1. Our 40th Reunion Part One


    Date: 9/25/2023, Categories: Love Stories, Author: JdRobbins

    ... that she was leaving. I knew she was going, but in my mind, I couldn't accept the fact.
    
    "I wish we could spend the summer together," Sam remarked, her voice sounding sincere, but I knew if she had waited until the fall to start school, I'd have to endure another summer of her boyfriend taking most of her time.
    
    "I'll write you, Paul." Sam offered as consolation, knowing I was more than disappointed that I'd only see her if she returned home for the holidays.
    
    I kissed her softly on the lips and then said. "If you don't, I'll track you down."
    
    We parted that night, knowing we may never see each other again. I would be off to college in the fall, and who knew what or where our lives would lead us after that?
    
    I could have kicked myself in the ass for not overcoming my shyness and taking her aside years earlier to open up and tell her that I'd been in love with her for years.
    
    Over the next thirty-nine years, Sam and I saw each other maybe three times. And every time, her smile warmed my heart as it had been the night we graduated from high school. We'd both married and started families. A mutual friend told me she followed her husband to some distant state, giving up her nursing career. But I kept her in my heart always. I often wondered if she thought of me.
    
    I remained in the same town, enjoyed my work, and loved my wife and family, but I never spoke of my best friend, Samantha.
    
    Several months ago, I received an envelope in the mail. It seemed strange that ...
    ... it was addressed with my full name since I hadn't used my middle name since high school. The return address gave me a clue. It read. "40th Reunion committee with an address nearby.
    
    Opening the envelope, I read the contents. The Class of 1970 will be reunited on August 15, 2010; the letter details where and when my class reunion will occur.
    
    I showed it to my wife Marsha, who immediately said. "We should go."
    
    "I don't know. I haven't seen any of these people for almost forty years. It could be a rather boring night," I replied.
    
    Marsha explained. "You all grew up in the '60s and went to high school together. Don't you think it would be fun to reminisce about your youth?"
    
    "I suppose so, but I wasn't exactly the life of the party when I was in school," I added. "I doubt many of those attending would even remember me."
    
    "Oh, come on. I'm sure some of your close friends will be there." Marsha encouraged.
    
    She didn't know that the one person I hoped to see was Sam, and I doubted if she'd travel three-quarters of the country to attend a couple-hour reunion.
    
    Marsha went on. "They're having it at a nice place, and I've heard the food there is wonderful, so even if the reunion is boring, you and I can get out for a night and enjoy a good meal and dancing."
    
    That sounded pretty good, so I said. "Okay, hun, I'll send the reply and a check back to the committee."
    
    Even if the reunion was a dud, I was sure Marsha would dress to the nines, and afterward, we'd enjoy a ...
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