I was on my way to my high school reunion, anxious to meet my old classmates after ten years. Since the day came I'd been a nervous wreck, worrying about what to say once I met up with every familiar face. The party took place in the school cafeteria; noticing how beautifully decorated it was, with a huge banner welcoming back the graduating class. The whole floor was cleared of all tables and chairs, giving everyone enough breathing room to dance on.
Once I spotted my old teachers and some classmates I remembered well, I didn't waste time approaching them and discussing old times. Seeing them all was a thrill and it brought back so many memories; the best of times. However, there was one person in particular I didn't want to be friendly with. That man was Timmy Meadows, a six foot four monster, sporting a thick mustache who just happened to come my way. He was once the star forward of the school basketball team, leading them to their first ever championship. Despite all his success the one thing Timmy had a problem with was his ego. After winning the championship the big dope declared himself the greatest athlete in school history.
"Hey, Aggie", he said, coming my way to shake my hand.
"Hey, Timmy", I said, reluctant to take his hand. "How you been?"
"I'm good. It's Timothy."
"What?"
"It's Timothy not Timmy."
"Thanks for the reminder, and it's Aguilera not Aggie."
"Come on Aggie, we're not going to start fighting are we? Can't two old friends get together without causing a scene?"
Timmy and I were never friends; the last person I wanted to be friends with and that massive ego of his pretty much summed it up.
"All right let's drop it", I said, avoiding any chance of embarrassing myself further. "Now is not the time or the place, so let's talk about you. Did you make the pros or what?"
With his height and attitude, Timmy would have fit in nicely going head-to-head against those other six or seven foot tall players in the pros. But as time went on his dream turned into a nightmare; telling me the very details on the tragedy of his playing career.
"Nah, I didn't make it", he said. "I tore my knee after playing two games of college ball. I wanted to keep going but they told me I couldn't. My knee didn't get any better and I was done."
"Sorry to hear that", I said.
"Me too. But it's not the end of the world I can tell you that."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm going to be coaching our old team. Is that pure luck or what?"
"Hold on", I said, not believing the details. "You telling me you're the new coach of the Blasters?"
"I'm the new head coach. By the upcoming season I'll whip them in shape and take them to the top."
"Well, congratulations."
"Thanks man, it's the job I wanted all my life."
The Blasters basketball team hadn't exactly done anything right for many years. Who knows? Perhaps Timmy could get the job done this coming season.
Soon he caught up to his former teammates, leaving me alone with three girls I was ready to meet. First it was Terry and Roxanne, two former members of the cheer leading squad for the Palominos football team. The other was a tall brunette named Debbie, who was the smartest girl in class and valedictorian at our graduation.
"It's so good to see you again, Aggie", said Debbie, giving me a peck on the cheek. "You look great."
"You look wonderful, Debbie", I said, growing frustrated at being called Aggie all night. "Could you please do me a favor and stop calling me that."
"What's wrong with calling you Aggie? I thought after all this time you got used to that."
"That may have been fine back in school but we're all grown up now."
"Would you rather I call you Robbie instead?"
"It's a start."
"Same old Aggie after all this time."
"What does that mean?"
"You're so sensitive and that's always been your problem."
"I'm sensitive?"
"Yes, you are."
Right now Debbie was talking nonsense; trying hard to get under my skin was more like it. The conversation continued with her doing most of the talking; now bringing up the subject of her marriage and two sons at home. Telling me her life story was something I didn't want to hear or even care about. If that weren't enough, Timmy was not done with me just yet.
"Hey, Aggie", he said, getting my attention once again. "Come on over and say hello to the guys."
"I think he's talking to you", said Debbie.
"I'll see you later", I said.
Timmy wanted me to meet up with his former teammates; the last group of people I wanted to hang with. I already knew what they'd call me once I met up with them and I wanted no part of it. I walked as far enough away from the pack where I now caught up to Mrs. Bell, my old history teacher.
"Mr. Aguilera", she said. "You're looking well."
"You're not so bad yourself", I said, feeling nervous just by looking at her. "Your husband's still a lucky man."
"I don't have a husband anymore."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."
"I'm not. That bastard was a liar and a cheating little prick."
"What happened? Let me guess he had an affair with someone half his age."
"Something like that."
"When did he get caught?", I asked, growing more interested in this conversation than I did the others.
"From the moment I read his E-mails on line."
"Oh, that's not good."
"He even had dirty pictures of that slut lying naked on our couch. That very same couch I paid for with my own money and she leaves her stink behind."
"What an asshole."
"George was an asshole but I got even with him. I sent those pictures to the girl's father, who just happened to be George's boss."
"Oh, shit, he was fucking the boss' daughter?"
"That's right. Once the boss found out, George was fired and I took everything he ever owned."
"Wow, you have a mean streak in you. I can imagine the look on his face when you found those E-mails."
"I can show you right now."
Mrs. Bell took out her camera phone, giving me a slideshow of George's surprised look on his face after reading those E-mails. The poor woman even took pictures of the E-mails themselves; capturing each and every word ever written. I have to say but they were all very naughty.
"Got any pictures of the girl?", I asked.
"No, I do not", she said, with a mean look on her face.
"Just checking."
I never told anyone but I did have a crush on Mrs. Bell. Now in her late forties she's still the best looking teacher I ever had. Even better was the fact that she's divorced and available; she could have any man she wanted. Tonight I figured this was my golden opportunity to make a move; to have that old fantasy of mine become a reality. That all changed when someone else came along and decided to grab my attention.
"Aggie, is that you?", said the lone female voice behind me.
I started to get really annoyed over the name and I was ready to set this person straight whomever it was.
"Could you excuse me?", I told Mrs. Bell.
The minute I turned around my whole attitude changed overnight, because standing before me was a petite and very beautiful African American princess. She had curly locks of dark hair, chocolate brown skin and wore a black off-the-shoulders dress. The matching pair of high heels she wore made her a couple of inches taller than me.
"It's been a long time, Aggie", she said, with a bright smile and sweet voice. "How have you been?"
"Great", I said, not being able to recognize her. "I'm sorry do I know you?"
"We were in the same class together, Aggie."
"Are you sure about that? I recognize everyone else around here but I don't remember you. You sure we were in the same class?"
"You really don't remember me?"
"I'm good with pretty faces and I would have remembered yours a mile away."
"I'll admit I was different back then."
"Can you help me out?"
"Might as well get this over with before we die of boredom. Back then I was fat, wore glasses I hated wearing, and a very nasty attitude."
I still had no idea who she was until she gave me one more hint.
"I played on the girls volleyball team", she said.
After doing some heavy thinking I finally figured out who she was after all. The only reason why she was unrecognizable was because she did not look this good years ago. As a matter of fact she didn't look anything like the other girls in my class.
"Rhonda?", I said, in shock at who I was talking to. "Big Rhonda James? Is that really you?"
"In the flesh, baby."
"Wow, you look amazing."
"Some exercising and a little yoga can do wonders for the body."
"I can't believe it. The last time I saw you you were a bit chubby and acted more like a tomboy. I remember you had an attitude problem and getting suspended for your troubles."
"I was in detention. I never once got suspended."
"Sorry, my mistake. Still, you went from ugly duckling to a beautiful swan."
"I was ugly?"
"Not in so many words."
"I'm kidding, Aggie. If I didn't know any better I think you were flirting with me."
"Maybe I am."
"You are looking good yourself."
"Are you flirting with me now?"
"Hey, this girl never flirts."
"No, I don't expect you do."
The two of us spoke throughout the evening, putting the subject of Mrs. Bell far behind me. Rhonda and I even danced for the very first time; it felt really weird for both of us. The girl kept calling me Aggie all night long and it didn't bother me for a second. After tonight she could call me anything she wanted. We started talking about her volleyball team on the day they won it all after nearly having a perfect season.
"That was the damn ref's fault", said Rhonda. "The girl from the other team was clearly out of bounds when she scored. That fucking asshole assumed she was in bounds and we lost because of him. He's not here is he?"
"No, I didn't see him anywhere. Were you planning on kicking his ass if you did see his face?"
"Yes, I would. The next time I see that fucking loser he's going to be spitting teeth."
"Now that's the Rhonda I remember. A girl who doesn't take shit from anyone."