My Unplanned Reunion

I never understood how men got away with having a second family, whether their first knew about it or not. I never understood why men cheated--or got caught--until it happened to me.

A year ago was my twentieth high school reunion. Twenty felt like a milestone, so I figured I should go. I don't live anywhere near my hometown anymore, and with no family left there, I had to book a flight, a rental car, a hotel. Isabelle, my wife, showed no interest in going. Truth be told, she hadn't shown much interest in me lately either.

I could try to stack up justifications, excuses, anything to make myself look better. But the truth is, I messed up. This isn't about covering my tracks--it's about telling the story straight, starting with how I was feeling going in.

I told myself I'd use the weekend for more than just the reunion. Maybe I'd wander through some old haunts, maybe take my camera and hike one of the trails I hadn't touched in years. A little nostalgia. A little breathing room.

That's what sparked the fight. Isabelle got it in her head that I was planning to take nude photos of every woman in my hometown. As if. First off--who in their right mind would line up for a 38-year-old, balding, beer-bellied guy with a camera? Second, I've never shot boudoir in my life. Wouldn't even know where to start. Third, she knows I barely have the energy these days to photograph a landscape, let alone orchestrate some secret modeling session. Why would I start lying about it now?

But the thought stuck. The accusation lingered. And by the time I packed my bag, I already felt like I was stepping into something dangerous. Reunions have a way of stirring up old ghosts.

So, yes--as a way of getting back at Isabelle, I paid the hundred extra bucks to fly directly into my hometown. There's a small airport there, but most people save money by flying into the one four hours away. Petty, I know. And in the end, it only hurt me--our money came out of the same joint account anyway.

The reunion was scheduled for Friday night at a local bar. I arrived that morning. The town had grown, almost unrecognizably, but bits of the old place still clung on. I drove by my childhood home, sat on a bench at the park tossing pebbles into the river, and wandered through the comic shop that, against all odds, still stood. The same guy was behind the counter too--he had to be pushing seventy now, but somehow he was still as sharp and intimidating as when I was twelve. It was strange, but comforting, to be nobody in a town I once knew by heart. For the first time in a long time, I had nowhere else to be.

Still, I couldn't imagine how they planned to cram all 550 members of our graduating class into a bar. Thankfully, that wasn't my problem.

After checking into my hotel, I showered and slipped into my new suit. It didn't transform me into anyone special--I looked like a guy who might try to sell you a used car--but I felt good in it, and that was enough.

I made a point of showing up late, about twenty minutes past the start time, hoping the crowd would already be buzzing. No such luck. The student body president and his old crew were running things, name tags laid out at a folding table. I scribbled my name, stuck the tag on, and headed straight for the bar. My plan was simple: fly under the radar, grab a drink, maybe say hi to a few people, then duck out early.

Only five people were there when I walked in, all clustered around a table. The card-game kids. I was honestly shocked they showed up. I leaned against the bar, beer in hand, watching them shuffle and play like no time had passed, while more classmates trickled through the door.

I'd been a theater kid back then--on the margins--and seeing those familiar social lines resurface made me feel like nothing had changed. At least now I could have a beer to smooth over the awkwardness.

Then my old friend Dan walked in. We hadn't spoken since high school; after graduation we'd gone off to different colleges and never looked back. I didn't know what to do, so I just gave him the standard little nod guys give each other in place of words. He nodded back, kept walking, and posted up at the far end of the bar.

This was going to be a long night. How long did I really have to stay?

One beer down. Better switch to water.

I set my empty on the bar and tried to wave down the bartender, but he was busy at the other end. That's when I felt a soft tap on my shoulder.

"Jim? Is that you?" a woman's voice said behind me.

I turned and there she was--Holly, my high school girlfriend.

She looked... incredible. About five-four, though the heels she wore tonight added an extra edge of confidence. Her black cocktail dress hugged her curves and shimmered under the bar lights, making her look like she'd stepped out of a movie premiere. Golden hair spilled in waves to her shoulders, and her gray-blue eyes seemed to glow as if the years hadn't dimmed them at all.

I'd like to say I played it cool. That I was calm, collected, the picture of confidence. But no.

"I--wow, Holly!" I blurted, and awkwardly stuck my hand out for a handshake.

She raised an eyebrow, lips quirking into a smile. "Jimithy, it's been twenty years, but I think we're still past handshakes. I have seen you naked, remember."

The heat rushed to my face. My gut twisted, warning me this was dangerous territory. Still, when she opened her arms, I couldn't help but hug her back.

"Yeah, I guess I knew you'd be here too," I stammered. "But... wow. It's so good to see you."

"What happened to your hair?" she asked, bold as ever, the same way she used to cut right through me.

"Oh, it caught the later flight. Got delayed in Albuquerque," I shot back.

Holly smiled, and my stomach fluttered. "Next time, carry on."

I felt the big goofy grin spreading across my face before I could stop it. "So, uh... you come alone? Or...?" Smooth, Jim. Real smooth.

She laughed. "Ha! No, I left my ex-husband and the dogs in Arizona. What about you, Casanova? Heard you got married."

"Yeah. She... didn't want to come," I said, my gut sinking as Isabelle's name caught in my throat. I hadn't realized until that moment how badly I didn't want to bring her into this conversation.

"That's a shame! I would've loved to meet the woman who tamed the wild Jim Stallion." She winked, and I felt heat crawl up my neck.

"Ex, huh?" I asked, too eager, my voice cracking like it had at sixteen. "What's the story there--if you don't mind me asking?"

"He didn't love me, and I didn't love him." The words came out quick, practiced, like she'd said them a hundred times before. "Too bad we had to get married to figure that out."

"I'm sorry," I said softly, then--God help me--the words tumbled out before I could stop them. "I guess he and I have something in common. We both couldn't see how beautiful you are... and how lucky we were to be with you."

What the hell did I just say?

It was Holly's turn to blush. "Thank you, Jim. Twenty years--how did we lose track of them?"

"I don't know. If they're like my keys, I probably put them in the freezer," I said, riding a flicker of confidence.

And then, as if cued by some cruel DJ, Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" spilled out of the speakers.

Holly turned to me with a spark in her eye. "It's our song!" She said it like she'd known it would come. "Dance with me." Before I could answer, her hand was in mine, tugging me toward the floor.

Only two other couples swayed under the dim lights. I did what muscle memory told me--set my hand on her hip, lifted the other the way our theater instructor drilled us for Pygmalion twenty-two years ago. Holly ignored the formalities, slipping both arms around my shoulders and pressing close. My breath caught. I relented, sliding my free hand to rest against her other hip.

"Ms. Patterson would be so disappointed in our form," I murmured.

"Well, she's not here, is she?" Holly shot back, smiling against me.

And then I made the mistake. I looked into her eyes--still the same gray-blue, only deeper now, layered with years I hadn't been there for. She didn't look away.

"I missed you," I blurted.

Did I? I didn't even know until the words left me.

"I missed you too, Jim." She rested her head against my chest, and I felt the weight of it sink into me.

That was it. The point of no return. I should've met up with my hair in Albuquerque and flown straight home. Instead, I was here, swaying to Mariah Carey with the woman I'd once loved--who was not my wife.

"Do YOU want to take a walk?" I asked, my voice louder than I intended.

"Yes," Holly said, just as loud. "I think that would be lovely."

The bar sat in a stretch of downtown that looked more like a postcard than a street -- lit shopfronts, clinking glasses from nearby patios, the smell of garlic bread drifting out of a trattoria. We walked slowly, saying nothing, my eyes locked on the sidewalk like it had answers.

Then her hand slipped into mine. Fingers interlaced.

"I always liked your hands," she said softly. "Glad they didn't change much."

"Just got fatter," I muttered, finally dragging my eyes up from the pavement.

"Oh, I don't mind. What's that saying? More cushion for the pushin'?" She gave her hips a playful thrust.

I barked out a laugh. "Yeah, never was that into getting pegged..."

Her eyes narrowed, sly. "Wait. That implies you tried..."

I laughed again, shaking my head. "College was wild."

"Yeah, that's when I learned you never date your roommate." She said it so casually, like ordering dessert.

I stopped mid-step. "Wait--you're bi?"

She turned, smiling like she'd just won a game we didn't know we were playing. "Yeah. Aren't you?"

My brain scrambled, my mouth moving faster than sense. "That would explain the pegging..." I scratched my chin, as if that was the only logical deduction to be made.

"I was hoping you'd come," Holly confessed.

"Really?" The word shot out faster than I meant it to.

She smiled. "Yes. I wanted to catch up. We were just kids the last time we saw each other. I was curious about the man you'd become."

I gestured vaguely at myself. "Well... I hope I'm not a disappointment."

Her eyes softened. "Your looks are not disappointing." She stopped walking, reached up, and placed her hand against my cheek.

A lump caught in my throat. "I'm sorry... I just... I got old." I leaned into her palm before I could stop myself.

She pulled me closer and kissed me. Soft. Tender. A kiss that sent sparks racing through nerves I thought had gone dormant.

My body betrayed me, answering her touch with eager memory.

Holly pulled back just enough to smirk. "Oh, I see your body remembers mine."

I let out a sheepish chuckle, heat still prickling under my skin.

"Well, that's good," she said, then her face softened. She looked down at her shoes for a beat, like she was gathering courage. "I... I have a question for you."

My smile faded; I felt something heavy shift in the air.

"I've thought a lot about this," she went on quietly. "And honestly, you're the only person I could imagine asking." She swallowed. "The real reason Ben and I split was because I wanted kids and he didn't. I don't have much time left for that, and... I was wondering if you'd consider helping me. I mean -- having a baby. With me."

The words landed between us, small and enormous at once.

"Before you answer, I don't expect anything other than a fun night, or so. You don't have to do anything you don't want to."

Her words hung there, almost drowned out by the hum of traffic and the faint clatter of dishes from the restaurant patio across the street. It all faded when she looked at me.

Gods help me. I wanted this. The ache in my chest and the thrum in my gut told the truth I couldn't say. I wanted to do it right here in the middle of the street. My throat closed up, so I just nodded--because words had escaped me.

Holly kissed me again -- harder, hungrier this time. Her hand found mine and threaded our fingers together; then, bold as ever, she tugged at my wedding band and lifted my hand between us. "What about this?" she asked, eyes glittering.

"I'll figure that out later," I groaned, breath short.

"Okay. Your place or mine, big daddy?" The nickname hit me like a live wire. I had to close my eyes to steady myself -- God, the way she said it set my skin on fire.

"Mine. I'll drive." I fished my keys from my pocket and jangled them like a lifeline.

I had to keep conscious of my walking speed. Every muscle in me wanted to sprint to the car, but I forced a casual pace. My body betrayed me anyway--I kept fighting to keep from broadcasting to the whole street that I was about to commit adultery.

I opened the passenger door for Holly.

"Oh, why thank you, good sir!" she said, sliding in.

"The pleasure is all mine, my lady." I closed the door, stealing one last look at the goddess now seated in my rental.

On the drive, I glued myself to the speed limit--no way I was risking a ticket now. To cut the silence, I tried small talk. "Does your family still live here?"

"No, they all moved to Arizona too. I'm assuming yours doesn't, since your house was the other way?" Her voice was steady, no tremor of nerves. She didn't need it. I was vibrating enough for the both of us.

"Yeah, they're all over the place. Guess we didn't like each other enough to stick close." I half-joked.

"Kinda makes you wonder why they stayed together in the first place," she said absently, looking out the window.

Her words hit like a stone to the gut. Did I even still love Isabelle? If I didn't love her, or even like her, why was I still with her? I'd already made my choice by bringing Holly here, but regret started curling in the pit of my stomach all the same.

"Hey, you can back out now if you want," Holly said, reading my turmoil like she always used to.

"No. I'm already committed to this. Thank you, though." The words spilled out unchecked. "I'm just... not sure if I'm still fully in with Isabelle."

"I don't think you are. Otherwise, I wouldn't be in this lovely 2024 Chevy Malibu."

"Hey, don't take it out on the rental! She's an innocent bystander in all this." I tried for levity. "Though, I kinda envy the seat..." God, I needed to stop trying to improvise innuendo.

Holly cocked her head, a sly smile tugging at her lips. Then her slender fingers slid up my thigh. "Is that so, Jimithy?"

"Oh... gods... uh... heh... yeah." The words tumbled out in a mutter.

The hotel loomed ahead. Her touch set every nerve on fire. I couldn't hold it. "The hotel is right there," I blurted.

"Jim, are you flustered?" she teased, leaning in close. Her breath ghosted over my ear. "I think it's so hot that I can still get you all worked up."

"Ugfwtclghd," I managed, somewhere between a groan and surrender.

As soon as I parked, I shot out of the car and hurried to her side. I opened her door like a gentleman--but my shaking hands betrayed me. Together, we slipped toward the side entrance, my room only steps away.

As soon as the door shut, Holly was on me. She planted both hands against the wall, caging me in against the door.

"Listen," she said, steady and close. "I'm very okay with this happening--but I'm also okay with it not. I'm not asking you to blow up your life for me. I just want your swimmers. If you'd rather keep it clinical--no touch, no fun--to protect your marriage, we can. I'd prefer the fun way, but only with your consent. I need you to be sure you're doing this with all of you... not just that guy." Her eyes flicked down pointedly at my crotch.

My chest tightened, torn in every direction. "I'm in," I said finally, voice low. "Honestly, I already regret it... but I know I'd regret not doing it more."

I slid my hands onto her back, pulling her closer, sealing the choice.

She closed the distance, and my hands found the smooth fabric of her dress. Our mouths met, and I melted into the kiss. Nothing else existed--just Holly and me.

Her fingers slid through what was left of my hair, then down under my suit jacket. The heat of her body pressed to mine was intoxicating. She nudged me away from the door, easing the jacket off my shoulders, her fingers already working at the buttons of my shirt.

I felt alive. I felt strong. I felt wanted.

I found the zipper of her dress and pulled it down in one slow motion. She stepped out of her heels with a soft clack against the carpet. The sudden shift in her height threw us for a second, but we found each other again, laughing into the kiss. She tugged my shirt free and tossed it aside.

"Ooooh," she teased, fingers tracing through the hair on my chest and stomach, "so that's where your hair went."

I laughed, breathless. "The flight must've landed while we were on our walk."

She let the dress fall, standing before me in nothing but her underwear. My breath caught--she was a sight to behold.

"Wow... you're perfect," I said, unable to hold it back.

Her cheeks colored, but she grinned. "You already got into my pants," she said, half bashful, half playful.

I pulled her close again, kissing her deeply, losing myself all over. She undid my belt and slid her fingers down into my boxer briefs.

"Seems like he's been ready to go for a minute." She smirked.

I looked down. "Well... can you blame him?"

I undid her bra and slid her underwear down, pulling her close. For a moment, just holding her like this made the world fall away.

We moved to the bed. I laid her down gently, kissing her lips, then her earlobe, then lower. My mouth traced her neck, down to the rise of her chest. She gasped when I took her nipple into my mouth, her fingers threading into mine.

Her other hand guided me lower, between her thighs. Heat. Wetness. I circled my fingers where she wanted them most, and her back arched in answer.

I kissed down her belly, tasting her, until my lips and tongue replaced my fingers. My arms wrapped tight around her thighs as I lost myself in her.

She gripped the sheets, knuckles white, her moans rising higher until they broke into a sharp cry. Her whole body tightened, trembling, and then she screamed.

"Oh my god!" she yelled, shuddering against me.

I'd never made anyone scream like that. The sound filled me with a rush of pride.

She collapsed back, panting. "Fuck me. I was just expecting you to put a baby in me, not rock my world, Jim." A breathless laugh slipped between her words.

I tipped an imaginary hat and gave a little bow. "My pleasure, ma'am."

She pushed up on her elbows, eyes glittering as she winked. "You still have a job to do, remember."

It was the sexiest thing I'd ever seen.

"Oh, how could I forget?" I said, crawling up the bed toward her.

I pulled her close and kissed her, our bodies folding into each other until I couldn't tell where I ended and she began. She reached down and guided me into her, her warm, velvet softness welcoming me in. Breathless "oh"s and low "ooo"s slipped from her perfect lips as I sank deeper, each sound spurring me on.

I moved with purpose, hips meeting hers in steady rhythm. The lingering taste of her pleasure was still on my lips, her perfume filling my lungs, and it drove me harder. I wanted to give her everything.

She leaned close, whispering, "You want to be a daddy, don't you?"

The truth tore out of me raw and unguarded. "Yes! Gods, yes!"

"Then make love to me," she purred.

I kissed her fiercely, pouring every ounce of desire and need into her, my body giving in with a shuddering release. I held her tight, making sure every last drop was where it needed to be, not breaking the kiss until we were both gasping in the afterglow.

We held each other for what seemed like ages. Eventually we got under the covers. I'm not a cuddler. But we fell asleep in each other's arms.