Winter: Halfway to God VIII
...

It was the deep chimes of a bell that woke us everday. As soon as the first chime sounded, I would hear a loud voice outside my door.

"Arise from slumber, everyone! God has given us a new day!"

I tried sleepily, to remember where I was. Before I had time to process my thoughts, my door opened and a girl entered. She had large yellow-green eyes, fiery hair and cinnamon skin. She looked, impossibly, as if she had been awake for hours.

"Oh good morning, Two," she said louder than needed. "I am the Jack of Clubs, Aishling, at your service."

I looked at her lethargically.

"Come now," she said, even louder, "let's go."

Aishling took my wrist and dragged me through the Halls. She greeted everyone we passed in the hall with exuberance. She had a wild look to her, full of energy that awakened and brightened everyone she talked to. She made me think of someone half remembered.

"We should live everyday to the fullest," she told me as we walked along. "We never know when God is going to take it away."

I tried to pay attention as she introduced people we passed, but I was busy trying to memorize where we were.

She noticed. "Oh, it's useless trying to remember this place."

"Why?" I asked.

"Do you know why there's no map?" she explained. "It's because the House changes all the time. If you keep your mind on where you're going, you'll get there, eventually."

I tried to wrap my head around the concept.

"Good morning, Jack." a man greeted her.

"Morning, Mendel," She smiled. "Have you met our new Two yet?"

"Welcome, Two of Clubs," Mendel said to me, "I am Mendel, King of Clubs."

I thanked him uncertainly.

He directed a smile towards me and a nod towards Aishling, and left.

She nodded fondly towards Mendel, "The King is nice, isn't he, Two?"

"Why do you all call me that?" I asked, irritation creeping into my voice. "I have a name."

"You can only have a name when you become a Royal Card," she said. "It takes a bit of getting used to, but you'll forget your name someday."

"But I don't want to forget my name," I resisted. I didn't want to forget myself.

Aishling guaged my expression, then whispered, "Let me tell you a secret." She leaned towards me and whispered, "If you want to remember your name, the best way is to repeat it to yourself every night before you sleep so that you won't lose it in your dreams."

"Is that how you remembered your name?" I asked her.

"Yes." Her eyes grew soft with memory. "Someone called me Aishling. Someone I loved. But," she shook her head, "I can't remember who. I only remember that I loved him very much."

"Have you been here for so long that you forgot what's it like outside?"

"Oh yes," she nodded easily. "I came here when I was younger than you! I don't even remember who took me here."

"Do we have to forget?" I asked sadly.

A pause, then she said, "Maybe we wanted to forget. Or maybe we forgot to remember."

"I don't want to forget," I decided. "I don't remember much, but I'd like to remember it no matter how little I remember."

She laughed audibly, turning heads. "You do that, then!"