VALERIE
I was packing my suitcase in preparation to go to my tenth-year high school reunion. I was being careful not to pack any special lingerie or items that my husband might think suspicious. That was okay by me because I did not plan to be intimate with any of the likely attendees. What I was worried about was my husband's concern over my re-connecting with my one-time lover, Randall Briggs.
My main reason for going to the reunion was to see several of my close girl friends who now lived all over the country. This was the only occasion that could being us all together at one time. My secret second reason for going was to show Randall I was not the naïve bimbo he managed to score with years ago. I'm just glad I wasn't a virgin when we had sex, but I was pretty close. I would like to get revenge for his telling everyone that he finally made me another of his many conquests, but I couldn't think of anything vile enough that wasn't illegal.
"Simon, are you sure you can't go with me? A lot of the people there were your friends too."
"I wish I could sweetheart. There is a huge loan negotiation going on right now and I have to be here."
"Be honest with me Simon. You're worried about me and Randall, aren't you?"
"It's more like I'm worried about him. He pretty well had every girl he wanted in high school. He was and probably still is a master seducer. Do both us a favor and stay away from him."
"If you tell me not to go, I won't go, but I hope you would not say that. I want you to believe you can trust me. I can handle that narcissistic, asshole Mr. Briggs. You are my one and only lover now until we die. I will not betray you and our marriage. I am yours as long as you want me. I am telling you: You can trust me."
"Val, I know this is a great opportunity for you to see Beverly and the crew you hung around with. I'm sure you'll have a good time catching up. Besides, he hasn't been listed on the persons who have committed to attend. He may not even show."
SIMON
God, I hated to see her leaving. The idea of her being around Randall again gets my blood boiling. It wasn't until after Val and I got engaged that he and I were in a bar together. I was celebrating my engagement with my male friends. He was there uninvited. Everything seemed okay until he got me alone. "Simon, you are one lucky son-of-a-bitch. Valerie was the finest piece of ass I ever had. Of course, I was the finest lover she had or ever will have." He smirked and laughed. "I may have not gotten her vaginal virginity, but I was the first in her ass. My goodness, how she screamed in pleasure. I think she had ten orgasms that night. Don't worry, I'm sure you give her some satisfaction, but she'll always remember the best."
That did it. I charged him and swung my fist, but he easily blocked my punches. Several friends pulled us apart. Randall was asked to leave. As he walked out, he tossed one last insult, "Just remember, Simon, I can have her anytime I want, and it won't even be difficult." I had to be restrained again.
I never told Valerie about that episode. I didn't want her to be thinking about Randall for any reason. I know how much she says she hated what he did to her, but his dating history is replete with examples of girls he shit on coming back for more. He was handsome, smart, the consummate charmer, and, evidently, very good in bed. Clothes seemed to fall off on their own whenever he passed a girl.
"I will miss you, Val. Have a good time and remember 'I love you.'" I wanted so much to tell her not to do anything I wouldn't, but I didn't want to upset her. I had to trust her.
"I love you too, Simon. Be ready for me to attack you as soon as I get back."
VALERIE
When I got off the plane, I immediately saw someone in the baggage area with a sign regarding our tenth-year reunion. Two of my classmates who married each other owned a hotel in town and had given everyone a special rate so we could stay together. The main gatherings were in the hotel's ballroom and conference room. I made myself known to the man with the sign. He was the driver of the van for the hotel. He asked if it was okay to wait a half hour as several others would be on the next flight. I agreed and was pleased to see that Beverly was one of the people we were waiting on. We hugged and didn't stop talking until we split at the hotel to go to our separate rooms.
Our first event of the reunion was an open bar reception in one of the hotel's conference rooms. I met Beverly there and we quickly connected with two other friends who had arrived earlier. It was fun trying to figure out who some of the people were: old classmates, old classmates' spouses, or someone crashing the party. As much fun as I was having, I still wasn't relaxed. Occasionally, I would scan the room looking for Randall. I was hoping I could get my confrontation done quickly and get it over with. He never showed for the reception. I was too scared to ask the hosts if he had registered because I didn't want anyone to think I was wanting to see him.
Saturday's agenda was a variety of outdoor events at the local country club. People were scattered choosing between tennis, swimming, golf and tanning. Of course, all these activities were done while drinking. Most of the time I was not engaged in reciting old war stories with the girls from high school, I was looking to see if Randall had made an appearance. I think I got a crick in my neck from looking so hard. Damn if Randall wasn't ruining part of my fun and he didn't even show. Not yet, at least.
That Saturday evening was the main event: dinner and dance back at the hotel ballroom. In my room, I looked at myself in the mirror. I was going for moderately sexy, somewhere between conservative and slutty. Most people say I am attractive. I have a pretty face and a body a teenager would love to have. I was still slender at only five pounds above my high school weight. The bra I wore made my 34 B's look like 34 C's. My dress made it sure that I would rarely see a man's eyes when he looked at me. My raven dark hair was short now with a wave. Everyone seems to like it. I have always attracted men and I figured I probably would tonight. That was okay as long as they looked and didn't touch.
Beverly and three other of our friends shared a table with a couple. The husband was a member of our class but not in the group we hung around with. We didn't talk much with them. When the dinner was over, most people mingled while a band popular in our day was playing dance music. Not many people were dancing yet. Drinking and talking were the main activities.
I had a couple of drinks and was asked to dance by one of my old male friends. His wife, also a friend, didn't like to dance so I agreed with her permission. As we were dancing, HE made his entrance. Randall Briggs. Damn, I had forgotten how handsome he was. He still had that little partial bang that hung down over his forehead. Girls supposedly had orgasmed just from seeing him flip his hair back into place. He seemed in great shape, maybe even more fit than high school when he was on the swim team. 90% of the crowd at swim meets were girls who wanted to see Randall's body, especially what showed while he was in tight swim trunks. You could hear the collective sighs when he emerged from the water and the outline of his penis stood out.
Upon seeing him walk around, my heart fluttered in spite of my hatred. He was taking his time saying hello to people. Randall was always confident, but he didn't seem to have the arrogant, 'better than you' confidence of our high school days. He seemed sure of himself but appeared he was being very polite and mannerly.
