The "Reunion Notes: Kids from the Old Neighborhood" Story

It was an ordinary day. Sitting at a table in the Lancaster Tennis and Riding Club walking around looking for members of my high school class who lived in my neighborhood. I heard someone yell my name from across the room and headed in that direction. There, sitting around a small table, was Jerry and Beverly with another girl. Jerry has been a friend since elementary school and his wife, Just Sue, who came to our high school in 10th grade, have been vacation travelers with my wife, Carol, and I since we both retired from our alma mater in 1999. Bev, well I get to see her every five years during our class reunion. Now, for the other girl sitting with them. I stood next to her and looked at her name tag and .......... "Marilyn, oh my gosh!!" I said. "I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you." Marilyn was my grade school sweetheart. She lived about a half block from me and we walked to school together every day for six years. I had a real big crush on her during those six years. Then we moved on to junior high and blended in with three other elementary schools and she found someone new. Me, I was heartbroken. As I type this I still can't believe I didn't recognize her. Guess I was expecting someone who looked just like they did in high school instead of someone who looked like my aunt when she was alive. The four of us had a good time sharing stories about high school and our lives after graduation. Then Bev signaled to us that she had someone on her cell phone. Larry! Holy Cow! Larry grew up in our neighborhood along with Marilyn, Bev, Jerry and I, as well as Leon who could not make the party tonight but will be at the reunion tomorrow night. Larry transferred to a Military School quite a distance away after 10th grade. Reason for his transfer will not be discussed here, but he still stayed somewhat close to us and was now talking to Bev on her cell. She handed the phone to Jerry who asked him what he was doing right now. Finishing up his grass he told Jerry. "Well, get cleaned up and get over here," he told Larry. And, in no time at all, he showed up. Now the neighborhood clan was complete. Shared some great stories and caught up with each other's lives. We finally looked around the room and found we were the only ones remaining. We tried to talk Larry into coming to the Class Reunion the next night and he told us he would think about it. We knew he would be there. On the way to our car Jerry, Just Sue and I still could not figure where they kept the horses. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - classmates are from left, Marilyn (doesn't she look like my deceased aunt?), Bev, Larry, Jerry and LDub.