Will agreed to attend his high school reunion, at the insistence of two of his old buddies. He didn’t want to go, but he hadn’t seen them in years, and they’d kept in touch and lobbied hard to have him attend. There was a general assumption that Claire was going to attend, since she had always been very involved in school activities and had been quite popular. Also, she had a lot of friends that she managed to keep in touch with. At this point, Will figured that he could handle it, so he decided to go.
Will checked into his hotel and showered. Dressed in a dark grey cashmere blazer, crisp white shirt and black slacks, he put on some cologne and was ready to go, feeling generally positive. Slim was secure on his person, but he checked it one more time. Slim’s development allowed them to communicate telepathically.
Ready, Slim?
Let’s go, Will Parnell.
He drove to the old high school where the reunion was being held.
Walking in the front door, he saw a long table with nametags and a check-in list. After he got his nametag, he walked into the crowded gym. His buddies materialized out of nowhere. They each had dates and were smiling.
“Will. Jesus, it’s good to see you.” Scott Hays gave him a huge hug, only to be followed by Jerry Marcus.
Will was introduced to their dates, and they all headed to the bar for a drink before finding their seats at a large round table for the sit-down dinner.
From across several tables their eyes met. There was Claire standing and holding on to another man’s arm. She looked different.
My god. She’s pregnant. No wonder she needed a fast divorce. She didn’t want to start a family … with me, anyway. Will tried not to laugh at himself. He had been such a fool. Wow! he thought.
Ever the confident one, Claire boldly walked over to Will, guiding the man whose arm she held. He was taller than Will and considerably older, mid-forties. He was trim with short, thinning blond hair.
A little too blond, Will thought.
“Will, I’d like to introduce you to Rodger Wells … my husband.”
Rodger confidently put out his hand. “Will.”
Will grasped it firmly. “Rodger.”
“Claire, congratulations on your marriage, and may you and your family have a lifetime of happiness.” Will forced a smile and tried to sound as sincere as possible.
Claire seemed relieved. “Thank you, Will. How have you been?”
“I’ve been good.”
“He has his own firm now,” Scott blurted out.
Will rolled his eyes.
“You do?” Claire asked, totally amazed, as if she had just heard that he had joined the French Foreign Legion or done something outrageous.
“I do,” he said.
“And?” she asked.
“Business is good,” Will answered, smiling and wishing he could change the subject.
“Hey, Parnell!” A large hand slapped him on his shoulder.
Will turned to see Herbert Carney, known as Bum. Bum was a large man. In high school, he had played center on the football team. He’d stayed in the area and was part owner of several automobile dealerships. Some of his high school friends worked for him and hung around him like groupies. Will remembered him as the school bully, whenever he could get away with it.
“Congrats old man I didn’t think you had it in you. Poppin’ a bun in the oven of the homecoming queen. You dog.” He was laughing and drunk.
Everyone cringed, and it was clear that Claire and Rodger were embarrassed.
“Herbie, Claire and I are divorced. Roger is her husband, and they are starting a family. Why don’t you let me get caught up with them, and then we can chat?” Will remembered that Bum hated to be called Herbie.
The steely look in Will’s eyes and being called Herbie brought out the aggressor in Bum. “Yeah … let’s chat later.” He sneered and walked off with his groupies in tow.
“Don’t mind him,” Will said to the group, but the message was for Rodger. “Herbie has always struggled to properly express himself.”
As everyone laughed, Will noticed Bum glaring at him from the other side of the gym.
They went to their seats as dinner arrived. It was a festive occasion as everyone at the table enjoyed a lively discussion about past high school exploits.
As the dinner plates were being cleared away, Will decided to have some coffee, skip the dance and head back to his hotel. But first, he needed to use the men’s room.
Bum Carney watched as Will walked towards the men’s room, which was inside the team room at the far side of the gym. He looked at two of his groupies. “I’m gonna’ have a little chat with Parnell. Remind him who’s boss.” His followers laughed. They trailed behind him into the team room. “Don’t let anyone in,” he glowered.
“No problem,” they said together.
Bum entered the bathroom. Will was using the urinal and someone had just left as Bum held the door and nodded to his groupies. He closed it and turned around and looked at Will who had just finished at the sink and was drying his hands.
“Looks like it’s just you and me Parnell,” he said with a smirk on his face.
“Looks like it is,” Will said.
“I think we need that chat. You need a little lesson in respect, and I’ve decided to give it to you right now. What do you think of that?” An evil expression crossed Bum’s face.
Slim, one–invade his pores and strangle his larynx enough to get his attention and immobilize him, and two–seal the door.
The nanoparticle army went to work. The door was secured, and Bum’s face began to turn red. He didn’t know what was happening. He grabbed at his throat.
Will walked closer to him and spoke in a calm but chilling tone. “Herbie, I don’t like you … I never did. I’ve had enough of your shit. If you anger me again, I will tear out your throat, and paint the walls with your blood.”
Slim, tighter on his throat.
Bum’s eyes were bugging out. He was terrified.
Will leaned so close to his face that Bum could feel his breath. “Do you understand me, Herbie?”
Bum was trying to say yes but all he could do was grunt. His head felt like it was in a vice, and he couldn’t nod. He panicked and his bowels let go.
Slim, release him.
Bum fell, barely catching himself by grabbing a nearby sink. He was gulping air as fast as he could.
“Herbie, go into one of the stalls. I’ll tell your groupies out there that you don’t feel good and want to go home. They will bring you your coat, so you can cover up and leave after you collect yourself. You can go out the back, if you like. Do you understand?”
Bum was breathing heavily and sweating, but he managed to utter, “yes”.
Will had been in a strange zone and had not realized that someone had been knocking on the door and now was pounding.
“Open up!”
“Hold on,” Will said loudly. “It’s just stuck. I’ve got it.”
Slim, release the door.
Will opened the door and walked out. There was a crowd of people including his buddies and Claire’s husband.
Will looked at Bum’s groupies. “I don’t think he’s feeling well. He wants you to get his coat, so he can leave. It might have been something he ate.” He struggled to appear concerned.
One of the groupies stuck his head in, “Bum.” He called out.
“Get my damn coat … please!” Bum said loud enough for everyone to hear.
Will noticed a relieved look but one mixed with confusion on everyone’s face.
Scott leaned in to him as they walked back to the gym. “What happened?” he asked in a hushed voice.
“Herbie is not well. I don’t think we need to concern ourselves with him.” Will smiled.
“Hey, I thought we were back in high school for a second, and Bum was lookin’ for a fight. Obviously, we’ve grown up,” Scott laughed as he shook his head, walking straight ahead and not looking at Will.
Most of us changed, Will thought to himself.
Will had just said goodbye to his old friends when Claire and Roger walked up to him. “Will, I thought Bum was going to pick a fight with you. That’s why I asked Roger to check on you. Apparently, our old friends thought so, too … I’m glad you’re okay.”
Our old friends, he thought. This is so awkward.
“Well, I appreciate the concern. Fortunately, everything turned out just dandy.” Will smiled. “Take care.” He turned and left.
Claire intently watched him as he walked out. He’d changed somehow––his clothes, his attitude, his life. She barely recognized him.
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