The reunion was at a downtown hotel with bright lights, blue and silver balloons, and a banner that said, “WELCOME BACK, CLASS OF 2016!”
I stood outside the ballroom doors for a full minute before a man with a committee badge hurried over.
“WELCOME BACK, CLASS OF 2016!”
“Excuse me,” he said. “Are you with the event staff?”
I looked down at my dress, then back at him.
“Unless the hotel serves champagne in heels, no.”
His face flushed. “Sorry. I just don’t recognize you.”
“That’s okay,” I said. “Most people won’t.”
He pointed to the name tag table. “Grab yours before you go in.”
“Sorry. I just don’t recognize you.”
I found it right away.
EVANGELINE.
I touched the sticker, then left it there.
Not yet.
***
Inside, people stood in circles, laughing too loudly and checking who’d aged well. Old classmates hugged like they hadn’t ignored each other for a decade.
I touched the sticker.
Men talked about jobs. Women compared rings, babies, houses, and vacations.
A woman near the bar looked at me twice. “Sorry, were you in our class?”
“Yes, I was.”
She tilted her head. “I feel terrible. I don’t recognize you.”
“Don’t,” I said. “You’re not the only one.”
She laughed politely and walked away.
“Sorry, were you in our class?”
Nobody recognized me.
Not one person.
At first, it hurt. Then, when Ashley stopped in front of me with Brielle at her side, it became useful.
“I love your dress,” Ashley said.
“Thanks.”
Brielle smiled. “Are you someone’s plus-one? I swear I’d remember you.”
“I came alone.”
“I swear I’d remember you.”
Ashley lifted her eyebrows. “Brave.”
“Curious,” I said.
Brielle laughed. “Then come sit with us. Our table needs better energy and more younger-looking faces.”
I looked past them to their table. They all had the same smiles and the same sharp eyes, just with better makeup.
“I can sit for a few minutes.”
“Then come sit with us.”
