Life circumstances can not only trap but isolate us as well.
Hi! I’m Here! is a short story by Helen F Miller about three woman who are isolated by their circumstances. This story was first published in the literary journal, Bukker Tillibul, in 2014.
Carol is a wife in an abusive marriage, Angela gave up her career to be a stay-at-home mum, and Erin lost her career when she became confined to a wheelchair. They meet by chance at a café one day and help each other.
Carol
‘You think of the woman you met at the market, the woman from Welfare Services, the one who asked about your bruises, the one who gave you the phone number.’
Angela
‘Do you see how the water washes away everything on the driveway, taking it away forever? My life is like that now. My studies, career, and work contacts are being washed away by time. I don’t even use three syllable words anymore.’
Erin
‘She bustled over and sat down. “How are you going, Erin? It’s so good to see you again. I’ve missed you.” She always made me feel loved and appreciated. The wheelchair did not change me in her eyes.’
Read the full story here.
While a lot more could be said in this blog about the content and style of the story, the best way to learn about that is by reading it.