Class Reunion

by Linda Hill

  As if reading her sister’s thoughts, Sally placed a comforting hand on her daughter’s head before sugŹgesting that Allison go get her Barbie dolls. “You can play here on the floor with Tommy while I talk with your aunt.” Allison nodded before bounding from the room.

  “So spill it.” Sally settled herself in a chair at the table.

  Embarrassed beyond belief, Jennifer let the words slip out quietly. “She seduced me.”

  “What?” Clearly, the thought had never even occurred to Sally.

  “It’s not like I didn’t know what she wanted.” Angry with herself, she caught the look of shock on her sister’s face and tried to backpedal. “Sheila and I were lovers. For years.”

  Allison wandered back into the kitchen, dolls in hand, and began to play on the floor beside them. Sally threw a cursory glance at her children before turning back to her sister.

  “When?”

  “From when we were about thirteen. Until” — she gauged her sister’s reaction and cringed — “well, until the night before she got married.”

  “Holy shit.”

  “That’s a bad word, Mommy.” Allison reprimanded her without looking up.

  “You’re right, sweetheart. I’m sorry,” she apoloŹgized absently. “Why didn’t you ever tell me? My god, that’s six years.” She stopped and stared at her younger sister, mouth agape. “You were lovers all that time?”

  Jennifer nodded. The difficult part was over. She’d said the words. Now she just had to fill in the details. So she started at the beginning, quietly tellŹing the entire story, stopping only to answer one of Sally’s many questions along the way.

  “I was a complete fool,” Jen sighed, coming to the end of the story.

  “You were a kid,” Sally countered.

  “Actually, I was referring to this morning.”

  Sally’s eyebrows lifted, and a smile touched her lips. “Well, okay, you might have something there,” she agreed, her tone light as she shrugged her shoulders. “It is a little messy.”

  Jennifer appraised her sister. She’d expected someŹthing different. A reprimand, at the least. But Sally was smiling, a faraway look on her face as she returned Jen’s gaze and chuckled softly.

  “I know that you’re in a fix right now, but I’m just so glad that you finally told me about you and Sheila. It explains so mueh.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Sally took a deep breath, her eyes distant again. “I was so jealous of her when we were young. I alŹways felt that she got between us. I know that’s silly. But once she came along, I felt we weren’t as close anymore.”

  Jennifer’s heart sank. “Sally, I’m so sorry. I was running around with this huge secret that I didn’t know what to do with.”

  “I know. But I didn’t know that.” Her eyes beŹcame wispy. “All I knew was that we weren’t close anymore, and I blamed Sheila.”

  “God. I’m so sorry. I was such an idiot.”

  ‘You were in love. It’s okay. I understand. Thanks for telling me about this.”

  Jennifer smiled, a rush of fondness for her sister tugging at her heart. “I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you sooner. It would have made both of our lives a little easier, I think.”

  Sally nodded her head in agreement. “There’s a lesson here, my dear.”

  ‘You’re right. Absolutely. And I won’t forget it.”

  “See that you don’t,” Sally teased her briefly before turning the conversation to her sister’s current dilemma. “What are you going to do now? About Sheila, I mean.”

  Jen shook her head. “Absolutely nothing. Pretend nothing happened. Play it by ear. I don’t know,” she sighed. “Any ideas?”

  Sally laughed. “None at all. What do you want to happen?”

  Jennifer’s eyes dropped as she frowned. “I’m not sure. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I don’t know.”

  Sally regarded her sister carefully. ‘You can’t still want her after all this time. She was an absolute bitch last night.”

  “I know. I know.” Jen’s cheeks grew crimson. “Believe me, I’m not proud about what happened this morning. I wish I could tell you that I don’t feel anything for her. But I’m not sure.”

  “Jenny, she’s married.”

  “I know.” Jen lifted wounded eyes to her sister. “She has this hold on me,” she shrugged. “I can’t explain it.”

  Sally watched her sister carefully, her lips curved in a worried frown. “Whatever you decide to do, it’s bound to be an interesting afternoon. Too bad I won’t be there to see it.”

  Jennifer’s eyes lit up. “Why don’t you come? Bring the kids. It’s a family picnic, isn’t it?”

  Sally smiled slowly. “Why not? For a couple of hours, maybe. But only if you’re not going to complain about being there the entire time.”

  “I promise,” Jen relented, hoping that maybe the afternoon wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  Chapter 8

  Greendale Country Club was spilling over with people long before Jen and Sally arrived. A number of people hovered around a huge barbeque pit, where hot dogs and hamburgers sizzled over an open fire, and others were playing volleyball. Most were content just to socialize. A number of children were playing on swing sets, hanging on the jungle gym, or climbŹing on a variety of playground equipment.

  Allison wanted to play in the huge sandbox, and so Sally and Jennifer found a picnic table in a nearŹby shady area and settled down. For the next hour, they filled up on hot dogs and Coke until they all had eaten more than enough. While Allison and Tommy played in the sand, Jennifer found herself chatting easily with many of her classmates that she’d met with the night before.

  She spotted Sheila easily. Whether out of embarŹrassment, anger, or frustration, Jen decided to ignore her. She was aware that Bobby was nearby because she heard his loud voice often, but she saw no eviŹdence of their three little boys in attendance.

  The two sisters sat companionably, keeping an eye on both children and occasionally chatting with others who stopped by to greet them. Soon they noticed a little girl with dark brown hair standing beside Allison hesitantly, hands clasped behind her back as she smiled shyly.

  “My name’s Amy. Can I play with you?”

  Jennifer watched as Allison lifted her eyes to consider the other girl.

  “I’m building a castle.” Allison spoke easily. “Wanna help?”

  Amy grinned and threw a hopeful glance over her shoulder. Heather O’Brien stood some distance away, leaning against a large tree as she observed the little girls.

  “Can I, Mommy?” Amy asked.

  Jennifer looked from daughter to mother, her mind slowly taking in this new information. Heather was smiling and nodding her approval, and Amy didn’t waste any time joining the other little girl in the pile of sand.

  Jennifer’s eyes floated back to Heather’s, and her face blanched in an awkward smile.

  “Would you like to join us?” Sally called, already sliding along the pine bench to make room for the other woman.

  “You wouldn’t mind?”

  “Of course not.” Jen found her voice, her heart lifting as Heather shyly approached the table and sat down.

  “You have a beautiful daughter,” Sally said. “Thank you. Are these your children?” She looked quickly from Sally to Jen. “Or yours?” Jennifer shook her head emphatically. “They’re mine.” Sally smiled.

  “They’re sweet. We’ve been watching for some time, and I couldn’t keep Amy away any longer.”

  “I’m glad you came over. It’s nice for Allison to have someone her own age to play with.”

  They watched the children playing together for a while, and Jennifer took the opportunity to observe Heather more closely. She looked so different from high school. Fine, long blond hair framed the delicate features of her face. A dash of light freckles covered fair skin across the bridge of her nose. Bright blue eyes, unhampered by eyeglasses, turned to Jennifer and smiled, crinkling at their corners.


  “What about you. Do you have any kids?”

  “No.” Her face colored. “I don’t think I do very well with them.”

  “Nonsense,” Sally told her before turning to Heather. “She’s just not used to having them around.”

  Sally and Heather began sharing anecdotes about their children, and after some time, Jennifer tuned them out. With one ear on their conversation, she let her eyes wander over the throngs of people milling about. She carefully gauged her own reaction as she spotted Sheila, smiling broadly and laughing with — of all people — Diane Miller. Jennifer’s jealousy leaped from nowhere, coming fully alive.

  “Did your husband come with you?”

  “I’m divorced,” Heather was saying, her words seeping through Jennifer’s consciousness and causing her head to snap around.

  “You’re single?” Too late, Jennifer realized that the enthusiasm in her voice was too eager and terribly inappropriate.

  Sally’s eyes narrowed at her younger sister, but Heather seemed not to notice.

  “Yes, I’m single.” She smiled as she reached out and touched the ring finger of Jen’s left hand. “What about you?”

  “Single. Very single,” she smiled broadly, exposing perfect white teeth. The two women held each other’s gaze a moment longer than necessary while Sally raised one fine eyebrow in amazement. Jennifer felt a faint tickling sensation in the pit of her stomach, and she quietly chided herself and the attraction she was feeling.

  “Forgive me,” Sally was saying. “But I don’t know how you do it. I can’t even imagine being a single parent.”

  “It’s difficult,” Heather admitted. “But I teach at the grade school that Amy goes to, so that makes it easier. It was much worse before she started school.”

  All three tired children joined them. Each girl crawled into her mother’s lap, and Jennifer lifted Tommy in her arms.

  “Do you still live in the area?” Sally asked.

  “No. We live in Flagstaff now.”

  “Flagstaff?” Jennifer interrupted. “Really? I live in Phoenix.”

  Heather’s jaw dropped. “No kidding?”

  “Just north of Scottsdale, actually. I have a small ranch there.”

  “Really? I can’t believe you’re so close.” The blue eyes that held Jennifer’s were suddenly wide and childlike.

  “Do you have any animals?” Amy’s eyes resembled her mother’s as they turned to Jennifer.

  “A few,” she nodded. “Cats. Dogs. Horses.”

  “Ooh! Mommy, I want to ride the horses. Can I?”

  “Amy,” her mother admonished. “That’s not very polite.”

  “Would you like to?” Embarrassed, Jen knew she sounded too eager. “Maybe you two could come down some weekend. It’s really not that far.”

  “I think we’d like that. Don’t let me forget to give you my phone number.”

  “I’d like to go too.” Allison’s voice was a quiet whisper.

  Jen regarded her niece closely, her heart hopeful. “You can visit any time you like, Allison. I’d love for you to see Arizona. It’s beautiful there.”

  Allison turned to look up at her mother. “Can we, Mommy?”

  “Yes, Allison. We will.”

  “Promise?”

  “I promise.” Sally hugged her daughter tightly and dropped a kiss on the top of her head while her eyes met Jennifer’s with quiet triumph. After a moment, Sally turned her attention back to Heather. “What do you think of the reunion so far?”

  Heather considered the question thoughtfully. “I’m reserving judgment until the weekend’s over,” her tone wasn’t encouraging.

  Jennifer threw her sister an I-told-you-so stare. “See? I’m not the only one who has misgivings about being here.”

  “I can’t believe you guys.” Sally raised an indigŹnant chin. “I had a wonderful time at my reunion.” She proceeded to recount one highlight after another with much enthusiasm, then concluded by saying, “It was a fabulous weekend. I can’t wait for the next one.” Then she grinned naughtily. “Do you remember David Simmons?”

  Jennifer searched her memory until the face that matched the name came to mind. “Tall and gangly? Black hair with freckles.”

  Sally nodded. “I had the biggest crush on him all through high school. He was at the reunion and he actually came over to me and told me that he’d had a crush on me back in school. Can you believe it?”

  “That is so sweet,” Heather smiled.

  “What made him tell you?”

  “He said that he’d always wanted to tell me and that he knew he’d kick himself for another ten years if he didn’t get up the courage that night.”

  Jennifer began to tease her sister, watching Sally blush as she talked about David. They spent the better part of an hour talking, continuing their conŹversation about reunions before moving on to the topic of kids and parenthood. Heather and Sally slipped into an easy conversation, sharing secrets and lamenting how quickly the kids were growing.

  Jennifer settled back and listened as they chatted, content to add an occasional comment while she watched each woman grow more animated. She watched Heather closely, recalling memories of Heather as a child. She had been so painfully shy. So introverted. Thinking back now, Jen could barely recall any conversation that they’d shared.

  Her most vivid memories of Heather were of her sitting in the bleachers while the girls practiced basketball. Jen remembered that throughout their senior year, when Sheila had been so absorbed in popularity and boys, Jen could look up into the bleachers at every practice and see Heather sitting there, arms wrapped tightly around her knees as she watched them play. In those days, Jen had used basketball as a means to eat up the time that she was used to spending with Sheila. Each day after practice, she would climb those bleachers and settle a few rows away from Heather. Their conversation was quiet; it was mostly about basketball and about teachers. Jennifer was far from the best on the team, but Heather always encouraged her to do better, pointing out subtle ways in which she could improve.

  Heather knew the ins and outs of basketball far better than most of the girls on the team. She had explained that she’d spent countless hours in the driveway with her father while he drilled the fundaŹmentals into her head. When Jennifer told her that maybe she should go out for the team, Heather had only laughed nervously. “I’m better at watching than playing,” she’d said as she tapped the pine beside her.

  Before long, a number of people had gravitated to their table. Children were suddenly everywhere, laughing and playing. One introduction after another was made, until Jen’s mind was spinning with names and faces from both past and present.

  She wasn’t a bit surprised by the reaction of classmate after classmate as each realized exactly who Heather was. Nobody could believe what a transŹformation she’d been through, and Jennifer found herself cringing at the callous remarks that many made.

  Through all of the comments, Heather remained poised, smiling graciously at every compliment. Jennifer, for her part, couldn’t help the desire to protect Heather from their stares and insensitive words. She caught herself thinking that she’d always felt that way about Heather. That she’d wanted to protect her somehow even back in school, when everyone was making fun of her. But we’re not kids anymore, she told herself, and Heather seemed to be taking it all just fine.

  Lucy and Gina approached the table a few moŹments later, insisting that they needed more players for a softball game. After much ribbing, Jennifer gave in and took the leather glove that Lucy thrust in her lap.

  “Come on, Heather. What about you?” Lucy grinned.

  Heather shook her head. “Not me. You guys go ahead. I’ll watch.”

  Reluctantly, Jen stood and looked down at Heather, a slow smile touching her lips. “Just like old times, eh?”

  Heather’s chin tipped up and she laughed. “Just like old times.”

  Feeling triumphant that Heather recognized the small secret they shared, Jennifer didn’t
miss the wide grin on her sister’s face before she turned and strode toward the ball field with Lucy and Gina at her side.

  Chapter 9

  A large group made up of mostly men and some women were dividing themselves into separate teams. Jen allowed herself to be shuffled back and forth until they finally settled it. She was to play along with Diane, Gina, and a group of eight men, while Lucy joined the opposing team, which included Sheila’s husband, Bobby.

  Sheila must be nearby, Jen mused, but she reŹfused to look for her. She regretted her decision to join in the game. She hadn’t touched a softball since she was about twelve years old.

  They assigned her to play second base, and after a quick toss of a coin, she headed out to her posiŹtion. She sensed Diane beside her as she walked.

  “I don’t suppose you have anything to do with that shit-eating grin plastered all over Sheila’s face today.”

  Stone-faced, Jennifer glanced at the taller woman. “What do you mean?”

  “Look.” Diane stopped short, touching Jen’s shoulder lightly before slipping a pair of sunglasses from her nose and folding them slowly. “Don’t take this the wrong way. I don’t know what’s going on now, but I do know what went on before.” She frowned and tapped the sunglasses against the palm of one hand before placing them in the breast pocket of her shirt. “I think we should probably talk later. There are some things you probably should know.”

  “Like what?”

  “I’ll explain later. When there aren’t so many people around. Just be careful, okay?” She threw out the last words ominously before slipping a large leather mitt over her left hand and jogging out to right field.

  Jennifer set her jaw and took up her position at second base. A chill swept over her, and she shudŹdered. She wasn’t sure what Diane was alluding to, but she could guess. And she didn’t like the road her mind was taking. Christ. I haven’t had this much drama in my life since I lived here, she thought ironically.

  She’d managed to ignore Sheila’s voice and avoid her gaze since they’d arrived. Now she let her eyes wander over the crowd of spectators behind the backŹstop. Sheila was easy to spot. She sat in the second row and directed a lazy, knowing smile Jennifer’s way.