She was cleaning the blackboards as her mind wandered. It was homecoming at the high school and it would be his 10 year reunion. Would he show? And if he did, would he remember? Would he care? It had been 10 years since they'd seen each other and she'd missed him every minute. She had been a student teacher, only 22. And he a quiet, shy senior of 18. She had broken every rule with him, but didn't care. There were no regrets there save that she hadn't kept him for herself. She'd released him to the world and he'd gone.
A knock at the door brought her back into reality. She composed herself for a moment and then called out, "Yes?"
"Ma'am? It's me. Do you have a minute?"
He might be 10 years older, but she knew his voice and her heart jumped. "I guess," she said trying to sound casual. "Come in."
She caught her breath at the first sight of him. He had changed a great deal from those high school days, but it was certainly him. He stood some 6' 2" with dark hair, strong shoulders and a broad chest. He was a far cry from the slender little teenager she knew as a student teacher, but it was definitely him as one thing for certain had not changed...his piercing eyes. Those eyes had drawn her to him from the start and she cursed the 10 years she'd missed them.
"It's good to see you again," she said, letting her emotions show just a bit. He smiled, those eyes lighting up at her greeting.
"I'm sorry I was gone for so long, ma'am. I'll endeavor to make sure it doesn't happen again."
"See that it doesn't," she said harshly. There was an awkward silence as they took each other in, evaluating the effects of the years that had passed.