Distance

We were close until that fateful day came, and our dark lives tore us away.

We lived through untold traumas, and shared the pain and the love in a friendship that was rare; but here we are now, thirty years later and all you can do is talk to me, like I'm a stranger.

You couldn't even say my name.

You couldn't even say your name!

My dear friend;

I have missed you.

The stories from the memories we shared that I have told others, don't cut a million hearts on what you mean to me.

I thought you'd remember that.

We said that we would be 'friends forever,' remember? We said that 'no distance would ever stop us.

It's been a while since I saw you in that shop. I have seen you there a few times in the past, and we talked just like the friends we were back then,

just as we had known each other forever.

I knew who you were, but I wasn't going to say so. I didn't want you to run in fear again, after thirty years of trying to find you because back then, you didn't want anyone to know where you were going, but,

I promised that I'd find you, and I did.

Yes, I get it.

Maybe like me, you had to detach from the people you were once friends with so that you could start a new life, and yes you would be right in saying that,

I should have moved south with you when you offered me the chance to, all those years ago.

I wish I had been able to, but I wasn't in a stable place either. It would have been reckless to have done something so drastic, too soon.

I wish you would give me a whole hour to have a coffee and a chat so that I can tell you my story, and maybe I'll tell you why I said no to you all those years ago.

I wish there was a way to make things easier, but there isn't.

I've been through too much, and you were the one person, the one friend I needed most back then.

Moving forward.

My life has changed. I'm married, I have a wonderful family, and I have a budding career as a writer and a singer which is just starting to open more doors than I could have ever dreamed of.

But, one thing is missing.

Do you remember the 'vulnerable me' you were always sticking up for back then?

That girl doesn't exist anymore.

She had to change things so that she could change her life and that is why she left Yorkshire.

That young girl went through a living nightmare that would never end, to get where she is today.

This beautiful woman still remembers the girl she used to be with a lot of love, but she wouldn't change her life for the world.

The only thing missing is she misses her dear friend and she has for over thirty years.

Please, my dearest friend Titch,

Open the door, and stop running away!

There is nothing to run from.

Your safe with me. You always were.

Let's bring back that blossoming friendship we once had. I know that you were shocked to see me. I was shocked to see you too, but;

You know as well as I do that the friendly flame is still there, and I know from the way you looked at me that you have missed me.

It only takes one action from you,

Just talk to me, please!