The Letter

The first letter arrived on a rainy morning; it was a Thursday in May. I remember because when I had taken the letter from the box it was dripping wet, I had placed it on the windowsill to dry and not remembered it until a few days later. It had caught my eye as I was making my afternoon coffee. Taking the letter and my coffee out on to the balcony in the afternoon sunshine, I sat and slowly and carefully tore the letter open. 

It was handwritten, in very neat, an older style but easy to read handwriting. It began. 

Dear Beverly,

I hope this letter finds you well. I have been meaning to write for ages now, but with my health deteriorating daily it’s been hard. I hope you’re still in remission. I miss you terribly, it’s been months since you left. The roses are in full bloom, they remind me so much of you. I remember that the pink English roses are your favourite. Unfortunately, Freda passed last week and Thomas the week before, we are dropping like flies here. Guess it’s to be expected when you get to our age and that damn cancer doesn’t help. Anyway, my dear, dear friend, a huge hello from the ones still going here and lots of love from your partner in crime. Please write back soon and let me know you’re ok. I miss you. 

Love Mary.

I studied the post mark, it was from Crestwell Hospital in Avalon, about 200 kms from where I lived. The address on the envelope was clearly mine. 

I neatly folded the letter and placed it on the mantel place. I was not Beverly, and I had no idea who Beverly was. I was undecided as to whether I should write back and explain or what to do. I needed time to think about what the right thing would be to do.

Life got in the way, and sadly I forgot all about the letter. That was until a few weeks later that the next letter arrived. 

Dear Beverly,

It’s been getting rather grim here in the past couple of weeks, the few of us that are left are truly struggling to find the butterflies and unicorns, as you used to say. Cancer is a cruel mistress. She takes every ounce of your strength, your dignity and finally your life. No one seems to visit anyone anymore. I don’t mean to be so negative but its just rather lonely here without you. I remember your jokes and the way you made us all laugh often until we cried. Such fun times, just what we all needed during such horrendous treatments. But you were the one that kept us going. No one is the same since you left. There is no laughter, just sadness and everyone seems to be just waiting for the disease to take us all one by one. I’m so glad you got out.

I guess your just busy living and enjoying life away from sickness and death. I really hope you are, if anyone deserves it you do. Maybe your mountain climbing. Or perhaps skydiving, like we used to plan. Have you gone up in the hot air balloon or traveled to Greece. I would so love to know. Sometimes when I’m feeling down, I imagine you doing all the things we put on our bucket lists. Do you remember how much fun we had, coming up with the most absurd ideas? Hiking in the Himalayas, sailing to the Caribbean. Peering into a volcano in New Zealand. Oh, the fun we had. I really hope you are doing some of the things we laughed about.

I would absolutely love to hear from you.

Your friend forever

Love Mary.

Before I could decide what to do about Mary and her letters, in just a few days I received another letter.

Dear Beverly, 

My time on this earth is almost at an end and I so need to hear from you. I have to know that you’re ok. When you left the hospital so suddenly in the night it broke my heart. You were my only friend, sadly most of the others here have all gone now. They say it’s any day now.

Please just drop me a line and tell me you’re happy and healthy. I cannot leave this world not knowing what has become of you. 

Your friend forever 

Mary. 

My heart hurt so bad for poor Mary, whoever she was. 

I grabbed my pen and notebook and began to write.

Dear Mary, 

Sorry my friend, that I haven’t written for so long. Life has been so busy and ever so exciting. I’m healthy and happy, so you needn’t worry about me. As you can imagine it’s been impossible for me to write as I have been doing all the things we planned. Greece was absolutely beautiful; I went to the wineries and stomped the grapes, I wish you could have been there you would have loved it. I hiked the Himalayas and planted a flag just for you. New Zealand was very cold, but I braved the weather and visited the volcano, and I screamed your name ever so loud into the mouth of the volcano, I was sure you would hear. Please stay strong and look after your health. Never worry about me and remember that our friendship will live forever. For every adventure I go on I take you with me in my heart.

Your partner in crime and 

friend forever. 

Love Beverly

Weeks went by and I heard no more from Mary. I contemplated contacting the hospital and trying to get some information about Mary and Beverly. I began to think that maybe it was some kind of hoax, when a few weeks later I received a letter.

Dear,

I am nurse Branson from Cresswell Hospital. I apologise for being unable to address you personally as I have no idea who you are. I do know that you are not Beverly as Beverly died over 3 months ago. I do know that you must be a very kind person. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank you for your kindness in writing back to Mary and making her final moments a blessing. I will give you some background on the situation, Beverly and Mary were as thick as thieves, both suffering from an extremely aggressive cancer they formed a wonderful bond. Sadly, Beverly’s cancer surpassed Mary’s and on her death bed, hoping to save Mary further heart break she made us promise to tell Mary that Beverly herself had gone into remission and had gone off in the night to see the world.

Whether Mary truly believed this to be true we will never know, but she chose to play along. She would tell any one and everyone how Beverly was off doing all the things on their bucket lists.

Where Mary got your address from truly stumps us all. Obviously, someone or something led Mary to your kind soul and again I thank you. Mary died happy and contented believing her friend was happy and healthy and living a wonderful life. 

The end