Liza's moms and old friends.
Liza's mom, Martha, waved enthusiastically from the porch. "Liza, darling!" Her face was almost identical to Liza's, but with visible wrinkles of age around her eyes, radiating warmth.
"Quite the welcome Mom" Liza replied with a chuckle, carefully navigating up the porch steps.
"Well, of course. I get to see my two favourite people." Martha wrapped her arms around Liza's shoulders in a tight embrace.
"Two favourite people?" Liza asked.
Martha pulled back, her face glowing. "Your Gary is here too."
Liza couldn't hide the surprise that spread across her face. "My Gary? Why?"
Martha shrugged. "He always stops by...." Martha leaned forward and whispered "I think he only comes in the hope you are around visiting."
As Liza stepped inside her mother's home, she caught a glimpse of the living room window. There he was, Gary, standing a midst a swirl of old family photos. His bald head gleamed in the sunlight and his round belly jiggled slightly as he walked over to them. Her heart skipped a beat, "Why on earth is he here?" She thought.
"Liza, honey, do come in. Gary is waiting for you," Martha announced cheerfully.
As Liza stepped into the living room, she heard a distinct click, followed by a faint buzzing sound.
Martha followed her beautiful daughters gaze and chuckled.
"Oh, don't mind that." Martha waved dismissively at the strange device in the corner of the room. "It's just Gary's latest thingy. Helps him with memory research," she said.
Liza eyed the machine sceptically, then Gary.
"Liza! What a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to see you here." Gary said.
Liza forced a smile. "At MY mum's house, I can see why that would be unexpected," Liza said with a hint of sarcasm. "I didn't know you and mom were so close."
Gary rubbed his sweaty palms against his pants. "Well, I do come around a lot." He chuckled nervously. "Your mom and I have some wonderful conversations. She's a very fascinating woman."
Liza raised an eyebrow.
"I see." She said, turning to her exuberant mother.
Martha beamed. "Oh, Gary is just a sweetheart."
Liza could see her mother was fawning over Gary, more than even Mike, Liza's husband.
"Please sit, you sit here Gary, I'll go get us some drinks," Martha said and left the two.
Liza sat across from Gary as he fidgeted with his hands. She crossed her arms and leaned back onto the couch. "So, what is it you two talk about?"
Gary's eyes darted around the room before settling on her. "Just life, I suppose?"
Liza was unconvinced. "Gary, our families have known each other since we were kids and not once do I remember you coming over to see Mum, the only thing I remember is you always asking me out and me saying no, and what is that thing?"
Gary paused, weighing his next words carefully.
"Oh, that?" He gestured nonchalantly towards the machine humming softly in the corner. "It's nothing, really—a new project I'm working on to help with memory recollection. A memory device."
Liza blinked in surprise. "Memory recollection? That sounds like science fiction."
Gary chuckled nervously. "Yes, well, it's still in the early stages, but so far the results have been promising. It's all very boring and after a while you don't even notice it and feel comfortable."
For a moment, Liza forgot about the device and her mother's strange affection for Gary.
Liza settled into the soft fabric of the sofa, she felt comfortable and safe despite the tension hanging in the air between them. "So, what do you mean by 'memory recollection'?" She asked, not really caring as a warm feeling poured over her, as sense of feeling tired.
"Well, you know how memories can fade or become distorted over time?" Gary explained, "This device is designed to help recall chosen memories."
Liza nodded and yawned.
"It helps to identify certain memories and can be applied to alter specific memories."
Liza frowned as she drifted off to sleep.
Gary walked over and sat beside her.
He gently took her hand in his. "Oh Liza. I think you have some awesome memories I want to hear about."
Martha came in with a tray of drinks. "She went under quickly!"
"Absolutely, would you be a dear and give us half an hour, Martha," he said, flashing a crooked-toothed smile.
"Of course," Martha said as she patted his shoulder, she picked the tray back up and left her daughter and Gary alone.
Gary watched her close the door then placed Liza's hand back down on her side.