Chapter 06 - Carly
Thank you Jordyn Castell for editing.
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I was preparing myself for my ten year class reunion a few years back, and as my excitement grew, I realized that I also dreaded going to it. The first problem was that I was going alone, my husband was on a business trip and would not be able to make it. Secondly, I was a stay at home mother, unlike many of the women that I had graduated with. Thirdly, I had not been a popular girl in school. I played in the band all four years, and even played on the volleyball team in my junior year, but really, I kept to myself.
I smiled at and cursed to myself for thinking like a teenager again. This wasn't high school any more, we were all adults, grown up. It was ten years ago, there was nothing to worry about. I laughed, just thinking how silly I was for having to convince myself to go. I knew there was no reason not to, the kids were at my folks house for the night, no doubt wondering how my night would go. The night was mine, and I was going to have a good time
So, I finished my make-up, rolled the lint off of my skirt and headed out the door. I laughed again as I entered the car and drove off. It would be fun seeing what everyone was up to these days, even if my life was not as exciting as theirs, I had three kids, two dogs, two cats and a very successful husband that I supported, that was a job in itself.
As I pulled into the parking lot of the Broken Crown, the venue for the reunion, I relaxed, seeing many of my classmates walking inside. I got out, put on my best smile, and entered the building. I moved quickly to a little book and signed my name right under Amanda Johnson Fetricca's, a fellow band member that married just two years ago, and was now expecting her second child, she was one of the few classmates I had kept in touch with.
I gazed around the room to see if I would recognize anyone other than Amanda right off, half expecting that no-one would look the same. Oddly enough, most looked as they did ten years ago, perhaps a little more weight or a little less. Then of course there were those with a little less hair, or more, as I noticed John Mensburg now sported a full beard.
I floated around the hall and mingled with a few of the girls that I had played with, either in the band or in my short stint as a student athlete. It seemed that most were married with kids, some had been divorced , maybe even twice. Or if you were poor Heather Gastin, divorced three times and working on your fourth marriage. I guess being a housewife wasn't to bad.
I moved to a corner of the room and watched as my classmates mingled, finding it rather entertaining to see the spectacle before me. As I was standing there, I saw a bottle of beer move in front of me and looked up to see a tall muscular man. He smiled as he spoke to me, "Damn Carly, you are still looking great."
I smiled back and took the drink, as I felt my face flushing, "Thank you Jack, you do tease."
I just about managed the words. Jack Kelton, captain of the football team and all-state linebacker. He was one of the hottest men in the entire school, and my heart throbbed every time I saw him. I wanted to be with him so bad, I cut his picture out of the paper and hung it on my wall. I had hearts drawn around him in my yearbook. Back then, he was the man of my dreams.
He grinned to me, the boyish grin that he often sported back in high school,
"I'm not teasing Carly, you look great."
I gave a smile and sipped at the beer he had given me,
"Thank you Jack, you look great as well. I am surprised you remember me though." It was the truth, I was a band girl, and he was very popular, I wasn't sure if he even knew I existed back then.