3

Jessica pulled the shopping cart round, and found the shampoo she always used, and bent to grab a substitute on the lower shelf. She muttered the shopping list and saw the grin of a blonde bearded man.

"Chris!" Jessica stalled, and the two hugged. "You look well - I haven't seen you since the 20th reunion. They weren't happy you snuck in."

"Class of 96, or would've been," Chris nodded along with a grin, "Some of my old teachers still call me Raab. What was your old nickname?"

"Jessie Margarine," Jessica raised her eyebrows, and the two laughed.

"How're things?"

"Well, you know what they say. Things get easier with time."

"True, true."

Jessica glanced at Chris' basket, which contained deodorant and Cheez-Its and beer.

"Has he reached out at all? Do you talk with him?"

"Naw," Chris shook his head, "Looked him up on Instagram a while back, wished I hadn't."

Jessica followed Chris, and he her, and shoppers impatiently tutted to reach the aisles and checkout.

"Timmo still laid up?"

"Eight months," Jessica raised her eyebrows, "Feels longer."

Chris scratched his beard, "Ankle fracture, right?"

Jessica paused.

"We hope it's just that. His other one's not good, either."

"It's that sorta lifestyle," Chris hefted his basket, and slapped his gut, "I've gotta lay off the beer - I've been gainin' a bit o' weight."

They said their goodbyes, and Jessica pulled out her purse at the self-serve. Her driver's licence was due for renewal, and the shopper behind tutted at the wait. The car groaned as Jessica got in, and as she drove home, she saw all the happy young people standing outside bars with smiles.

The front lawn was full of cars, and Jessica parked off-road. She unloaded the groceries from the trunk, and saw her neighbor turning from his letterbox, and knew there'd be a new item on the agenda at the next HOA meeting.

The living room was packed with Tim and his friends, who from one look at her tight smile, hastened to help her with the groceries as far as the kitchen.

"Danny's using a coaster," Jessica quipped, and everyone grabbed under the coffee table.

Tim's contribution began and ended with: "Aw, Garcia, you're gettin' me in trouble."

Jessica closed the pantry door, and heard Tim's crutches clack from carpet to tiles. She fixed what she could of her expression and rubbed his arm.

"It's fine, really. It's not like you can drive out to see them."

Tim opened another beer, and Jessica peered at the number on a fridge magnet.

"My mom called while you were out - she's joined this book club," Tim cleared his throat, while his friends cheered at the TV, "I told her it's your sorta thing."

Jessica was glancing over to one of Tim's friends, who had set his beer on her favourite cookbook, There's an Alligator in my Kitchen.

"I'll pop by, but let's just focus on your recovery for now."

Jessica picked up the phone and dialed the DMV.

"By the way, you forgot a certain anniversary."

Jessica paused, and clapped her hand over the phone, "I don't think so."

She followed Tim as he limped into the bathroom, where her new brand shampoo sat in the shower caddy.

"Do - do you need help with - ?"

Trilling music reverberated from the phone. Tim pointed at the shower grate.

Jessica stood up from bending over, "What does that have to do with our anniversary?"

"Don't you see 'em?" Tim raised his voice, "My gutter babies - it's their birthday!"

Laughter rose from the living room, and Jessica stared at Tim and turned away as she smiled. The phone was beeping in her hand, and she pressed redial.