My 25th High School Reunion Took an Unexpected Turn

My 25th High School Reunion Didn’t End Quite as I Expected

Before an unexpected encounter unearthed truths I thought had been long since buried, my 25th high school reunion seemed like a pleasant walk down memory lane, leaving me reeling from the fallout.

I recently went to my 25th high school reunion, and I will never forget what transpired there. Let me take you back a little in time before I tell you what happened.

It all began almost twenty years ago when I had to ride with my classmate Vaughn during my time in college.

Though we weren’t close friends, I had known him since my time in high school.

The aspirational son of affluent parents, he was set for a comfortable position at his father’s business. I was simply a driven rural guy, though, ready to get out of the busy metropolis.

One thing brought us together despite the differences in our family histories and financial circumstances. Basketball. On the college basketball team, we were both players.

We were running late for an out-of-town game one day. Vaughn offered to take me for a trip in his nice car, as the bus had already departed.

“We just need to pick up my mom from the store and drop her off at home,” he stated. “Is that cool with you?”

“Yes, of course,” I grinned. “No problem.”

It didn’t bother me. Anything was preferable to the stuffy, overheated busses.

After a little while, we arrived to the mall, where three young ladies were having a conversation. Vaughn honked, but nobody noticed.

He exited then and called, saying, “Mom, I’m running late!”

A woman pivoted. “Oh, this is my son.” Okay, I’ll see you everyone later.

I had to bite my tongue not to whistle as Vaughn’s mother ran over.

Yeah, I thought to myself, that’s some mom.

She didn’t appear to be more than 25. She was attractive, well-groomed, and slender. I became self-conscious about my appearance all of a sudden. I felt so ashamed that all I wanted to do was get away.

I sensed her eyes lingering on me as she sat in the backseat. She gave me a long look and then turned to talk to her son.

“And you’re with a friend?” said she. “Strange, it’s not another girlfriend.”

Vaughn chuckled. “Slow down, Mom. This is my classmate Andrew. We’re about to play a big game. This is my mom, Andrew.

“Madeline,” she broke off, holding out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

I gave her a handshake. It was really velvety. So well groomed.

Madeline said something unexpected before I could reply.

Would you please invite Andrew over on Saturday, Vaughn? We are enjoying a small celebration.

She turned to face me then.

Andrew, will you be there? Never refuse anything. It will make me feel bad.”

“I… I have some assignments to work on,” I said the truth.

“Come on, Andrew,” said Vaughn, rolling his eyes. If you’re not into the party, you’re free to depart. The bus leaves our house every hour.

“Well…,” I gave a nod. “I’ll be there.”

Vaughn wouldn’t let me stay home, even though I hadn’t planned on going. On Saturday morning, he gave me a call.

“Get ready, I’ll pick you up in half an hour.”

I mumbled, “I don’t think I should be there, Vaughn.” “I mean… I have no acquaintances. How am I going to act there?”

Vaughn chuckled and hung up, saying, “You know my mom, and that’s enough.”

It turned out to be the most enchanting and unlucky evening of my life. I adored the atmosphere there. Everything, even Madeline, looked gorgeous.

She’s Vaughn’s mother, and I would have fallen in love with her without realizing it. Who am I to fool? The bubbly champagne didn’t help my already intense fascination.

After a few hours, I woke up in my dormitory.

How I got to be in my bed was a mystery to me. Someone may have put me in a car.

Oh bad, I thought, realizing all of a sudden what had transpired that night.

I remembered that Madeline had followed me into Vaughn’s house when I went to the bathroom. I felt her take my hand and draw me toward her as I turned to go.

I told her I loved her at that point. I complimented her on her beauty. How unflattering! Her mother was one of my classmates.

I called in sick on Monday and missed class.

There was a knock on the door while I was in my dorm room.

I cried out, “No one’s here,” refusing to get out of bed.

“It’s me,” the voice that started my heart racing said. Leaping to my feet, I opened the door.

It wasn’t right of me to do that.

Madeline changed her hair and makeup a few hours later.

Winking, she said, “See you soon, Andrew,” and walked out of the room.

We continued our affair into my senior year.

I had given up athletics at that point so I wouldn’t run into Vaughn.

Knowing that her mother was having an affair with me, I was unable to confront him.

I was forced to decide between Madeline and my work after graduation. Madeline wanted to find me a position at her husband’s company, but I had always wanted to go to a different place.

Making the decision was simple. I knew our affair would never work, so I made the decision to end it. She would never desert her well-to-do spouse in favor of a regular person like me.

I was at the train station, about to head home, a few days after graduation, when Madeline materialized out of nowhere.

She kissed me and put her arms around me.

She mumbled, “Stay,”

I also did. I was powerless to resist.

We stayed in a rented flat for the night. But I felt awful the next morning when I woke up. I have to get out, I knew.

I got out of bed, grabbed my stuff, and walked out while Madeline was still sleeping. Before she could stop me again, I managed to board the train.

It was five years later.

I was employed in a different city at a factory. My girlfriend and I were going to be married. I saw Madeline again one day when we were strolling near the waterfront.

Until her lips touched mine, I thought I was dreaming. directly in front of my partner.

Though I should have pushed her away, I chose not to. I gave her a kiss in return.

It was as if the five years of separation had never ended and all of my affections for her had resurfaced.

I was in a hotel room when I realized what I had done.

I said, “Why did you do this?”

Madeline said with a cunning smirk, “Revenge… for leaving me.”

“Retaliation, huh? Now exit. I yelled, “I don’t want to see you again.

“Please, just once more, Andrew,” she begged. “I just—”

“No,” I cut in. “I just leave Madeline because I don’t think we have a future together! Simply leave!”

Although I was heartbroken to see her go that day, I knew our relationship was over.

My only choice was to let her go.

I married Paula, a different woman, two years later. I adore her, and our relationship is fantastic. We even have two kids.

My life was going great until I attended my 25th high school reunion.

Since then, I hadn’t seen or heard from Madeline or Vaughn. Almost immediately after entering the reunion, I saw Vaughn.

He would go on to become a prosperous businessman with a stellar reputation.

I did my best not to look him in the eye, but as soon as he saw me, he came over.

“Hey, how are things going in your life? Joyful?” he enquired.

“Hey. I answered, hoping he wouldn’t bring up his mother, and it’s okay.

“All right? Well, you ruined my dad’s and my lives,” Vaughn abruptly remarked in a sarcastic tone.

It surprised me. “Me? ruined the lives you lived?”

You believe we were in the dark? We were fully informed! between you and my mother!”

“What are you talking about?” Vaughn dropped a bombshell and I glanced at him, confused, not sure what was going on.

“My mom was forgiven and cherished by my dad. He even made you a job offer. Did she mention that to you? You fled like a coward, though.

I kept quiet. I was at a loss for words.

“When she came back after seeing you the last time, she went crazy,” Vaughn said.

“After a few years, her health worsened and she changed completely. The physicians were unable to help her, despite my dad’s greatest efforts. Ten years ago, she went away.”

My heart fell. I was unaware of Madeline’s passing. I guess my face was shocked, because Vaughn’s demeanor softened a little.

“And do you know what her last words were?” He inquired. “Her final words to Andrew were, ‘I love you.'” She loved you more than she did my dad or myself.”

I managed to say, “What?”

“Okay, Andrew, deal with that. I only had one thing to say. It’s the reason I came here.”

Before I could answer, he left. I was overcome with guilt.

After that, I didn’t stay long. I got into my vehicle and drove home.

I had to give Paula and our kids hugs.

I couldn’t stop thinking about Madeline, Vaughn, and the decisions I had made while I was driving. I came to understand that the choices we make while we are still young might have far-reaching effects on our future.

All I knew at the time was that I had to give it my all in order to be Paula’s and the kids’ ideal husband and father. I had to make a vow to never make the same mistakes again and to be grateful for what I had right now.

If you had been in my position, how would you have responded?

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