Catching Up with the Past

Roger and Miranda Sonter looked on happily as their two children wolfed down their mother’s famous pancake breakfast extravaganza. While they were now adults’ memories of their childhood were fresh in their parents’ memory as they’d grown up noisily in the home. It had been a quiet home since they both left but that was the way of the world. It was so good to have the family together again after such a long time and the hurt of Janet’s disappearance without a trace had totally passed as they celebrated together over the Christmas break.

Miranda had a touch of sadness pass over her as she realized all too soon Andy would depart for Germany and Janet to follow her new career far removed from her daily access. Apparently, Janet had gravitated to teaching on her return home but was taking night classes and hoped to become a para legal initially on completion of her course with goal of a law career. Someday when she can afford the cost, she may complete her law degree.

When Miranda had phoned to make contact on Jane’s return from abroad and she’d been reduced to tears of gratitude for the reconnection with her parents she’d been in the teachers’ lounge room during recess and her tears had caused a lot of interest among those present but she’d not shared her Indonesia experience with anyone but her parents on her return home as she didn’t feel close enough to anyone to make them her confidant and friend yet.

Andy, who’d consumed enough to satisfy his hunger turned to his sister. It had been a strained relationship when she first arrived home, but the two siblings were now animatedly reliving their childhood experiences together and reveling in their time together as a family after so many years apart.

“Want to go bowling sis?”

Janet paused as she piled berries and cream on her last pancake and looked at her brother with interest.

“Do you think you could suffer defeat at the competition. After all it would be a real humiliation for a soldier to be defeated at something by a mere woman, wouldn’t it? I’d like mom and dad to be there to watch that humiliation.”

She laughed as she turned to her father.

“Would you and mom like to see your son humiliated? I’d like you to be there.”

Roger looked at his wife laughing.

“I think we will let the young people battle it out by themselves. What do you think Miranda.”

Miranda giggled at the interchange between her two young adults, no longer the children she remembered.

“I think they need to do more bonding together Roger and we can hear the sad tale when they get home. I’ve got a list of things to replenish at the supermarket so perhaps they can do that for me on the way home from the bowling alley. We will await the result when you get home.

At the bowling alley Janet tossed her head and told her brother she was going first. She remembered her wild teen years when she’d sneak out the window at night to join her delinquent friends at the bowling alley where they smoked and drank and planned foolish activities that got them involved with the police from time to time. She was known then as ace because of her skill in knocking those pins down with one bowl. But her confidence was unfounded now, and she fumbled the bowling ball and by chance happened to luck out knocking over two of the pins on the first attempt. Her failure at the game she excelled in shocked her, and the rest of her initial performance was woeful. Her brother, who always came off second best at bowling in the past gloated at his sister’s woeful performance. It had been a while since he’d been to a bowling alley, so he was glad his sister had messed up and gleefully took his turn. To make the situation even more humiliating for Janet he aced his first shot knocking over all the pins. He turned to his sister gloatingly.

“I guess I’m the ace now!”

He gave himself the thumbs up and looked around to see who may have been watching and Janet turned to see if there was anyone she knew from her high school and college days who could have witnessed her humiliation.

Oh no! There were a few there watching from their shared school days, and she smiled dejectedly as she recognized some of them despite the years that passed between them. There was Bert, Graham, Judy, Richie, Millie, and a few others with them she didn’t recognize. The ones she recognized were the group she’d shared her anti-social activities with, and they hooted at her. Then they came forward laughing in turn to greet Janet.

Apparently, this group had come to their senses and were now upright citizens contributing around town but there were some missing from the group she remembered and asked whether they were still around. Bert looked at the others and pursed his lips. He felt bad as he looked back on those foolish years and reported that the rest of the gang had broken the law too often and had either left town or were incarcerated.

“The ace has been aced by her brother at last. Sorry but we must leave as we have an appointment downtown, we can’t miss. We need to catch up sometime and hear where you’ve been all these years Janet. Congratulations Andy on bettering your sister after all those years. You’re in the army now aren’t you.”

Andy nodded and they waved as they departed.

Two came over to speak to them at the bowling alley who were not of the departing group of former classmates and Janet strained to recognize who they were, but Andy recognized them immediately and extended his hand to a close friend he’d had in high school.

“Matt Wentworth my buddy from high school days and if I remember correctly this was your little sister Anna who is no longer little. Both of you look amazing what are you doing now?”

Matt moved forward to give him a hug and then looked uncertainly at Janet who opened her arms in invitation. Then Andy, not willing to let Matt’s sister out of the greeting hugged her too and she giggled. Janet followed suit but didn’t remember meeting the young woman before. Matt then responded to Andy’s question.

“I completed my law degree and then went to join dad’s legal practice. He’s retired now and just works part time and leaves me to run the business which is expanding as the town expands. We employ a few para legals and I’m thinking about taking on a partner.”

This immediately got Janet’s attention.

“I’m working as a teacher but attending night school to train for legal work as that interests me. I might be looking for work here when I finish my course of studies. Do you have openings for employment in future.”

Matt looked at her with interest.

“I heard you got married. Is your husband intending to transfer to this city?”

“I’ve never been married, Matt. I’m afraid I was let down very badly and mistreated and am in recovery now and that’s what interests me in legal work. Eventually I want to represent women who are taken advantage of.”

“Well maybe I can look at that possibility when you feel you’re ready. I used to have a crush on you at school but moved with a different conformist group to you and didn’t ever make an approach. Looks like you are over that phase of life, and we need to get together and talk about your ambition to be in law. Will you be here for long?”

“I have a couple of weeks before I need to return to work.”

Matt turned to Andy.

“What about you Andy? Do you have time to spend with Anna and I while you are on leave?”

Andy looked at Matt’s sister who was now a beautiful young woman and she smiled at him. She spoke.

“I could work with my fellow nurses at the hospital and get time off by swapping with them if you can make the time. I’d like to hear about Germany where you’re working.”

“How did you know I was in Germany Anna?”

“Matt has followed your progress in life with interest and Matt and I share everything.”

Andy’s heart skipped a beat. This was the first time he’d taken an interest in a woman as his plan had always been army, then architectural studies, then search for a wife and family. Maybe he should modify his plans? This young woman was a keeper. Janet noted the interest and resolved to tease her brother about it when they returned home.

To be continued

Copyright Notice

© Copyright 2024Ian Grice, “ianscyberspace.” All rights reserved.