Read Online Class Reunion by Linda Hill - Free Book Online Page B

was spilling over with people long before Jen and Sally arrived. A number of people hovered around a huge barbeque pit, where hot dogs and hamburgers sizzled over an open fire, and others were playing volleyball. Most were content just to socialize. A number of children were playing on swing sets, hanging on the jungle gym, or climbŹing on a variety of playground equipment.
    Allison wanted to play in the huge sandbox, and so Sally and Jennifer found a picnic table in a nearŹby shady area and settled down. For the next hour, they filled up on hot dogs and Coke until they all had eaten more than enough. While Allison and Tommy played in the sand, Jennifer found herself chatting easily with many of her classmates that she’d met with the night before.
    She spotted Sheila easily. Whether out of embarŹrassment, anger, or frustration, Jen decided to ignore her. She was aware that Bobby was nearby because she heard his loud voice often, but she saw no eviŹdence of their three little boys in attendance.
    The two sisters sat companionably, keeping an eye on both children and occasionally chatting with others who stopped by to greet them. Soon they noticed a little girl with dark brown hair standing beside Allison hesitantly, hands clasped behind her back as she smiled shyly.
    “My name’s Amy. Can I play with you?”
    Jennifer watched as Allison lifted her eyes to consider the other girl.
    “I’m building a castle.” Allison spoke easily. “Wanna help?”
    Amy grinned and threw a hopeful glance over her shoulder. Heather O’Brien stood some distance away, leaning against a large tree as she observed the little girls.
    “Can I, Mommy?” Amy asked.
    Jennifer looked from daughter to mother, her mind slowly taking in this new information. Heather was smiling and nodding her approval, and Amy didn’t waste any time joining the other little girl in the pile of sand.
    Jennifer’s eyes floated back to Heather’s, and her face blanched in an awkward smile.
    “Would you like to join us?” Sally called, already sliding along the pine bench to make room for the other woman.
    “You wouldn’t mind?”
    “Of course not.” Jen found her voice, her heart lifting as Heather shyly approached the table and sat down.
    “You have a beautiful daughter,” Sally said. “Thank you. Are these your children?” She looked quickly from Sally to Jen. “Or yours?” Jennifer shook her head emphatically. “They’re mine.” Sally smiled.
    “They’re sweet. We’ve been watching for some time, and I couldn’t keep Amy away any longer.”
    “I’m glad you came over. It’s nice for Allison to have someone her own age to play with.”
    They watched the children playing together for a while, and Jennifer took the opportunity to observe Heather more closely. She looked so different from high school. Fine, long blond hair framed the delicate features of her face. A dash of light freckles covered fair skin across the bridge of her nose. Bright blue eyes, unhampered by eyeglasses, turned to Jennifer and smiled, crinkling at their corners.
    “What about you. Do you have any kids?”
    “No.” Her face colored. “I don’t think I do very well with them.”
    “Nonsense,” Sally told her before turning to Heather. “She’s just not used to having them around.”
    Sally and Heather began sharing anecdotes about their children, and after some time, Jennifer tuned them out. With one ear on their conversation, she let her eyes wander over the throngs of people milling about. She carefully gauged her own reaction as she spotted Sheila, smiling broadly and laughing with — of all people — Diane Miller. Jennifer’s jealousy leaped from nowhere, coming fully alive.
    “Did your husband come with you?”
    “I’m divorced,” Heather was saying, her words seeping through Jennifer’s consciousness and causing her head to snap around.
    “You’re single?” Too late, Jennifer realized that the enthusiasm in her voice was too eager and terribly