Chapter 19
Liz, March 31
“Elizabeth Banks, you look fantastic!” The downfall, I’ve discovered, to living in the same town where you graduated from is that you are easy to find. Take Candy, for example. This woman was the overly sweet person you all hated in high school. She’s taken it upon herself to plan a ten-year reunion. I recently sent in my RSVP, now I’m meeting with her to see if there’s anything I can do to help. It’s not really like me to help with something like this, but I’m trying to be a good person.
“Candy, you look great as well.” I glance down at her enlarged belly. “When are you due?” This prompts an even wider smile as her hands and eyes drift down to the baby bulge.
“Three months, but it’s my third. You get so much bigger with each pregnancy. If I have a fourth I’ll look like a house by month four.” Candy laughs loudly, and I join in. Honestly, I know nothing about pregnancy so I wouldn’t know this is supposed to be funny, but I’m following her cue.
Candy gestures to a table and chairs on her left and I drop into the closest chair. She takes the other. “What, exactly, did you need my help with, Candy?” I ask politely. Her enthusiasm is practically humming across the table, and I brace myself. Candy and I never had anything in common, and I’d rather not spend hours proving that’s still the case.
“Well, that depends on what you are interested in doing. I need decoration help, someone needs to find a DJ, and then we need to try and get a hold of the people who haven’t RSVP’d.” Candy turns up the wattage on her smile.
“I’m good with people; I can handle that part if you want.” I’m not actually good with people. Let’s be honest — this is the only reason I showed up to this meeting. If I can get my hands on that guest list, I’ll know if Ben is attending. If I know if Ben is attending, I can prepare myself for impact.
“Alright, great.” Candy reaches a manicured hand into the pink briefcase at her feet and delicately plucks a sheet of stapled papers out. She smiles at the paper and hands it over. “This is a list of our graduating class. If there’s a check mark then I’ve attempted to contact them with the information provided. If there’s a number with a circle, they’ve sent me a response.” She points to a number next to Chris Anderson. “See, this 3 inside the circle here tells me he responded for 3.” Candy gives me a smile. “Easy enough?”
I take a second to look through the spreadsheet. I find my own name with its sad little one next to it. Technically, I probably should’ve said 2, I guess I could change that. I see a few with circled zeros. Deciding I should appear thorough, I ask, “What does this mean?”
She peeks at where my sad, bitten fingernail is pointing. “Oh that means they responded but they are unable to attend.” Cue adorable little pout.
“Okay. So a check mark with no number means you contacted them but didn’t hear back?” I clarify.
“Yes ma’am, you are such a fast learner.” The compliment makes me feel like I’m about ten years old.
I cringe slightly, then attempt an awkward smile to hide it. “So you’d like me to,” I’m flipping through, looking for the page of last names beginning with S while I’m talking, “contact all the people you haven’t been able to contact if I can and contact the people who haven’t responded?” Found it! Smith, Benjamin. Check mark, no number. The world tilts for half a second, my heart slamming harder than I’d like. I glance up at Candy and smile.
“That would be great if you can get that done for me. Also, if you could send me weekly numbers with the total of people attending I would appreciate it.”
“Consider it done, Candy. I have a dinner date so I have to run, but it was great to see you again. Talk soon.” I leave the table quickly, clutching my information.
Ben Smith. Contacted but no response. Even more important, a new email address.