Class Reunion by Linda Hill Page A

colored, and her eyes darted around nervously. “We became lovers,” she confessed.
    “After she was married. Once she realized that she wasn’t going to get you back.”
    Jen heard a roaring in her ears at the same time and felt a sickening lurch in the pit of her stomach. She turned stinging eyes toward the flames in the fireplace beside them.
    Diane continued. “We weren’t lovers, exactly. We had an affair. All she talked about was you. Jenny this. Jenny that. I know she told that shithead husŹband of hers all about you. He went berserk. That’s when they moved to Texas.” She paused, her eyes turning to search for Sheila’s whereabouts. “I’m surprised as hell that they came back here for the reunion. I would have thought his ego couldn’t take it.”
    “Why are you telling me this?” The words came out more harshly than she’d intended.
    Diane sighed. “Not to gloat, I assure you. I just feel like something’s up, and I wanted to warn you. I figured that nobody else would tell you what hapŹpened back then. That she told everybody about you.”
    “That I seduced her,” Jen said sarcastically. In her mind’s eye, she imagined Sheila telling the story. She had no doubt that Sheila had spun it just as Diane was now telling her.
    Diane nodded. “And I thought I should warn you, if you don’t know already. Sheila’s rented a room here. She has every intention of getting you up there alone.”
    Jennifer’s stomach fluttered. “How do you know all of this?”
    Diane’s smile was steely. “Because she invited me there last night. And when I turned her down she made it quite clear that she’d rented it with you in mind anyway.”
    Jen watched her carefully, unable to speak.
    “So, just a warning. She has plans for you.” She smiled sweetly.
    Duped. Completely, utterly fooled. Part of her wanted to confess to Diane that it was too late, but humiliation held her back.
    When Jennifer didn’t reply, Diane prompted her. “You’re not still interested in her, are you?”
    Jen shook her head slowly. “No. Not anymore.” She turned her head toward the area where a small string quartet was beginning to play. Sheila was standing nearby, her eyes watching the two women covertly. “It’s funny, though. I can see Sheila right now and believe that everything you’re telling me is true. But I don’t remember her being so manipulative back then. She was so sweet.” Her eyes met Diane’s. “She was my whole life.”
    Diane’s lips were a careful straight line. “It hurts like hell, doesn’t it,” she said matter-of-factly.
    An ironic smile twisted her lips. “It sure does.”
    “What hurts like hell?” Lucy was approaching them, looking a bit uncomfortable in a short beige cotton dress and heels.
    “Love, sweetie.” Diane smiled adoringly at her lover. “What else?”
    “Lucy!” Jennifer pushed herself up from the couch and wrapped her arms around the shorter woman. “I’m so happy for you. Congratulations,” she whispered.
    Lucy practically beamed. “Thanks. I’m a lucky gal.”
    “I’d say you’re both lucky,” Jen smiled. “Sit down.
    I want to hear all about you two.” She motioned for Lucy to join Diane while she moved to another sofa beside them.
    Slowly at first, the couple began telling their story, each interrupting the other as they wound the tale. Jennifer listened as they grew more animated, seeing the love clearly pouring from their eyes as they gazed at each other as their story continued.
    Always a magnet, Lucy began to wave and draw others over to join them, and soon they were surŹrounded by friends from years ago. As topics became more general, Jennifer found herself growing restless, her eyes beginning to wander the growing crowd in search of Heather. And subconsciously for Sheila.
    Trying to appear nonchalant, Jen’s eyes began to scour the sea of faces in the crowded room. Surely Heather would have arrived by now.
    Sheila, in contrast, was easy to spot. She