Match Made

Nostalgia

We're done eating but sipping more drinks and talking. I ask, "So where'd you meet your wife?"

"She's my college sweetheart."

"Does she have a southern accent?"

He laughs, "No, she's from Ohio."

"If she had an accent I was going to clown you."

"Why?"

"You don't remember telling me how the girls down south are fine, but you can't get past the accent?"

Head revved back, he laughed, "Yeah, it was pretty bad. We hooked up because we weren't country."

Eyes now fixed on me he asks, "Where'd you meet your husband?"

"At work. I was his cougar fantasy and he was my cub fantasy. We went out and fell in love. Never imagined this but here we are, six years strong."

"Oh wow, you're a cougar, Kelly? Didn't see that coming,"

"He's a good man and he loves me. That's all we want, right?"

Gazing into my eyes he grunts, "Hmm."

My thoughts return to our senior trip. I remember that Florida was super fun, but now we're headed to the airport to fly to the Bahamas. As we walk down the tarmac Duran notices Aden near me and yells, "Kelly is the finest girl on this trip. Only a fool would let her go!"

Tan loves it! She laughs, "Only a fool? You plan on holding on Duran?"

"Tight as a mutha!! Kelly, I'd never let you go!"

Our travel agent scammed us. The hotel isn't the one the brochure showed us. It's a dump. The faucets yield salt water, so we must purchase water to bathe. There are flying cockroaches and prostitutes soliciting outside of our windows. It's an utter nightmare. Our chaperones are so outdone that they lift our curfews and restrictions. 

While we wait in this so-called lobby Aden has a camcorder and is taping a cockroach. Animated he and his friends dance around me, but I sit unmoved watching music videos play on the bar's TV.

Love music was our favorite pastime. My mom always gave us privacy even though we'd sit in the living room. My siblings would be in the family room making as much noise as possible but Aden and I would be in our own world letting the moon be our only light. 

One night we were cuddling on the loveseat and as each song played, we'd both rate it. One song came on that I loved but he hated it. I laugh, "You're crazy this song is romantic. It gives me the feeling of love growing and then starting a new chapter in life."

"The only chapter I hear is chapter seven because after this song they'll be filing for bankruptcy."

Smacking my lips I giggle, "Whatever."

He nestles his face into my neck and whispers, "We don't need a song. This right here feels like heaven."

The moment he finishes saying the word heaven the first note of Brainstorm's song This Must Be Heaven plays. We both smile. Gentle he kisses my lips whispering, "I told you."

At that moment I knew we'd be together forever. Coming out of my daydream, I refocus on the videos. It's then Imagination by Miki Howard comes on. A rush of emotions comes over me as the last verse melodically cries, "And yet I can't imagine that you'd want me too."

What a different reality today. As the song ends my eyes are fixed on Aden. He seems as if he's his happiest and doesn't have a care in the world. Heart racing a tear falls as I hurry outside asking Tan, "Where's everyone headed?"

Gathering her crew she grins, "Here you are! ...Monet here she is! Let's go!"

Arms locked she begins dragging me saying, "We're going to the bar! Screw this being upset! Let's get wasted!"

And, the first night I do just that with half a cup of daiquiri and one wine cooler. Aden sees me outside of the hotel acting out of character. Immediately he asks Tan to please lock me in my room, and I know why. Duran had gotten drunk and seeing me drunk he was on a mission. He saw Aden down the hall near the room I was in, along with 20 other classmates, but in a jealous rage he slurs out, "Kelly is done dating fake boys!!"

Knowing I'm safe from his reach Aden ignores Duran's taunt and then leaves. The next morning, I remember very little, but I'm done drinking and enjoying the beauty of the Bahamas.

The water is a crystal clear, transparent turquoise that allows you to see straight to the bottom of the ocean. Tan and a few of us take a boat ride to Paradise Island, which lives up to its name. After our festivities, we return to the hotel to a frantic Sonya. As soon as she sees me, she rushes my way but never acknowledges me and shouts, "Aden was run over on his scooter!"

Eyes piercing through her I remain calm as ever as she hops around frantic with multiple suck marks on her neck and cleavage given by a local islander. Monet and Lauren take off running behind her while Tan and I go to rest in our hotel room.

The senior trip ends, and the ride home is much more mellow. Now prom is the focus, and I haven't a date. Desiree is off to college, but it's only 30 minutes away. Often, I catch a lift with Reno to see her and experience college life. Getting to know Reno I met his friend Napoleon, who is considered gorgeous.

The mid 80's belonged to Eldra DeBarge. Anyone who slightly resembled him was dreamy. Napoleon was mixed, with wavy fine hair, and he was over six feet tall. Napoleon saw me and was smitten. The closer it got to prom the sadder Desiree saw me become. With only two weeks left, she and Reno convince Napoleon to muster up the courage to ask me. A sigh of relief bellows out along with my, "Yes."