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We remembered almost nothing.
All I remember is that I was Andrew, he was Victor, and the dog's name was Wick, and a feeling of impatience, not knowing why.
When I woke up, I was on the cold cobblestones. Wick was alternately licking my face and Victor's face and tapping me with his paw. When we opened our eyes and looked at each other, our scarred, sooty, but firmly clasped hands showed that we were related.
A kind person took us to the hospital. During the examination, Victor overheard me and we replied that we didn't even remember his name. I think of myself as Andrew, but I couldn't explain if I was really named Andrew, so maybe that wasn't a far-fetched lie.
We were examined and told that we were generally healthy, except for some minor injuries, except for the fact that we had almost completely lost our memories.
After we were released, we rented a small room in a housing complex in town and began living together as two people and a dog.
We had to live without memories. Victor worked as a delivery man during the day and I took a job as a night watchman.
Tonight is Christmas. Victor usually comes home at dusk, but on Christmas Day, he has a lot of work delivering presents, so he will not be able to come home until late at night. Since my job is closed for the Christmas holiday, Wick and I had prepared a small Christmas dinner for Victor.
Bread and vegetable soup. Then a shepherd's pie that I was excited to make. I also prepared baked apples while the oven was still hot. They smelled so good, but Wick kept looking behind the door, back and forth between the door and my feet.
Victor said that Wick must be my dog, but I think he is Victor's dog. It is true that Wick often sleeps by my side, but he looks most content when he is on Victor's lap and his head or back is being stroked. I envy him a little.
Remembering Victor's gentle expression and his hands caressing Uic, I became strangely fidgety. I cough deliberately, even though I am the only one here, and I pull out a secret that I had hidden under the bed.
It was a gift box with a packing string tied around it like a ribbon. Inside is a warm orange hat that would look great on Victor.
Tonight is Christmas Eve. And the next day, Christmas Day, is Victor's birthday.
Victor still doesn't know that I reminded him of his birthday.
When I woke up on that cobblestone, I had a strong feeling of impatience and thought to myself, 'Christmas is Grantz’s birthday, so I have to wish him a happy birthday tomorrow. I didn't tell Victor about it because when I woke up I had no idea who Grantz was, and by the time I got to the hospital, I had forgotten all about it.
What brought it back to me was Victor's letter to me.
Victor said he preferred exchanging letters to words. We worked day and night and didn't spend much time together, so we would write each other every day and go to work. The name on the sender of the letter was "Victor Grantz”.
I thought to myself, "Surely it was Victor I wanted to wish a happy birthday to.
I waited for Victor's return, carrying the gift box and hovering with Wick in front of the table and in front of the door.
When the old wall clock pointed to midnight, the doorbell rang discreetly.
It was the bell we had bought because Victor said it was his favorite sound.
I and Wick looked up briskly and opened the door.
I opened my eyes to see Victor smiling at me, his nose reddening and his breath white.
Victor smiled at me and said, "Welcome home Victor, Merry Christmas, and Happy Birthday. "
Victor's amber eyes rolled back in his head and he stopped moving. I shivered at the look on Victor's face as he stopped moving as if frozen by the cold.
"Victor?" My voice was muffled, but Victor came to himself with a start and his eyes swept over me.
What's wrong? Did he not like the fact that I had suddenly offered him a gift? Or was it my imagination that it was Grantz birthday?
I heard a watery sound at my feet. When we looked down, we saw that Wick had just sneezed.
Victor smiled, let out a small exhale, and picked up our puppy.
"Anyway, let's get in the room quick." Victor nodded at my words. I closed the door behind me and saw the flickering fire in the stove.
I looked at him and said, "Well, uh, ...... didn't you want a present all of a sudden, did you?"
Victor stared at the shoddy gift box and shook his head.
“I mean, it was in the letter."
Victor looked up and tilted his head. I felt awkward at the way he looked up at me, and this time I looked away. Even without looking, I could see that Victor was staring at me as if he wanted to see everything about me. I falter and tell Victor how I gave him the gift.
I was about to say, "But if the Grantz I saw in my dream wasn't you," when Wick, the gift box, and Victor jumped into my chest. I was surprised, but I took Victor in my arms, and at my chest, Wick let out a sweet voice.
'Am I doing something wrong? I don't know. Everything."
I touched Victor's slightly stiff, bouncy orange hair, and he pressed his forehead against my chest. His expression was calm, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
I don't know anything. I don't know Victor's real name, or what made him surprised or relieved.
But, oh, I do know. He was so warm, and we were alive.
"I'm so happy." I said, and Victor gave me a smile that seemed to melt my heart.