That afternoon at 6 when I arrived home from the office I went to my mailbox as I do every day. Shoving the envelopes in my open pocketbook I walked back toward the apartment building with my key held out to let myself inside quickly. It's freezing out here I said to myself. Closing the front door brought much welcome relief from the biting cold of January.
While eating a Healthy Choice microwave dinner I opened the envelope that was addressed in fancy gold penmanship.
I read an invitation that I knew subconsciously would be coming to me sooner or later.
"You are invited to Helena, Indiana high school 25th reunion. It will be held at the Marmot Hotel." I looked carefully at the street address, and room name given.
This might be interesting I thought. There are a lot of people I would like to see again. There were a few boys whom I dated but they're probably married by now no doubt. There were some girls I would love to see again and see how they turned out.
The date was a month away. I took out the inner envelope that had been self addressed back to the reunion committee and quickly wrote in 1. There was no one special whom I would bring.
The last time I had a significant other I was in college. Madison and I had gone separate ways after my sophomore year. When she transferred to a different school we did not stay in touch. It was a long time before my heart mended.
Cheryl Thatch was something of a loner in high school. She was certainly not homely by any stretch but not a beauty queen either. She was a tall, thin redhead with hazel eyes and not quite full lips.
Cheryl and I were friendly toward each other in high school. We engaged in a lot of girl talk, and went out for cigarette breaks together. Outside of school we actually saw little of each other.
That Friday night in late February I came to the hall where the reunion was being held. Approaching the reception desk I took my name tag from the reunion committee. They greeted me.
"Stephanie Blake how are you?"
"I'm fine thank you. It's nice to see all of you people again."
The committee consisted of Edward Harrison, and Janet Lynn.
"So Ed," I began, " bring me up to date."
" I left my husband home and I came here."