Later That Evening
I was surprised about how busy MacFey's was, considering it was a Tuesday night. I pushed my way through the crowd, got myself a beer at the bar, and then headed out to the outside seating area where Graciela, her husband Miguel, and a couple other people were sitting.
“Hey, Viv!” said Graciela with a big, broad smile as she saw me. “Come on over!”
I headed to the table and took a seat next to Graciela. She handed me a glass already filled with wine and clinked her glass against mine then we both had a sip of our drinks.
“Everyone, this is my boss, Vivienne,” said Graciela to the dozen or so people who were seated around the table. “And she's awesome!”
I blushed as everyone greeted me warmly, and exchanged smiles with people around the table. I felt that I had to speak as well, though.
“And this, everyone, even though you already know her in a personal capacity, is one of the most dedicated and hard-working people I've ever met! Thank you for being such a wonderful asset to Peter Pan Daycare, Graciela. I don't know what I'd do without you.”
Everyone gave her a hand, and I could see that there were tears rimming her eyes.
“Thank you so much, Viv,” she said as she took my hand in hers. “It really means a lot to me to know that I'm appreciated.”
“You really are, Gracie, you really are.”
We chatted and drank some more, and then eventually I had to go to the bathroom. On my way back to the table, I was weaving my way through the crowd gathered by the bar when a single word caused my blood to freeze instantly in my veins.
“Alicia!”
I stopped dead in my tracks. I hadn't heard that name for two years now – but it had been my name for the first 25 years of my life.
“Alicia Ray, it is you, isn't it?”
I turned around slowly, dread and fear running cold through my veins. I saw a familiar face looking at me, smiling, from where she was seated at the bar.
“Angie Wells,” I said, relief rushing through me. “We were in English class together senior year.”
“And biology,” she said. “Wow, I can't believe it's already been 10 years since graduation. What are you doing down here in Irvine? You don't live in San Francisco anymore?”
“No, I moved down here two years ago. I own a daycare here.”
“A daycare, huh? Well, you always did like kids. I don't think I could do that myself; they drive me crazy.”
“So, what are you doing down here?”
“I just moved here from San Francisco, too. I got a job working in software engineering here. It's growing in this part of the state.”
“Ah, good to hear.”
“Hey, come sit down with me, Alicia! We've got a lot to catch up on. I mean, it's been 10 years after all. You still with Simon? I always thought you'd marry that guy. Did you?”
The mention of his name sent shivers of dread and revulsion running down my spine.
“No, no, I'm not with him anymore. We broke up a long while ago.”
“Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm single, too, actually. Maybe one night we go out; I'll be your wingman, you be mine, as the guys would say.”
“Yeah, maybe. Uh, look, about Simon and me, things really didn't end well. And actually, my name isn't Alicia anymore.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“My name is Vivienne now.”
I didn't tell her my last name – I had to really trust people before I ever told them my last name.