Just A Reunion - 1

Wanda's Story

Wanda’s hands were shaking so that she was having trouble putting the key into her car’s ignition. She paused, took a deep cleansing breath and then tried again. She had spent a busy morning, packing the last of her clothes for the trip and loading the car. It was now time to begin her two-and-a-half hour drive back to her childhood hometown.

The engine came alive as Wanda closed her eyes and turned the key. She had made her decision and she couldn’t change it now. As she drove out of her comfortable and secure neighborhood and headed to the interstate, she said a little prayer.

Wanda Sherman was a widowed school teacher. Forty years teaching ninth grade English had built her a reputation of being hard and demanding. However, her older students often referred to her as the best teacher they had ever had.

Robert Sherman, her husband of thirty-eight years, had suffered a massive heart attack three years earlier and now she was alone. Yes, there had been children, two wonderful sons and a beautiful daughter, but they had families of their own and were spread across the country. It was a lonely life that Wanda now found herself living. Retired from her teaching career and widowed, she had to find a new purpose.

Wanda pulled onto the interstate and merged into the traffic. Heading east in the middle of the day had its advantages, but still the traffic was heavier than she liked and they always were going too fast. She put her foot on the brake as a pickup pulled into her lane just in front of her with out any turn signal. “Idiot!” she murmured to herself.

As soon as Wanda reached the edge of the city, the traffic eased and she became comfortable with the pace. She smiled as she passed familiar landmarks, reminding her that she hadn’t been back to her birthplace in nearly twenty years.

Wanda had been born in a small East Texas town, an only child to a young couple. Joseph and Kathy Southwood had fallen in love in high school and married soon after graduation. Joseph, Wanda’s father worked in the oil fields and provided the family with a secure, if not wealthy life. Her mother worked part time in some of the stores downtown as a saleslady.

Wanda sighed as she remembered her mother. A small woman in stature, she more than made up for her diminutive size in character. Wanda’s father was the chief breadwinner and leader of the family, but her mother tempered Joseph’s often brusque authority with her soft tone and religious determination.

Kathy Southwood had made sure the family sat in the church pew every Sunday. She also made certain Wanda did well in school. She had the foresight to see changes in the world that others thought were still generations away. By the time Wanda completed her master’s degree in education, a college education was mandatory to succeed.

Wanda took a sip from the bottle of water she had beside her. She still missed her mother and father after all these years. Kathy had passed away shortly after Wanda married, and then Joseph followed ten years later. That was her family, her core, her link to the piney woods where she was going back to visit.

Forty-five years, could it really have been that long? Graduation from high school had been such a starting point for all of her friends, young eager kids with stars in their eyes and nothing holding them back. They knew they could do anything in the world they wanted and succeed. Wanda had her vision, and she was dogmatic in obtaining her reward.

There had been only one problem in Wanda’s progression to that point. She had begun dating Jordan Cable midway through her junior year and their romance continued until graduation. Jordan was a star athlete and a good scholar. His handsome good looks along with an alluring personality made him one of the most desirable boys to date. Wanda knew Jordan had been placed on this good earth just for her, but her family insisted on her getting her education before thinking of settling down.

One month after graduation, Wanda and Jordan broke up. It was a mutual decision, but Wanda cried just the same. Somehow, even though they spoke words of friendship and promised a continued connection, she knew their lives would soon part forever. Tears burned at the back of Wanda’s eyes, trying to escape. Even after these forty-five years, a wonderful marriage and perfect children, Wanda still had a small ache in her heart when she thought of what could have been.

Wanda pulled off the highway onto the exit ramp. She was about halfway to her destination. It was a good time for a break and a cup of coffee. Maybe if she were in a crowded café for awhile she would stop becoming so melancholy. She took a seat in a booth near the front and ordered coffee and a sweet roll. Melancholy always eased with something sweet.

Her efforts to distract her mind failed as Wanda sipped her coffee. The sweet pastry was a blessing, but she continued to have a barrage of thoughts. She became angry at herself for some of the conflicts that confronted her. She and Robert had had a marriage anyone would wish for, but old lingering fantasies continued to tease her mind. What if? Yes, only, what if?

Wanda had had an opportunity to rebut her parents and accept Jordan’s marriage proposal. Her father said he didn’t want her to marry, but if she did, he would continue to support her education. Her mother was less compassionate, but Wanda knew Kathy would have helped her, too.

After returning to the interstate, Wanda tried to envision Jordan as he must be today. She knew he had married. One of her old girlfriends had told her about the wedding and the girl from out of town he had wed. But, it had been such a long time. How had he changed, where did he live and was he still married? A tingle went through her as she imagined the possibilities.

A vision came to her of a stately older gentleman with frosty white hair and round pink cheeks. No, make that tan cheeks, Jordon was an outdoors kind of man. He probably played golf everyday, now that he was retired. Wanda smiled at her fantasy mirage.

Jordan had been smart and could have gone into any number of professions. He may have become a businessman or banker, or even a salesman. With his personality he would have been great in sales. Wanda chuckled and said, “I would have bought a car or anything else from him.” The thought warmed her and her smile relaxed her face.

This was going to be a great reunion. Besides seeing her old flame, she had dozens of old girlfriends to visit with and catch up on the events of all those missing years. It is said that the closest friends you will ever have are the ones you make in school. Even with such a long void in their relationships, Wanda knew the girls would all get back into their old form. “Remember the pajama parties we used to have?” she said aloud and startled at her own voice.

Wanda looked at the speedometer and saw she was going much faster than she normally drove. She had even passed several of the cars which had passed her earlier. Was she finally in a hurry to get back to her roots? Yes, the anticipation was becoming unbearable. Wanda took a relaxing breath and reminded herself, “This is just a reunion.”

The tall trees had gotten thicker the further Wanda drove into the piney woods. Tall pine trees were mixed with the oaks as the greenery painted over the rolling landscape. She knew she was close to home now, back to the beginning. The exit for Highway 42 was one mile ahead, just a few more miles and she would be there.

The landmarks had changed, and if the big highway signs hadn’t alerted her to exit, Wanda would have driven past the once familiar road. She turned south and followed the winding road for the next three miles. Catching sight of oil derricks standing sentinel over the town’s skyline, Wanda sighed. She was home.

Wanda felt eighteen years old again, eager to see old friends. She was certain this would mark a turning point for her, a new beginning coming from an old reunion. She found the new modern hotel and claimed her reservation for the night. The party would begin at six-thirty, plenty of time to get refreshed and put on the perfect dress she had spent two days shopping for.

After getting ready and pacing as she waited for time to pass, Wanda headed to the reunion hall. It was only a few blocks from her motel and she arrived quickly. As she approached the double glass doors, Wanda saw three of her girlfriends sitting at the reception table.

Screams and waving arms followed by hugs greeted Wanda as soon as she stepped through the doors. One woman almost danced as she was overtaken with joy. All of the women looked much the same as they had in school, but much older versions. Their eyes and smiles were familiar even though their silhouettes had greatly changed.

Wanda had been shown around the room meeting new people along with her former classmates. Husbands and wives actually made the recognition process harder. Twice she had approached men who she thought she recognized only to find out they were husbands of her old girlfriends.

Wanda was having a great time, but she also kept vigil for Jordan. His name had been on the RSVP list so she knew he planned to attend. She had made a point not to mention Jordan to her friends in order to be able to back out if she wanted to. It would be hard to see him for the first time. She surveyed the room one more time but didn’t see the man she had known so well.

Polly, one of Wanda’s oldest friends, leaned close and whispered. “Did you see Jordan Cable when he came in? He’s standing over near the punch bowl.” Wanda turned and took a long look. There were four men where Polly had said. One had his back to her and the others looked familiar but she couldn’t recall their names.

“Which one?” Wanda asked. “I don’t see Jordan.” She took one more look to see if there were any distinguishing features on any of the men.

Polly almost giggled and answered, “The man leaning on the cane.” Wanda’s eyebrows rose as she realized the man who she thought least resembled Jordan was indeed him. Wanda stepped to the side so she could get a better view. The man looked shorter than she had remembered and slightly humped over. His hair was long and reminded her of Ben Franklin.

“Hasn’t he changed,” Polly injected as she also watched the old man drink from his cup. “I swear, running off to California and joining that hippie group really ruined him. I bet sex and drugs fried his brain, it certainly didn’t help his looks.” Again, Polly gave her little laugh before turning and moving over to another group of friends.

Wanda took a sip of water and thought about Jordan. Had he really given up hope for a future and gone to be a hippie? After all, it had been a time of drugs and free sex, communes and religious cults. She felt saddened as she watched the shell of the man she had imagined. She had expected more, her fantasy had promised more. With disappointment and remorse filling her, she slowly made her way to the front door. Her need for a reunion had passed.

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story to be continued in next posting