That Sort of Girl

Back to the Reunion

"So how old are your kids?" I heard someone asked.

I think it was Chloe. I snapped out of my daydream.

"My first born turned 24 and my second turned 18 last month," I answered. Were they not listening? I remembered saying that awhile ago.

By that time, a waiter had been serving us cocktails. I gave him my red ticket and asked for a glass of iced tea.

"You don't look like you had kids," said Camille as she took her glass of vodka mixed with soda and cherry. "You're still slim and sexy."

I smiled and pointed out my abdominal area as I sipped with a straw the iced tea I ordered.

"Had a tummy tuck," I said with seriousness. I wanted to see their reaction.

"Really?!" Eva exclaimed. "How much did you spend on that?"

Oh, the ever gullible Eva!

"Hey, I'm just joking!" I laughed.

We reminisced about high school life. I had so much fun, I felt young again, carefree and full of life. I've never felt so happy like this before because of what happened to me the past few years that led me to what I was that night.

"The last time I saw you," started Chloe as she put down her glass of white wine, "you were in a relationship with Matteo. How is he?"

I was about to answer the question when Irene interrupted. She pointed to me her hand holding a glass of red wine, "Oh, he was the one before Herbert, right?"

"Whoa!" said Maria, who was about to take a sip of her red wine. "Did I hear it right? You have two men?"

I knew Irene and Maria would react that way. I wouldn't blame them.

"Guys, let me explain," I started. "It has been almost three years ago when Matteo and I broke up. Matteo was the CALM before the STORM. Or should I say, calm AND the storm."

"What storm?" asked Maria as she put down her glass. "Tell us all about it. That would be something juicy."

I smiled and winked at Maria. Among the other five, she was closest to me. We shared secrets back then. But for the past 25 years, we had lost touch due to her modeling career.

"Well, at that time, I thought Matteo was Mr. Right. I almost gave up everything for him only to find out..."

I paused for a while as something entered my mind. This may be painful for me to tell, but it's over now. Think of it as a catharsis, Ana. No more brooding. I already went on with my life.

"Find out what?" Chloe asked.

I sighed, "My eldest daughter had a boyfriend twice her age."

"Come on, don't change the subject!" said Camille after taking a sip of her drink.

The others agreed.

"Listen," I said. "I'm not changing the topic."

"Then what?" asked Eva. "You're keeping us in suspense!"

I took another sip of iced tea. Took a deep breath again and said, "How would you feel if you discovered that you and your daughter SHARE the same man?"