Reunion (12 page)

“I know mom. Thank you for that.” She got up from the table and went to the counter. She came back with a sticky tab in her hand. The school you have the interview with called last night and left a message. They had to move up your interview to tomorrow instead of Tuesday.”

“What the hell!” I said “Look at my eyes. They are a swollen mess. How am I going to recover from this?”

“I got it! Georgia exclaimed. “ Let me make a phone call. She grabbed her cell and left the room. She came back in a flash. “ Ok all set. It looks like your interview is at noon so I called my friend at the station who does all the makeup for the on air douche bags and she said come in and she will make you gorgeous!”

“Oh Georgia I don’t know. I’m not even up to this interview.” I said into my hands.

“Savannah, My mom raised my chin with her hand, “ This interview tomorrow, this is your moving on honey. This is yours.”

Later I took a shower and sat at my laptop. I changed my Tuesday flight to tomorrow at 3. I needed to get back to Boston and forget this past week. I knew that if I got the job in Philadelphia I would move closer to my mom. I guess being an hour away was better than a 6 hour car ride. I got my clothes ready for my interview and laid them out on my old bed. I had a headache so I put on my iPod and laid down next to my clothes. Damn songs! One after the other reminded me of Sam. I took off the ear phone and threw them across the room. I heard a knock at the door. Maddy slowly peaked her head around the door. Can I come in?” “Of course Mads.” She walked in and sat on the edge of my bed.

“Are you ok Sav.”

“Yes I’ll be fine. I’ll get through this.

“Sav, Sam called me a little while ago. He yelled at me, cried to me, and hung up on me. I’m going to guess you’re the one who told him about the baby.”

“How’d you know Mads? “ I said sarcastically. “ What happened Sav?”

“Well we were about to go for round two of probably the most passionate and loving sex I’ve ever had with the man I love more than life itself and he saw my c-section scar. I tried to make an excuse but he knew I was lying and God knows I could never lie to Sam so I told him the truth.”

“Every bit of it Sav?”

“Every bit of it Mads.”

“Oh Sav I’m so sorry. I’m sorry that happened to you and I’m sorry Sam had to find out about the baby that way.”

“Well it’s over and I can’t change things with him and I. He will never forgive me for not telling him I was pregnant or that the baby died for that matter.” I got up from my bed and started packing my suitcase.

“So you’re not going to fight for him ?” Maddy asked sternly.

“Madison he kicked me out of his apartment and told me to get out of his life. How am I supposed to fight for him after what I did? He hates me.”

“No Savannah I don’t think Sam could ever hate you. When you love someone so much like Sam loves you, I think eventually you come around. I think Sam will come around. Just give him a chance.”

“I can’t Maddy. I had his child and he died and I didn’t tell him. I was selfish and cold hearted. I couldn’t forgive me either.” I began to cry. Maddy walked up to me and put her hand on my shoulder. “Why are you packing already?” I didn’t want to tell her that I had booked a flight for right after my interview tomorrow but I knew I had to and when I did, she knew my reasoning behind wanting to go. She understood for once why I was running.

The next morning I had coffee with my mom. She was taking me to the train station so I could get into the city without her having to drive me. I was going to go right to the TV studio so Georgia’s friends could fix the dark circles and blotchiness from my skin from hours of crying.

“Savannah I wish you weren’t leaving like this. I have horrible guilt that I had kept your pregnancy from Sam.” My mom just shook her head.

“I know mom. But I put you into this situation and I’m sorry for that. If you feel the need to apologize to him then I understand. I just can’t believe I hurt someone I love so much.” I began to cry.

“Love or loved so much Savannah?” There is a difference honey.” She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. We both got up from the table at the same time and I went to put my coffee mug n the dishwasher. She went over to a drawer in the kitchen and pulled out an envelope. She turned to me. “Savannah this is for you. I don’t want you to read this until you get back to Boston. Promise me sweetie. Please?” I looked down at the envelope and my name was on it with what looked like my dad’s handwriting. I got a sunken feeling in my belly and decided to push those emotions to the side and stuff the envelope in my suitcase.

My mom drove to drop me off at our local train station. I gave her a hug. She looked at me and touched my cheek with her soft hand. “ My Darling Savannah, follow your heart and let your head do the rest. It all winds up falling into place.” ‘I Love you mom. Thank you. I’ll call you when I get off the plane.” Good luck honey.”

When I got on our local train headed to the city I put that damn iPod in my ears again and sat there while I listened to ballads about broken hearts and falling in love. What did I do next, ripped the son-of-a-bitch earphones from my ears. I curse you music. Maybe just for a little while.

I made my way down a few blocks from the train station headed towards the TV studio Georgia works for. I went to the reception area and I was on the list of visitors. They gave me a temporary visitor’s pass. The polite assistant at the front desk told me exactly where to go to find Georgia. She had her own office attached to the dressing room and the makeup room was across the hall from that. I knocked on Georgia’s office door and there was no answer. That’s funny I thought. I told her I was coming even though I was little early. I decided to walk in and I went past her desk and heard voices or so I thought. I went right into the wardrobe room to find her lip locked with someone whose face I couldn’t see. They were all over each other kissing like teenagers. Her hands were wild in his hair. Her hands squeezing his ass. I gasped and that’s when she peeked from around the man’s face and yelled.

“Sav! You are early!”

“Yea I can see you are surprised.” The man turned around and to my surprise it was Tyler.

“What the… Tyler. What the hell is going on.”

“Hey Sav. Whats up.” He looked down at his shoes and I noticed the smeared red lipstick on his lips.

“That’s a question I should be asking you.” Georgia grabbed my arm and told Tyler we would be right back. She pulled me into her office and shut the door leaving Tyler behind in the racks of fancy bright colored clothing our new anchors frequented on a daily basis. “ So spill.”

“Oh Sav! What can I say. I’m in love and I don’t mean booty call love I mean I’m crazy in love with Tyler love. I think I always have been but seeing him again brought butterflies back to my stomach. I’ve been with a lot of guys but none of them have ever given me this feeling. I love him. I love him and I think he loves me. He came here to surprise me. We talked for hours yesterday and he told me he needed to see me but I told him I needed to work. He just showed up and then you walked in. We didn’t even have sex Sav! That says a lot for me.” She smiled like a school girl.

“Wow. I’m just so surprised. I mean it’s weird cause he’s my best friend but if it’s something you two want then I’m happy because then my TWO best friends would be happy and in love.” Georgia jumped up and down and hugged me relentlessly. The wardrobe door opened and Tyler came in.

“Is the love fest over girls?” Georgia ran up to him and he picked her up by her butt cheeks and she threw her arms around his neck.

“Oh lord I don’t think I’ll ever get used to you two giving each other public displays of affection.” I just shook my head.

“Well get used to it sister cause I’m not going anywhere.” He kissed her deeply and she attacked him.” “Georgia just point me to the makeup room.” I mumbled. With lips still locked to Tyler she pointed to across the hall.

“I come back when I’m done you two and I hope your lips don’t fall off till then.” I laughed and exited the office.

When Georgia’s friend Armondo was finished with my hair and makeup he turned me in my chair to face the mirror. I almost didn’t recognize myself. My hair was in sift waves with one side going towards my face and the other side was pushed behind my ear and a decorated clip held the hair in place. It matched my outfit to my surprise. Armondo did my makeup softly with some soft neutral eye shadow and liner to contrast. My cheeks looked sun lit and my lips were a bit shiny and pink. I hugged him and set off again to Georgia’s office. When I walked back in her and Tyler were sitting across from each other at her desk holding hands and drinking cappuccinos .

“Wowy wow!” Said Georgia. “ Sav you look amazing. Not a dark circle to be had.” Tyler got up and walked over to me. He looked at me and gave me a hug.

“Sav you look gorgeous as always. I’m so sorry about everything. I hope you know how much I love you and how much our friendship means to me. I’m proud of you for telling Sam the truth.” I couldn’t speak. Georgia interrupted. “ Baby stop. Don’t make her cry and ruin all that pretty makeup.”

“I have to go guys. My interview is in 20 minutes. Georgia thanks for the favor. I’ll call you when I get back to Boston. I love you both and thank you for….. everything.” I hugged them both and walked away swiftly down the hall towards the elevators so I could avoid crying again.

I walked down to the school I was interviewing at. It was an old school. It was surrounded by a black wrought iron fence with Fleur de Lis on the tops of the spindles. The arch way leading to the front of the school was huge. I walked in and went to the schools office. Sitting at the desk was an older woman with salt and pepper black and gray hair. She wore glasses that set down on the lower part of her nose. She was a very attractive woman. “ Good Afternoon M’am. How may I help you?” she said smiling and rose to look me in the eye.

“Good afternoon I’m Savannah Garrett and I am here to see Mr. Lawson.” I shook her hand. “ Oh yes dear we have been expecting you Ms. Garrett. So nice to finally meet you. I’m Mr. Lawson’s assistant Hattie McBride. Let me ring his office. Mr. Lawson Savannah Garrett is here to see you.” I heard a voice come out of the speaker.

“Oh thank goodness Hattie. I’ll be right out.” He sounded very enthusiastic. Mr. Lawson came out of the office. He was dressed in a suit without the jacket and just a vest with no tie. He was tall and he had almost the same colored hair as Hattie. He wore a big smile on his face as he greeted me and shook my hand. “Ms.Garrett what a pleasure it is to finally meet you in person after all those phone conversations we have had. What a lovely young woman isn’t she Hattie?” He turned to her.

“That’s exactly what I thought of as well Mr. Lawson. We need a young fresh face behind these walls.” She gave me a big grin.

“It’s very nice to meet you as well Mr. Lawson and please call me Savannah.”

“Ok Savannah then please call me Jared. Even thought this school is formal, we are not with our first names. Please follow me. Would you care for some tea?”

“Oh no thank you Mr. Law.. I mean Jared.”

“Good luck Dear.” Whispered Hattie and she smiled at me as Jared led me into his office. “ Please Savannah take a seat.” I sat in front of Jared’s desk and crossed my legs. He pulled out my resume which he has had for awhile.

“Savannah I have looked at your resume countless amount of times and I have studied all of your credentials. Your resume is impeccable and I already know what an asset you will be here at Chestnut. We would love for you to be part of our family. Congratulations Savannah.” I grinned from ear to ear and I stood up to shake his hand .

“Thank you so much Mr. Lawson. I feel privileged to be given this opportunity. Chestnut is a wonderful school and I feel honored to be a part of the tradition that is held here.”

“Wonderful Savannah just wonderful. Your title will be Head of Music Education and studies. He told me the salary and benefits and that Chestnut would pay for all my moving expenses. I was shell shocked. I had no idea the salary would be what it was. I think I may even have gasped.

“We would love for you to start right after the Christmas break if that’s ok?”

“That is perfect. I already have 2 lofts I am looking at and my apartment in Boston is a month to month lease so it will not be a problem.”

“Oh I’m so happy Savannah. Let go get your paperwork started and sign your contract.”

I could not believe it. I was going to be head Of Music Education for Chestnut Springs Academy. I was moving back to my roots, my friends, my family. I suddenly got sad and realized I wasn’t moving here to be with Sam and it hurt but it was my own fault. After all the paperwork was filled out and I signed my contract and said goodbye for now to Hattie and Jared I hailed a cab for the airport. I called mom, Georgia, and Maddy to tell them all the good news. I told Maddy to spread the word to the rest of the girls and then the congratulatory text started pouring in from the girls. My flight to Boston was smooth with no delays. When I got out of the cab and stood in front of my apartment the smells of fall hit me along with the whispers of the cool air. I looked up at my building and know that this time next month I would be heading home for good.

When I got into my apartment I began unpacking. I tossed the black dress I wore to the reunion right in the trash. I wanted no memories of that night. As I unpacked the last bit of clothing I came across the letter my mom had given me. I went to my refrigerator and poured myself a glass of wine and curled up on the sofa. I opened the letter to find it hand written by my father. I could not believe my eyes. It read:

My Dearest Savannah,

Well tonight was the biggest night of your life my darling daughter. . My first born. You are in love and you said yes to the man you want to spend the rest of your life with. I couldn’t be happier for you and for Sam. When he came to my work today to ask me for your hand in marriage I gave him my blessing and asked him how he felt about you. His words were from the heart. He said it was simple. So simple to love you and make you happy because you were the love of his life. There was no one else in this world he wanted to spend every morning waking up to and every night falling asleep next to. He is a special man Savannah and he truly deserves you and everything you are. He sees the good in you just like mom and I do. I’m so proud of the woman you have become and I’ll be so proud of the wife and mother you someday will make and I cannot wait to watch that happen. I know what a beautiful and blessed life the two of you will have. I love you my squirt and always will.