Funny How Things Turn Out
A short story by Mikey J

Funny how things turn out. Emma couldn’t believe her eyes. After all this time. So many years had passed. So much of that proverbial water has passed under that bridge. My word! Had it really been that long?
The crossword that she had found in the back of a magazine, so obviously discarded by a previous passenger, had already been half done. However, she couldn’t help herself. She was compelled to complete it, otherwise the puzzle would have been authored in vain. It was now almost finished. Just one more word to find. Damn. She was stuck. So near, but yet so far. This particular word was pencil-chewingly elusive. Reluctantly she’d have to concede this time. She was no quitter, but the train would be pulling into the station any second now, and she definitely did not wish to miss her stop.
That was the moment when she literally bumped into Kate. Emma had risen hastily from her seat and had almost bowled the passing Kate over. A quick apology, a steadying of posture, then bang! Realisation. Recognition. That moment of silent, wide-eyed rabbit to headlights stillness. A high-pitched ‘oh, my God’ and the inevitable hug of two people who hadn’t laid eyes on each other for... well… My word! Had it really been that long?
They both alighted the train. For the first few seconds the two of them stood like statues, literally gazing blankly at each other on the station platform; enveloped in a concoction of disbelief, amazement and glowing warmth. This was much to the annoyance of the dense line of passengers behind them who were also attempting to vacate the carriage. Awareness, however, (and a rather rude station worker) promptly made them move aside to ease the congestion.
A lot of time had passed. Had it really been that long? It certainly had. Nigh on ten years had elapsed since Emma had last stood at this very station. She could remember that final afternoon vividly. Emma laden with two suitcases and a one way ticket, with Kate desperately begging her not to leave. Emma had been offered lucrative employment in a city six hundred miles away. It couldn’t possibly be turned down. She was on her way to a new and better life. It was a new start. A new beginning. A brand new Emma.
Emma had promised Kate wholeheartedly that she would write regularly. She had sent a few letters, but her brand spanking new life was soon to become a hectic one. Busy. Demanding. Eventful. No time to put pen to paper, and so thus no further communication in that medium. Of course, she’d often think ‘oh, I must write that letter,’ but ‘must write’ never quite evolved into ‘did write.’ They’d exchange Christmas cards, but even that ceased after just a few years. Emma wasn’t really sure who had stopped sending them first, but she soon concluded that it was probably her own doing.
And now here they were. Together again. Two women who had grown up with each other. Mates ever since they were so high. The best of friends. Soul mates. Inseparable. Nothing could possibly come between them. But, of course, something had come between them. Or rather someone. And that had been Alan.
It had been Emma who had first dated Alan. The decision to move in together came after only three months. Kate had warned that surely it was too soon, but Emma didn’t listen. When you’re in love, you stop listening to your head. That was when the problems started. Alan’s jealousy. Alan’s rage. Alan’s fist. A completely different side to the man who, before cohabiting, was fun, friendly and happy-go-lucky. Kate had advised her to fight back, but Alan was a strong, intimidating man when he had been drinking.
Thankfully, Emma had escaped from that relationship before the violence had become too intense. If she’d have stayed much longer, the bruises she endured every drunken weekend would have undoubtedly escalated to broken bones. So, therefore, one lonely Friday night, she packed some clothes, cosmetics, books and her dignity into a weekend bag and left. She had stayed a few nights at Kate’s place, living in fear of reprisals, but, mercifully, aside from a couple of spates of late night begging at the front door, Alan caused no further trouble. Within a couple of weeks, she sorted herself out with suitable accommodation and carried on with her life.
Kate moving in with Alan had been a total shock. An absolute bombshell. Emma had been totally stunned. What the hell was she thinking? This was barely a few weeks after Emma had decided to flee for her life; just over a month since Emma had last warmed his bed and taken his punches. Now it seemed as though Kate was to inevitably share the same fate. But, alas, Kate’s mind was made up. She was not going to give up Alan. She had made her bed and Alan was going to lie in it.
‘All right, but if he tries to do the same to you,’ Emma had advised, ‘make sure you fight back.’
This had occurred about the same time as the job offer. Her and Kate were never going to be the same again, so Emma had accepted it without the slightest hesitation. At the time, Kate had accused her of running away from her troubles and walking out on their friendship. Emma had denied it with vigour at the time, but, on reflection, maybe Kate had been right after all. Who knows? A lot of time has passed since.
Kate suggested they go to a coffee shop to catch up on the last ten years. Emma accepted and off they went. Over a few coffees and a guilty slice of carrot cake, Emma shared her experiences, including the fact that, with a busy and chaotic life like hers, there was no time for love or relationships. Instead, she had acquired a few shag buddies along the way; male friends with the added bonus of no-strings sex every now and then. After all, like every woman, she had needs. Kate revealed that she had finally found herself a decent job good enough to afford a decent life. She was on her way up. Emma was glad for her. Kate then asked Emma why she had travelled back to her hometown after all this time. The answer was simple. Emma’s mother had recently died and so she had returned to sort out the funeral arrangements.
The subject of Alan being brought up was inevitable. Kate revealed that they were still together. Initially, Emma found herself walking on eggshells during such a delicate conversation, just in case Kate had become nothing more than his personal punch bag. But no, this was not the case. Emma was surprised to discover that Kate and Alan had been married for the last nine years. Emma was genuinely pleased for her. Maybe she had been wrong. Maybe Alan had changed for the better. However, there was something that Kate wanted to show her. Something really important.
They took a bus to the other side of town, eventually arriving at a rather large and lavish house. Kate revealed that she and Alan owned the building. Emma was undeniably impressed. It seemed as if the couple had done well for themselves. Upon entering the house, however, Emma was intrigued by the presence of a live-in carer. Not the usual au pair one might expect. Oh, no. The young woman was a trained nurse. Why on earth would she be there?
Kate led Emma to the master bedroom. It was there where Emma had the shock of her life. There laid Alan on the bed. Eyes open, but essentially lifeless. No recognition. No movement. No indication of thought. Just open, staring eyes. Kate placed a comforting arm around Emma. An explanation was in order. It had happened late one night, just over eight years ago. Alan’s drunken return. A fight. A struggle. Kate smashing a crystal ornament hard across Alan’s skull. It had been self defence, but now Alan was doomed to life in a vegetable state and Kate was equally doomed to the lifelong burden of caring for him.
‘And, as you can see, Emma,’ concluded Kate solemnly. ‘I took your advice. I did fight back. Funny how things turn out.’

THE END