*”So, a marriage certificate is still stronger than just living together, eh?”* The men had laughed at Nadine, mocking her predicament.
*”I wont go to the thirty-year institute reunionIll just end up depressed. Let the others go, the ones who go every year. They dont notice how theyve changed,”* Nadine had snapped into the phone when her only friend, Margaret, rang.
*”Whats got you so afraid? How do you even look now?”* Margaret sounded surprised. *”We met up five years ago, and you were fine! Have you put on much weight or something?”*
*”Thats not the point! I just dont want to go, Rita, stop pushing me!”*
Nadine was ready to hang up, hoping Margaret would take the hint and move on to the next name on her list. But this time, her friend clung on with stubborn determination.
*”Nadine, our ranks are thinning as it is.”*
*”What? Has someone passed?”* The thought sent a chill through her. She didnt consider herself particularly young anymore, but surely their classmates werent dropping like flies yet.
*”No, nothing like that. Just some have left the country. The only one we lost was Andrew Kuschtwenty-five years ago, still young. Ive told you before.”*
*”So dont make a fuss. Our whole year is gatheringfour groups, but really, only thirty people will come. Didnt you finally marry off your son? Well then, you can spare an evening.”*
Margaret kept talking, but Nadines mind wandered back to Andrew Kusch. Hed always had dark circles under his eyes and a heavy gaze, and the lads in their group had called him weak.
Turned out, hed had a weak heart. Hed studied hard, dreamed of building a grand suspension bridge in his hometownbut never had the chance. And what had Nadine accomplished?
Shed fallen for George, a foreman at the construction site where shed worked after graduating. Hed been posted in their town on shifts before returning home.
Theyd been together for yearsGeorge even called her his wife in front of everyone. *”A civil partnership is the real proof of love,”* hed say. *”People dont stay together because of a piece of paper, but because they want to.”*
Then Nadine found out she was expecting. And just then, George didnt return for his shift. Turned out, he had three children and a sick wife. He resigned without even telling her.
Nadine realised she couldnt demand anything from a man with three children and an ailing wife.
She left the site before anyone noticed. Though one of the men had joked on her last day: *”So, a marriage certificate is stronger than just living together, eh?”*
But Nadine didnt care anymore. She took a job at a grocery near her flat, arranged by a neighbour from her building. They agreed shed work two days a week, even after the baby came.
Her mother agreed to look after little Timthough not without scolding. *”Such a fool, throwing away a good job!”*
*”You raised me this way!”* Nadine had snapped back.
*”I hoped youd be sensible! I slaved to put you through university, and this is how you repay me?”* her mother had ranted.
*”Like roots, like fruitwhat did you expect?”* The words left Nadines lips before she could stop them.
Later, theyd hugged and criedbut what was the use? There was no turning back.
So when Margaret called for the five-year reunion, Nadine didnt go.
Theyd all talk about families, careers, show off photoswhile she scrubbed floors in three places: the block of flats, the school, and the nursery. What could she possibly say to them?
Or rather, what could they say to her?
For Tims sake, shed do anything. He was her only comfort.
Then, when he started nursery, her mother decided her duty was done. She moved to her sisters village, claiming the city air didnt suit her.
But luck turned for Nadine years latershe was hired part-time in her actual field. Tim had started school, and now she managed everything herself, even picking him up after classes. Some of his friends envied him.
A colleague began paying her attention, but she shut that down fast. *”I have a sonhe doesnt need some stranger playing father.”*
Nadine proved herself at work. By the time Tim was grown, she was earning decently, even promoted to a full engineering role.
Yet she always felt lackingworn down. She dressed plainly, never dyed her hair, and by forty, grey streaks appeared.
She didnt deserve happiness, not after what shed donenearly stealing a father from three children.
No bright clothes, no dye, nothing to draw attentionlest someone notice her again.
And she no longer believed in happy endings. Everyone around her was divorcedhow was she any better? Worse, maybe.
But Tim grew up grateful, untouched by her sacrifices.
He spent summers in the village with Granny Irene and her sister, helping them dig beds, plant potatoes, beets, and carrots. He chopped firewood, stacked logsstrong from boyhood. Even her mother admitted, *”Youre lucky to have such a son.”*
So what use was a café reunion thirty years on?
All these thoughts flashed through Nadines mind in seconds before Margarets voice pulled her back.
*”So, remember? The café opposite the old dorm, next Friday at three. Comeat least Ill have someone to talk to.”*
Something in Margarets voice cracked. Without knowing why, Nadine agreed.
Hanging up, she instantly regretted it. She checked herself in the mirror, then grabbed the phone againshed call back, say shed spoken too soon.
But Margarets line was busy. And Nadine suddenly felt ashamed.
Late that evening, she opened her wardrobe and pulled out the blue dress Tim had bought for his wedding.
He and Natalie had dragged her shoppingher daughter-in-law insisting on endless fittings.
Finally, the blue dress won them all over. Theyd even found matching shoes, then whisked her to a salon for a colour and cut.
That was a year ago. Tim and Natalie lived happily on their own now.
Her roots had grown out againno point primping for nobody.
Still, Nadine styled her hair, slipped into the blue dress, dabbed on lipstickthen wiped it off. *Too bold.*
The café buzzed when she arrived. Margaret spotted her instantly. *”Nadine! You look lovely!”*
Margaret had softened with agebut it suited her.
They chatted, but soon Margaret was pulled away. Nadine sipped juice, listening to the musicold tunes from their student days, when theyd all been young and hopeful.
*”May I have this dance?”*
She looked upand recognised him at once.
*Alex Sanders*from the parallel group. Hed married in third year, and Nadine had regretted itshed fancied him back then.
*”Nadine, youre stunning. First reunion Ive come toI dont know anyone, but I knew you straight away.”*
He offered his hand. She took it, catching Margarets surprised glance as they moved to the floor.
They danced in silence, song after song. Then, unexpectedly, Alex asked:
*”Nadine may I walk you home? Ive been divorced for yearsbut if theres a husband waiting, Ill just see you safely back.”*
He did. But the next day, they met againand didnt part after that.
Natalie helped pick her wedding dress. She was rounding with pregnancyNadine would soon be a grandmother.
*”Nadine, youre beautiful,”* Natalie whispered. *”Tim and I are so happy for you. Youre allowed to be happy at any age, you know.”*
At the reception, Nadine looked at her husband, Alex, and thought*Perhaps I am.*
For the first time, she forgave herself. And let herself be happy.
