Chapter Two - Old Acquaintances:

In the blink of an eye, Zack's memories faded away. Memories were fickle that way. They could seem as real as could be. Making your mind believe that you were there in the moment, but could fade away like a cloud of smoke. Disappearing into the wind. . .

He was back to himself now. The grieving widower who was burying the love of his life. He locked eyes with his three children and smiled sadly. The grief upon their faces was doubled thanks to him. They had just lost their mother and wondered if their father could be next.

Zack and Lisa loved their children dearly; just as any parent should. He was always keen to the notion that his children were special. They were smart and fashionable like their mother. Charming and cunning like him. His boys were too much like him, sometimes. Getting them out of trouble in high school was almost an everyday occurrence.

Grant, his oldest, stood to Zack's right. Grant Sheldon Morris, 34, was a Wall Street stockbroker. Married to a savvy businesswoman, Claire and living in Long Island with their three kids. Out of all his children, Grant was the most like him. From the chiseled chin to the obnoxious charm that got him out of trouble just as easily as it got him into it.

Michael, the middle born, stood to Zack's left. Michael Joseph Morris, 32, was the owner of a small manufacturing business. Not yet married, but eagerly dating. He, too, lived in New York. He was a mixture of both his parents. Zack's charm with Lisa's passion for life.

Last but not least, Kathryn, the youngest and only girl stood next to her bother Grant, just under his arm around their father's shoulder. Kathryn Grace Morris, 29, was an art gallery curator. She was most like her mother. From her creamy chocolate complexion to her love of all things fashionable. She lived in San Francisco with her boyfriend, Peter.

Sorrow filled Zack's eyes at the tears his children cried. They would miss their mother terribly. But not nearly as much as he would. As he did already. He and Lisa grew up together, married and spent thirty-five years in amazing marital bliss. She was his soul mate, his companion, his lover, his champion. She was the air he breathed.

God, how could he live without her . . .

The crowd started to thin out. The priest walked over to the grieving family, touched their hands and spoke reassuring words of comfort. Again, Zack noticed those four standing off to the side. They stood close together, all staring straight into the open grave; all seemed to be cast into the same memory.

"Dad, we should go." said Grant. He grabbed his father's hand and started to pull him away.

"No." Zack replied softly, his voice quavering under the strain of emotions, yet calm and gentle as though he didn't want to wake a sleeping baby. "Give me a few moments."

Grant and his siblings nodded. "Ok, Dad."

"Do you want us to stay with you?" Kathryn asked.

Zack shook his head. "No, sweetheart. You guys go back to the house and greet the guests. I'll be along shortly."

"Dad, you shouldn't be alone." Michael chimed in his concern.

"I'm fine, Mike." Zack assured him. He squeezed each of his children's hands. "I'm not alone." He angled his chin in the direction of the four strangers. The children hadn't seen any of them in a long time, but knew immediately who they were. Then, the answer became clear about why he wanted to stay. It was time for their father to confront the past.

They all kissed his cheek and hugged him tightly before leaving his side, Kathryn being helped along by her brothers. With a deep breath, Zack walked over to his former friends and was met with sorrowful looks and sad smiles. Again, each of their faces transformed in his memory to that of yesteryear. He could see them all so clearly again, just as he could now. In truth, they really hadn't changed that much.

Jessica 'Jessie' Spano-Reynolds was the girl next door. She and Zack literally climbed in each other's bedroom windows. When they were in grade school, they formed a pact with Lisa and another friend to be friends forever. To never let anything happen to the others and to always be there when they needed it. Besides Lisa, Jessie was Zack's best female friend. He could talk to her about anything and she would never judge him. Also, just like Lisa, Jessie held true to their grade school pact. She had gone off to Harvard but kept in touch with him regularly. She married James Reynolds a year after graduating from undergrad and moved with him to Washington, DC where they still live with their children. But, each year, she still found her way to New York for some reason to visit Zack and Lisa; and when they returned to their hometown, she would visit them there as well. Out of all of his former gang, Jessie was his and Lisa's closest friend.

Samuel 'Screech' Powers was the nerd/goofball of their group. He loved and looked up to Zack as a brother. It broke them apart for a while when Zack and Lisa's relationship came to light, but they eventually found their way back to a mutual understanding. Screech went to MIT and graduated with honors. He traveled for a year until settling down in Seattle and taking a job as a college professor of physics. He met there another professor, Angela, and they married and proceeded to have some of the smartest children ever born. Screech was the other friend of Lisa, Zack, and Jessie who made the grade school pact of forever friendship. Though the road has been bumpy, he's held true to it.

Kelly Kapowski-Slater was the girl Zack chased in high school. He somehow won her heart and loved her dearly; but realized, after having his heart broken numerous times, that Kelly was not the girl for him. Kelly was the most affected by Zack and Lisa's relationship, and for a long while, could not find it in her heart to forgive them. She went to college in California with A. C. Slater and ran through a string of not so nice boyfriends before they decided to take a chance and marry. Kelly became a nurse and she and Slater live in their hometown with their children.

Albert Clifford 'A. C.' Slater, affectionately known as 'Slater' was Zack's best friend. The wrestling jock; the macho man. He and Zack got into so much trouble together. Slater was the last addition to the group, arriving at Bayside High in their freshman year. He had never stayed in one place too long and had trouble making friends. He fit in quite easily with the group. Quite funny that he and Zack competed for Kelly's attention when he first arrived, before Slater developed an interest in the headstrong Jessie. Jessie would always be his first love and the woman who was dearest in his heart. Though he married and really does love Kelly, Jessie holds a place that no one else can get to.

The six of them, together again in a strange sort of way.

"I'm so sorry, Zack." cried Jessie as she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close. She kissed his cheek, wetting his face with her tears. "We're all going to miss Lisa so much."

"Not as much as me." He replied softly. He loved down at the lowered casket that held his love and felt the tears falling. "Thank you all for coming."

"Of course, Preppie." Slater began, wiping the tears from his own cheek. "Lisa was our friend, too."

The corners of Zack's lips curved subtly. "You haven't called me that in years." He laughed softly. "I'm glad you all could come. I wouldn't have been able to do this on my own."

"We're always here for you, Zack." replied Screech, who was just as deeply affected by Lisa's death as Zack was. For the better part of his life, Screech loved Lisa. Lived and breathed for her.

"Thanks, Screech." he said. "Sam." He amended. He looked from face to face. "It seemsso strange all of us being together again. Lisa and I wanted all of us to get together again soon, but the cancer." He ended his statement with a sob in his voice. He let the rest of the tears flow before speaking again. Jessie pulled him into another embrace for comfort. "I'm glad you're all here." he said again. "Because there is something I need to say and give to each of you." He looked down at the grave again. "Something that's been a long time coming and will change everything."