He wanted to get to shermer early, so maybe, just maybe he could get out of town early
He wanted to get to Shermer early, so maybe, just maybe he could get out of town early. He never went back. Never. After that summer he wouldn't have taken a million dollars to step back into that world. But here he was back, with no million dollars. Just a promise of a trip well worth it. It was an empty promise made by people he hardly saw or spoke to. But none the less he made the trip.
Two weeks earlier:
The phone was ringing when he was walking in the apartment. He glanced at the clock it was after midnight. Probably some girl he had accidently given his number too, the thought of it going to the answering machine crossed his mind, but he decided against it. He picked up on the last ring.
"Hello?"
"John, John Bender?" the voice was female, quiet, not usually his type.
"Yeah baby, who's asking?" He always returned to the original john for moment's like these, not sure of whom it could be, only hoping it's who he wanted it to be.
"Damn, now I know it's you!" Then he heard the laugh, it was exactly as it was the last time he had heard it around his birthday earlier in the year, almost maniacal. Alison was calling which meant only one thing. He would have to go.
"You didn't RSVP to the reunion." It wasn't a question just a statement. He didn't answer; he didn't know what to say in that moment that would allow him to get out of the damn thing.
"She's coming you know, she called me this morning, seems she made some inquires on whether or not you were going. She was upset that you hadn't even replied yes or no." He wasn't listing to her anymore. His heart had stopped at 'she's coming'.
"John, John!! Are you even there?"
"Yeah, Yeah I'm here. You're sure?"
"Positive, can I tell her you're coming you're just late at replying?" They were both silent for a moment.
"Yeah I'll be there. But don't tell her that. Just tell princess that I will be there, but weather I talk to her or not is up to me, not her."
"John, stop. Right now, I'm not going to tell her that at all. I wish you would just finally tell me or Andy or Brian, for that matter what went down with you two so we could help you guys fix this shit."
"Alison, doll, I gotta go, work is early tomorrow. See ya in a couple of weeks, tell Sporto hi for me." He didn't wait for her response just hung up.
He remembered the conversation feeling bad, that he had hung up on her, but he had to. His head was spinning with thoughts of what had made her after all this time decide to search him out now. He had heard through the grapevine, of the group she was engaged a couple of years ago, right after they had broken up, that she had a kid, but there was never any talk of marriage. None. He didn't know if she was just rubbing it in his face now, of what could have been. He knew she lived in Chicago, not far from him. But he made sure that they stayed far away from each other. She had no idea he lived there, had sworn everyone to secrecy and they had actually listened. Now after all the work he had done to remain hidden from her all this time. He would finally be out in the open. She would know the truth, that for years he had sat under her nose and not done one damn thing about it.
After graduation, and all the party's, things had gotten back to some semblance of normality. Though there was never much normality with that group. Both Claire and Andy had gotten into the University of Chicago, knowing that Allison could visit often, made the trip bearable for Andy, but both John and Claire knew that by the end of the summer it may have been the end of them. John was determined not to let that happen. Claire was everything to him and he would do his hardest to remain with her. Claire agreed on the subject, saying that no matter what they would make it.
John had driven up to Chicago a couple of times with out Claries' knowledge to get a feel of the town. He knew he could get a job somewhere and a cheap apartment. He had even checked in to a couple of local junior colleges, mainly trying to get in a field that he had enjoyed. He liked working on cars, and building, he worked well with his hands. One of the first colleges he looked at had a great program, for mechanics and auto body workers, and there were still spots open. On a whim he applied for it along with applying for financial aid knowing he would need it. They told him he would hear by august and if he got in he could start in September. He had never been so excited. The only thing he could do was not tell anyone, he didn't want the looks of disappointment if he didn't get in so he kept it all to himself. August 15th he got a letter in the mail, it was from the junior college and it was thick. He had done it, he had gotten in. His hands were shaking as he held the envelope. He ran in the house to call Claire. Her mother answered the phone stating that she had gone to Chicago with her father to look at the dorms and to purchase some items she needed. He hung up the phone feeling dejected. She probably told him but he probably just forgot. He called Andy, who was going up there to see if he could catch a ride. It wasn't a problem; he would prefer the company, than driving up by himself. John grabbed a bag, threw some things in and the letter, he yelled out to his dad that he would be gone, and was out the door in fifteen minutes. He never even realized that it would be the end of his world going to Chicago that weekend.
