was in the air, and that was his favorite season. In his childhood, he had many memories with Tyler in the fall- which had always been the perfect season to go rollerblading or rumbling a bit around the city. It was a relaxing season for Sam- with lots of breezes and calm falling leaves. 

They approached the entrance, talking about the upcoming dinner and desserts that awaited them. 

Sam’s attention diverted as he spotted a figure in the darkness. In the distance, he saw someone running toward them. He felt his heart skip a beat. 

Without thinking, Sam broke into a run and shouted “Tyler!” 

“Wow, it’s been so long!” exclaimed Sam as they exuberantly high-fived each other. 

“Yeah! We haven’t seen each other for three years!” said Tyler, still unable to believe the passing of time. 

They observed each other for a moment, quickly registering the changes the other went through. Tyler felt that Sam’s face was now heavily creased with anxiety. Sam, on the other hand, thought that Tyler’s eyes had a new sense of loneliness. 

Awkward for a moment, Sam tried to make the atmosphere lighter. 

“Hey, let’s go get dinner!” said Sam. 

Tyler’s eyes lit up. “Cool! Where are we headed?”

“My parents were thinking of the usual- the falafel stand, then the taco shop, and finally the ice cream parlor for dessert!” 

“Oh, those are my favorites!” exclaimed Tyler, savoring at the thought. “From where I live now, it’s quite far from the city, so I rarely eat halal food or tacos”. 

“There come my parents, they’ve been wondering a lot about you,” said Sam, motioning to his parents and sister as they approached them. 

“Hello, Tyler. It’s been so long,” said Maya with her usual wave. 

“How’s life in Canada?” asked their father.

“Hi Tyler,” said Alice. 

“Hello, long time no see. Life in Canada is pretty similar to the U.S. actually. It’s just pretty quiet in my small town from time to time,” said Tyler. “Also, my parents are near the refreshments,” he said, motioning to the stands. 

“Alright then, let’s go there,” said Maya as they all began walking toward a realization.

“Hey Maya and Jack!” said Tyler’s parents as they approached the stands. 

“Hello!” said Sam’s parents. Both Sam’s and Alice’s parents and Tyler’s parents had eager eyes and smiles- the looks people have when they let down their grown-up mask- even if it’s just for a moment. 

After exchanging exclamations and long time no sees, they all began talking about the usual grown-up stuff- life in the two worlds, work, and the news.

After the parents tried to include Tyler, Sam, and Alice in the conversation, they soon got a bit restless and looked for a way out. 

The bright stand behind them caught their eye and gave them an idea. 

“Hey Mom, can we get some snacks?” interrupted Tyler. 

“Sure thing, but be back soon, we’ll be heading for dinner shortly”. 

With that, Tyler, Sam, and Alice rushed to the stands. 

“Can you believe we’ll be like them when we grow up?” asked Tyler.

“Yeah, sort of, to be honest. Because I sure wasn’t like this as a child” said Sam. 

“Hmm. Good point” said Tyler. 

And they continued to walk in silence. 

When they arrived, Julie waved at them with her lively smile. 

“Hey again!” exclaimed Julie. She curiously glanced over at Sam and Alice. 

“Oh right, this is my best friend, Sam, and his sister, Alice,” said Tyler.

“Cool. Hi Sam and Alice!” 

Then in the corner of her eye, Julie spotted Alissa, who was coming back from the snacks stand with an apple, and motioned in her direction.

“This is my friend, Alissa,” Julie said as Alissa approached them. 

“Hey!” they all said in near unison. 

“Hi,” said Alissa timidly. 

“It’s so great that we could meet! It’s hard for such a coincidence that we could all have time in our schedules” said Julie, who was always up for meeting new people and being a part of gatherings. 

“Yeah! Believe me, I know,” said Sam, glancing at Tyler, who nodded in agreement. 

They all turned their heads as Maya approached them. 

“Come, kids, it’s time to get dinner,” Maya said gently, for she could tell from their expressions and posture that they were reminiscing. 

Alice, Sam, and Tyler nodded in unison. They were in limbo between two times: the past and the present. 

Maya stood there for a while, waiting, but not pressuring. She found herself joining them as well. 

There, on the rustic field, with the peaceful sky above them, they all looked at one another in silence. And as strange as it might seem, they all felt as if they were old friends, reunited once more. 

Connected to everyone, no matter who or where is their past. And in everyone’s past, there is their childhood. Childhood is universal, yet can be vastly different among individuals. Its stories can bond us, yet also break us. Good or bad, and regardless of its tie to the present, it is believed to be one of the most memorable times in a person’s lifetime. Yes, just that time. That short, yet impressionable time, that spans a long journey in a child’s eyes. And someday, to that grown child’s mind as well.