I was never meant to remember you. I’d actually succeeded in erasing you from my life and my brain. Even the memories of that time had all but slipped away.

I think my brain did it purposefully. There had been some shame to carry.

But when I saw you today, my heart skipped a beat. Just for a second. Then I composed myself. It’s been at least a decade and a half. You looked better than ever.

As we stood talking, after a quick and awkward hug, flashes of us came into my head. I chased them away, so you wouldn’t read it in my eyes. I tried to stay in the moment and focus on what you were saying.

I wondered if you were experiencing the same thing, as we chatted and caught up on fifteen years, standing there in the hallway. I wondered if you were going back in time in your mind too.

Us in your car. Us in the front seat. Us in the backseat.

You were so sweet. Innocent. But so hungry.

I was caught up in all those moments, in the attention you bestowed me. The compliments. I did not care that it was wrong. Neither did you.

It was hot. It was summer. Summer dresses. Bare legs. Sweaty skin. A chemistry so explosive.

It was too good to be true.

I don’t even remember how or why it ended.

I won’t let those memories slip away again. I’ll choose to remember it.

That sweet summer.