Sunday, October 14, 2012
My husband does not look back at his high school years with
fondness. It’s an unhappy phase of his life he’d rather forget. So, when the invitation to his 20-year high
school reunion came around last spring, I was surprised that he paid the $90
fee, submitted his paragraph-sized biography to the committee, and read a few
books on mingling. He may have fumbled
his way through high school, but for the reunion, he was going prepared.
My role at the reunion was simple: the dutiful wife. I dolled myself up, sat next to Ryan in a hotel
ballroom full of strangers, ate my chicken dinner, and smiled. While I don’t think Ryan’s attendance at the
reunion brought Hollywood-like closure to his unhappy memories, there was one
positive outcome from the night: the
rekindling of an old friendship with Mr. A.
Ryan and Mr. A. grew up in adjacent neighborhoods in Las
Vegas. They participated in the same boy
scout troop and attended the same schools and church. Their parents were good friends. After high school, their paths rarely crossed
as marriage, jobs, and interests sent them other directions.
This Sunday, we had Mr. and Mrs. A. and their three children
over for dinner. I kept the dinner very
light and simple with make-your-own croissant sandwiches. I put out platters of turkey, ham, and roast beef
deli meat, a variety of cheeses, sandwich toppings, condiments, and let
everyone build their own. I also threw
together a few side dishes of pasta salad, kale salad, grapes, carrots, and
potato chips. For dessert, Mr. A. made a
delicious apple and cherry cobbler that baked and bubbled in the oven while we
ate. We learned that Mr. A. is the chef
in the family, and a good one too.
I’ll be surprised if Ryan attends another high school
reunion. I think his curiosity has been
satisfied. However, I hope we continue
to get together with the A. Family. Our
children seemed to enjoy playing together and Mr. A. has promised to make
crepes for us—a little skill he picked up while living in France many years
ago.
After 40 dinner guests, if nothing else, I’ve learned:
NEVER turn down a
dinner invitation with friends.
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