To Be, Or Not (Class of 85)

by Margo Hoornstra

  Neither one, and no spectators around them, dared to move as the pitcher glanced left, glanced right, then raised both hands in a tortuously slow wind up and released a rising pitch.

  “It’s yours, Ryan. It’s all yours,” Barry breathed.

  “Your uncle’s right,” Amanda whispered and—

  WHACK!

  As Ryan’s bat connected, clenched jawed looks morphed into grins of triumph. Amanda, Barry and the rest of the crowd watched the ball sail over the pitcher’s head, past the shortstop and second baseman who was now peddling backward, into the outfield and over the fence.

  “A grand slam!” Cosgrove yelled. “Summerville High School gets the win!”

  On a raucous cheer, the spectators stood as a unit. And, with a smile bigger than any, Ryan loped around the bases.

  Arms over her head, Amanda let out a series of whoops before those arms came together at the back of Barry’s neck. “He did it, Barry! He did it! He hit a home run, just like you did!”

  His hands clamped together at her waist. “Yeah.” The word came out in near disbelief. “How about that?”

  “Like a chip off the old block,” a fellow fan told Barry with a stiff pat on the back.

  “I guess you could say that,” he replied.

  With a couple of high fives aimed his way, Barry threw up his hand in response while keeping Amanda secure against his side with the other.

  As Ryan neared home plate, every player on the Summerville High team lined up to welcome him in. And, on a disharmony of cheers and laughter, people began to pour off the bleachers.

  As was becoming commonplace for them, Barry’s arm easily circled Amanda’s shoulders as they, and his entire family joined the other fans to storm the field. Hugs and high fives were soon being shared with Amanda in the thick of it, and by Barry’s side throughout.

  “Hey, slugger.” Barry ignored the fist bump his nephew offered to fold him into a bear hug. “Way to stay focused. Way to come through for your team.”

  As he held Ryan at arm’s length, Amanda watched the distinct pride light up Barry’s eyes and curve his mouth into a grin. Then the sparkle in his eyes dwindled and his expression grew somber. Seeing what she hadn’t before, Amanda soon realized the crowd around Ryan had changed its focus from him to his famous uncle. Some even thrust SHS programs Barry’s way for a quick signature.

  “Crap,” she heard him mumble. “Let’s get out of here so Ryan can have his day.”

  Smiling, but ignoring the proffered programs, Barry pressed his way back to his nephew. “I’ll catch up with you later. Okay?” He said, this time offering a hasty fist bump.

  “We’re all having breakfast together on Sunday morning to celebrate,” Marcy, who seemed well aware of what was happening and why they were leaving, called out before they got away.

  “We’ll be there,” Barry promised.

  Amanda gave Ryan another quick hug, then turned with Barry toward the exit. Smiling when his arm came around her as if it belonged there, she put her arm into place around his waist.

  “You once asked me what a guy has to do to be forgiven for mistakes of the past,” she said as they walked up the hill to her car. “I have the answer now I didn’t have before.” She stopped them both to turn toward him. “Everything you are doing. Or have done already. You’re a good guy, Uncle Barry.”

  “You really think so?”

  “I do.” Palms resting on either side of his face, she came up on her tiptoes.

  Allowing her gaze to briefly take in his loving expression as her lids fluttered shut, she poured all of her hopes and her dreams into a warm and willing kiss she never wanted to end.

  Chapter Nine

  Amanda put the finishing touches on the last project for the day. Clicking shut down on her computer’s main menu, she flipped the monitor switch to off and leaned back in her chair.

  “Hey, Amanda! Have you got a minute?”

  “Sure.”

  Roger Donaldson came through her office door, the big smile on his face an alert that, for the first time in a long while, he was in a good mood. “Sheriff McElroy called this morning,” he said, coming to a stop in front of her desk. “Seems the little incident with Riley isn’t going any further. Rory discussed the matter with the DA’s office and neither one could see where things should go as far as prosecution. Even that Ms. Cockrell you and Barry told me about agreed with the decision.”

  Taking her purse from her bottom desk drawer, she came around to where Donaldson stood. “That’s a relief.”

  The man she considered more friend than boss tilted his head to one side as wise eyes regarded her. “I can see you’re relieved by my news about Riley, but something tells me there’s more going on with you.”

  Amanda couldn’t hide an involuntary smile as she nodded. “I guess I’m getting used to being home again.”

  Roger put a hand out to place on her arm. “Starting to put the past behind you? That’s good.”

  Back to the door, she turned to face him. “It is.”

  And bringing some of that past up to become my future.

  “Glad to hear it.” He glanced behind and to her right with his own smile. “You deserve some happiness for a change.”

  Starting to turn in the direction of his knowing look, she practically stepped into Barry’s embrace. Not caring who might be around to see, she entered his arms for real. Exchanging a quick welcoming kiss, they turned to face their boss.

  “You’re talking about the good news, right?” Barry’s arm came around Amanda’s shoulders as she sidled sideways to move closer. “Sheriff McElroy was nice enough to call me with the news this morning before practice. I tell you, Riley’s relieved. And deservedly so. I had a feeling he was innocent.”

  “I think deep down we all did,” Amanda spoke up to note. “It just took some of us a bit longer to realize that fact.”

  Barry’s arm tightened. “He’s a good kid.”

  “That probably helped him in all of this,” Roger went on. “Between us, I think Rory identified with the kid some. Given his background and all. Though I’m not in on the details, it’s common knowledge among the older locals, he had a tough time growing up.” Donaldson lifted his car keys from his pants pocket. “Whatever the two of you did, I for one am pleased at the outcome.”

  Amanda spoke first. “The two of us didn’t do much more than stay close by Riley like you asked.” She cast Barry a cautious look. “His innocence came to light because he’d done nothing wrong, except to care deeply for someone, which certainly isn’t a crime.”

  “Not if handled properly,” Barry intoned.

  Open speculation was all over the GM’s expression as he considered one then the other of his employees. “Looks like it’s a win-win all the way around.”

  “It was.” Embarrassed was the last thing Amanda felt when Barry held her tighter.

  Donaldson made no secret of the fact he noticed. “It seems the two of you got something out of this as well.”

  Barry’s hand rubbed the back of Amanda’s neck who nodded on a small smile. “You could say that,” she acknowledged softly.

  “Of course our pal Aaron Goodwin isn’t too happy,” Roger added. “I guess he argued like a son of a gun when Rory called him with the news. But to quote the sheriff,” he went on. “Gina’s an adult. Her father can complain all he wants about what he wants. He’s not going to be able to use the club’s deep pockets or public funds to do it.”

  “Aaron Goodwin can be mouthy and obnoxious, but he’s basically harmless,” Barry noted. “Just like in high school.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Donaldson replied, turning toward the door. “None of us need more problems, from him or anyone.”

  “Don’t worry,” Barry said with a confidence Amanda tried hard to feel. “He won’t be a problem.”

  Donaldson hefted his car keys. “Well, I’m outa here. You two have a nice evening.”

  “You too, Roger,” they replied as one.

&n
bsp; “I hope you’re right about Aaron,” Amanda said when they were alone.

  He kissed the top of her head. “You worry too much, but as head of public relations, I suppose it’s part of your job.”

  “That too,” Amanda told him, still unable to shake a nagging worry.

  Taking hold of her wrists, he turned her to face him. “For the next few hours, you’re off duty, right?”

  “Technically,” she admitted, closing her eyes on a smile as Barry’s mouth grazed hers once than again and once more after that.

  “I really need to quit right now,” he whispered close to her ear. “Or I might not be able to stop.”

  A thrill of anticipation fluttered through Amanda. “Me either,” she admitted on a soft exhale.

  On a groan of reluctance, he pulled his head away and, brows drawn together, looked down at her. “I for one think we should do what Donaldson says.”

  “Which is?” She smiled up at him.

  “Have a nice evening.”

  “I was about to suggest the very same thing. You and me,” she began slowly, and watched speculation enter his eyes. “Together, tonight, maybe on a date.” She made a point to not end the invitation as a question. “That is if you don’t have anything better to do.”

  “I can’t think of anything better to do than be with you. What did you have in mind?” She laughed with him when he playfully wiggled his eyebrows. Then he smiled right after and she was a goner.

  Whatever you want. Wherever you want me.

  “Let’s take your car, again. So we won’t be disturbed.”

  ****

  Barry stopped Amanda’s car at the back side of Angel Wings Bluff then, touching the power button, he lowered the window on his side while Amanda did the same to lower hers.

  “Though the sky’s pretty tonight,” he offered, rubbing a delicate pattern along the bare skin at the hollow of her neck. “Not nearly as pretty as you. You are so beautiful. But, then you always knew that.”

  “You’re just saying that because you—”

  “—love you more than anything else on Earth.”

  Saying no more, his lips found hers again. His hands, warm and inviting, slid under her shirt to massage her back. Molding against him, she brought her arms up to press closer as the tempo of her breathing quickened to match his rhythm.

  “You’re all I’ve wanted for so many years, Amanda.” His breath was a warm vibration against her neck as his words dove directly into her heart.

  He pressed her across the seat, then followed her down. Gentle hands touched everywhere on her body and everywhere his hands touched, her skin burned for more.

  The lower hem of her shirt edged up and the cool night air wafted over the bare skin of her stomach. Then Barry’s palm stroked over her bare skin, causing desires and needs she no longer cared to control, to weave and spin through her. An ache of longing began deep in her belly then filtered lower until she lost all sense of time and space, wanting only to experience the pleasure of her future and forget all the pain of her past.

  The snap at the top of her jean shorts gave way under Barry’s hand, his fingers found the warmth between her legs to bring a sensation so foreign yet welcome, she buried her face into his shoulder to keep from crying out. His fingers pressed against her as his mouth captured hers and she moaned against his lips.

  Then the lights of a passing car rolled across the ceiling above her. Body stretched over hers, Barry froze. “It’s okay,” she whispered against his skin. “They’re only passing by.”

  As if she’d willed it to be, the headlights slid away then vanished.

  But, before Amanda could register what was happening, Barry sat up and pulled her to a sitting position too.

  Where they remained, shoulders touching in the darkness, until Amanda broke the growing silence with a question. “Why did you do that?” she inquired in a faint voice. “The people in that car weren’t looking for us.”

  He cut her a sidelong glance, his expression and therefore his emotion, a mystery in the car’s inky interior. “Probably not, but you deserve better. Not a quicky in a,” he dropped his chin, “place like this.”

  Chapter Ten

  Eddie Tanner looked over at Barry as they walked up the cobblestone sidewalk toward the historic and newly restored Summerville Inn. “I tell you, Carlson, you’re getting as bad as some of my old married friends.”

  “An observation I’m going to accept as a compliment. Thank you.” As part of his efforts to coax Amanda into attending their reunion, Barry offered to get them both registered and pick up any information or materials for them as well. “It’s not that big a deal. Amanda’s putting in a lot of hours these days at work. I’m just trying to do what I can to make life easier for her.”

  “Spoken like a loving and devoted husband,” Tanner noted, following Barry through one side of the massive double doors. “Sensitivity to their partner’s needs; a top requirement of a successful relationship, according to the female users of my Meet Your Match site.”

  “Again, I’m going for compliment,” Barry laughed.

  “Like I said, an old married man.”

  Happily married man. Barry made the silent correction. A personal label he didn’t mind at all.

  In the newly redecorated foyer, several people clustered below the Class of 85 welcoming banner. At seeing Barry, a few looked up in recognition.

  Offering cursory nods in response, he made his way to the lobby which had been turned into a registration slash reception area for the reunion committee, and was damned glad Amanda wasn’t with him just now.

  “Who the hell’s dumb ass idea was this?” Not necessarily speaking directly to Tanner, he studied the life-size glossy portrait of Amanda in the center of two vaguely familiar female classmates. A caption posted above read Do You Remember Us?

  “You know how some people can get pretty schmaltzy and caught up with all the ‘remember when’ crapola,” Tanner replied, joining him to study the display. “Probably meant as an innocent ice-breaker.”

  “If anyone makes a big deal out of the ice queen and her court, I swear I’ll figure out some way to have our friend Webster Bond from Summerville PD shoot them on the spot.”

  A couple passing by jerked their heads up in surprise.

  “I’m going to assume you aren’t serious,” Tanner intoned. “He isn’t serious,” he assured the duo in a louder voice. “Though hell of a way to protect someone you care about, I suppose,” he went on so just Barry could hear.

  “I don’t want Amanda to be made to feel uncomfortable,” Barry insisted. “Or hurt.” Ever again.

  “I guess some of our classmates never grew up.”

  “Case in point.” Barry indicated a gathering of forty something ‘coeds’ with one Aaron Goodwin at its center.

  “What do they see in him?”

  Tanner picked up three welcome packets, handing two to Barry and keeping one for himself. “Money, probably. His dad’s sister Doris married into the Thurgood fortune, remember?”

  “Ah, yes,” Barry acknowledged with a wizened nod. “Money will get the girl every time.”

  From out of nowhere, his inner psyche was quick to add an internal amendment. Almost all the time.

  “I wonder who I have to talk with to get it taken down,” Barry muttered.

  “I honestly don’t think the majority of our classmates will make as big a deal out of it as you,” Tanner told him before his voice drifted off. “Hey, there’s Trudy Van Aulken. I’m going over to say hi. See ya around the next few days, unless one or both of us becomes otherwise occupied,” he added with a suggestive wink.

  “See ya,” Barry replied and turned his back on the offensive picture.

  Having had his fill of ‘remember when’, Barry was about to head for the exit when Jake Holbrook came up.

  “Hey, Jake,” he said as they shook hands. “You come stag?”

  “Sure did. My trademark, I suppose.” The smile offered with his comment held a
phony quality Barry immediately recognized. Similar to the ones he’d use on nosy reporters who asked too many personal questions.

  Yet, even at that, he couldn’t help but seek more information. Jake Holbrook was one of the nicest, most sincere and idealistic members of their entire class. If anyone deserved a happy future, it was him. “You looking for anyone in particular?”

  Jake raised his head from the registration roster he’d been studying with more than a causal interest. “Huh? No. Not really.” He gave the printed sheets one final glance. “It looks like only about half our class plans to make it this week-end.” He tossed the comment out in an off handed way. Another tactic Barry often employed with intrusive reporters, to throw them off the scent.

  “Kind of too bad when you consider how many of us there were.”

  On that note, he decided to give Jake a break and quit prying. From somewhere in his Class of ‘85 memory folder, Barry recalled, despite being what could be termed one of the most popular guys in school who wasn’t a jock, Jake didn’t date much and was never romantically connected to anyone. He mostly hung out with Bethany Andrews, insisting the two were ‘only just good friends’. Barry also remembered how Bethany usually ended up following sometimes boyfriend Brian Thomas.

  “Amanda and I will be on the cruise.” Hefting his and Amanda’s welcome packets, he offered his friend another hand shake. “Maybe we’ll catch up with you there.”

  “Sounds good,” Jake said, his scrutiny returned to the attendee list. “See ya.”

  ****

  Carrying Barry, Amanda, and many of the Class of ‘85 alumni who’d opted out of the uber posh Eastman Award Banquet in favor of a moonlight cruise, the Lady of the Lake riverboat set sail from Summerville Pier at sundown.

  A laughing Molly McCarthy leaned against her husband as she recounted one in a selection of humorous events from high school.

  “We were just very lucky we didn’t get caught,” Barry laughed when she finished.

  Molly and her husband Ned were two of the few friends who’d kept in touch with him during the years in Baltimore. Along with his family they helped keep him grounded, especially during his All Star years when he needed it the most.