Class Reunion (3 page)

“Yeah.” Georgie joined her on the bed, crossing her legs as she gazed at Jennifer’s oddly vacant look. She tilted her head to one side as she tried to interpret her friend’s reaction. Then she playfully slapped Jennifer’s knee.

“Oh, don’t worry. Women go there too. Most of the clubs are pretty mixed. But there are a couple of dyke bars too. But if you want the truth,” she wrinkled her nose, “they’re really more into the butch-femme thing. I’m not real comfortable there.” She stopped short and stared at the other girl’s blank stare. “It’s okay if that’s what you’re into, though. I could take you to either place.”

Jennifer began to slowly shake her head. Dyke. Everyone had called Diane Miller a dyke.

“Hello?” Georgie slapped her knee again. “Talk to me, girl. I feel like I’m digging myself into a hole here.”

Bewildered, Jennifer continued to shake her head. “Georgie. You’re confusing the hell out of me. I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about,” she admitted.

“You’re kidding me, right?”

Blushing, Jennifer shook her head again.

Dumbfounded, Georgie began to grin nervously. “Wait a minute. You said you and what’s her name …” she pointed to Sheila’s photograph.

“Sheila.”

“… are lovers.”

Jennifer nodded.

“You make love.”

“Uh-huh.” The scarlet hue of her cheeks darkened as she grew defensive. “But we never called it anything.”

“You’re a lesbian and you don’t even know it?”

“Passengers, we have begun our descent to the Des Moines municipal airport. Local time is twelve-thirty.” The flight attendant’s voice broke through Jennifer’s reverie. “As we begin our final approach, please make sure that your seat backs and trays are in their upright and locked position.”

Reluctantly, Jennifer relinquished the memory of that afternoon with Georgie. She had been so naive back then. Meeting Georgie had completely changed and opened up her life. They had become lovers, eventually. Nearly a full year later. But not until Jennifer had finally let go of Sheila. And that was one particular memory that Jennifer refused to think about now. Especially now.

All thoughts evaporated as Jennifer leaned over to watch the patchwork ground reaching up to greet her. Roads crisscrossed perfectly, creating perfect little squares of land. She smiled as a familiar tug pulled at her heart. It had been too long, and an old homesick feeling settled in her stomach as the wheels of the airplane touched and then grabbed the runway.

A few minutes later, she was going through the walkway. Quickly scanning the faces in the crowd, her eyes instantly rested on her sister’s smile. She grinned as she covered the few feet between them and pulled the shorter woman into a bear hug.

Jennifer stood back, each hand firmly clasped on her sister’s shoulders, and surveyed Sally’s features. Clear gray eyes smiled back at her.

“Sally, you’re gorgeous. You haven’t changed a bit.”

“My hair’s shorter.” Sally had always worn her auburn hair long. Now it was cut shorter, bluntly reaching the top of her shoulders.

“Not as short as mine,” Jennifer laughed, running her fingers through her own short locks.

Sally reached up and rubbed her sister’s head. “Wow. That’s short.” She leaned back a little, taking it in, then nodded. “It looks good. You look good. Healthy.”

“It’s that Arizona sun. Hey, who’s this?” Her eyes dropped down to rest on the face of a little girl peering up at her from behind Sally’s leg. Jennifer squatted and reached out, ready to pull her niece into a hug. “Hi, Allison.”

The little girl’s eyes grew wide as she pulled away, hiding farther behind her mother’s leg.

“Allison, you remember your Aunt Jenny.”

Allison stared at her aunt, and Jennifer’s heart sank a bit. Words eluded her.

Sally’s hand went to her daughter’s head, rubbing it gently. “Jenny is going to stay with us for a few days.” Allison stood remotely still. “Let’s go get your aunt’s luggage, okay?”

Allison looked up at her mother and nodded. Jennifer stood, her eyes finding Sally’s as they began walking through the terminal.

“Don’t worry. She’s shy like that with people she doesn’t know. We won’t be able to pry her away from you by the end of the weekend.”

Jennifer nodded, trying to shrug it off. She knew her reaction was unreasonable, but she couldn’t help it. It’s my fault she doesn’t know me, Jen thought. I shouldn’t have stayed away so long.

They picked up her luggage and were across the parking lot and inside Sally’s car minutes later. They made their way across town easily. Down Fleur Drive, up Grand Avenue, across 42nd Street. Nothing seemed to have changed since the last time Jen was there.

“You should see West Des Moines. You wouldn’t believe all of the houses out there now. Jim and I are thinking about moving the kids out there next year.” They drove through Drake University campus, then up through Beaverdale, where as kids they had spent hours riding their bicycles. Then they moved on down Urbandale Avenue.

“Where’s the grade school?” Jennifer leaned forŹward, looking up at the familiar hilltop where she had spent her earliest years.

“Gone. They tore it down,” Sally explained.

“No. How could they do that?”

Sally shrugged. “Who knows. It’s been gone for years.”

Feeling betrayed, Jen settled back in her seat. “Did they tear anything else down?”

“I don’t think so,” her sister laughed. “But they did knock down all the woods behind our old house. Remember that old barn with the hayloft that we used to play in? Gone. Nothing but new houses now.”

Childhood memories were being crushed left and right. “Mom and Dad would shit,” she muttered.

“She said a swear word, Mommy.” Allison spoke up from the backseat for the first time.

“Oops.” Unexpectedly chastised, Jennifer instantly apologized.

Sally chuckled in return. “I didn’t realize how much I swore until Allison started pointing it out every time.” She looked at Allison’s reflection in the rearview mirror. “Right, honey?”

“Right, Mommy.”

Sally waited until Allison seemed preoccupied again. She turned back to her sister. “She’s going through a righteous stage,” she grinned. “I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.”

“She’ll grow out of it,” Jen assured her.

“I sure hope so,” Sally sighed. “It’s not easy to be reprimanded by a six-year-old.”

Within minutes, they were passing Merle Hay Mall and pulling into a short driveway. Sally’s husŹband, Jim, was waiting for them when they arrived. He dropped a kiss on his sister-in-law’s cheek and welcomed her with a big hug and an even bigger grin.

A little boy with a shock of fine white hair and the bluest eyes that Jen had ever seen was giggling with delight and tugging on his father’s trousers.

With Allison’s lukewarm response fresh in her mind, Jen was at first reluctant with her enthusiasm.

“Tommy?” His eyes met hers while his father hoisted him easily into his arms. He put a finger to his son’s ribs and was rewarded with peals of laughŹter.

“Tommy? Can you say hi to your Aunt Jennifer?”

The little boy stopped squirming, wide eyes trained on the stranger before him. He placed one finger of his left hand securely in his mouth. He pointed another finger at Jennifer.

“Hi, Tommy.”

The finger stayed where it was, inches from her face, while the little boy continued to search her features. He looked back to his father questioningly, his finger still hanging in the air.

“Say hi to Jennifer,” his dad urged him.

Again the blue eyes turned to hers. “Ha,” came the small voice, and Jennifer felt triumphant.

They all spent the next several hours settling in, catching up, and getting reacquainted. After several attempts to warm up to Allison, Jennifer decided to let well enough alone and not push it.

They shared an early dinner while going over the plans for the next few days. Several events had been planned for the reunion throughout the weekend. That evening was a casual gathering at Greendale Country club. Saturday afternoon a family picnic was scheduled, followed by a formal dinner in the eveŹning. Another picnic was planned for Sunday afternoon for anyone still around.

As they went over the schedule, Jen thought ruefully that she hadn’t planned for spending much time with her sister’s family, and she told them as much.

“I could skip tonight’s party, if you like. So we can spend some time together,” she suggested hopefully.

Sally slapped her leg. “Don’t even think about it.”

“Why don’t you two go? I’ll stay home with the kids,” Jim suggested.

Jen’s eyes lit up. “Perfect. Sally? Please come. I’m liable to drive around for hours trying to get my courage up if you don’t go.” She didn’t have to twist her sister’s arm, and within twenty minutes, they were in the car and on their way to the reunion.

They arrived at the country club ten minutes later. Jen reluctantly stepped from the car and began to make her way down the path toward the clubŹhouse and botanical gardens.

“Oh god,” Jennifer said. “Do we have to do this?”

Sally placed both hands on her younger sister’s back and gave her a playful shove. “You can do it, kiddo. I can’t believe you’re this nervous.”

“I can’t either,” Jen admitted. “In fact, I don’t remember the last time I was this nervous.”

“It’s not like you.”

“I know.”

“You’re always so confident.”

Jen turned toward her sister. “You think so, huh?”

“Of course. I’ve always wanted to be more like you in that way.”

Astonished, Jen glanced sideways to see if her sister was teasing. But Sally’s face was earnest.

“I never knew that,” she mused.

“Of course you didn’t. It’s not something one likes to admit to her little sister.” They stopped walking as the clubhouse door loomed before them. A huge banner was draped above it. WELCOME GEORGE WASHINGTON — CLASS OF ‘77.

Jennifer groaned aloud. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”

Sally rolled her eyes and tucked an arm through Jen’s. “Come on. We’ll have fun.” She pushed the door open and the two of them stepped inside.

They found themselves in a long narrow hallway that led to a larger room, where picnic tables had been placed strategically along the perimeter. Dozens of people, indistinguishable to Jennifer’s eyes, milled about, casually drinking and chatting in little groups.

“Hi!” A loud, singsongy voice greeted them. “And just who would you be?”

Jennifer’s eyes fell to the perky, brown-haired woman who stood behind a picnic table immediately to their right.

“Hi.” Jen found her voice.

“You know,” the woman said in a puzzled voice, her eyes darting back and forth between the sisters. “I don’t think I recognize either one of you. I’m Tina

Simms.” She pointed to the round button pinned to her lapel. On the button was a black and white photograph, clearly from their high-school yearbook. Jennifer didn’t think she’d ever seen this woman in her life. 1 m —

“Don’t tell me,” the woman shrieked abruptly, clearly excited about the role she was playing. “Show me!” She waved the two of them closer. “Find your button.” Dramatically, her arm swept out to indicate the table before her. Nearly fifty of the round buttons were scattered across the table, each decorated with the yearbook photograph of a different graduate. Beneath each photo, someone had carefully lettered the graduate’s name.

Jennifer slid a grimace at her sister before scanŹning the table for her name tag.

Her own face stared back at her from one corner. “That’s me.” Jen pointed to the button, and Tina eagerly swept it up, glancing at the photograph and then at Jennifer.

“Jenny Moreland?”

Jennifer cringed. No one had called her Jenny in years. Except her sister, of course.

Tina continued to glance back and forth between Jennifer and the picture. “I don’t think I know you.” Tina was clearly disappointed. “Wow,” she said, handŹing the pin to Jennifer. “You sure look different.”

Jennifer looked at the photo on the button and had to chuckle. “I sure do.” The teenager smiling lazily up at her could have been anyone but the woman she’d turned into. Long, thick blond hair layered in a long shag framed softly pointed features.

Eyes thick with makeup were wide open. Innocent. She’d looked innocent. With a sigh, she fumbled to pin the button to her shirt.

“And who are you?” Tina turned to Sally.

“I’m her sister. I graduated a year earlier.”

“Well, how nice of you to join us tonight. Have fun,” Tina said smoothly, already turning her attenŹtion to a couple opening the door behind them.

Sally gently urged Jennifer away from the table. “Do you know her?” she whispered.

“Not a clue. Can we go home now?”

Exasperated, Sally punched her shoulder. “Knock it off, kiddo. You’re stuck for at least an hour or two. Recognize anybody?” They had reached the main room of the clubhouse, and it took Jennifer several moments to realize that she was scanning the crowd without actually looking at anyone.

She shook her head. “They’re bald. All of the guys are bald.” Aghast, her eyes flew from one gleaming head to another. “They’re twenty-eight years old, and they’re all bald.”

Sally laughed. “Don’t you have any men in your life?”

“Of course I do. But the last time I saw any of these guys they had hair.”

“We all change.” Sally’s voice sounded weary. “Come on, let’s find a place to sit so I can get us some drinks. No hiding in a corner, now. I want you to mingle.” She directed them to a table and tucked Jennifer safely on a bench before stepping away.

Jennifer sat quietly, trying to relax and shed her anxiety. She let her eyes wander about the room. She discovered that once she actually allowed herself to focus on each face, familiar features materialized and recognition soon followed.

She remembered these people. Some from as far back as kindergarten. Some were bigger than she remembered. Some smaller. Hairstyles were shorter, for both the men and the women.

“Jenny? Is that you?” Jennifer looked quickly to her right. A shorter woman with red hair and sparkling blue eyes smiled at her. Freckles covered every inch of her exposed skin.