The Reunion

The Reunion 

By Paul McCann

 

The school reunion of 84 was happening . It was the first time that they had seen each other in 40 years  . The girls all arrived at different intervals , wearing smiles and dressed in 80’s fashions, they all had padded shoulders , dresses and shirts with vibrant colours , faded denim jeans and white sneakers with jingle jangle jewellery hanging from their wrists ears and necks . Then 

there were  some  cats among the pigeons wearing leather jackets  with chunky silver chains around their necks and bracelets on their wrists . The only problem was that the guys  were all going bald , they had beer bellies and beards and the girls were all overweight , pear shaped and had big bums . Some had knocky knees , some had walking sticks but regardless they were all there to celebrate the special class of 84 reunion day .

Some of the bold school chums brought along their partners while others came alone .

Joe approached Rosie and said ,

“Hi , remember me . I sat in the same row as you in Mathematics class “ 

She looked and him and said .

“Nah who are you ? There was never any boy in my class with a beer gut and baldy head. “

Joe was speechless , then after a few moments Rosie burst out laughing and said ,

“Oh my , it’s Joe Rosatio . How are you these days ?”

They both had a laugh .

Joe responded ,

“Rosie that’s a fine looking walking stick you have there .

Does it talk as well as walk ?”

Joe burst out laughing and Rosie looked upset and said .

“This was my Mothers walking stick and her Mothers  before her”

Then she gave Joe a whack with the stick on his bum .

Someone had to intervene to stop it going any further . Rosie was escorted outside by Hilda and Matthew had a quiet word with Joe .

“ You two haven’t changed a  bit Joe . You have always fought like cats and dogs ever since .“

“Matthew , how have you been . Snappy Rosie , dragon features never forgave me for taking her best friend to the movies i’ve forty years ago . I mean we weren’t even going steady .“

“Actually I was Christine who told Rosie some stories about you after that date . That’s the reason why Rosie turned against you “

“What did she say about me ?”

“ Rumours were you were drunk and tried to rape her “

Joe looked stunned 

“ What , the heck’s going on .

I have diabetes and the day I took her to the movies , I had forgotten to take my insulin . I know I might have been walking a little unsteady but I wasn’t drunk . I did have an episode that day and collapsed . It’s possible when I blacked out I may have fallen on her but thats all it was Matthew .”

“Did you ever explain to Christine that you had diabetes ?”

Matthew asked and Joe said ,

“I woke up in hospital and Christine was no where to be seen so that was it and she never bothered with me again.”

Matthew asked 

“Did you ever get married Joe ?”

Joe replied , 

“After that episode I made a  decision never to marry as I never wanted another experience like that ever again . What about you Matthew did you get married ?”

“ I became a catholic priest . I’m Father Justin now and have been serving God for thirty three years . If you don’t mind Joe I’d like to speak with Rosie and Christine on your behalf to clear a few things up about what had happened that time on your first date ?”

“If you think that would happen Father,  thanks I’d appreciate it”

They both  shook hands and parted company .

Joe went and sat down beside someone he recognised, they shook hands and began talking .

There was a band playing and a few girls started dancing .

Food was served , followed by some trivia questions .

Hilda returned to the room with with Rosie who seemed to have settled down and Father Justin approached her . They had a hug and Hilda went over to talk to Debbie who had dyed her hair orange , green and pink for the reunion  .

“Debbie , oh my you haven’t changed at all . How have you been ?”

She said and Debbie answered .

“Hilda , how long has it been ?”

“Seems like only yesterday Debbie. “

Hilda said and Debbie smiled and replied .

“Its great that we all have this chance to catch up again . Whose idea was it anyway ?”

“Apparently some priest had 

organised it ?”

Hilda said .

Suddenly someone started screaming and shouting .

“Get out you pervert !“

It was Rosie who was hitting someone else with her walking stick . The poor man had innocently walked into the female toilet by mistake . He was trying to explain he had a problem with his eyesight and never meant to do the wrong thing but Rosie wasn’t even listening to a word he had to  say and she kept laying into him with her walking stick .

Hilda once again rushed over to intervene . She managed to take the walking stick away from  her and put it into a safe place .

Someone else had a fall and a small group went to assist .

Father Justin eventually approached the MC and welcomed everyone to the reunion .

“Welcome class of 84 . My name is Father Justin . You would remember me as Matthew McFadden . A few months ago I said a funeral mass for Mary Winters who you might remember as Mary Bowers one of our old class mates . Then I had the thought it might be a good idea to get us all together before any more of us us pass away . So with the help of the church and sone other officials in the system I began searching for all of you here this afternoon .So I hope you all enjoy the evening and recall many memories of the past .“

Everyone applauded and cheered . 

A fight broke out which was quickly addressed . It was the aged school bully who eventually  got his comeuppance .

The dispute was settled and both men were removed from the building . 

The highlight of the day was when Rosie and Christine took the microphone and made an apology to Joe for the mistake they made many years ago .

Without giving any details they just said sorry .

Joe very graciously accepted their apology and said he had no grudge against them and thanked them for apologising .

The night came to an end with some photos and then the last dance which was a ladies choice .

Christine approached Joe and asked him for a dance .

They  danced together side by side as if they were teenagers again .

 

The End