"Casey!!! You look amazing!" Amy rushed into my parent's house and gave me a big hug. "It has been TOO long!!!" she squealed.
It had been two years. With my heart set on graduating college in three years I'd taken on more than I could and skipped coming home at all freshman year. This year I had decided to embrace what life throws at me. Joined a sorority. Lost my virginity. Went on a sexual adventure. You could say I've been around the block. And then circled back around again.
"Where do you want to go tonight? Did you hear Dave is back at his parents? That skank he cheated on you with cheated on him and ran away to Florida. With the Amazon delivery guy. How cliche is that?"
I laughed so hard I snorted at that. "No shit really?"
Amy's blonde hair swung as she vigorously shook her head. "Yeah and he had to take a job at the bar in town." The snapped her gum loudly.
Later that night we walked into that very bar. A few other friends had joined us. Already several drinks in and brimming with liquid courage I approached the bar. If I hadn't been forewarned that he worked there I don't know that I would have known it was him. The excitement in his eyes as he approached me was similar to a dog being teased with the promise of a walk.
"Hi Casey."
Wiping any sign of recognization off my face I stared at him blankly. I bit my lip and searched his face like I was trying to place him. A small smile teased my lips, "I remember you."
"Oh yeah well I would hope so," Dave laughed. He had a glass he played with as we talked. All safe topics. Wow it had been so longs, life is greats and yes I'm so happys were tossed around like confetti.
"You remember that time in your tent in the back yard?" I asked him innocently.
".. the tent?? Uh yeah. Of course. That would have been your first time, wouldn't it have?" His face flushed a bit.
"Yep. I can't believe I chickened out. I was soo scared it would be like having a giant tampon inserted in me." My hand reached across the bar and I took the glass he had been turning in his hands away from him.
"Whiskey?" I tipped the glass to him to be filled. "Where are you living right now?"
"Oh. My parent's old house. It's temporary."