Senior Ball. I hadn't seen her since college days. She now lives down LA way and though we'd been in touch off and on since she returned to California last year, I didn't think I was going to go to the party.That was until three days before the reunion. I got a last reminder email from Cindy and strolled up to the reunion website where I came upon a scrolling list of names of people that were planning to attend. I didn't recognize most of the names but two stood out, Teresa Zabaljauregui and Jennifer Herbert. Tess' mom, Gloria, and my mom were close friends and our families were practically raised together.
(see picture) In college, I even tried dating Tess, once. It didn't work out. Don't get me wrong, Tess was gorgeous, but it was like going out with my sister. I never told her. We lost touch. Not to long ago, my Aunt Murna (my sister Chris' godmother and another of my mom's childhood girlfriends) had mentioned that Tess was living in Foster City, recently divorced and laidoff from a long time bank job. Though I would have liked to have gotten in touch, I couldn't find a good reason to without looking like trouble. Jenny Herbert was arguably my first "girlfriend" that being the first girl who was really interested in me in junior high school. I remember I used to walk her home after school. But, I was a fickle bastard back then, once I got interested in the opposite sex, I adopted a new set of friends and ignored everyone else. I hadn't seen Jenny since then.Well, I just couldn't believe it. As it turned out, Camilla was going up to lake Tahoe with her book club, so I was free and clear to go to the reunion! Talked to Cindy, pay at the door and I'll see you there. Got my mom to ask Murna for Tess' telephone number. Got ahold of Tess, who was surprised to hear from me. She said her two brothers, Ernie and Rafael were going too, as well as Laura (Murna's daughter) and Jenny (flying down from Kent, WA, just to attend). The party was at the SFO Clarion Hotel, so I arranged to stay at my parents house in SSF and I was set!
Needless to say, I was a bit apprehensive as I have not aged well, having gained much weight and arthritis has fused my neck vertebrae in a permanently hunched position. Well, fuck it, how could I pass up this chance to see these three women.
So I went and it was a blast! Pictures to come...
