Promise Me (10 page)

I sneak a glance at her before ducking my head to grab my glass of orange juice. Her one eyebrow is raised and her hands are neatly folded in front of her. She clears her throat before she says anything.

"Well, isn't that what they consider sexual harassment in the workplace? Can't you complain to someone about that? You know dear, there are laws in place for situations like this nowadays. You remember Anita Hill, right?"

Great, she's rambling. Now she's saying something about a woman's right to choose and how I can say no at any time. Why did I ever think this would go over smoothly? I stop her as she starts on the topic of women's suffrage and how "we've come a long way baby." Did she really just even say that?

"Mom, stop. Take a breather."

"Sweetie, I'm just trying to help you," she says quickly.

"Mom, it's not as sinister as all that. Alex is a really nice guy. Trust me, I've got it under control."

She opens her mouth to say something, but I stop her. "Mom, I swear it's not like you think. I know what I'm doing."

I really don't have a clue, but I'll say whatever it takes to appease her and get her to change the subject since anything else is better than "truth time with mom" at this point.

We go back to an uncomfortable silence, interspersed with the occasional question about my job and what I'll be wearing to the reunion. It's not until my dad comes strolling in a few minutes later to eat his breakfast in his golf clothes that I'm able to relax again.

After breakfast, my dad kisses us both goodbye and heads out to meet a couple of his buddies for a round of golf. My mom and I then try to decide on our plans for the day. "What about coming with me to the museum in Philly?" I ask her.

"I was thinking more along the lines of doing some shopping at The Village, and then maybe grabbing a late lunch at The Back Porch Cafe. It is Friday, so it might be a bit crowded, but I think you'll have a good time."

"Sounds good," I agree, resigning myself to the fact that my visit to the museum is not looking too good at this point. Oh well, maybe one day next week, since my flight isn't until Thursday morning,
all thanks to Julia
,
I say to myself then step into the bathroom to start getting ready for my day of shopping.

A few hours later I find myself in yet another specialty shop. This time it's cookware and baking needs. I guess if I was a chef or enjoyed cooking even in the slightest I'd be pretty psyched right about now. At least it's a step up from the previous store that specialized in dreamcatchers, nothing but.

"Mom, aren't you getting tired of shopping?" I ask as I eyeball a retro diner style salt and pepper shaker.

"Not really," she says and continues to search for that ever elusive item that must be bought before she realizes that she really doesn't need it. "Are you getting hungry?"

My stomach answers with a growl before I can actually respond. My mom laughs out loud and puts down a pair of ridiculous looking oven mitts that have a picture of all the stars of the Food Network on them. She hooks her arm in mine and leads me towards the front door and we step outside. The cafe we had planned on having lunch at is just a block of stores ahead.

About half way through our trek, my mom stops suddenly. Since our arms are hooked together, her stopping causes me to falter a bit when I try to keep on walking without her moving.

"Mom, what's the matter? I thought the cafe was further down this way," I say pointing directly ahead of us.

She slowly pulls her arm out of mine, and points with vigor to the left at two women who are browsing and giggling at items in a storefront window. One of them is easily recognizable since I just ran into her the night before, Lauren, AKA gossip hound. The other woman, I can't easily determine the identity of, so I roll my eyes and turn my attention back to my mother who is still standing there staring, and from the looks of it getting -dare I say- pissed off.

"Mom, just ignore her, I can handle Lauren. Let's go, I'm starving." As I attempt one more time at moving my mom, the other woman turns around and I see for the first time in ten years my arch nemesis, Lisa.

For the most part she looks the same, except that she's put on some weight, I assume from the two pregnancies. She's changed the color of her hair from mousy brown, to mousy brown with highlights. She's dressed rather nicely, upscale even, causing me to think that Chris must be doing well enough for her to afford the clothes and accessories she's wearing. When she starts her casual approach towards us, I can tell that she's wearing a bit too much make up for a casual Friday stroll in a shopping mall. Lauren is almost ready to combust with excitement as she follows Lisa over like a dog on a leash. I have to laugh, remembering how much Lisa used to hate Lauren and all her gossiping. Yet, right here in front of me, they are like two peas in a pod. My, how things change.

I'm not nervous, anxious, or scared of this moment that I've been dreading for so long. I'm ready as I'll ever be. Momentarily forgetting that she now knows everything, I glance to my left and see my mom is ready to pounce. One thing about my mom is that you shouldn't cross her; she will never forget or forgive. A big grin comes across my face and I cross my arms over my chest as I wait to watch the sparks fly. This is going to be good.

"Hi Sabrina, Mrs. Chandler, how nice to run into you today," she says and pulls her mouth into the most artificial smile I've ever seen. It turns my stomach and I have to bite my lip to keep my emotions in check because surprisingly, I feel the need to spit in her face, so out of character for me. Lauren is right next to her "friend" and is watching me closely waiting for me to say something, anything.

I plaster a smile on my face and quite cheerfully respond, "Hi Lisa, it's been a long time hasn't it."

"Yes, it has. I got your number from your mom and just kept forgetting to call you. But, now that you're here...," and she stops but I can tell she's thinking about something clever to say, but my mom starts her attack.

"Lisa, would you just shut up!"

I knew my mom would go for the jugular, but I'm still shocked. My head turns back to Lisa and then back to my mom. Lauren is doing the same thing. It's like we're in the front row at a tennis match at the U.S. Open.

"How dare you talk to me like that?"

My mom laughs and then steps in closer, takes her index finger and waves it in Lisa's face before she can say another lie.

"Just stop lying already. We all know you're trying to save face in front of your
friend
here and you did call Sabrina in Miami, and that you told her to stay away."

"Well
I
didn't know all that," Lauren says out of nowhere. My mom promptly gives Lauren a dismissing look before turning her attention back to Lisa.

"For years, I've been making my daughter feel guilty because of you. All this time I've been trying to get her to make amends with you. And all this time, it's been nothing but a lie." She pauses, takes my hand in hers and continues, "Lisa, you should be ashamed of yourself. Prancing around here like your shit doesn't stink. Well guess what, it stinks to high heaven! Do yourself a favor and don't you dare show your face around me again. If you see me coming, turn in the other direction because you make me sick." With that, my mom pulls me to the left, sidestepping Lisa and Lauren. "I'm starving, let's go."

While she pulls me along for a few steps, I turn my head around to take one last look at the shocked expression on Lisa's face and the devilish grin on Lauren's. I wave at them both, smile and say, "See you tomorrow night at the reunion." I turn my head back to my mom who is on a mission to make it to our original destination before we were thwarted by Tweedledee and Tweedledumb.

"Mom, that was awesome."

"It was, wasn't it?"

We both start giggling like school girls and eventually make our way to the cafe where we eat a late lunch and then head home for the night.

I'm not even the slightest bit nervous. How is that possible? I've stressed over this moment for months now. What I would do? What I would say? Now, facing myself in the mirror dressed for the reunion, I'm not worried. The only thing left to conquer is whether I'll see Tyler there and I can't think too much over that since the trip so far has been a success. I mean, it would be like gravy if he were to show up, but really, I'm okay with it if he doesn't. Having been able to confront not only Chris but Lisa as well has been, as cliché as it sounds, cathartic.

Wow, Julia was so right; the shoes are amazing and go perfectly with my dress, which looks like it was made for me. I'm going to take that girl out for a night on the town for convincing me to pick this one. After putting the finishing touches on my hair, which I've decided to wear in a low, loose bun with side swept bangs, I put in my diamond studs. I take one last look at myself, more than satisfied with the reflection smiling back at me, and head out for the reunion.

The drive there takes all of fifteen minutes. Probably would have taken me ten if it wasn't so difficult trying to maneuver the gas and brake pedals with the Louboutin's. Pulling into the parking lot of the Skippack Golf Club at approximately 6:15 PM, I pat myself on the back for arriving fashionably late, as per my mom's advice. I walk through the front doors of the building and see a sign that leads me towards the correct ballroom. The music and chatter gets closer and closer until I finally cross the threshold and take a moment to canvas the entire room.

Our school colors were purple and white and it seems like someone got the memo and then some. Purple and white helium balloons are floating on the ceiling, purple and white streamers cascading the walls, and finally, purple and white tablecloths. There are two bars strategically placed on the far corners of the room and flank the barely filled hardwood dance floor. On the stage area sits a DJ with his turntable who is already being harassed by guests for requests.

It takes about ten seconds for me to spot Chris and Lisa, holding court at a table. Chris is smiling but it looks forced, while Lisa is speaking to a few of the other guests enthusiastically. I start to walk slowly into the room and try to make my way to bar. At the same time I'm looking for Tyler. So far he's not here, but that doesn't surprise me. I remember my conversation with Julia the day she convinced me to come where I'd told her that he didn't seem like the kind of guy that would come to these kinds of things. I should have made a monetary wager on it. I smile at the thought and finally make it to the bar. While waiting on my glass of wine, a few people I knew stop to say hello and engage me in conversation.

It's funny how people can change over the course of ten years. Other people not so much. I continue to sip on my drink and talk casually to fellow 2001 graduates until I notice that I'm in need of a refill. Excusing myself, I get to the bar to order another glass of wine when Chris appears next to me. Actually, so close to me that I don't have enough room to pull a dollar bill out of my clutch to tip the bartender. I ask him as politely as possible if he can back off, to which he responds, "I need to talk to you, please Sabrina."

I can smell the alcohol all over him. He's hammered. He takes a step back and goes to grab my hand to pull me towards him. I yank it back forcefully.

"Chris, we have nothing to say to each other, please just leave me alone."

He hangs his head and starts to loosen the tie he's wearing. "I need to tell you how sorry I am. My God, Sabrina, I wish I could take it all back. I don't love her, I've never loved her."

I stare at him for a second because honestly, I'm so over him and his apology that is ten years too late that I want to make sure I get the next thing I say completely right so he can just leave. Before I can open my mouth, I barely make out that he's saying something else. It doesn't help that his words are starting to sound slurred at this point either. So, I lean in closer to hear him say, "She tricked me. I was trying to get away from her but then she told me she was pregnant. Then there was a baby coming and I was stuck. I tried to leave her but she tricked me."

I really don't care. I have to admit that I'm surprised at this revelation; I've come to terms with all of this, and it feels so good. There honestly isn't anything else they can tell me or do to me that makes one iota of difference. I'll be leaving for Miami, while they will be stuck with each other in their "relationship". This seems to be penance enough from all indications. I sigh and tell him this in not so many words, "I really don't care anymore, Chris."