2015 Prompt Responses - 12. Prompt 400 - High School Reunion

“But I thought you were dead!” Jeremy was looking at me in open-mouthed incredulity.

“Last time I checked, I was very much alive.” I smiled, amused at the brown-haired man’s reaction upon seeing me again.

“I’m sorry… I don’t mean to keep staring at you, but I’m just so thrilled to see you here.”

“I’m curious…how exactly did I die?” I decided to have a little fun with this.

Jeremy looked uncomfortable and fidgeted before responding. “Um…well…the rumor is that you were killed in a gay bashing outside a gay bar in New York City. They even organized a memorial scholarship fund for you.”

I turned white and started shaking. They had it half right. It’s how my partner died ten years ago.

“Hey are you ok?”

I shook my head. Coming here was a huge mistake. I told Carrie that, but she made me come anyway. Jeremy put his arm around my shoulders and guided me to a chair. “I’ll get you something to drink.”

I grabbed his arm, stopping him. “Please don’t go.”

He smiled and nodded. “So how come you didn’t come to our tenth reunion? Why wait until the twentieth?”

I grimaced. “Honestly? I didn’t want to come. Carrie dragged me here. I learned a long time ago that you can’t say ‘no’ to her.” I paused. “Ten years ago John had just died. After what I went through in high school I probably would have caused a scene or ten.”

Jeremy nodded. “You didn’t deserve all the shit you got.”

I shrugged. “No, I didn’t. But it made me stronger. It made me the man I am today.” I squeezed his arm. “You were always nice to me.”

He looked down. “I could have done more. I should have tried to stop them.”

“Hey, don’t think like that. They would have given you shit, too for protecting the queer. I don’t think I could have handled that.”

I had the biggest crush on Jeremy in high school. Even though we were never friends, he was always kind to me.

“You were braver than I ever was. I admired you for being yourself. Whether you know it or not, Vince, you were an inspiration to me.”

I looked at him quizzically. “You’re kidding me, right? It’s not like I had much of choice about coming out. Believe me, if it had been my choice I wouldn’t have.”

“I don’t think I would have survived it,” he said quietly. “In fact—“

“There you are! Did you see this?” Carrie marched up to me and stuck the reunion program in my face. It was open to the page about my memorial scholarship fund. No wonder everyone was staring at me when we walked in. I thought they were just incredulous that the queer had the nerve to show his face.

“Jeremy told me.”

“Hi Carrie. It’s good to see you.”

“You too, Jeremy. Vince, are you ok? You look a bit pale.”

“I’ll be ok, Care. Finding out that everyone thinks I’m dead was a bit of a shock.”

“I’ll get you that drink now. Any preference?”

“Whisky sour.”

Jeremy nodded and left to get my drink. Carrie sat next to me and grabbed my arm. “He seems very concerned about you.”

“He’s been great. I have nothing against him. He was always nice to me.”

Carrie smirked. “I bet you have something you’d like to hold against him.”

I smacked her arm. “Stop…that was twenty years ago!”

“You have to admit, he’s aged well.”

I did have to admit that. He returned with our drinks and Carrie excused herself, winking at me before flouncing off to visit old friends.

I sipped my drink. “So, are you here with your wife?”

Jeremy choked on the sip of his drink he just took and laughed. “No…I never married. I’m not here with anyone.”

“Oh, sorry…I just assumed.”

“Well, you know what they say about assuming…”

I laughed.

He looked at me seriously. “What I was going to say before we were interrupted is that I don’t think I would have survived coming out in high school. It was hard enough in college.”

It was my turn to choke on my drink. Jeremy was gay? The man I fantasized about every day in high school and quite a bit after was actually gay?

“What?” I whispered. “But you dated girls in high school…you…you can’t be gay!”

He laughed. “Yeah, because I’m the only gay guy to ever pretend.”

“Wow…Jeremy.”

“You know, I had the biggest crush on you in high school. I wanted to ask you out so bad, but I was terrified that someone would find out my secret.”

“I know how you feel.”

“I’m ashamed I was such a coward. I missed out on a great opportunity. Provided you would have said ‘yes’, that is.” He laughed nervously.

I smiled. “Oh, I would have said ‘yes’ in a heartbeat.” I took his hand. “I had a bit of a crush on you, too.”

He grinned. “No kidding?”

I shook my head. “You were the cutest guy in school and always so nice to me. I couldn’t help it.” I started to move my hand away, but he held it tighter.

“So, are you single?”

I nodded. “I’ve dated on and off since John died, but nothing that’s lasted.”

He traced circles on my hand with his thumb. “I’m single, too. My partner walked out on me two years ago for another man. I finally feel ready to try again.”

“You know, I could give a rat’s ass about anyone else here. What do you say we go somewhere else for dinner and catch up?”

He grinned and stood up, pulling me with him. “What are we waiting for?”

I texted Carrie on my way out the door.