Weekends

978-1-54-397114-9

ONE

Hey how are you doing? I was surprised by Rick’s call.

Great, what have you been up too?

Oh, you know, same ole same ole. I was curious now.

Did you get your invite? Rick’s reason for the call.

What invite, my mail is still in the bag at the door. I haven’t gotten that far yet.

It’s for the reunion. It’s our thirty-year high school reunion.

Seriously, and you’re going to it?

Yeah, a group of us are. We’re going to rent a couple camps so we can sit and catch up and have a few after. Some of us will be there for two or three days. Come on, you know you want to go. You didn’t go to the twenty-year one.

It’s not really my scene. I never go back there. When was the last time you were there?

Two years ago. I was there for my niece’s wedding. I felt very old and I don’t want to be old alone. Come on, PLEASE!

With a heavy sigh, I gave the answer. Fine, when is it?

Really, cool, it’s in three weeks. The 21st and 22nd but some of us are going on the 20th to hang out again. Do you want to ride with me?

No, I better bring my ride. So, what are you all doing? Are you bringing food or buying it?

We are all bringing something for a group dinner for us. The reunion will have a luncheon for Saturday and Sunday is a free for all.

Ok, I get it, what do you want me to bring?

Desserts please, I’m bringing a cheese and cracker platter and some chips and dip. Tory is bringing a couple of casseroles. Jen will have big batch of chili and a vegetable platter. And Tim is bringing all the breakfast foods.

Jesus, how long are we going to be there?

Rick chuckled. Well I might bring a little something extra that could ultimately cause the munchies.

Oh Jesus, Rick, I haven’t been high in years. Are you serious? All right, I’ll take Friday off and bake in the morning then I’ll head up by noon and plan on being there by six pm for dinner. Does that work for you?

Yes, that sounds great, the sooner the better. I’m hoping to be there by two pm.

How many bedrooms are there in this camp?

Well we don’t get our own rooms, each camp sleeps six, so maybe. But you know how a party goes.

I had a huge smile on my face. I may need a vacation after the weekend.

As will we all. Talk to you soon. Love you.

Love you too.

**

Everyone was noticing the smile on my face. At work I sent out an email that I would be out on Friday the 20th due to a family thing I was expected to attend. I would have my cell if necessary but would not be in the area.

So, tell me, what’s really going on Dana? Shirley was sitting across from me.

Nothing, what do you mean?

You have been happy for two weeks. Your smile has been blinding us all. You can tell me.

Shirley, I’m going back to my home town for a high school reunion, thirty years. I haven’t been there since I left for college. I got headhunted right out of college. I never had a reason to go back, now my friends from high school are having this big party get-together and making it a long weekend. So, I said I would go and I guess I am kind of excited about it.

Wow, thirty years. What are you going to tell them about why you aren’t still at the corporate job?

I doubt anyone would ask but I’ll just say I got sick of the corporate crap. I’m happy helping people, even if I’m not as well off. Poor but happy I believe is the saying.

Well I hope you have a great time. You never went to visit family?

I don’t have any family. I was one of those dropped off babies. I lived with the local minister and his wife until I was seventeen. I was set to graduate in June and it was April. They came home early and uh, I was with my girlfriend on the couch. We had a blanket over us. Didn’t matter, I was no longer welcome so I packed my shit and lived in my old car. I showered at school in the morning early and I was working so had money for food. We’ve never spoken since. I don’t think more than five or six people knew about it anyway. After graduation, I slept most nights on the beach with her. She went into the service and I went to college so that ended that tie. It will be nice to see my old friends once again. I was lost in memories both good and bad now.

Don’t let the dark bring you down. Have some fun.

Thanks; have a good night, see you tomorrow. I had some grant paperwork still to fill out and file before I could head out. I stopped and picked up the supplies on the way home so I could make some of the desserts for this weekend.

**

Rick called on Tuesday. Just checking in, to make sure you’re still going. Don’t chicken out on me now.

I’m planning on going. I have some of the desserts made ahead so I shouldn’t be too far behind you on Friday.

Excellent. I can’t wait for us all to be together again. I’m sending you the info on the camp now so you can find it. Trust me, the town hasn’t changed that much. Hey do you remember Kevin, he used to DJ our high school dances?

Yes, I think so, why?

He’s going to be DJ at the bar Saturday night. It should be a rush.

I hate to admit it but I’m really excited about this.

Me too. I talked to Sonja who heads up the alumni get-together and she said she thinks it will be a great showing. A lot of the folks from the 20, 40, and 50-year groups are going to be there as well. They have a lot of stuff planned for photos and sign boards. I understand there is not a room left to be had at any of the motels in the area.

Wow, I’m glad you got the camps then. Does everyone know I’m coming?

I’m sure by now they do. Don’t flip out, drive careful and when you get there, we will have a relaxing… appetizer let’s call it.

Great, I’ll be comatose in an hour and miss the whole thing. I was giggling again.

Remember slow and steady wins the race.

Yes, but I haven’t been in a race in years. I gotta go, but I’ll see you on Friday night. Love you.

Love you too. Night.

**

Thursday night after work, I made sure I had packed more than I would need. Would I have time to read, doubtful? Would I do anything work related, again doubtful? But I brought what was needed just in case. I had the cookies packed in the freezer and ready to put in the cooler. I baked the last treat that would cool overnight. Wanting to make sure I had some healthy food, I had purchased a few things to toss into my bag.

Friday morning, I put it all in the cooler and brought it out to the car. Then I brought my overnight bag out and locked up the place. I fed the address into my GPS that I was heading for and off I went.

Since I had left by ten am, I took my time and enjoyed the view. I even stopped at a few pull-outs and took some pics on my phone.

Pulling into town several hours later, I drove by the road that lead to the camp and toured through town. Rick was right, not a lot had changed. A few new businesses and some old ones were gone. Once I had driven through I turned around and headed back to the camp. The hall that would be used for the alumni party was already decorated outside with banners and the motel signs all said no vacancy and welcome alumni.

I pulled into the parking area at the camp and smiled to myself. It was right on the lake. There was a big fire pit area with logs around to sit on. No fire was set up yet but I knew there would be one soon. Pulling my bag out and tossing it over my shoulder, I muscled the cooler out and locked it up.

Yo, someone open the damn door. I only have two hands here.

Keep your pants on, I’m coming. Rick was on the way.

The door pushed open and he took the cooler from me. I followed him into the kitchen area where he set down the cooler. I set my bag on the floor temporarily so I could give him a hug.

Hi, I missed you. Rick pulled me into a hug.

I missed you too. I hugged him back.

Welcome, our room is over there. I’m in there with you if that’s ok and there is one other bed in there if someone needs it. There is a bathroom with shower off our room and also just a bathroom out here, so hopefully not too much traffic. That room has Tory, Jen, and Tim. They have a bathroom with shower as well.

So, we didn’t need two camps then.

Yes, there are some others over there but you don’t know them. Tim and Jen’s daughter, Cindy and her two kids, Jeff and Chris are over there and Tory brought her son, Bruce to stay with them as well.

Wow, kids and grandkids. Holy crap.

Yes, we are all getting old. Jen was walking in from outside. They are all set over there. They have more movies and junk food and games than they can get through especially since they will be swimming most of the time. Hey Dana, it’s nice to see you again.

Oh my god, Jen, how have you been?

Good, things are good for us now. Tim is in the other room I think napping so he can stay up late, you know, until ten pm.

We all laughed at that. Once all was unpacked and put away we went to the living room. Rick had his stuff out on the coffee table.

Ok, sit down and relax. This will take the edge off. Where’s your drink?

Oh, I guess I didn’t get one yet. Are you both all set?

Yes, we’re good, go and get one so you can relax for a while.

I walked back into the living room and could smell it already. Oh my god, don’t you worry about getting caught.

Honey you do know that it’s legal now, right?

Oh right, I forgot. I sat back down and he handed me the bowl. I inhaled and started coughing.

Within the hour, the three of us had a good buzz going. I was totally relaxed. Tim came out from the bedroom.

Jesus you guys, open a window or turn on a fan or something.

Hey Tim, how are you?

Christ, Dana is that you? Wow, you look great.

Thanks. I can’t believe how long it’s been.

Yep. He picked up the bowl and lit it. No sense in a second-hand high if you can have a first-hand high. Glad I took a nap or I’d be out in an hour.

We were all laughing now. Tim got his beer, came back and sat with us. Are we eating over at the other camp or are we subjecting the children to the ambiance? He waved his hand around the air.

We will eat over there Tim. This camp is off limits to them and they know it.

Ok, I’ll head over in thirty minutes to get dinner warming.

We will all help Tim, relax for a bit. Rick knew Tim was all about the kids.

When they found out what I had made for desserts only half was allowed to be brought next door. The rest would be for munching later. I knew this wouldn’t be enough but then I thought it was too much. Oh well.

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