Montana Madness

by Sioux Dallas

  Good grief. No wonder she didn’t remember him. He wasn’t ugly, but he wasn’t a young man who would have deserved a second look. He had nice brown curly hair and hazel eyes. She remembered thinking he had beautiful eyes. He had an oval face and at some time had his nose broken.

  He didn’t have a clear complexion and didn’t have a body that would cause a female to look twice at him. He was just average. She finally remembered that he was pleasant and willing to help anyone who was having trouble with a subject. He saved her hide with a few helps in algebra. She didn’t dislike him but had no attraction toward him.

  No she hadn’t kept in touch and couldn’t think of anyone who would. Why was Maryann contacting her anyway. There were forty-two senior students that year and surely there were enough of them to help with the work on the reunion committee.

  Ginger called Maryann and apologized for not being able to help her. They had a long conversation. “Ginger, we have such a few people willing to come back for this, we’re opening it to any graduates of St. Ignatius with an emphasis on seniors of that year. I’m desperate and hoping you’ll be willing to sit at the table inside the door and check people off the list that have responded. There’ll be a name tag for them to stick on a shoulder or pocket.”

  Ginger gasped. How can I commit to working that night. I have so much on my mind about the troubles we’ve been having. On the other hand, it might be good to help with the work and take my mind off my troubles for a while.

  “Well, if you think I can help, I shall be happy to do what I can.”

  “Hooray! Please come to our planning meeting this coming Friday at The Old Timer Café and Malt Shop at six. We’ll be delighted to see you. A lot of us remember you with fond memories.”

  Ginger was not impressed with the gushing but was willing to help. Too, she was curious about the students that were attending and what each one had done with their life.

  Two days later Ginger told Juanita where she would be and left for the planning meeting. She decided she could eat there because her stomach was jumping with nerves and she didn’t feel like eating at home. How many familiar faces would she see and what would they think of her?

  She was right on time and entered the café to be ushered to a separate private room where about ten people were seated and chatting. Suddenly silence greeted her and she felt awkward. A woman jumped up and ran to hug her welcoming her and urging her toward the table. Maryann?

  Ginger was introduced to everyone, men and women. She recognized some of the faces but couldn’t think of the names. She smiled and expressed her gladness to see them and be of assistance. She gave her order to the waitress who happened to be a member of her graduating class. They had found four more of the missing nine, but still no Brandon.

  “He was such a geek with those coke bottle glasses and shyness,” one man stated. He quickly shut up and sat back in his chair when he saw the displeased expression on Ginger’s face. She didn’t approve of putting anyone down unless they were a law breaker.

  Maryann expressed her pleasure with the work that had been accomplished and how much progress they had made. They had agreed to have the food catered. They were charging twenty dollars a plate and were giving lots of donated door prizes and prizes for special items. For instance the person who had traveled the longest distance to attend would receive an extra good prize. One who was married with the most children would receive another one. Those who had developed into the adult that had been prophesied in the yearbook would receive prizes --- the one most likely to succeed, et cetera. The king and queen of their graduating class would be recognized and asked to lead in the first dance.

  The first week in September was Homecoming. There would be a parade, and a lot of fun activities. Business places would be asked to donate and / or have a float in the parade. Bands from other schools would be invited to participate. The Mayor of St. Ignatius would make a short speech and welcome everyone to the festivities. On the Saturday, at the end of the festivities, would be the Reunion.

  Ginger was uncomfortable but thankfully to be seated the majority of the time. She was not accustomed to wearing heels and a gown. She was delighted with the people who checked in and she could get reacquainted. The majority of them brought a spouse and a few brought a date. A handful came alone which was fine. Ginger had asked James to escort her.

  She glanced up at whomever had stood in front of her. James had a lovely black tux with a ruffled white shirt and a string tie. His shoes were shined to perfection. “Hey. Are you seeing a lot of people you remember?”

  “More than I realized I would,” James answered. “I’m enjoying the chatting and seeing people, but I’m getting lonely. When can you join me?”

  Ginger looked at the list and counted. “Five people still haven’t checked in that sent in their money and registered.” She wondered who the Brandon Garrison was and why didn’t anyone find Brandon Harrison.

  At that moment a man walked in taking off an obviously expensive overcoat and hat, placing expensive leather gloves in a pocket, and giving them to two young women who were taking wraps and placing them in a nearby room. He walked with a long, sexy stride to the table and smiled broadly at Ginger.

  “Ginger, you haven’t changed a bit; just got more beautiful. I’m sure my name is there as Brandon Garrison.”

  Struggling to keep her mouth closed, Ginger handed him his name tag and tried to welcome him or say something. She hated that she couldn’t remember him although her appeared familiar.

  Beautiful curly brown hair cut, no not cut, styled and gorgeous hazel eyes. He had a straight nose and a clear, tanned complexion. His shoulders were broad and filled the tux out with no room for improvement. He gave her a slow smile and walked in a confident manner into the gym. He gave one look back over his shoulder at Ginger before he entered the gym.

  Ginger was embarrassed that he had caught her staring after him. She was so preoccupied thinking of this man, and trying to place him, that she momentarily forgot James standing beside her. He cleared his throat and she jumped guiltily and looked up.

  “Remember me?” he asked with a smile.

  “Sorry. I was trying to place that man. He looks familiar but I don’t remember him. Of course he graduated when I was a freshman so I probably didn’t really know him. He might have been a sports figure that I saw but didn’t really know.” She began to babble.

  “Okay. Okay. I understand. Now can we go in for the dinner and the evening? I’m anxious to dance with you.” His eyes sparkled with his thoughts.

  Ginger closed her book and placed it with the remaining name tags on the table. If someone came in this late, they could get their own name tag. She smiled and placed her hand in the crook of James’ elbow. He looked down fondly on her and they walked into the gym and hunted for their name on a table.

  Their names were on the second table from the stage that had been erected for the evening. The round tables had white paper coverings with a round lace over cover. The centerpiece was an interesting shaped candle donated by the arts and craft shop.

  The dinner of choice of baked chicken or roast beef with small potatoes, pickled bean salad, a mixture of broccoli and cauliflower, rolls and a salad of lettuce, tomatoes, boiled eggs and finely sliced carrots was served by the current Home Economics students. Ice water was in pitchers on the tables. The students offered tea or coffee. Dessert was a choice of a variety of donated pies and cakes.

  There was a pleasant cacophony of voices and clinking of table ware as the evening progressed. After forty minutes, Maryann walked to the microphone on the stage. She tapped on the mic and tested the volume.

  “Good evening,” she said as if she were welcoming VIPs. She was answered by several of them. “I hope everyone enjoyed the food.” There was mumbles. “Did everyone get enough to eat?” There was loud applause.

  She turned to one side. “Please thank these Home Ec students for doing such a splendid job.” Again there was loud applause and whistles.
The young girls grinned and some of them ducked their head shyly.

  “I am so pleased with your response and am sad that we couldn’t find three or four of your classmates. Maybe some of you will tell me later if you know what has happened to them. At this time some of your classmates have volunteered to entertain you. I’ll let them show you what they intend to share with you.” Amid applause she waved a hand in the air over her head and went back to her table beside her husband.

  Conrad Revilla had them all in stitches pretending to be a drunk trying to get dressed. Alan Shaw, Ginny Snow and twins Timothy and Thomas Alicea gave a musical. They all played an instrument and sang through two numbers. Dean Sklenar’s eight year old granddaughter did a tap dance and twirled a baton.

  Ginger was shocked when the last entertainer was James. He had really kept a secret. He got on the stage where a woman handed him a boater hat to wear with his tuxedo. She played the piano and with a believable French accent, James sang “Louise” and did a soft shoe dance. Everyone recognized and shouted Maurice Chevalier. There was foot stomping, whistles and loud applause while Ginger applauded and had tears in her eyes.

  James took a forefinger and touched the tears in one eye which reminded him of diamonds glistening or stars on a summer night. “Why the tears? Was I that bad?”

  “No. You were so sweet and I loved it.” The people all around them laughed as she hugged him.

  Maryann walked back on the stage and thanked all those who performed and asked for another round of applause for all of them.

  “Now for the prizes. Some of you will have coupons taped to your seats for items from four restaurants in town.” There was scrapping and good-natured laughter as people found the coupons. “Ready for the door prizes? Those who did not get a restaurant coupon will have a chance to reach into the hat and take out a slip with a prize written on it. I’m trusting you to be honest and not take two prizes.” There was a lot of laughter.

  “I’m sure all of you will agree with this next prize. For the person who traveled the greatest distance to attend tonight will receive a complimentary card for a five night stay with breakfast at the Spirit Lodge here in St. Ignatius. That person is Master Sergeant Whitney Rosas who came from his second tour in Iraq to be with us. Truthfully he was due a home visit but he was glad that it came about in time for him to be with us.”

  Everyone stood, applauded and called out good wishes and thanks as Whitney smiled bashfully and walked to the front. Once there he stood straight and tall as a military man should and expressed his thankfulness for being allowed to be here and thanked them for the gift. Various ones were called to come forward and accept a recognition. The one most likely to succeed was painfully absent.

  “We wanted Brandon Harrison here for that. I’ve heard that he is a successful businessman and really doing well, but we couldn’t locate him. I, for one, would have liked to see him. He gave me some valuable help in geometry and helped me pass a college entrance. I’ve always been very grateful to him.” Maryann told them.

  An hour of CDs and dancing followed. The king and queen of this senior class led the first dance then Maryann stood again.

  She asked if anyone wanted to say anything to the crowd, but no one answered her. She thanked them again for attending and declared the evening over.

  Ginger was tired, more than she remembered being for several days. She was thankful to James for picking her up and escorting her. “I hope they don’t call on me when we have our ten years reunion,” she sighed.

  “They couldn’t have gotten along so well without you tonight,” James assured her. She just smiled at him, put her head back against the head rest and almost went to sleep.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Ginger stayed busy training and exercising horses, keeping up with spread sheets on the horses and cattle on the computer and trying very hard to do a good job keeping the ranch solvent. She began to doubt her own mind when she became so tired and under a great deal of stress.

  One day, after lunch, Ginger was getting her second wind before she went back outside to work. The doorbell rang and she answered it. Looking up she was astonished to see Brandon Garrison standing in front of her.

  “H h hello” she stammered. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to see you,” he laughed. “Aren’t you going to let me in?”

  “Oh, of course. Please. Do come in.” She was embarrassed. “What brings you into this neck of the woods? Uh, you did say you came to see me. What is this about?”

  “I just want to visit an old friend and catch up on lost years. Tell me what you’ve been doing since high school.”

  “Brandon, I need to apologize. I have a feeling that I should know you, but for the life of me I can’t remember you.”

  “There’s really little or no reason why you should remember me. I was older than you and thus several grades ahead of you, however, I knew who you were and always admired you. Other girls were fighting to get the attention of sports figures and popular students, but you sailed through with a sweet smile and were just yourself. I was impressed.”

  “I don’t know how to respond to that. I’m so sorry that I don’t remember you, although you do seem familiar. There’s something about your eyes. I have a feeling that I’ve seen you before, but ---”

  “Don’t feel badly, Ginger. I’m not a person who is easily offended or have hurt feelings.”

  “Let’s start again. Tell me what has happened to Brandon Garrison since he left high school.”

  “Really? Well, I went through college and graduated with honors. Then I was lucky to get with a company making software and I invented some items, invested well and am now, as some say, sitting pretty.” He smiled.

  “I’m glad for you that you’re well off. Did you marry, have children?”

  “No to both. I’ve been working too hard and too many hours to be fair to a family. Besides I’ve been waiting, and hoping that a certain young woman would find me desirable and we could have a wonderful future.”

  “Whomever she is, I think she’ll be a very lucky woman to have you in her life.”

  They talked for at least an hour. Juanita finally came in with small cakes and her punch of ginger ale and grape juice mixed. They ate and Brandon finally excused himself and left.

  Ginger was puzzled. Why did he seem so familiar when she only met him last week at the reunion? She went into the kitchen to talk to Juanita about it. Juanita had a gift of being able to size people up and she wanted to know what impression he had made on Juanita.

  “I didn’t talk to him enough to have a definite conclusion. I do feel that he has had work done on his face and changed his appearance. I certainly could be wrong. Don’t make your decision by what I say, but I have to caution you that I don’t think he’s who he’s trying to present himself to be.”

  Ginger hurried to get her yearbooks. Changed his appearance ? How?

  She didn’t see anyone who looked as if he could be Brandon Garrison. There was Brandon Harrison but he had a broken nose and thick glasses.

  Besides the reunion committee had not been able to find Brandon Harrison.

  Why did Brandon Garrison seem so familiar? She put the yearbooks away and went outside to finish some of her work.

  A couple of days later Ginger had just come in for lunch when someone pounded on her front door. She opened the door to find a red-faced, very angry woman. It finally dawned on her that this was the Victoria that she met in St. Ignatius with James.

  “What a surprise. Come in. What are you doing here, Vicki?”

  “Don’t try to act so goody-goody with me. I know your kind and have been plagued with them all my life.” Vicki was so angry spittle was flying out of her mouth and big tears stood unshed in her eyes.

  “My kind? I don’t know what you mean. I don’t even know you and have had nothing to do with you.” Ginger began to be apprehensive, but calmed when she saw Juanita out of the corner of her eye. Juanita was standing quietly to one
side of the doorway between the kitchen and hallway.

  “Don’t try to act so innocent. You pretended to have no interest in my Jimmy, but you’ve lived here by him and thrown yourself at him every chance you got. He now says our wedding is off!” She screamed this last bit and came running toward Ginger as if she would attack her.

  Juanita hurried in the room and stood between them. “My, I didn’t know you had company, Ginger, or I would have brought refreshments. Ma’am, would you like a beverage and some small cakes?” She smiled at the now flustered Vicki.

  “No I don’t want any of your poisoned refreshments. I just want this home-wrecker to keep her nose out of my business. I was supposed to marry James Deerhunter, but this - this”, she spluttered, “wouldn’t let him go.”

  Juanita looked innocently at Ginger. “Do you have any claims on James? I wasn’t aware of it.”

  “Absolutely not. James has been a good neighbor, but he’s older than I am and we never ran in the same crowd and we sure never dated. Vicki, if you have a problem with James, you’ll have to talk to him -- not me. I don’t even know what’s going on between you two and I can’t imagine why you would think I have any claims on him.”

  “You’re all he talks about. What a wonderful woman you have become, how responsible you are and how all the community loves and respects you. I got so sick of hearing about angelic you that I could have vomited.”

  A man’s deep voice broke in. “It sounds to me as if you’re jealous of Ginger. She truly is a hard working woman and trustworthy. You’re the only one I’ve ever heard say anything against her. You might try to emulate her ladylike qualities. You would find that people like you much better.”

  Ginger turned quickly to see Jack walking into the room. “Ma’am, you owe Ginger an apology and then leave.”

  “I have nothing to apologize for and I wouldn’t stay in this dump another minute,” Vicki huffed as she flew out the door banging it behind her.

  Ginger sat down and drew a deep breath. “For a moment I thought I was going to be beaten up and for nothing. James told me he would never marry Vicki. It’s all in her head. I’m glad he isn’t serious about her because she is definitely psychotic. Jack, you sure came in like an angel.”