The Surprise Visit

This is a contest entry for "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"  (as a part of the Writer's League Challenge) using the following prompt:

Write about an unexpected visit from an old friend

298 words

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         “Hello. May I help you?” Amelia asked, opening her front door.

         A woman about her own age stood on Amelia’s porch. “I was wanting to speak with Amelia von Heidrick,” she responded.

         “That’s me,” Amelia replied. “And you are …?”

         “Mary. Mary Massenheimer.”

         The name sounded vaguely familiar. “Excuse me, Mrs. Massenheimer, but do I know you from somewhere?”

         Mary chuckled dryly. “It’s Ms. Massenheimer now. My husband died at Bergen-Belsen during World War II. I met you at Auschwitz nearly 50 years ago.”

         Amelia’s eyes widened and she gasped. After all these years, Mary Massenheimer was standing on her doorstep. “No. Mary, it can’t be you. I searched for you everywhere after the war ended. After you were taken away from the bunker, I was sure I would never see you again.”

         “It’s me,” the old woman insisted with a smile. “So are you just going to make me stand out here in the cold or invite me in, Amelia?”

         Amelia laughed. Though Mary had aged, this comment proved her to be the same humorous and determined young lady that Amelia had befriended at a Jewish concentration camp in Nazi Germany half a century ago.

         “Come in, come in.” Amelia opened the door wider. “I can’t believe you’re here…after all these years, Mary!” Amelia began to cry.

         “Are you okay?” Mary asked with concern.

         “I suppose. It’s just so hard, Mary. I’d almost forgotten the pain, the humiliation, the utter horror of what we endured for those four long years.”

         Mary hugged her. “You shouldn’t try to forget it, Amelia. Those who can’t remember the past are condemned to repeat it, remember?”

         Drying her eyes, Amelia nodded. “Would you like to stay for dinner, Mary? I normally eat by myself.”

         “Of course,” Mary replied. “I’d love to.”

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