Homecoming Proposal: Book One

Chapter 9 - Needs

CARMEN-present

Blowing out a heavy breath, I carefully weighed my words before speaking. My career had taken a back seat while we fostered and had our Littles. I had loved teaching but did not want to return to the classroom again. My family, home, and land had replaced my drive to have a successful career.

A deep satisfaction came from creating a wonderland that could feed my family and be a place of healing and refreshment. Centering my thoughts, I absentmindedly scratched gently under the lamb's chin. I loved my animals almost as much as my children, and neither would be absent from my future.

What do I need? A loaded question if ever there was one.

I needed friends. I needed someone to stand with me. It seemed like an eternity since I had been the confidante and lover to my husband. I needed more than I'd had in the last few years. My train of thought would be grossly misinterpreted by my friends if I said that. I would never denigrate what my husband and I had built, though.

"I need to repair the relationships I broke if I can. I feel like I can move on from the past, but I'd like to see what could be from what was."

I didn't have much else I could say that wouldn't seem out of place. As much as I knew Cora and Maria loved me (and I loved them too), I didn't think either would understand what I was saying or needing.

We stood as the noise of my children's laughter came around the corner of the house. My Littles took the lambs to play as we watched in silence. All three of us smiled over the children's heads. Cora spoke up first.

"Maria, what do you think the guys' reactions would be when they see this beautiful bitch again?"

I looked at Maria, wondering myself.

"They know you're coming and are very eager to see you again. I'm sure Aidan's going to show them your profile picture since it's the first any of us have seen of you since graduation. If you want to reconnect before Homecoming, use Facebook. It could let you ease back into talking to everyone without lots of personal details upfront."

Cora stood between us, her dark chocolate skin glistening. I could see her wheels spinning as a Cheshire cat grin exposed her brilliantly white teeth.

Interrupting Maria, Cora cackled. "You hate the unknown. Take the plunge now. Reach out to all of them. Explain why you left so that won't be the first thing you are asked when you're face to face with them. I'm sure they all have something they want to say to yours. Well, maybe not say."

I felt the furious blush heat my cheeks. This is why I wasn't sure. I had been reminiscing lately, which made me decide to return home. If they remembered too, they might also wonder what might happen with me coming back. I sure did. And since I wasn't going to be returning with my husband, "seeing" them might be the least of my worries.

I tried to put the brakes on this conversation. "Time has changed us all. Who knows if they'll want to talk to me?"

Maria gently assured me they did. "If you could have seen their faces and heard the explosion when they found out you were coming back, you'd know they do. I know you said you guys didn't have sex, but you left them blue-balled and ready to beg for more. You still could have your pick, despite not knowing how you wrapped them so completely back then."

Cora crowed, "Wonder who's going to rank numero uno in The Club now?"

***

Six hours later, the kids were all in bed. Jackie had taken off after dining with us. I could see a look on her face indicating she was going to interrogate me later. She was so curious about the guys, causing Cora to pull out my yearbooks. After more embarrassing stories, pointing out the Club members, and laughing at our old pictures, Jackie had a pretty good idea of how crazy we had been. It was almost like I had no secrets because of my two big-mouthed friends.