Reunion

Reunion

M.R. JOSEPH

Copyright © 2012 M.R. Joseph

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 1480251682

ISBN-13: 978-1480251687

DEDICATION

For my daddy. My angel in heaven.

I hope I make you proud.

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First and foremost I’d like to thank my rock. My husband Christopher with whom all things in life are possible. Thank you for not judging me or making fun of me when I decided to do this book. Thank you for critiquing my words without making me feel inadequate. (Except for the way you tell me I butcher the English language) You are my hero, my love, my soul mate, wonderful father to our babies, resident spider killer and the one person who makes me laugh without trying. Thank you for helping me with this project. I could not have done it without you. To my beautiful children Brandon and Mia. My gifts from God and the reason I breathe. Brandon thank you for not spilling the beans on this book. I know you were the only little person who knew I was writing it and I thank you for asking me daily “Hows it going with the book mom?” What a sweetie.

To my girlfriends who gave me the inspiration for Maddy, Ella, Lilian, and Trish. I hope I did you all justice in the characters I created for this book. Without our memories and laughter I don’t know how I would of thought of so much crazy dialogue. Our girl’s weekends and conversations came through in this book. I don’t know what I would do without you all. To Michelle especially who is our “Survivor”. God bless you and keep you healthy and happy always.

Lastly I want to thank my muse. Music. It was my constant companion during my writing process. It inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry. It was the basis for so many situations in this book. Music is one of God’s greatest gifts to all of us. At the end of the book please enjoy what I call a guide to Savannah and Sam’s Soundtrack. The songs I chose for the guide are ones that inspired me about Sam and Savannah’s story. All the songs are available on iTunes.

I’m very excited to begin the next project. I hope everyone enjoys reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. It was a labor of love and I hope this opens a new chapter in my life.

Enjoy.

ProLOGUE

Sam

I think I hear an angel. I swear. I need to stop before I round the corner towards the locker room. Damn I can’t be late for practice. Coach will kill me. Let me just peek before I make any sudden moves. That voice is pulling me like a force. Oh Shit! It’s her. The girl I have secretly been crushing on for a year now. Wavy brown hair. Killer smile. Muscular build but in a good way. A hot way. Great ass too. The only reason I know about her ass is because I’ve seen her so often running track for our school track team. I’ve seen her in those running shorts. Down boy. I had no idea she could sing like that. I need to know her name. Why haven’t I found out her name yet? I should just ask Tyler. I’ve seen them in the halls going from class to class together. He never mentions her name except for describing his “friend” he plays video games with and does homework with on occasion. Maybe because he’s interested in her? Shit. It’s my own fault then if he is. I should of asked her name but I’m too chicken shit. Imagine that. Me. Afraid to talk to a girl. I kind of like that she is a mystery though. Maybe I’ll write her a note. Girls like notes don’t they? How about you just grow some balls and talk to her Reynolds. God I bet she smells good. She just looks like she would. Ok so do I go around the corner and ask her what her name is? Do I introduce myself or will she recognize me right away. Everyone knows who the Quarterback is right? Everyone in this school knows. Stop being stupid Reynolds and just talk to her. My God I have never been this worked up over a girl before. Why are my palms sweating? I need to get a grip. I mean all the rest of the girls I’ve hooked up with were you know... fun but that’s it. Pretty faces and cool to mess around with. But this one. She carries herself with such confidence. I can tell. From a far that is. I’m a pretty good judge of character. I haven’t even kissed her but looking at those lips keeps me up at night. I can’t get a good look at her eyes. What color are they? The thoughts of them are driving me insane. I need to know her name. Now! Stop being a wuss. She’s just a girl. A girl who invades your thoughts as soon as you see her ponytail swinging back and forth on that track when she runs. In those short shorts. But how should I approach her? Turn on the charm or just be myself? If I don’t do it now I know I’ll regret it. This is my chance. My chance to knock her off her feet…..

CHAPTER 1

WELCOME BACK

I stood in line and looked up at the menu board at my old high school burger hang out, Chucks, trying to decide what I was going to get. My sunglasses on, hair in a ponytail, and trying to go undetected. When I heard from behind me “Savannah?”. I realized I didn’t do such a good job of hiding. I turned around to see my friend Tyler Jensen smiling a bright smile at me. He has been my best pal since 7
^th
grade. His hair was different from when I saw him about 6 months ago. It was cut close to his head and the color was black as night. It looked almost shaved and he had sideburns that were neatly edged on his face. His tie was loose around his neck. He looked so grown up from the kid who sat next to me in 7
^th
grade English with the beginning stages of acne and a mouth full of braces. If he wasn’t like a brother to me, he would turn my head with his classic good looks and model smile. He was just Tyler and I never thought of him in that way. “Hey Ty” I exclaimed and gave him a big hug.

“When did you breeze into town?”

“Last night. I went right to my moms. She couldn’t wait to see me. You know her”

“Yep. I sure do. I saw her a few weeks ago at the mall and she told me she couldn’t wait for you to get here. “

“Geez. She just saw me a month ago when she flew up for the weekend.”

“Well I guess she might be missing you a lot more now that your dad is gone.” Tyler looked down at his shoes and shook his head like he knew those were the wrong words that came out of his mouth.

“Ah Sav I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Ty please I know you didn’t. You have been such a good friend to me and my family since my dad passed. I appreciate you checking in with my mom on occasion. My sister has been so busy with the her new job. She kind of tends to be in her own little world if you know what I mean. “

He chuckled.” Yes I know. Somethings never change. “ His grin continued. It was like he was thinking of something from the past. I knew all too well what those thoughts were.

“Georgia has always been one of a kind. I saw her a few months ago out at a club downtown but she saw me, I waved and she turned and walked away. It was weird.”

“Maybe she was just really surprised to see you and she didn’t know what to say. I think you may be the only person who makes her speechless.” I winkled at him. His face blushed.

My sister Georgia is two years younger than me. She went to fashion school in New York and now runs the wardrobe department of one of our local T.V. stations. In High school she had this incredible crush on Tyler. When he would come over after school to do homework or watch T.V., she would lock herself in her room and reappear in some kind of tight outfit smelling like a French whore. His eyes would pop out of his head when he saw her, and my mom would then chase her back to her room to change into something more virginal. Eventually she got his full attention. What came next was a year full of what I call “ Drunken Booty calls”. She would come to a party with me, and then her and Ty would disappear, then reappear disheveled from what Georgia called some hot “tongue action”. This eventually led to “backseat BJs” and other steamy and unladylike activities. He did wind up taking her virginity. All that information was a little too much but she shared everything with me anyway so why not tell me about my best friends penis in her mouth. Sure, why not. Ugh. Just the thoughts always made me shutter. I have to admit it was fun having her around. She was very entertaining and everyone fell in love with her. She wasn’t the little sister that was always hanging around. She became my friend and friend to my friends. It was a cool thing. Savannah and Georgia Garrett. The sisters who were named after the state and city from which their mother was born and raised.

“So how long are you here for ?” Tyler asked.

“8 days. The school I work at is on Fall break and I took 2 personal days. I have an interview with a school in the city for next year’s term Tuesday and if I get the job I guess you will be seeing a lot more of me.”

“Oh wow Sav that’s so great! I can’t believe you’ll be moving back. I guess it gets expensive flying back and forth from Boston.”

“Yes. But I do use as many frequent flyer miles as I can and I do drive in but 6 ½ hours in the car is a lot. I earned the miles flying back and forth when my dad was sick and when Maddy was sick”.

“I saw Maddy about 2 weeks ago and she looks fantastic. All her hair grew back in and I saw her jogging with the baby in the stroller. I’m so glad she’s going to be ok.”

Maddy was one of my best friends. 18 months ago she was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer. She went through radiation and some Chemotherapy all the while trying to keep up with her two year old son Joey.

“I know. I’m so proud of her. She was so strong. I saw her when I was here last month. I went to her house for lunch and got to spend time with her and Joey. We talk almost everyday though. Sorry I didn’t get a chance to see you when I came home last. It was a short trip. I was here for my moms birthday. I got here on a Saturday morning and left on an 8 am flight Sunday.”

“I understand. But you are here now and that’s all that matters. Do the girls know you’re home?”

“They know I was getting in late last night so I think tomorrow night we may hit Roy’s for some drinks. I haven’t seen him in a while and I would love to. Lilian was getting in from D.C. around noon today. I haven’t talked to Trish or Ella yet but I’m sure if I get my phone from the car I’ll have 10,000 texts from them.

Tyler laughed and agreed with my theory. “Well then are you ready for Saturday Night or what? Our big 10 year reunion. It doesn’t seem possible.”

“It feels weird “. I feel like I haven’t sat down in 2 years.”

My heart felt a little heavy at the memory I had of watching my dad take his last breath then Maddy getting cancer 6 months later. My Fridays after teaching a bunch of 7
^th
graders Music and Voice consisted of jumping on a plane from Logan to Philly and spending 2 whole days in a stuffy hospital room watching my dad die before me. Eating shitty food from the cafeteria and watching my mom crochet a blanket for my dad’s hospital bed. A bed I knew he would not be in for very long. I dealt with Georgia blowing in from the T.V. station she worked at a few blocks away and rolled my eyes as she bragged to me and my mom about the ancient news anchor who passed wind on the set constantly and blamed it on his young assistant. Then I’d call the girls and chat with them each briefly so I could keep them updated on my dads condition. On Sundays I would kiss my mom goodbye and stroke my dads hand and tell him “No Goodbyes daddy, just until next time.” He would give me a weak wink and a smile and tell me to have a safe flight. I would get home to my little 2 bedroom walk up near Faneuil Hall in Boston and collapse at the whirlwind travel I just accomplished.

“Sav you ok? I think I lost you there for a second.”

Tyler asked puzzled at my expression.

“Oh God yes Ty I’m fine. I guess just a little tired”.

I felt cloudy after the flashback of my memories.

“So yes our big 10 year. I guess things have really changed from our 5 year.” How are the guys doing? Pete, Marc, Flynn, Chris…?” I waited for his answer.

“Anyone else you want to ask about?” He interrupted

“Ty you know not to go there. I refuse to discuss Sam Reynolds with you. I have for the past five years. I’m here in Brooklawn to have a good time, see old friends, and my family and I’m thanking my lucky stars I won’t be seeing him.”

“I know Sav and I’m sorry. I still don’t know what happened between to the two of you after the night of our last reunion. You guys looked like you were crazy in love again after all that time apart. We had a great time at the reunion. You and Sam making out in the middle of the dance floor. It looked like you two never missed a beat. I mean it was what 8 months since you guys had broken up and not seen each other. Sam said you went back to his place after and you made a plan to meet up and talk about things that next night but you never showed. Sam went to your parents house looking for you. You were gone. He tried calling you and e-mailing you, flying up there to find that you moved and no one would tell him where you were. Sam said you changed your numbers and e-mail.”

Tyler looked genuinely concerned and curious. “Ty let’s just say I caught Sam Reynolds with his pants down. He blew his chances and crushed my heart in the process. Please I really don’t want to discuss Sam. I want to hear about you and your job in the D.A.’s office. “

We decided on two Chucks specials and sat down at a small table near the back. The burger joint was tiny. Only 15 tables. It smelled of grease and the floor was sticky from spilled soda and milkshakes. But Chucks was our place. Everyone’s place from Brooklawn High. It’s where we spent every Friday night of the fall after football games and every Saturday after Lacrosse games in the Spring. We hung all hung out. Laughed, joked, ate. Some kissed. Lovers fought. We were teenagers. It what was being a teenager was all about.

I became melancholy when Tyler and I started to talking about the “remember when” and “ wow that was a good time”. It was all flowing back to my brain. The parties, football games, my girlfriends, learning to drive, choir rehearsals, track meets. The one thing that kept creeping into my memories and flooding them was him. Sam Reynolds. Why the fuck did he have to invade my brain every time I come back here. I couldn’t escape him. Never. Even if I tired.

“You know Sam is not coming to the reunion Sav don’t you? I kind of figured that’s why you decided to come”. Tyler smirked

“Yes I know and you know me oh too well my old friend. Ella told me. After all she knows all the gossip in Brooklawn. She keeps me updated. I know he is traveling with his job. And I’m not saying I’m not relieved .”

“Ok Sav. I’ll stop about Sam. I just want you to know that the last time I talked he said that he…”

I clenched my teeth and talked through the closed jaws. “ Tyler. Enough. Its over and has been for a very long time. I love you Ty for being such a good and concerned friend but I’m fine. I’m over it. What time is it? Oh shit 1 o’clock. I gotta go Ty. I’m meeting my mom at Duffy’s.”

“Why don’t you and some of the guys come to Roy’s Thursday night? I haven’t been there in forever. Kind of like a reunion before the reunion. Please say you will try!”

My smile grew and my eyes turned into doe eyes. Like a little girl asking for candy. I just wanted to see all my old friends together again. The gang. Just like old times. Minus one.

“Ok. I’ll call the guys and meet you up. I’m sure they will all want to come. It should really be fun. Now go shopping with your mom and give her my love.”

He kissed me on the cheek and hurried out the door. As I unlocked my car and and settled into the drivers seat I glanced down at my phone. 4 missed calls and 10 texts. All from the girls. My ring tone suddenly went to a Rascal Flats song and I knew right away it was Ella.

“Hi Ells”.

“Where the hell have you been Sav? We have plans to make, martini’s to drink and boys to flirt with. I can’t believe you haven’t called me since you have been home.” I rolled my eyes and smiled at my friends voice.

“Sorry. I went to get lunch at Chuck’s and I ran into Tyler and we ate together. Ells I’m meeting my mom at Duffy’s and then having dinner with her and Georgia so I have to go. Tomorrow night at 7 ok. “