Friend?

When you are a child, there are plenty of friends around you. You have fun, you smile and play all the time, but the smallest mistake can ruin everything. Even the closest friend may leave you without any chance to be forgiven…
I married Nick when I was twenty two. I was in college and he was a stranger, who made me fall in love with him. I thought nothing could be better in this life, but everything changed when she appeared in our world!

June, the 7th 2009
It was a lovely summer morning. The sun was shining and so was I. Nick went to job and I had a vacation. I didn’t want to get up and do something about the house. I longed to lie in the bed, see wonderful dreams and stay happy.
The phone rang somewhere downstairs, and I woke absolutely up. I knew that was my mom. She always called me when I was at home. Sometimes I even thought her to be a witch, otherwise how could she know I was at home?
“Hello, mom?” I pronounced without her first to greet. “I am fine”.
“I know you are my dear”, she sighed.
“As always!”
“I called to tell you something different, my dear?” She said. “Do you remember Jane?”
“What Jane?” I didn’t remember her.
“Jane Freeway, dear!”
I remembered Jane Freeway. We studied together at high school and we were best friends at that period of my life.
“What’s wrong with Jane?” I asked being worried.
“She returned to our place”, my mother answered and I felt the tears on my cheeks.
“Seriously?”
“Yes, my dear, seriously. That’s cancer and the thing is, she doesn’t want to cure”.
“But…”
“She doesn’t, dear!”
That was our talk with my mother that was the reason for me to think and to make hasty conclusions. I went upstairs and had a sit. I looked in the mirror and I cried! I cried for all those years I didn’t know Jane, her loving heart and her company.
When we were seventeen we were almost sisters! I remembered her staying with me when I needed company, when I wanted her company. That was real friendship.
In a minute I found our old photos, those where we smiled to each other and had a good time. She was so young and lovely with her brown hair and green eyes. We were different, but yet similar!

June, the 7th 1998
One day, one summer day, we went to the seaside to spend our vacation together. The sun was shining like today and we were eager to swim! We stayed in the hotel and for several days we were absolutely happy!
“I have a meeting today”, Jane was making her morning makeup.
“What meeting?” It was strange to me, taking into consideration that we came here to have rest.
“Nick is coming with his father”, she smiled at me. “And his father is a local fish and fowl”.
I understood what she meant and smiled at her in response. She always knew what she wanted; I was different but yet same!
When Jane left I left as well, but my place was at the beach. There was no one to prevent my thoughts, my young and ideal dreams of a teenager.
“Why alone?” I heard behind my back.
“Because I want to”.
“Why do you want to?” The stranger persisted.
“Does it matter?”
“Yes”.
I smiled at such a funny situation. I didn’t know the stranger but I liked him already. I spent a lot of time in his company, while Jane was seeking for a good place in the society. I missed her at that time, but my stranger was a pleasant substitution for my Jane.
Another evening – and we went to the beach again. I let myself to become involved in our walks and talks, but, like in a terrible soap opera, you can get only one thing never both!
“Nick?” That was Jane’s voice and I got scared.
He turned around and so did I. I didn’t understand what had happened and why Jane was angry with!
“What’s wrong, Jane?” I tried to figure out, but she didn’t answer. – That’s Nick.
“I know”, was her response. “I know my Nick, but that’s very nice of you to represent him like this!”
I felt something was wrong, that was all wrong! I felt being a traitor, though I didn’t mean to!
“You are the same Nick?” I asked him.
“The same?”
“Are you Jane’s Nick?” I repeated.
He was perplexed and so was I, but Jane was firm and she left. When I returned to the hotel she was packing and leaving. She didn’t believe me! She didn’t want to hear my prayers. Jane refused to acknowledge my being innocent. She thought I wanted her place. She told I was guilty and we were not friends anymore!

June, the 7th 2009
“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still likes you” – said Elbert Hubbart.
Eleven years passed and we weren’t friends for these eleven years. There was not a day when I didn’t remember Jane Freeway. There was no minute when I didn’t long for her friendship.
I packed my things and went to my mom. No! I packed my things and went to Jane! I was glad to appear in my native city again. I was glad to see my favorite places!
“Where is Jane, mom?” That was my first question.
“She’s at home, but most of her time she spends in the park, near the pond”.
I changed my clothes and went out. I went to Jane. I wasn’t sure to find her outside, but I felt that I would find her anyway!
That was midday and the sun was as always shining. She was sitting on a bench in the park and reading a book. I stood behind her being unsure to talk. I sighed and pronounced:
“Friend?”
She turned with tears in her eyes. The book fell beneath with her hands shaking.
“Friend!” She acknowledged…

January, the 2nd