Elusive Headpin - Part VII

The outcry came from Lisa Hayes. None of us had seen her for over thirty years. Each of our team members had dated her for some time. None of the relationships lasted very long but, her brief relationship with Joe had yielded a pregnancy.

She was a looker when she was younger and the years had been very kind to her. She was a very attractive middle aged woman. Her hair was styled in a Rachel Green (after the fashion of a popular Jennifer Aniston character in the series “Friends”) and colored a light blonde. Her haired cascaded down framing her face in a fetching manner.

She wore a somber toned dark blue dress that was cut in an enticing V that displayed just a hint of cleavage. She was standing over the casket and weeping openly. To say we were surprised to see her would have been an understatement. Her reactions and behavior truly left us speechless.

Randy spoke first… “Lisa H… My goodness. She looks more lovely than even my memories.”

“Yes, I should say so… Did anyone of you see this coming? Her reaction I mean. I remember that there was that brief encounter before Joe left for the Army but, I hadn’t heard of any contact between the two since…” I stammered.

“He apparently left an impression on her if nothing else.” Ray commented.

“Who is that young lady with her…?” I queried.

“No idea…” Ray replied.

At that point I left the group and wandered over to where Lisa was gathered with several other folks. As I approached, I tried to catch Lisa’s eye but, her attention seemed focused on her companion who she was engaged in an animated conversation.

Having reached the group, I stood (rather awkwardly) along side the gathering for a full minute until I finally screwed up my nerve and tapped Lisa on the shoulder.

She turned but, didn’t appear to conjure up my memory on sight. Her eyes remained inquisitively as I struggled for some words to say….

“Hi Lisa, remember me?” I hate myself. What a lame opening comment….

She continued to stare at me then and I was cognizant of the puzzled look on the parts of her companions.

“I’m sorry…” She stammered.

“Jim” I started… “Jim McNierney… I remember you from the bowling alley, years ago…. How is your family?”

“Oh yes, of course… Jim…How have you been…My goodness it has been a long time hasn’t it?”

“Yes… a long time…”