“Just one more game, girl. I’ll make this one interesting.”

The gruff voice seemed to echo in her head. Bea opened her eyes with a groan, slowly sitting up. Warm sunlight entered her sight and she closed them quickly. The blanket that covered her shoulders fell to the side of her. She reaching up grabbing her head, the pressure of a headache forming at the front of her skull.

What happened? Hazy memories flooded her mind - the bar, the smell of booze, lousy country music, a pool table, Beth’s laughter and… the old man.

She scuffed, annoyed, and leaned her head back to look up at the grey fabric of a car ceiling.

Car?

She shot up, alarmed. Bea doesn’t drive. Not since… No. They had road in a uber to the bar. The driver had been a small older women who had smelled of cinnamon and cigarettes.

She glanced around her, taking in her surroundings. Sure enough she was in the back seat of a car. She had a green plush pillow and a flannel blanket with her, her purse was near by and tucked under the passenger seat.

Glancing out the window she noticed she was in a small parking lot. A chain linked fence wrapped itself around the lot, snow shoved lazily against the fence from the plow trucks. Two more cars where in the lot, but seem empty or abandoned. One still heavily covered with snow.

Had it snowed last night? She couldn’t remember. Leaning forward, she looked into the front seats. It seemed someone else was here with her, a soda sat in the cup holder, bubbles fizzing around the lid. Placing her hand on the seat, she felt that it was still warm. Bea could feel the tightness of her chest, her heart pounding beneath.

Beth was a lot of things but she would never let her leave with a stranger.

“Bea, people are fucking weird. We stick together, got it? We go together and leave together.” She had once said, glaring and wiggling her figure at her

So how did she end up here? Something about this situation seemed familiar. Was this déjà vu? She started to search her pockets for her phone when she realized she wasn’t even wearing the same clothes from last night.

“What the fuck.” She mumbled to herself. She couldn’t remember the last time she wore these brown boots, and she was pretty sure the grey hoodie she wore now had been ruined ages ago. Her hands wrapped around a chain, and quickly pulled it from her pocket. Showing a old pocket watch. She huffed, and clicked it open. The face of the watch cracked. The same one the old man had bet her on their last game.

—

“How so?” Bea had asked the old man, adding chalk to her cue.

She remembered asking the old man this after he asked for a third game. She had already won twice against him. First bet was a beer, second was two shots. She was no professional, but playing since her teens had definitely given her an advantage.

She watched as the old man pulled out a black box, placing it on the side of the pool table. Her friend, Beth, and her looked at it suspiciously.

“Winner get the pretty black box.”

“What’s in the box?”

He shrugged and gave both girls a toothy grin.

“Whatever you desire.”

“Plane tickets to Cancun?” Beth questioned, giggling as she tapped the box. She remembers shaking her head and laughing at Beth. To be fair, she could care less what was in the box. She hadn’t planned to stay this long, and the drinks were starting to make her tired.

“You know what, sure. Why not? But if that’s a bloody finger, I’m call the cops, got it?” The old man grinned at this and nodded he’s head. Beth had placed her chin on her shoulder.

“You don’t think it’s a finger do you…”

It hadn’t been nor had it been plane tickets to Cancun. It had been a broken pocket watch. It was old from the look of the cavings on the front, the face of the clock still held but the glass had been cracked down the middle. The hands not moving, both stuck together at the number twelve.

She remember him sliding the box over to her after her victory, and congratulating her. She took her last shot of whiskey that Beth had got her and moved to open it.

“So tickets or bloody finger?” Beth had asked.

But inside just laid the pocket watch. They both hummed at the same time as she reached to pick it up and open it. Broken. Beth laughed.

“You could have probably got some good money for that, it looks ancient, but with it broken like that I doubt you’ll get anything.” Beth sat at the table next to them and took a large drink from her beer. She had been annoyed, had placed the watch backin, snapping it closed.

“I’ll be right back.” She had said as she grabbed her jacket and headed out after the man. Either to give him his trash back or give him a peace of her mind. She hadn’t decided yet. She had heard Beth laughing, yelling something after her. She remembered pushing the door open, the cold air hitting her flushed cheeks. She also noticed how quite the parking lot of the bar was. Scanning the lot she saw the old man slowly walking towards the sidewalk.

“Hey, you!” She had ran after him. He had turn slightly to look back, and when he noticed her, he turned fully around.

“Look if you just wanted to give this to someone to some as a joke, it wasn’t a very funny one.” She pushed the black box into his hands. He glanced down at it and then back up at her. Grey eyes seemed to shine strangely and she took a step back, suddenly uneasy.

“What did you get?” He asked her.

“A pocket watch, a broken one. But I’m sure you knew that.” She had rolled her eyes at him.

“That’s a rare one. Use it wisely.” He grabbed her hand back roughly, and placed the boxes in her palm.

“Ever want to change a moment? Pause it? Relive it? If you could, what moment would it be?”

He spoke softly to her, making sure to curl her fingers around the box. She remembers her heart racing, and the rush of heat that seems to move from her chest to face.

—

The front door to the car opened, causing her to fall back against the seat, breaking any memories from last night. Cold air flushed in as a man hurried in, closing the door behind him. He placed a coffee down, and blew into his hands.

“I really don’t think I’ll ever get over this weather.” He chuckled lightly and turned to look at her. Her eyes widen with recognition.

“Hey… are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Bad dream?” She could feel the build up of tears, her heart pounding, chest tighten as she gripped the back seat cushions.

“How are you…” but the tears fell before she could continue.

—

“What’d he say?” Beth had asked as Bea came back, sitting across from her. A dizzy feeling had started to take over her body, nausea twriling in her belly.

“Nonsense.” She muttered. Was her heart beating out of chest? She could feel it thumping rapidly, she was sure everyone else could see it. Beth took an sip of her drink, eyeing her.

“Hey, you alright?” Beth asked reaching out to touch Bea.

“I think I need to go home.” Bea stated, trying to breathe through her mouth. Was she going to be sick?

“Okay, let me get a uber for you.” Beth tone switched to concern, grabbing her phone. “You know.. I’m really proud of you. I know today is the anniversary.. but I haven’t seen you so…” Bea stood up sharply, her chair screeching as it was shoved back.

“I need some air.” Bea moved quickly towards the front door.

“Hey! Bea! Wait!” She couldn’t glance back, it’s the annvisary, of course! It’s the anniversary! She’s been trying to block it out all month. Five years. Five year with out him. Five year when she was the most selfish person and ruined her life. Five years since..

The cold air smacked her in the face as she returned outside, a shuddering crawling down her back. She pulled out the broken watch, staring at the face of it. _“You ever wanted to change a moment?” _She could hear the old man’s voice replay in her mind. With her heart dancing, she twisted the the hands of the clock to 10 o’clock, thinking of the last moment she saw him.

—

Last thing Bea had remembered was the heat that radiated from the pocket watch, the pressure in her head, and then darkness. Nothing.. nothing but..

“Hey.. hey it’s okay!” He moved quickly, moving out of the car and coming to the back seat. He shuffled next to her, closing the back door, wrapping an arms around her shoulder. He’s smoothing voice cooing at her, pulling her tight to him. He smelled exactly how she remembered. Oak, bourbon, and a hint of mixed spices.

“I know we had the fight earlier.. and I’m really sorry how I spoke to you. That wasn’t how I should have acted. I think I’m just worried about this storm, and I know you said you’ll drive but…” Bea cut him off with a kiss, tears still streaming down her face. She knew what to do this time around. There was no way she could loose him this time.

“No, it’s my fault. I think I’m just exhausted from the trip. Let’s stay one more night, hell, even two. Let’s be safe.” Her voice was shaking as she spoke. She placed her hands on his face, to get a good look at him. Kind hazel eyes hidden behind black framed glasses soften as he stared back at her. Freckles covered his nose and cheeks, his clean beard fizzy from the weather. He smiled at her.

”If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re trying to get me in bed.” He wiggled he’s eyebrows at her, running his fingers through her hair. He wiped another stray tear from her face. “You sure you’re okay?” She shook her head, laughing lightly.

“Just had an awful dream.” She closed her eyes, pushing his hand to her face. She wanted to soak this in. Holding on to the moment, maybe it was a dream, maybe it was real, either way, she wasn’t going to take a chance.

“Well, you’re awake now, back to out blissful life!” He chuckled, kissing her. “Come to the front seat, I got your favorite coffee. We’ll go get a hotel before the storms hit. We can even order your favorite junk food and watch those cheesy horror movies you like so much.” He kissed her temple, placing is nose to her head, smelling deeply. Bea sighed, her heart fluttering. With one last shared kiss, they both moved to the front seat.

Talking amount themself, Bea held tight to his hand as he started the car. As she buckled herself in, she felt something dig into her side. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled the pocket watch out. She snapped it open, seeing that the glass cover no longer was broken, the crack replaced with a clean face cover and the hands ticking away softly. A small smile played on her lips as she snapped it closed, shoving it back in her pocket. All she needed was this moment.