Date Next Door

“Or maybe you just haven’t realized yet what you’re looking for.”

Laughter lit her face. “Or maybe I’m just not looking,” she quipped.

His gaze focused on her smiling lips, and he couldn’t resist smiling back at her. His mood was suddenly much lighter—and he knew exactly why.

Just to amuse her, he raised his arm to spin her, then finished the dance with a shallow dip. The ploy worked nicely; she laughed and clung to his forearms for balance. And when he steadied her on her feet again, he couldn’t resist brushing a light kiss against her cheek.

“Thanks for the dance,” he said, wondering if his voice sounded as odd to her as it suddenly did to him. “It was fun.”

Her cheeks were flushed now, but he wasn’t sure if the heightened color was due to the kiss or the mild exertion of the dance. “You’re welcome,” she said.

There were a few more dances, some with each other, some with other partners. Joel didn’t even mind—that much—when she finally danced with Jimmy. He danced with Naomi that time, only glancing Nic’s way once or twice, each time concluding that she had been honest in saying she wasn’t particularly attracted to his onetime classmate. At least that was what he wanted to believe, and he didn’t take time to ask himself why it mattered so much.

After an hour or so of dancing, Heidi borrowed the DJ’s mic to draw everyone’s attention her way. Traditionally the class president would have emceed the occasion, but Joel had declined that privilege, asking Heidi to take over his duties. He hadn’t had to twist her arm to persuade her to accept.

Her sequined top glittering in the overhead lights, Heidi beamed with pleasure at being the center of attention. She looked pleased with the results of her months of planning, and as he and everyone else returned to their tables, Joel felt a bit guilty for not appreciating her efforts more.

“I hope you all enjoyed the food tonight,” she began, and was answered by nods and smiles from her audience. “We want to thank Big Daddy’s Catering for their excellent service. And a special thanks to our DJ, Chico Morales.” An enthusiastic round of applause followed.

“Before we continue our dance, I’d like to take care of a little business. First, thank you all for coming and making our fifteen-year reunion such a great success. Starting with our victory in last night’s game,” she added—for all the world, Joel thought, as if their class had been out on the field catching passes.

Hoots and cheers sounded through the room, most loudly from the Watson twins, who seemed to have brought their own liquid refreshments for the party. And they weren’t the only ones.

“Also,” Heidi continued when the noise died down, “I want to remind everyone to sign the big get-well card for our beloved Principal Walenski. We hope he recovers quickly from his recent illness. And now to our awards…”

Joel couldn’t quite suppress a low groan, a sound that was echoed by Kevin and Terrell.

Nic looked questioningly at him. “Awards?”

He shook his head. “You’ll see.”

Giggling like the schoolgirl she still wanted to be, Heidi read from a sheet of paper. “First, the classmate with the most children…Janie Caruthers Mayo, mother of five! The newest only ten weeks old.”

Amid hearty applause, Heidi presented the blushing mother with a large bottle of over-the-counter headache pills, a box of condoms and a gift certificate for a dinner out at a local restaurant.

“Oh,” Nic murmured. “That kind of award.”

Joel nodded. “She does this every time. She still thinks it’s hysterically funny.”

“Awards” and silly gifts were then presented for the classmate who had traveled farthest to attend the reunion, to one who had recently been elected mayor of a neighboring small town and to another who had recently retired after a moderately successful career in professional baseball. The latter was treated to a box containing denture adhesives, a knitted lap scarf and a book of crossword puzzles, among other supposedly humorous references to retirement. Joel noted that Donald didn’t look overly amused, though he made an effort to smile appreciatively.

Heidi then read a few notes from former classmates who hadn’t been able to attend the reunion but had sent greetings. When the laughter over the final, particularly cleverly worded message faded away, Heidi cleared her throat and spoke more seriously. “Finally I would like to announce the kickoff of our new charitable project. It’s getting off to an amazing start, with almost eight thousand dollars donated so far….”

Joel frowned. He couldn’t remember being notified of a new charity project. He was quite sure he hadn’t been asked to donate to it, though of course he would be happy to contribute. He made a mental note to do so immediately after…

He was startled to hear Heidi say his name into the microphone. “Joel, would you join me here for just a minute, please?”

Chapter Nine

Something about the way his tablemates looked at him when Heidi called his name made Joel suspect that all of them except Nic knew what was coming next. Nic looked as curious as he felt about why he had been summoned forward.

Trying to hide his reluctance behind a smile, he stood and crossed the room to join Heidi. “What is this?”

Her blue eyes suddenly liquid, Heidi’s answering smile quivered a bit as she gazed up at him. “The rest of us have put together a surprise for you, Joel. Tonight it is my honor and my pleasure to announce that our class has established the Heather Shields Brannon Scholarship Fund, to be awarded annually to two deserving Danston High School graduates, to be used for furthering their educations.”

Joel felt his embarrassment and mild irritation dissolve immediately. He was immeasurably touched by his classmates’ gesture. “Heidi, this is…”

Her smile growing steadier, she shook her head. “Not just me. All of us. Everyone donated.”