“A high school reunion? Sounds like fun!” Sharron squeaked as she pulled dinner from the oven.
“Would you really like to go? I don’t know anyone anymore. I haven’t seen them since graduation. I would be surprised if we have anything in common with them,” David was sitting at the kitchen table.
“What does that matter? It’s not like I’m going, expecting to make friends. I’m going to support you. Do you not want me to go?”
“Of course Sharron, I want you to go,” David stopped what he was doing and came to hug his wife from behind. “You would be the only good part about that event,” he kissed her on the neck. “It’s decided we are going. I need to show you off anyways; letting everyone know I am the luckiest man alive.” David walked back over to his phone and sent out a quick text.
‘I guess I’m going to a reunion.’ Sharron return to getting dinner ready.
…
Sharron
The reunion was not at what I was expecting. I thought it might be a relaxed restaurant, maybe thirty to forty people. No it was at their high school, which I should have assumed, and it was packed. Cars were spilling onto the side streets. A large crowd was gathering outside the gym doors. Us included. There was a loud thud coming from behind the doors. ‘I should have brought some earplugs.’
Looking around I felt out of place. David had insisted I wear a classic black dress. Nothing revealing or tight. Just classic. He assured me that I would not be the only one dressed up, but looking at the women around me I felt way overdressed. Like a few of the women off to my right, were wearing skimpy bedazzled mini dresses. They were dressed up in a sense, but they seemed to be barely wearing anything. Or they were all falling out of their tops. I would never wear something like that in public; and it’s not like I felt beneath them, but that I was uncomfortable for me. Also, for David to be exposed to their scantily clad clothing. I didn’t want my husband to see that. I didn’t want to be having these thoughts of worries.
But David’s hand moved to my waist, he pulled me closer to him and whispered, “I only have eyes for you. And be careful, you are staring.”
I glanced at David. His eyes were glued to mine. He was beginning to get that look, and I broke eye contact with him and blushed while glancing away. David chuckled at my rosy cheeks. ‘Not helping.’ Finally the doors opened.
Even though the night was not what I have expected, the food was delicious. They had Famous Dave’s catering. David and I rarely went out to eat, but if we did we went there. I loved the ribs; I could put away so many. But tonight I was being a little reserved since I was in public. ‘Maybe I could bribe a worker to bring me a large zippy and I could bring some home?’
David was off with his friends. He told me I could stay with him if I wanted, but that the guys are not very clean with their speaking. David knew how I felt about language; so instead I let him go off with the guys and I am still standing by the food. I wasn’t going to try and attempt to talk to anyone. The women I saw before were “dancing” by the DJ, if you could call it that. I’m sure there may be some people I could relate to, but I didn’t want to go and search for them. I planned to just stay in this general area the rest of tonight. But right now, I had to go to the dreaded spot. The restroom.
In the movies, the bathroom was the place that most of the backstabbing and ridiculing happened at reunions. And I’m devastated to say that it was indeed true.
“Did you see the woman that David brought? I knew he got married, but I assumed he would have married someone at least close to his level. She was such a plain Jane. Like did you see her dress?”
“I know right. Ugly. She may have a decent figure, but you would never know in that bag dress. It looked like a black trash bag tied at the waist. Hideous!”
‘Wow. The mean girls could really be mean. So thankful I was homeschooled and I didn’t have to go to another reunion.’
“Trixy, are you just a little bit more against her since you had a major crush on David in high school?”
‘What?’
“No. I just assumed he would have married someone like Liz. She and David were the most popular at school. He deserved a Liz as his wife, not a sad Susan.”
“I think her name is Sharron…”
“Susan, Sharron. Same difference. Okay let’s adjust ourselves. Better. Maybe I missed my chance with David in high school, but I can always try now.”
“Don’t do anything drastic. Based on what I’ve been hearing, is that David only has eyes for his wife. However, showing him you exploding out of your top might be the only way to get him to glance at you. No guy can resist that.” They laughs together. “That looks perfect. Let’s go and break up a marriage!”
‘They were truly awful. I wanted to go home.’ I exited the bathroom stall and checked my reflection. My eyes were a little smudged by the tears kept at bay. I cleaned up my face and ventured back into the lions den. I no longer wanted to be at this ridiculous reunion. David was right, I shouldn’t have come.
…
I had planned to march over to David and demand we leave, but as I glanced over at him he was laughing and smiling with the guys surrounding him. I couldn’t bring myself to be that wife. Instead, I decided to just go sit alone outside. The warm air was enough company for me; I needed some peace and quiet, to calm my flustered heart.
…
David
“Dude, I can’t believe you are married. You were the last person I ever assumed would get hitched,” Jeremy smacked me on the shoulder. “I thought you were all about that bachelor life. New chick every night. No strings. Freedom. What happened?”
‘I knew this conversation was bound to happen. I was a different type of guy in high school. And now looking back I wish I hadn’t been that guy.’
“I grew up. I matured. And it’s a good thing I did or I would never been good enough for Sharron.”
“I don’t get it,” Jeremy shook his head.
“Well I do. David found a diamond in the rough. There aren’t too many Sharron’s left in the world. Especially in today’s world. David is lucky that, that caliber of woman decided he was good enough for her.”
Looking around to see who said that, my eyes came to Devan. Devan and I were never friends in high school; but I decided in that moment that he would be a good new friend to make. I nodded at him.
“Thank you, Devan. Means a lot.”
“Why are you even standing here, Devan? You should be off in the library or stalking unattractive women,” Jeremy and several of the guys huddle around snickered.
Devan turned away and left.
“Enough,” I stepped out of the center. I was a different person now. I guess these guys will never understand. “When will you guys ever grow up? You know become mature? I’m different now. I don’t enjoy breaking people down and belittling them. I’m not proud of the person I was back in high school. I’m proud of who I’ve change to be. And my wife. She is the best thing that ever happened to me. I am lucky to have her as Devan said.”
I was just met with blank stares and some annoyed faces. They would never understand, because most of these guys still wished to be back in high school, and I’m the person that now wishes they could forget those four years. ‘I shouldn’t have come.’ “Forget it. None of you will understand until you decide to leave the past as the past. It was different to see you all again, but I think my time here is done. Good seeing you all,” I raised my beer to them and started away.
“Hey David! Do you remember me?”
A woman stood before me. I only kept my eyes at her eyes, because of her posture I’m sure she wanted me to look lower. But I wouldn’t do that. Not to my wife, but also because I’m not the same guy; and I’m ashamed to say that younger me would have looked. Which made me sick to my stomach. “Nope,” and I walked away from that group. I was done with them. Instead, I wanted to be with that special one.
“Hey David,” Marleen called over, “I know where your wife went if you are looking for her.”
Marleen was a safe person. Her husband was Tomas, a man I worked with occasionally. If she could help me end this night quicker I would take it. I headed off in her direction.
…
Sharron
The night air was warm and soothing. I could only hear a soft thumping from the gym. I was sitting on the bleachers by soccer field. I wasn’t too far a distance from the gym, but I was far enough that I knew I would not be disturbed.
Tonight had been something I needed to experience. Next time I’ll listen to David, if he is not one hundred percent in support of me going somewhere then I’ll just stay home. Being homeschooled saved me from ever experiencing this type of thing. Like I could go to a swim team reunion, but would I really want to? I’m probably also the only one to be married, stay at home wife, wanting a family, and so on. I think one reunion is enough for one lifetime.
David
Marleen didn’t just tell me where Sharron had disappeared to, but also what had been said in the bathroom. Marleen had been in one of the stalls as well. She summarized what was said, and I’m not surprised Sharron disappeared outside.
There Sharron sat. Back to the gym doors, hunched over on the bleachers. I don’t know if she was cold or what, but her shoulders were shaking. She had better not be crying. Or I was going to knock some heads together. I quickened my pace until I was just inches from her. Then I heard her.
Laughter. She was laughing hysterically. I shook my head and smirked. ‘That’s my Sharron.’
“Anything good?” I tapped her on the shoulder.
She yelped, throwing the phone into the air, and started to fall backwards off the bleachers.
I caught her in my arms, but sadly the phone was thrown in the opposite direction. She was more important than some phone.
Sharron had her eyes still closed. Thinking she was still falling bracing herself for the painful thud. I laughed, “you are not going to fall. At least not when I’m around.”
Her eyes opened in a flash and then searched my face.
I could see happiness of recognition, but I also saw the hurt. She tried to mask it, but I knew her all too well to know when she was hiding something from me. It pained me to see her hurting. I pulled her closer to me and kissed her. A deep kiss. A I love you with all I have, kiss. A kiss that should tell her that whatever was said before meant nothing. A kiss at wasn’t just for her, but for me as well.
I pulled away from her to see a rosiness rising in her cheeks again. Oh, how I loved the rose color; especially when it was because me. “Do you want to head home?”
She looked at me, “you sure you have talked to everyone that you wanted to? We don’t have to leave just because I’m hiding out here.”
I loved her. Even though she was feeling miserable, she still cared about me first. “Yeah, I’m good. I realized a bit ago that I don’t have much in common with those people as I used to. Also I’m happy I can’t relate to them anymore. But I did sip on a beer, are you good to drive home?”
Her face lit up! “Sure I’ll drive.”
She scrambled to get out of my arms, gathered up her purse and jacket, scooped up her surprisingly fine phone, linked arms with me and headed back towards the gym. Her face was beaming.
‘There she is. My Sharron was back.’ I allowed myself to be towed by the woman I love.
As I entered the gym once again, I could feel glares in my direction. I knew these people were petty but I didn’t realize how much. Good riddance. I’m just bummed that I only hung out with those people, that I didn’t get to talk more with Devan and Marleen. They seemed like they would be more like my type of people.
We only paused a moment in front of the food. Sharron was eyeballing something. And I knew instantly what she was wanting. I kissed her on the cheek and left her there, walking towards the food buffet. Returning to her with a large foiled brick in my hands. She looked at me quizzically.
“Ribs. I guessed this is what you wanted, right?”
The rose color resurfaced again. This time accompanied by a small embarrassed grin. “How did you know?”
I interlocked my fingers with hers and whispered into her ear, “because I know everything about you.”
She let out a giggle deepening the red in her cheeks.
‘Man, I love her.’ I was about ready to kiss her once again, here in the middle of everyone, but I knew that would only embarrass Sharron. I wouldn’t, but I wanted to. I wanted to let everyone know that I was proudly and happily married to my wife. Instead, I let her hold the packaged ribs and placed both hands on her hips guiding her through the crowd. That touch alone would tell the other woman they had no chance and tell the men to keep their distance. I knew I was protective, but I didn’t realize I was this protective. But as Devan said, she was a diamond. I needed to keep her by me so that she wasn’t snatched away.
After nodding goodbye to a handful of my old teachers we were finally outside again. Only to almost run into Devan.
“Whoops. My bad,” Devan said as he side stepped out of Sharron’s way.
“No problem at all Devan. Sorry. Wasn’t really paying attention,” which was true. How could I with my beautiful wife in front of me.
“Totally understand. With this one as your partner, I’m not surprised. Maybe more surprised that you thought to bring her somewhere like this,” he gestured his drink around, “not a very classy place for a classy lady.”
“Yep. My mistake. But good seeing you. We are headed out, but I hope to be able to meet up with you again.” I handed him one of my business cards. “I put my cell on the back. Really. Good seeing you.” And I started to guide Sharron past Devan and towards our car.
“You too, David.”
…
David
Finally we were home. I think I’m going to stop drinking, because that was the longest, most stressful hour drive I’ve ever experienced. I love Sharron but she can’t drive. Ha!
…
Sharron
I was clean and in our bed. That shower helped wash away all the negativity and mean words that were said today. I had nothing to worry about. Because David loved me. He loved me so much that he got me a huge amount of ribs! More than I was going to ask for. He loved me. I knew it. And I also knew, that I loved him unconditionally. He was my wonderful husband. Mine. Forever mine. As David climbed into bed, I knew it would always be like this. He would always be the one next to me. I snuggled into his side. That was my spot. Forever and always.
David
She was beautiful. This lovingly woman in my arms. Especially after realizing how much of a terrible person I must have been in high school. That it amazed me that this wonderful woman chose me. I just held her in my arms, listening to her sighs in her sleep. I pulled her closer to me, kissing her forehead, and closed my eyes. Breathing in pace with her, savoring this woman, as I too fell asleep.
emily2jane 