Tom sucked in his breath as he opened the door and entered the Seacrest Restaurant where his twentieth high school reunion was being held. He had debated whether to attend the event or not as he didn't like "taking a trip down memory lane". It wasn't his style. He was a businessman, professional, a progressive, even visionary and lingering in the past was not what he wanted to do. It did no good. It got him nowhere and he was a man who wanted to go forward, was goal oriented, and excited for the future. Even the suit he wore was very contemporary and he sported a trimmed beard, also the look of a modern man who was going somewhere. He personified the look of someone who was determined and undeterred and was using the reunion to let people know that he had made a success of his life. It worked to some extent as many gathered around him to comment how well he looked and Tom didn't hesitate to suck in the accolades and adorations from those he felt were beneath him. That was until he saw Catherine across the room sipping a red colored punch watching him.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he gazed at her. She was beautiful, shapely, with long blonde hair that cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, and wore an emerald green dress that fit close to her body. She bit her lip as he came closer to her. She smelled fantastic, and unlike the others, life hadn't beaten her down into submission. Catherine was his high school girlfriend and when they graduated and went their separate ways to college, he had felt that he had lost his best friend. She was the first girl he had ever had sex with and honestly the first he had ever loved. The romance lasted through high school and everyone thought they would eventually marry, but they were wrong. Tom wanted more out of life than working in a factory or a mill which was most ended up doing when they graduated. He wanted more out of life and that included other women. When Catherine was told of his ambitions, she broke off with him. Tom hadn't thought much about it until now as he stood next to her exuding the warmth of a woman he had once cared about.
"Hello Catherine," he said in a quiet voice. "It's been a long time."
Catherine brushed her hair back away from her face with her hand exposing her neck that he found arousing. She licked her lips from the punch she had been drinking before she spoke.
"Hi Tom. Yes, it's been a long time. How have you been?"
I've been well. I'm in New York now," he began.
"That's nice," she said trying to avoid eye contact with him.
"Where are you located?" he asked.
She hesitated.
"Did you ever leave?" he asked.
"I'm in Philadelphia," she answered.
"Married? Kids?"
"Divorced. One son. Devin," she replied. "And you?"
"Likewise. Divorced. Two kids. Emma and Tom Jr."
There was an awkward pause. Tom poured himself a cup of punch and debated whether to continue the conversation.
"Are you here alone?" he asked.
Again Catherine hesitated. "Yes, I am."
"Me too," as he smiled at her. "I didn't think I would ever attend one of these things and now here I am," he smiled showing perfectly straight white teeth.
"This is the first one for me, too."
"So are you staying in the hotel next door?" he asked and saw that she tensed.
"Yes," she said, "Just for the night. I'm going back to Philadelphia in the morning."
"To see a boyfriend?"
"No," she said setting her cup down.
Tom had overstepped his bounds, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," she began.
The band began to play and just as she spoke, a man who was strongly built walked over to Catherine and stood between her and Tom.
"Do you want to dance?" he asked Catherine.
Catherine looked up at an old friend with a sigh of relief.
"I'd love to, Henry," she said and took his hand as he led her to the dance floor.
The music played some forgotten tune and Henry danced her away from Tom who just stood there looking at the two in amazement.
"I see Tom's back," Henry said.
"Unfortunately, yes."
"I thought things like this were beneath him," Henry said dryly.
"He just wants to show off how well he's doing."
"Nothing like being a little narcissistic. That will get him a long way especially in this small town. I never knew what you saw in him," Henry said.
"I don't know either. I guess I was young and naïve," Catherine said.
"We all were," Henry added. "By the look in his eyes, I think he has a few regrets himself. He keeps looking at you."
"Oh no," Catherine said.
