THE SHORE OF NO REGRETS BY MONGOLITA

 

At sixty-five, Claire stood alone by the seashore gazing at the horizon, the red sun rose to greet a new day. In her coat pocket was a letter addressed to someone dear who had not spoken for many years. She wanted to rebuild the bridges that had been broken, before it was too late. 

Claire heard through the grape vine that her friend of many years was unwell.

Determined to let bygones be bygones, she decided to make one final attempt to re-establish their friendship. 

The night before, she had picked up her mobile phone, opened her contacts and searched for the name Caroline, and dialled the number.   

“Hello Caroline, it's me, Claire?” 

On the other end of the line, she heard heavy breathing. Then silence dropped like a guillotine. The line went dead.

The misunderstanding that had torn them apart was over something that could've been discussed and resolved long ago. But both women were stubborn and proud individuals and after their falling out, they never spoke to each other ever again.  

Before their disagreement they had been close and inseparable. They did everything together. Neither of them had siblings and they often said to people they were like sisters. They had met at primary school and their friendship developed when one day Claire's mum looked after Caroline after school and she stayed for dinner. From that day forward they were rarely apart. They attended the same class at secondary school and later went on to the same University. 

They shared many experiences and made beautiful and memorable moments. They did everything together, went to parties, shopping, trips, holidays abroad, and all these moments made their friendship unique. 

The last contact Claire had from Caroline had been a text message filled with resentment, jealousy and anger. 

Misunderstandings had been the true culprit behind the breakdown of their relationship. Claire had tried many times to clarify the situation but Caroline refused to accept the explanation.  

Claire was devastated and heartbroken by the loss of their friendship, causing her much pain, sleepless nights and anguish for years. She has now reached a decision. She was ready to move forward and leave the past where it belonged.

For years she had made every attempt to make amends . Yet as the waves washed over her bare feet, she realised something unexpected.

Slowly, she removed the letter from her pocket, tore it into pieces and released them into the wind. Some of the pieces blew onto the sea and it took with them the forgiveness that Caroline could not do the night before.

 

Claire watched the remains of the letter disappear into the distance. 

She had no regrets, deep in her heart she knew she had done everything she could to make amends with Caroline, the best friend Caroline had once been. 

“No regrets,” she whispered to the sea. “Life is too short and precious to dwell in the past.”