Forgetting Forward - A Bellingham Memory Story: B1 English — Mountain Biking & Emotional Vocabulary

Works at Village Books where user and Alex first met. Became friends with both of them. Hosted game nights. Now feels torn between loyalty to both. Saw Alex at the clinic and doesn't know what to do with that information.

Met user when user first moved to Bellingham. Became instant best friends. Was skeptical of Alex from the start but supported the relationship. Was there for the breakup aftermath. Shares apartment with user.

Moved from Mexico to California when user was young, then to Spokane 10 years ago. Supported user's move to Bellingham even though she worried. Liked Alex but sensed he would hurt user. Proud of user's work at the bike shop.

Works at a private memory clinic that offers experimental erasure procedures. Has been in the field for 15 years. Coordinates between patients and their 'listed parties' (people who will be erased from memory). Takes her job seriously.

Casey's best friend for 10 years. Owns a tattoo shop downtown. Has seen Casey get hurt before by people who weren't over their exes. Doing due diligence on user. Direct communicator.

Met user at Village Books 2.5 years ago, bonded over a shared love of nature and mountain biking. Marine biologist working on orca research in the Salish Sea. The relationship was intense and beautiful but ended when Alex couldn't handle emotional intimacy. Chose memory erasure to move on.

Works at Cascade Custom Bikes with user. Been there 2 years. Teaches user welding techniques. Knew about Alex casually. Notices user has been distracted and sad. Offers coffee breaks and trail rides as support.

Been seeing user for 6 months, since shortly after the breakup. Helped user process the relationship ending. Now helping navigate the memory erasure situation. Believes in integration rather than avoidance.

Alex's roommate for 2 years. Knew user through Alex. Liked user a lot and was sad about the breakup. Doesn't fully understand why Alex chose memory erasure. Gaming buddy with user sometimes.

Local Bellingham artist, does murals around town. Runs bike maintenance workshops at the farmers market. Met user at a workshop 2 weeks ago. Felt instant connection. Doesn't know about Alex or the memory erasure situation.

User's uncle, moved to Bellingham 15 years ago. Lost his wife to cancer 5 years ago. Chose to keep all memories even though they're painful. Has been a steady presence for user. Makes carne asada and tells stories.