Class Reunion (8 page)

“Do you have any animals?” Amy’s eyes resembled her mother’s as they turned to Jennifer.

“A few,” she nodded. “Cats. Dogs. Horses.”

“Ooh! Mommy, I want to ride the horses. Can I?”

“Amy,” her mother admonished. “That’s not very polite.”

“Would you like to?” Embarrassed, Jen knew she sounded too eager. “Maybe you two could come down some weekend. It’s really not that far.”

“I think we’d like that. Don’t let me forget to give you my phone number.”

“I’d like to go too.” Allison’s voice was a quiet whisper.

Jen regarded her niece closely, her heart hopeful. “You can visit any time you like, Allison. I’d love for you to see Arizona. It’s beautiful there.”

Allison turned to look up at her mother. “Can we, Mommy?”

“Yes, Allison. We will.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.” Sally hugged her daughter tightly and dropped a kiss on the top of her head while her eyes met Jennifer’s with quiet triumph. After a moment, Sally turned her attention back to Heather. “What do you think of the reunion so far?”

Heather considered the question thoughtfully. “I’m reserving judgment until the weekend’s over,” her tone wasn’t encouraging.

Jennifer threw her sister an I-told-you-so stare. “See? I’m not the only one who has misgivings about being here.”

“I can’t believe you guys.” Sally raised an indigŹnant chin. “I had a wonderful time at my reunion.” She proceeded to recount one highlight after another with much enthusiasm, then concluded by saying, “It was a fabulous weekend. I can’t wait for the next one.” Then she grinned naughtily. “Do you remember David Simmons?”

Jennifer searched her memory until the face that matched the name came to mind. “Tall and gangly? Black hair with freckles.”

Sally nodded. “I had the biggest crush on him all through high school. He was at the reunion and he actually came over to me and told me that he’d had a crush on me back in school. Can you believe it?”

“That is so sweet,” Heather smiled.

“What made him tell you?”

“He said that he’d always wanted to tell me and that he knew he’d kick himself for another ten years if he didn’t get up the courage that night.”

Jennifer began to tease her sister, watching Sally blush as she talked about David. They spent the better part of an hour talking, continuing their conŹversation about reunions before moving on to the topic of kids and parenthood. Heather and Sally slipped into an easy conversation, sharing secrets and lamenting how quickly the kids were growing.

Jennifer settled back and listened as they chatted, content to add an occasional comment while she watched each woman grow more animated. She watched Heather closely, recalling memories of Heather as a child. She had been so painfully shy. So introverted. Thinking back now, Jen could barely recall any conversation that they’d shared.

Her most vivid memories of Heather were of her sitting in the bleachers while the girls practiced basketball. Jen remembered that throughout their senior year, when Sheila had been so absorbed in popularity and boys, Jen could look up into the bleachers at every practice and see Heather sitting there, arms wrapped tightly around her knees as she watched them play. In those days, Jen had used basketball as a means to eat up the time that she was used to spending with Sheila. Each day after practice, she would climb those bleachers and settle a few rows away from Heather. Their conversation was quiet; it was mostly about basketball and about teachers. Jennifer was far from the best on the team, but Heather always encouraged her to do better, pointing out subtle ways in which she could improve.

Heather knew the ins and outs of basketball far better than most of the girls on the team. She had explained that she’d spent countless hours in the driveway with her father while he drilled the fundaŹmentals into her head. When Jennifer told her that maybe she should go out for the team, Heather had only laughed nervously. “I’m better at watching than playing,” she’d said as she tapped the pine beside her.

Before long, a number of people had gravitated to their table. Children were suddenly everywhere, laughing and playing. One introduction after another was made, until Jen’s mind was spinning with names and faces from both past and present.

She wasn’t a bit surprised by the reaction of classmate after classmate as each realized exactly who Heather was. Nobody could believe what a transŹformation she’d been through, and Jennifer found herself cringing at the callous remarks that many made.

Through all of the comments, Heather remained poised, smiling graciously at every compliment. Jennifer, for her part, couldn’t help the desire to protect Heather from their stares and insensitive words. She caught herself thinking that she’d always felt that way about Heather. That she’d wanted to protect her somehow even back in school, when everyone was making fun of her. But we’re not kids anymore, she told herself, and Heather seemed to be taking it all just fine.

Lucy and Gina approached the table a few moŹments later, insisting that they needed more players for a softball game. After much ribbing, Jennifer gave in and took the leather glove that Lucy thrust in her lap.

“Come on, Heather. What about you?” Lucy grinned.

Heather shook her head. “Not me. You guys go ahead. I’ll watch.”

Reluctantly, Jen stood and looked down at Heather, a slow smile touching her lips. “Just like old times, eh?”

Heather’s chin tipped up and she laughed. “Just like old times.”

Feeling triumphant that Heather recognized the small secret they shared, Jennifer didn’t miss the wide grin on her sister’s face before she turned and strode toward the ball field with Lucy and Gina at her side.

A large group made up of mostly men and some women were dividing themselves into separate teams. Jen allowed herself to be shuffled back and forth until they finally settled it. She was to play along with Diane, Gina, and a group of eight men, while Lucy joined the opposing team, which included Sheila’s husband, Bobby.

Sheila must be nearby, Jen mused, but she reŹfused to look for her. She regretted her decision to join in the game. She hadn’t touched a softball since she was about twelve years old.

They assigned her to play second base, and after a quick toss of a coin, she headed out to her posiŹtion. She sensed Diane beside her as she walked.

“I don’t suppose you have anything to do with that shit-eating grin plastered all over Sheila’s face today.”

Stone-faced, Jennifer glanced at the taller woman. “What do you mean?”

“Look.” Diane stopped short, touching Jen’s shoulder lightly before slipping a pair of sunglasses from her nose and folding them slowly. “Don’t take this the wrong way. I don’t know what’s going on now, but I do know what went on before.” She frowned and tapped the sunglasses against the palm of one hand before placing them in the breast pocket of her shirt. “I think we should probably talk later. There are some things you probably should know.”

“Like what?”

“I’ll explain later. When there aren’t so many people around. Just be careful, okay?” She threw out the last words ominously before slipping a large leather mitt over her left hand and jogging out to right field.

Jennifer set her jaw and took up her position at second base. A chill swept over her, and she shudŹdered. She wasn’t sure what Diane was alluding to, but she could guess. And she didn’t like the road her mind was taking. Christ. I haven’t had this much drama in my life since I lived here, she thought ironically.

She’d managed to ignore Sheila’s voice and avoid her gaze since they’d arrived. Now she let her eyes wander over the crowd of spectators behind the backŹstop. Sheila was easy to spot. She sat in the second row and directed a lazy, knowing smile Jennifer’s way.

Uneasy, Jen looked for Bobby in the opposing team’s dugout. Relief washed over her as she saw that he was oblivious to his wife’s attention as he slapped a friend’s back and guzzled a can of beer.

Moments later, the first batter stepped into the box, and Jennifer’s mind and body slipped automatiŹcally into game mode. Funny how it all comes back so easily, she found herself thinking.

Three outs later, she trotted off the field, thankful that she had survived the first inning without touchŹing the ball once. She glanced toward the picnic table where she’d left Heather and her sister, panic rising as she discovered that the table was empty. Her eyes scanned the crowded bleachers and quickly found Heather, just on the other side of the fence, smiling and waving her over.

Jennifer stepped over to the fence, her fingers curling through the links automatically.

“Where’s Sally?”

“I hope you don’t mind. She thought it was time to get the kids home, and I offered to give you a ride later. Is that okay?” A shy, hopeful smile reached her eyes.

“Of course. You don’t mind?” “Not at all.”

She silently thanked her sister and wished that she’d never agreed to participate in the softball game. They continued to stare at each other awkwardly, the familiar giddiness pulling at Jennifer’s belly as she searched for something to say.

“What about Amy?”

“She went with your sister. I couldn’t drag her away from Allison.”

Jennifer nodded, tongue-tied. Her already ragged emotions were working overtime. Surely the feelings she was having were terribly misplaced.

She felt a hand curling about her waist at the same moment that Sheila’s perfume reached her nose.

“Hey, sweetie.” Sheila’s voice was deeper than normal.

Both women watched Jen. A small frown was on Heather’s lips, and a leering grin was on Sheila’s. Stammering, Jen tried to introduce them. Heather nodded coldly while Sheila insisted that she didn’t remember who Heather was.

Jennifer grew visibly nervous and avoided both of their glances. Someone reminded her that she was batting next. As she bent to pick up a bat, she felt Bobby Grimes’s stare on the back of her head. Sure enough, when she glanced down the first base line, his eyes met hers. He looked like he was seething.

She struck out. She wasn’t sure whether she was disappointed or glad as she grabbed her glove and trotted back onto the field.

Her stomach knotted when Bobby stepped up to the plate, the first batter of the inning. Slamming her fist into the palm of her glove, she hoped fervently that he would strike out. Or fly out. Or hit a home run. Anything so that she wouldn’t have to touch the ball.

“Strike one!”

Two more.

“Strike two!”

Hope soared. Just one more. One more.

With a loud crack, the bat swung around and met the ball soundly. Jen watched the ball sail high to her left, soaring over Diane Miller’s head and dropping near the fence.

Bobby ran hard as the crowd cheered and Diane raced for the ball. He rounded first base as Diane scooped up the ball, and Jennifer found second base with one toe and braced herself for Diane’s throw. A quick sideways glace told her that Bobby was digging in, eyes wild as he ran right at her.

Tag him. I have to tag him. With a thud, the ball snuggled into her glove. In a single motion, her arm swept down as she adjusted her position, facing him squarely. Too late, she realized he wasn’t going to try avoiding the tag. He was barreling down on her, sliding. Sliding. Legs thrust in the air, booted feet slamming into her legs as his elbow sent a jolt to her forehead.

She felt herself flying backward, falling until her back slammed against the ground and the air was forced from her lungs.

Quiet. Darkness. She was floating. Images flickered in her mind. Buzzing sounded in her ears. Voices. Suddenly loud and angry. She opened her eyes and blinked hard to shield the sunlight. She was thankful when a shadow fell across her, shading her from the bright light.

“Jenny? Are you okay?” Concern. She recognized the voice. Vaguely. She blinked again. An angel’s face hovered just above hers.

No. Not an angel. “Heather?”

Relief washed over Heather’s face. “Are you okay? Can you move?”

Jennifer tried lifting her head. A shock of pain split her skull as she became aware of the people and sounds that surrounded her. Wincing, she let Heather help her to sit up as she recognized Diane Miller’s growl just a few feet away.

“What did you think you were doing?” Diane’s face was inches from Bobby’s. “This is a game, assŹhole. A game.” She thumped a pointed finger into his chest and pushed him away before turning and squatting beside Heather.

“You okay? Everything working?”

“I think so,” Jen managed to whisper. By then, the bleachers had emptied, and Jen was surrounded by her old friends. Lucy was on her knees, inspecting the growing welt on Jen’s forehead and calling for someone to bring some ice.

Jen insisted she was fine and convinced them to help her stand. They walked her out of the ballpark and found a shady area beneath several large trees where she insisted that she sit down and take a quick inventory. She rejected suggestions that she go to the hospital, politely telling everyone to go back to the game and that she would be all right.

Heather sat quietly beside her as Jen closed her eyes and willed the pain in her head to go away.

“Your knee looks pretty torn up,” Heather said quietly. “I have a first-aid kit in my car. Will you be okay while I get it?”

Jennifer mumbled that she would be fine. When all was quiet a few moments later, Jen peered out from beneath heavy lids to see Heather still sitting beside her. Embarrassed, she tried to smile.

“Really. I’ll be okay.”

Heather seemed to hesitate, a frown pulling her eyebrows together. “I’m not sure if I should go just now. I think someone wants to talk to you.”

Jennifer managed to glance in the direction of Heather’s tilted head. Sheila stood some twenty yards away, hands on hips and her lips a straight line as she stared back at Jennifer. Oddly, Diane was standing just inches in front of the other woman, her head bobbing as she spoke to Sheila in hushed tones.

Jen watched as Sheila tried to sidestep Diane, only to find the taller woman blocking her path once again.

Jennifer groaned, willing Sheila to turn away, not wanting another confrontation today. Not wanting another confrontation ever. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the trunk of the tree. After several moments, she heard a soft sigh from Heather and lifted one eyelid enough to see that Diane had managed to steer Sheila away. Diane took a seat on the end of the bench as Sheila climbed back into the bleachers.