Well - Part V

Cheryl Henderson was perhaps my first love. I don’t recall ever thinking about her in those terms but I don’t recall ever being smitten by any woman prior to her (at least to that degree). We never actually went out but we shared several classes and worked together on some school projects. She was probably completely unaware of the crush that I had on her in those days.

I was totally surprised and unprepared to run into her here in the city 10 years after our graduation from high school. When I was high school, I was the bookish nerd in my classes. I never really had to work very hard for good grades and that ease of not having to apply myself carried over from school into my present day work habits.

Cheryl, on the other hand, was probably an average student who was pretty shy and quiet for the most part. She had her small circle of friends and participated in the usual number of after school activities. She wasn’t “popular” in the classic sense of the term but I would venture to guess that you couldn’t find anyone in our class that disliked her for any reason.

She didn’t recognize me (naturally) but I spotted her in that crowded bar as if there was a baby spotlight trained on her and her alone. I made my way through the throng of people in the waiting area of the bar and I was getting closer to her position, my mind was racing for an opening line. I marveled at the light in her eyes and the fact that she smile and mannerisms don’t seem changed given the decade that had passed.

Without any better idea, I approached her from her left and blurted out “Cheryl?”

She turned and greeted my smile with a quizzical and curious look. She obviously was struggling with a response.

“Jim… Jim MacIntyre… remember from Danbury High?”

I watched as she processed that information and some degree of recognition grew in her expression.

“Oh… Yes, of course… How have you been? What are you doing in the city?”

“I moved her directly after graduation. I work in PR for a marketing firm here in Manhattan. It keeps me off the streets” I grinned self-consciously. “How are things going for you?”

“Not bad… I’m down here for a conference at the Hyatt. I went into teaching. I’m teaching elementary school back in Danbury still…”

“Great. You look great. Haven’t changed at all. Am I imposing…?” I glanced around but she appeared to be alone. This was very surprising to me so I had to ask… as dumb as it sounded (to me).

“Well, I’m supposed to be meeting someone here but I she must be running late”

“Do you want to get a table or something? If you’d like, I know a nice coffee shop in the next block. It would be a lot quieter.” Not bad I thought… redirection… see if she is interested in carrying on the conversation.

She nodded her head and said, “I really should see if I can get a hold of my friend… Let me try to give her a call. I’ll be right back.” Without waiting for an answer she turned away and began to pick her way through the crowd towards the door. I assumed she was going to step outside to make her call. The thought also crossed my mind that she could also be intending to leave and not come back….