The Reunion

by MeMe Wilson 

I went through my clothes for the thousandth time. I really had no clue on what to wear to my high school reunion. I’m single and I have no children. I’ve heard that almost everyone from my class is married with children. I will not have anything in common with them anymore. I am starting to change my mind. The phone rang. I sighed. I knew it was Heather calling to check up on me.

“Hello” I answered somewhat depressed.

“Why am I not surprised that you sound the way you do” my best friend said.

“I really don’t want to go” I said trying to sound convincing.

“You’re not backing out, I will be over in an hour to pick you up” she said before hanging up.

I sighed again. Then I rambled through my closet for something to wear.

My make up was flawless. I decided on a pair of black slacks with a white silk blouse and I finished it off with a huge black belt wrapped around the blouse. I still look good. I blew a kiss to myself through the mirror. Heather was on time; I grabbed my leather coat, my purse and my blackberry. The wind was really whipping. My beautiful black curls blew wildly. I hurried into her Lexus truck. It took us forty five minutes to get to our old high school.

“I guess everyone is doing well for themselves.” Heather said as she parked next to a 2009 Jaguar. We double checked our make up, just like we did in the olden days, before going into the school. I fixed my long curls and then we headed into Manual High School.

“I’m not staying long.” I told her before we got out of the truck.

“Fine” she said in an angry tone. I rolled my eyes.

“Best friends, you can’t live with them and you can’t live without them” I mumbled.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“Nothing” I said as we walked into the school gym.

The music was blaring. The DJ played songs from the nineties. People were dancing and laughing on the dance floor. Heather found a table for us near the door. Perfect I thought.

Before I could take off my coat, Harold Morgan came up to me and hugged me.

“Lori Lane. How are you?” he asked twirling me around.

“I see you haven’t changed, still twirling girls around” Heather said while laughing.

Harold was once a star football player. He dated Kendra James, captain of the cheerleader squad. I really could not stand her. I looked around to see if she was around. I often wondered what the bimbo looked like today.

“So Harold, what are you into these days?” Heather asked.

“I’m coaching high school football.” He said proudly. I smiled.

“What happened to the pro’s?” she asked. I nudged her in the side.

“What!” she said looking at me?

“It’s ok. I had a car accident a week before getting drafted.” He said softly.

“I’m so sorry to hear that.” I said.

“Well I’ll let you ladies settle in. hey Lori will you save me a dance?” he asked.

“Sure", I said, but little did he know that I really didn’t want to, maybe I’ll sneak out in about an hour.

Heather and I were sipping on watered down punch when Kendra James, Lindsey Wilder, Mary White, and Jana Clover walked up to our table. These females were once my old high school rivalries.

“Lori Lane, how are you.” Kendra said while making sure that I saw the huge rock on her finger.” I smiled.

“Hello ladies” I said.

“No wedding ring” she said twirling her ring around her bony finger.

She looked like she had work done to her face and her body, but I didn’t say a word.

I just wanted her to leave from my table.

“Does it look like she has a ring on her finger?” Heather said angrily.

“I see you’re still her body guard.” Lindsey said. The women laughed.

“Maybe she’s her lover” Kendra said. They laughed.

“I see that they’re still Kendra’s flunkies.” Heather said as she stood up.

“Sit down Heather. I am not worried about these females. I mean this is so high school. As you can see I’m a grown ass lady.” I said starring at the women. They rolled their eyes and then they finally departed from our table.

Peter Hoffman, who was Heather’s old boyfriend up until senior year, came to our table and asked Heather to dance. She accepted. I sat at the table watching people talk and dance. I got up to get another cup of punch when the most gorgeous man I ever saw walked passed me. My heart skipped a beat. He was tall dark and handsome. His dark hair was slicked down and he had on a Versace suit. He looked like a business man. He does not look familiar. I had butterflies in my stomach. I noticed he caught the attention of Kendra. She slipped her ring off and put it in her purse. I rolled my eyes. I had to walk past him to get to the punch. He smelled so good. My knees went weak. I poured myself some punch. Heather and Peter were still dancing. I smiled. I stood by the punch table for awhile. I really wanted to go introduce myself, but Kendra beat me to the punch line. He caught me starring at him, so I turned away quickly.

I made my way back to my table. I know longer wanted to leave. I must introduce myself after the plastic Barbie finish rambling about herself. Heather made her way back to the table with Peter.

“Lori you remember Peter don’t you?” She asked.

“Yes, how are you?” I asked.

“I’m fine now that I’m divorced.” He said smiling at Heather.

“Are you Ok?” she asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I said.

“Good, she said as she followed Peter back to his table. I sighed. I just knew she was going to dump me. I played with my blackberry. The nice smell that I smelled earlier, overwhelmed my nose. I looked up and the stranger was standing at my table. The butterflies in my stomach were back, my knees were weak. I did not know why I was feeling this way toward a stranger.

“May I sit down?” he asked. I felt like a school girl with a crush.

“Sure.” I said nervously. He sat down next to me. I suddenly felt as if we were the only people in this gym. My hands were trembling. He smiled as he put his strong hands on top of my trembling hands.

“I take it that you don’t remember me.” He said.

I looked at him curiously.

“Should I?” I asked. He smiled.

“Why yes, you were my only friend back in the day.

I still had no clue about who he was. I was very nervous. His hands were still on top of mine.

“Is it hot in here to you?” I asked. He laughed.

“Lori Lane I’ve always thought about you. The only reason I came to this reunion was to see you.” He said. I couldn’t believe my ears. I think I am in love and I don’t even know who he is. I noticed Kendra and her flunkies watching us. I suddenly felt good. “Who are you?” I asked.

“I’m Joseph Wellington.” He said.

I almost fell out of my chair. Joseph was a fat nerdy kid back in the day. He spent every day getting teased by everyone including Kendra. “Joseph. Oh my God! I don’t believe it. Look at you. Did you have surgery or something?”

“No, just regular exercise. My mom said that I would never get married if I didn’t loose the weight. So I worked out everyday.” He said proudly.

“What happened to the glasses?” I asked still in shock.

“Contacts, he said.”

“You look good Joseph. I am glad you took care of yourself.” I told him.

“What are you doing now?” I asked him.

“I’m a self made millionaire” He said proudly.

“I’m not surprised. You were always smart. I’m glad things worked out for you.” I told him.

“What do you do?” he asked curiously. I smiled.

“I’m a Registered Nurse.”

“Why I am not surprised.” He said.

“I want to ask you something. I came all this way to ask you.” He said. I looked confused. He got down on one knee. My heart started skipping beats.

“Oh My God!” is all I could say. We have an audience. Kendra’s face was very red.

“Lori Lane, will you marry me. I know we just met again today. You can take as long as you like. Just please be my wife.” He said. He pulled out the most beautiful huge diamond ring. I felt like I was in a fairytale.

“I said yes.” The whole gym applauded except for Kendra and her flunkies. He picked me up and twirled me around. Heather had tears in her eyes. We kissed a long passionate kiss. I can’t believe I came to my reunion and found the love of my life. Everyone went back to doing what he or she was doing. Joseph and I danced together the rest of the night.