A Reunion to Remember

Chapter 2

Drew Barrrymore as Ronnie.

Chapter 2

Later that evening, the four women were sitting in the dining area, awaiting their dinner. Ronnie looked around the room. There were about 250 people in the room, probably half of her graduating class of 300, plus 100 or so of their significant others.  

She had never gotten married or had children. She would have liked to, but it just wasn't meant to be. Her life was filled with family and friends, and she loved it. She just couldn't help wishing for more. 

"What's she staring at?" Kristy asked, motioning toward an unfamiliar woman at the next table.  

"I think you're just being paranoid," Kara reasoned, used to Kristy's overdramatic personality. 

"That's Josh Hinderman's fiancée," Maggie explained.  

"I think she's just checking everyone out. Josh's parents and my parents were friends. Maybe he told her that." 

Ronnie suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. Maggie always thought everything was about her. They were almost 40, for crying out loud, why would his fiancée be concerned with someone like Maggie? She and Josh hadn't even been close in high school. The poor woman was most likely just looking around for friendly faces. After all, she probably only knew Josh. 

"I'm going to get something to drink. Does anyone want anything?" Ronnie asked. She wanted to remove herself from this scenario. 

Everyone shook their heads no. Ronnie walked up to the bar, thinking about whether to choose a cola or something with a little more kick. 

"Hi," she heard from behind her. She assumed the comment was intended for someone else, and kept looking straight ahead. 

She felt a tap on her shoulder, and turned around. Josh was standing there, looking at her expectantly. She gave him a quick once over. He hadn't changed much since high school, which was the last time she'd seen him. He was still tall, somewhat thin, with blonde hair. He had never been a particularly attractive guy, but he wasn't hard to look at, either. 

"I know you don't owe me anything, but if you'd just do me a small favor, I'd be eternally grateful." 

She was curious as to why someone who hadn't spoken to her since sophomore year would suddenly need a favor. 

"Yeah?" she asked. 

"I'm here with my fiancée tonight. I don't know if you've heard, but we're getting married the last day of this cruise. She thinks we dated in high school, so if you could go along with it, that would be great," he sputtered. 

"Hold on there, Bucco. Let's back up the crazy train just a little bit.  

I get the first part. That's cool you two are getting married. Personally, I'd rather share an experience like that with people I love than with my graduating class, but, hey, to each his own." 

She softened a little when she saw the disappointment on his face. He'd always struck her as someone who tried way too hard to live up to his parents' expectations, only to constantly settle for things with which he wasn't so comfortable. 

In a much more understanding tone, she asked, "Why on earth does your fiancée think we dated in high school? You barely said two words to me our junior and senior years." 

His face turned thirteen shades of red. He looked down at his feet. 

"Nevermind. I just thought I'd ask." 

Now she was intrigued.  

"I didn't say I wouldn't go along with it. I just wondered, is all." 

"Here she comes," he said. 

Sure enough, the woman was headed in their direction, a big smile on her face. 

"I see the old lovebirds have run into each other," she exclaimed. 

"Ronnie, this is my fiancée, Mia. Mia, this is Ronnie." 

"Nice to finally put a face to the name. I've heard so much about you. So, is he as handsome now as he was twenty years ago?" she asked, looking at Ronnie. 

Ronnie glanced at Josh and felt a sudden wave of sympathy. She used to think that if he would have hung out with her and her friends, he would have been a different person. Although she had grown up alot since then, those old sympathetic pangs couldn't handle crushing his spirit. 

"He's even cuter now," Ronnie lied.  

"I was just telling him what a lucky woman you are to have landed him. If things would have worked out in high school, we might have been married with three kids by now." 

Josh looked at Ronnie with relief in his eyes. She swore she saw him let out a long, silent breath. 

"Talk to you soon!" Mia laughed as she walked away, pulling Josh behind her.