A Beautiful Friendship

Füsun Atalay Copyright ~ © 2008

I missed the three calls he attempted on my cell. What's the use of carrying one if you leave it in your coat pocket and check your coat in, at the lobby?

Fate works in strange ways. It has always for us.

His incompleted message on the answering maching at home asked my okay if December 25th was good for me. He had found a ticket at 50% off and had to book within the next 12 hours.

Yes! Yes ! You don't need to ask!

It would be 4 AM in Amsterdam but I called anyway, if only to leave a confirmation on his answering machine. Damn! He hadn't turned it on; and I know he's a heavy sleeper.

E-mail ! A quick note flew off into cyberspace before I set my alarm to 3 AM to get up and make another attempt at calling him.

When I did, it was too late. He had already missed the half-priced flight.

My heart sank.

"But," he chimed, "I did book a flight on December 23rd!"

Full price— close to 2000 Euros- because I was worth it and he did not want to leave me alone during the first anniversaries of many sad things that transpired in my life last year around this time.

"It's only money." His famous words. . . .

He has always been there for me. And I have tried to be there for him. Life has not united us ; nor has it separated us— except for a vast ocean and a continent that stands in between.

I look forward to his arrival.

I can already see the huge smile on his face and hear his voice : "Hui ! It's so good to see you again."

Then we'll embrace (oh, that familiar after shave!)— all 6 feet 2 inches of him against 5 feet 3 inches of me. Just like we've done so many times- in so many parts of the world -over so many years of our lives.

And I'll drive back home with him to continue from where we left off last February — until it's time to say say once more:

"Farewell— No tears, promise?"

Until the next time.

Copyrighted Material ~ Copyright © 2008 ~ All Rights belong to Füsun Atalay