My name is Paige Smith and this is my story about the close relationship with my husband, my daughter, and her school teacher. I grew up in Kansas City, had some wild times in high school, and received a scholarship to a Kansas college. In my first year at college, I met Tommy who was a junior. We became an item and soon we were living together. The next year, I became pregnant and we were married. I gave birth to my daughter, Kathy, and after Tommy graduated, we moved to Dallas where Tommy got his first job. Last year, Tommy received a promotion but we had to move to Des Moines Iowa. It was hard for Kathy as she would be leaving her friends and beginning her last year at a new high school with no old friends.
I believe in being part of my daughter's education and was in the mother's club during Kathy's years of elementary school. I always went to parent's teacher nights and meetings during her secondary school years. It was very important to me and Kathy to attend the "meet the teacher" night at Kathy's new school. It started about 6:30 and I was to go to each class on Kathy's schedule for about five minutes, hear the teacher briefly talk about his class, ask any questions, and then go on to the next class. I went to the classes and the teachers and school seemed to be very nice. I went to Kathy's last class which was history taught by Ms. Smith. I sat in the class with the rest of the parents and in a few minutes, Ms. Smith walked in. She looked very familiar but I could not remember where I had known her. Then it occurred to me that Ms. Smith was Rhonda Smith, one of my good friends when I went high school. I don't think that she had seen me as there were many parents in the room and the two in the front monopolized all the free time with questions. As the last bell, rang I walked up to Rhonda who immediately recognized me.
"Paige Johnson!" exclaimed Rhonda, "Of all my old friends, what are you doing here?"
"Well, it's Paige Smith now" I said, "My family moved here from Dallas last year. My daughter Kathy is in your history class. I haven't heard from you since high school. How did you end up in Iowa?"
"After high school" she said, "I got a degree in teaching and my best job offer was here and I have been here ever since. Kathy is a great student and I know that it is hard for her since she is new in school. She does look a lot like you when you were in high school."
"There is so much to talk about and I know that you have to close things up." I said, "Let's get together this Saturday and have lunch. We can catch up on old times!"
"That would be great" said Rhonda, "Here is my number, give me a call and we can meet somewhere. It is so good to see you. I can't wait to hear what you have been doing since high school."
I left the school and headed for home. I could not believe that I would run into Rhonda after all these years especially teaching history to my daughter. I did not tell Tommy or Kathy about Rhonda teaching until I had a chance to talk more with her. Rhonda did call me later that week and we set up a lunch date for Saturday. Saturday was a good day for us to meet as Kathy was busy with her friends and Tommy watched sports most of the day. I told them I was going shopping and drove to the warehouse district just south of downtown. It was an area of old warehouses that were converted to restaurants, nightclubs, and small shops which had become the hot spot to be in town. I walked into the restaurant and saw Rhonda at the bar having a glass of wine while waiting for me.
I walked over to her and we hugged close then went to a table for lunch. She was as beautiful as she was in high school. Rhonda was tall and thin with wavy dark hair and deep blue eyes.
"I still can't believe that we would meet again and in Des Moines of all places" I smiled.
"Me too" Rhonda smiled back, "So where have you been since high school, tell me what's happened in your life since then. You still look the same."
The waiter brought me a glass of wine and took our order. I appreciated the compliment as I work hard to keep my figure. I said, "After high school, I went to college in Kansas where I met my husband. I had planned getting my degree in business but being the bad girl sometimes, I moved in with him, got pregnant, and dropped out of school. We got married and luckily he was close to graduating and after that, we moved to where his job was in Dallas. Been there until he got a promotion and we moved here last year. How about you?"
"Well" paused Rhonda, "After high school, I stayed in Kansas City and got my teaching degree there. At the time there were not many teaching jobs there and out of the many applications I mailed, a school district here offered me a job. Been here ever since."
"Any husbands or boyfriends?" I asked.
Rhonda smiled, "No. I've had a few affairs and some live ins from time to time but really no one that I could live the rest of my life with or have only one sex partner."
I smiled and whispered, "Are you still bi?"
Rhonda smiled, "Yes and you?"
"Not since high school" I whispered, "Those were the best times and I think back on them fondly. In college, I did some threesomes with my hubby and a guy when we were living together but never did anything more with a girl. My husband would like to still do one with two girls. His unfulfilled fantasy, you know. Once I had Kathy, our wild times ended and we really weren't around anyone who was that sexually open minded."
"I see" said Rhonda as the platters of food were placed on our table. "Looks like the normal life has treated you well, you look great! I love your daughter. She is such a good student, really bright. I teach the drama club and I would like Kathy to join. She would be able to really make some new friends and they are really a nice group of kids."
"I'll ask her" I said, "but I not going to pressure her. She will join if she wants to do it and she really likes you as a teacher. Maybe she will. Where do you live in town?"
"I live in a condo south of here" she said, "How about you?"
"In the burbs, west of town" I said, "My husband makes good money and he likes living the good life even though he is broke most of the time. Why don't you come over for dinner some time? I would love for you to come over and I think Kathy would like that also."
"I would love to come over" said Rhonda, "Does your husband know about how we were in high school? Not that it makes much difference but not to be awkward either."
I smiled, "He knows that I was bi in high school and that I was in love with a girl named Rhonda. If I introduced you, he would know. It would be OK."