Chapter One

Sam

 

I dropped the kids at the babysitter before picking up Mandy for Orientation. For some reason, the initial meet-up was at the Baptist church in the center of town instead of the Civic Center that’d be hosting the rest of the weekend.

The announcement sign welcomed my class.

Twenty years…

I felt the passage of time…yet didn’t. Some memories felt like they happened not that long ago. Time plays tricks on the brain, I guess.

I had a lot of plans when I graduated. I’d accomplished a lot of them, yet still lived in my hometown. Mom was happy to see her grandchildren any time she wanted, but before I met Mandy, the law firm I joined was meant to be a stepping stone to bigger things.

Couldn’t complain much—I made a good salary, had a nice house, and took care of my family. Well, I thought I had until ten weeks ago.

Parking the SUV, I got out first, rounded the hood, and opened her door. Offered my hand to help her step down, like always. I was getting better at not reacting to her touch with disgust. She slung her purse strap over her right shoulder, then wrapped her left hand around my bicep to walk into the fellowship hall.

“Welcome back!” a woman said at the door, and handed me an info packet. “Take a seat anywhere.”

“Smile, Sam,” Mandy whispered. Then waved to someone we knew.

I wasn’t the only alumnus that stayed in town.

My wife’s best skill was networking. She was a clerk at my firm. Once we were dating, she schmoozed on my behalf at company get-togethers and holiday parties. She was excellent at remembering faces and names and inane personal trivia that made people feel important.

AKA, an effective liar.

“A refreshments table. Do you want anything, dear?” she asked, playing the part.

“No, thank you. I’ll find a seat.”

Anything to get a moment to myself.

I sat in a row and stared at the program. There’d be an official welcome here and detailed explanation of the itinerary, then we’d be free to mingle or leave until dinner this evening. A picnic and barbecue included families tomorrow.

Classmates said hello, but not the one I was hoping for.

Mandy found me as the class organizer approached the podium. “Fun to see everyone again?” she asked for those around us.

“Sure.”

Our organizer went over everything in the packet. Blah, blah, blah.

Then pressed play on a boom box with a cassette slot. The music to our school song came out of the speakers as she directed us to stand and sing along.

My right ear buzzed with awareness.

I looked over my shoulder and followed the sound of a clear, cutting soprano that led me to green eyes I’d know anywhere.

Kate Carson.

My mother’s best student and our school’s star.

The first feature of my earliest wet dreams.

My former best friend.

She was beautiful, maybe more so now with the air of confidence that came with being a grown woman. She met my eyes. Smiled at me, and I felt socked in the gut just like I did two decades ago, and every year before that back to age seven.

What might’ve been if I’d had the courage to kiss her in high school?

Ask her out?

What had I missed?

Where did she live now?

Was she still singing?

Had she missed me?

I nodded to her, then turned my gaze forward. It wouldn’t do to give my ex-to-be ammo for questions I didn’t want to address now.

The song soon ended and people started milling about.

I searched for her dark brunette head.

“Let’s get groceries at the farmers’ market before heading home,” Mandy said.

Humming something noncommittal, my mind was still on Kate.