The Reunion
The message went out to each and every one of them: Come to Pete’s on the Turnpike tomorrow at 6pm.
They trickled in, one by one. Leigh arrived with Kevin. They’d met in rehab, and quickly fallen in love. They waited at the bar, and saw Stan when he came in. He broke into a sheepish grin when he saw Leigh. Their hug was quick, awkward, and Stan looked away at the end. Leigh swam in memory, his scent, his taste, the way he cocked his head. Kevin watched, troubled.
Jill and Paula burst in, heads together, complaining and laughing. Paula asked Stan about Kate, but he turned red, shrugged, and said that no, he had no idea where she was.
Jeff entered next, his suit crisp and well-fitted. There was a swagger to him that the others found disconcerting and strange. Jeff smiled and warmly re-introduced himself.
Danielle sat in her car for about ten minutes before working up the courage to get out, and naturally that was the moment Heather turned up with her husband. They kissed and he sped off somewhere, promising to return when she called. Danielle lit a cigarette and pretended not to notice her. Heather obliged, or maybe she really didn’t recognize her. She smelled wonderful as she passed, and Danielle hated herself a little more. After a few minutes, she deftly flicked the cigarette across the parking lot and sauntered in.
Kate and Allison arrived together. I can’t do this, Allison said over and over. I can’t face them. But Kate gave her sister a hug and said yes, love, you can. They won’t make a big deal out of it.
Of course, as soon as Allison entered everyone stared. No one talked to her, though, and she sat by herself, nursing a beer.
The last to arrive was Jess, who took a seat at the bar and ordered something stiff to drink.
—
Conversation ebbed and flowed. Stan and Kate exchanged a few terse words before withdrawing to separate corners. Jeff, who was apparently running for something, worked the room. Paula and Jill found Heather, and they laughed about school, kids and the job. Jess somehow found herself talking with Leigh and Kevin about football, of all things, and realized she was having a great time somewhere after her third beer. Groups formed and unformed, pairs spoke and turned to someone new.
Allison sat alone, watching her old friends. She tried to get Heather’s attention, but failed.
Why am I even here, she wondered. Life was difficult enough without dealing with people from high school. Depression and anxiety crept up on her, and she thought about finding Kate so they could leave.
She suddenly became aware of the fact that someone was sitting at the table with her.
“Well, Mark, everyone here’s a little different, but I think you win the prize,” he said. Allison’s eyes widened.
“Brian,” she whispered.
He smiled, an easy grin that she never would have thought him capable of. “You bet,” he said. “So… what do you go by, now? It can’t be Mark.”
“A-Allison,” she said, and matched his silly, goofy expression. “I’m so glad you’re here! I thought…”
“Well, I never planned to come back,” Brian Kunitz said. “But I got this note, and I couldn’t resist.”
“We got notes, too. I wonder who sent them?”
“Thought it might be a secret,” he said, nodding. “Well. That’s fine. It doesn’t really matter.” He gestured out to the gathering. “Look at them. All grown up, all changed. Jeff’s astonishing, I never would have thought. And look how much better Leigh seems. Where’s your sister?”
Allison pointed.
“Ah. And there’s Jess. I suppose I ought to say hi at some point. Maybe it’s better not to, I wonder. But she looks different, too. Ten years; everybody’s changed.”
“Especially you,” said Allison. “Where have you been?“
Brian ignored the last part of the question. “I haven’t changed one bit,” he said. “No, I’m the same guy. I just have more regrets.” He gave Allison an appraising look. “You know, maybe I was wrong about you. Why aren’t you out there talking to people?”
“I–I don’t…” She couldn’t finish the sentence. Wasn’t it obvious why not?
“Hey,” said Brian. “I have to get going. It was good to see you. Here’s my cell number. Call me, okay? I’d love to talk to you more, catch up.” He stood.
“Are you going to talk to Jess?” Allison asked. “You should.”
Brian only smiled, then nonchalantly vanished out the front door. Allison looked around. Nobody else seemed to have noticed him.
She looked at the card he’d given her. Brian’s Spiritual Delivery Service, it read. A phone number was printed underneath; the area code wasn’t one she recognized.
She put the card into her purse, and went off to find Kate.
