All persons having sex in this fictional story are over eighteen years of age.
High school reunions aren't really my thing. This was our twentieth. I'd been stuck with this same group of people all through school and all the people that I wanted to see from my younger days, I was still in contact with. So why go to a reunion and see them again? I was still married to my wife Julie at our ten year reunion, so I was sure to be asked about my ex-wife by people that I hadn't seen since. That would be pleasant. I did have plenty of pictures of my two little girls on my phone to show anyone who asked.
It'd been two years since the divorce, so even the tan line from my ring was now gone. Single all the way. My old friends greeted me when I arrived and showed me their table. I put my jacket on the back of one of the chairs and began to mingle.
Unfortunately, I ran into Jamie Tackett right away. He was the biggest bullshitter in school. Currently he was holding court with several of his followers from our high school days, including Carol who was smitten with him all through school. He saw me and made a big show of shaking my hand and hugging me. He quickly returned to his storytelling and I continued making my way from table to table greeting everyone.
I reached a table in the back of the conference room and there was a woman sitting alone, playing on her phone. I introduced myself, she told me her name was Amanda and that she didn't go to school with us but was here with her husband. I asked her who her husband was and she smiled. "Jamie Tackett. The one over there soaking in all that admiration."
"I never knew Jamie was married. He was always..."
"On the hunt?" Amanda asked.
"I suppose he's settled down now that he's older and has a beautiful wife."
"Oh, that's very smooth, Mr. Donaldson. I'll need to be careful around you. How is it you don't have a ring on you finger?"
"I wore one for ten years but my wife decided her's was too confining and thought it best if we stopped wearing them. I got two beautiful daughters out of the deal, so it wasn't such a bad trade off."
"Oh baby pictures! Let's see them." Amanda said leaning into me in order to see my phone screen.
"They aren't really babies anymore, Cassie's nine and Audrey's seven now."
"You make beautiful children, Jim. Do they live with their mother?"
"They do. Julie, that's my ex, has never restricted my visitation in any way, so I've been able to remain in their lives more than other divorced dads. They are my world."
Amanda looked in my eyes studying me for a moment. "So what happened between you and Julie then? I've known you for five minutes and can see that you're a loving, caring father. Did you cheat on her?" she asked giving me a smirk.
"You've got the wrong end of the stick, Amanda. Her ring was too confining, remember, not mine. Things didn't get ugly, but I couldn't forgive her after finding out she'd betrayed me. The divorce was amicable. She promised to never keep my girls from me and she's kept that promise. We don't hate each other and we're still able to remain friends, but I lost my love for her after finding out about her tryst with a coworker."
"I'm sorry, Jim. How long has it been?"
"Almost two years now. I lost my 'man card' for a year or so after and went to counseling looking to find some tools to use to get it back. My therapist really helped me. I feel more like myself now."
"Are you a dancer, Jim? I'd like to get out on the floor."
"I get by. Just watch your toes."
I got my first look at Amanda when she stood to go out on the dance floor with me. Jamie was a lucky man. Amanda is around 5'8" with curves in just the right proportions. Her eyes and smile were her best features, but I'm sure she had her share of males lusting after her form.
Once on the dance floor we moved well together. My ex Julie had loved dancing, so I had taken lessons in order to not embarrass myself on the floor with her. Those lessons paid off now. "You're a real renaissance man, Jim. Impressive moves sir."
"I've cut a rug or two. You look very comfortable out here as well."
The band played a slow song and Amanda slipped into my arms. I was right about her body. She felt wonderful. Little Jimmy was awake in minutes. We swayed to the music for a few verses when Jamie asked if he could cut in. I stepped away from Amanda to find Carol sliding into her place. "How are you Jimmy? I haven't seen you since the last reunion."
"I'm doing well Carol. How have you been?"
"I left Chuck last year and moved with the kids to Indy. How are you doing since your divorce?"
"It was rough at first, but I've gotten accustomed to my new single life. How long have you been single?"
"About four years now. I thought Chuck might be here tonight but he's too big of a chicken to face me. He cheated on me and then was surprised when I left him. He was a terrible husband and has been a terrible father. He's only come to see the kids maybe five or six times in four years."
I suppose I'm the one that opened this can of worms with Carol but I didn't really want to listen to her bitching about Chuck any longer. He was a complete ass in school so it was no surprise to me that he was one in his marriage as well. Jamie got me off the hook by cutting back in with Carol.
"Thanks Jimmy. Mandy went off to the restroom but asked if you'd get her a fresh drink and meet her back at the table. She drinks red wine. Gotta love reunions, man. Have fun." he said with a smirk.
I quit trying to figure out Jamie's motives years ago and this time was no exception. What was that all about? I pulled my jacket off the chair on my way to the bar and put it on. I got Amanda a red wine, myself a beer and headed back to Amanda's table. She wasn't there but I saw her walking my way.
"Thank you, I'm parched. You're quite a pleasant surprise, Jim. I was thinking I was going to be bored at this reunion before I met you. You're dangerous."
"I don't think anyone's EVER found me dangerous." I chuckled back at her.
"Oh, but to a married woman you definitely are. Do you live around here, Jim?"
This just got serious. I'm not into stealing another man's wife, no matter how big of a douche her husband is. "I live about twenty minutes from here. What are we discussing here, Amanda? You're a married woman and even though Jamie and I aren't really friends I still don't want to make a play for his wife."