When we were in school, we got up to quite a few antics. Yet, it’s one of the most cherished times in anyone’s life, filled with memories, discoveries, and disappointments. This year marked the 20th anniversary since we finished school. As I was the most proactive and kept in touch with most of my classmates, the task of organizing the reunion fell to me.
Our class was small, so delivering invitations wasn’t too hard. Some promised to attend, while others declined as they were living abroad, but the majority agreed to come. The only person I couldn’t reach was Andrew. He disappeared right after graduation, and no one knew what had become of him.
Andrew and I had been close in school, sharing the same desk. He helped me with my lessons as he was a bright student, but that didn’t stop others from teasing him. Andrew came from a poor family. Without a father, his mother had to make do with a modest income, so he often wore old clothes and carried a shabby backpack. It didn’t matter to me, but to others, it was like waving a red rag to a bull.
Andrew never rose to provocation or got into conflicts. I was the only one who stood up for him, which explained why he didn’t socialize much with others, and our friendship ended so abruptly.
Just as I was losing hope of ever seeing my old friend again, a small miracle occurred. I ran into Andrew’s mother, Emily Jones, who looked well, so it took me a moment to recognize her. We chatted, and she confessed that Andrew lived in another city. When I mentioned the upcoming reunion, she gave me his phone number. That very evening, I called him.
Andrew recognized my voice immediately and seemed genuinely happy to hear from me. We talked for a long time about life and our school days. Then I mentioned why I had called. To my surprise, Andrew agreed to come. It seemed that the years had erased all those past grievances.
On the set day, we met at a well-known restaurant in our city. Many had changed, though some remained the same. Classmates shared stories of their lives and achievements, boasting who had made the most of themselves. Most had families and children, though some were in no rush.
I began to worry that Andrew might not show, and just then, Andrew walked into the restaurant. I didn’t recognize him at first: tall, elegant in a smart suit, exuding confidence and charm. All the women were taken aback. It should be noted that Andrew conducted himself with dignity the entire evening. When asked about his life, he humbly replied that he got by just fine. Andrew didn’t stay long as he had another engagement but politely excused himself before leaving.
At the end of the evening, I asked for the bill. The waitress announced to everyone that the restaurant had covered the cost. Quite a gesture, as we owed a considerable sum. Curious, I asked why, and the waitress shocked everyone with the truth:
“Well, you were sitting with Andrew Smith, our owner. He instructed us not to charge you for the banquet.”
What a success for Andrew! He managed to impress his classmates after all those years.
