A LONG LOST FRIEND - Short Story written by M. E. Heed

M.E had only been back to visit Chile, her  country of birth, 3 times since she left in 1974. The second trip was the most interesting one, as  the Universe had a surprise in store for her.

M.E phoned Dora with the details of their flights.  Dora was overjoyed by her niece's visit, she was travelling with her new husband, whom Dora was eager to meet. After her call with M.E she called Laura,  her granddaughter. 

“Laura, I spoke to M.E and they are definitely  visiting us”

“I can't wait to see her!” exclaimed Laura, “I  was only 4 the last time I saw her”.

At that precise moment, Veronica,  who was working that day for Laura's dad, heard the name M.E and she thought to herself, “I was friends with someone called  M.E many years ago. Could she be my  friend who disappeared all those years ago?”

M.E and her family lived in  ‘La Poblacion' in Cerro Alegre. It was purposely built in 1969 for the dockers and their families. There were 16 families in total and each family had children between the ages of 8 and 13. Her dad and his  colleagues were  Dockers and were given the opportunity to buy these purposely built houses.

In 1973 political unrest broke out.  M.E and her family had to leave behind their home, relatives and friends, without telling anyone that they had to go away, not knowing if they were coming back.  Little did M.E know that their lives would take her on a journey of no return for many years.

After Laura finished talking to Dora,  Veronica couldn't resist asking  her  whether M.E was the same  person who used to live in ‘La Poblacion’ in Cerro Alegre, with her sisters Marta and Ximena.

Laura and Veronica compared notes and realised that M.E was the same person. Laura couldn't believe that this lady who she had known since she was a toddler could be her Auntie's long lost friend. They decided to phone M.E to give her the surprise. 

“Hello Auntie, how are you?” 

“Hello darling Laura”, came the reply,  “How nice to hear your voice, am happy that I'll be seeing you very soon.”

“Auntie,  I have someone next to me who would like to say hello to you.” 

“Hello M.E” came the voice. 

It took a few seconds for M.E to recognise the voice then realisation kicked in,  with tears running down her cheeks and with a croaky voice said: “Veronica,  is it really you?!”

“Yes it is me!”  came the reply “Where have you been?”

“I'll explain everything when I see you. I just can't  believe it, after so many years you were right there, amiga, working for Laura’s dad!” M.E cried.

“We often wondered what had happened to you and your family  but no one knew of your whereabouts” Veronica stated.

“We must get together” they said in unison, M.E added “with Marisol and Pati during my visit to Chile” 

The long lost friends were reunited after twenty years, their  friendship grew stronger each time they  contacted each other and  thanks to new  technology  their friendship would never be on hold ever again.