The Breakfast Club for 40-Somethings

Chapter 10 The gathering

‘I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since we were here,’ said Josie with wonder as she looked fondly at the library, a place where she had spent a lot of her time. She also remembered how simple life had been then. The troubles she’d thought she had were so minor. And her dreams were so bright, and so out there in the future for her to chase.

Brad watched her profile, and thought how beautiful she was — a different kind of beauty from when they were at school, more ethereal and womanly. He liked the tiny laugh lines at the corners of her mouth, and the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled. She had aged extremely well.

They found themselves at the school gym, somewhere they had spent a lot of time together in year 12. Josie would watch Brad play basketball and they had often made out behind the stands. ‘Let’s hang out in the gym,’ said Brad, pulling Josie toward the double doors.

‘I think it’s locked up,’ said Josie, noting the new double bolt system on the doors.

With a sly smile, Brad pulled her to the side of the building and through a door clearly signposted as the boys’ bathrooms. He turned the fluoro lights on and led her to the back of the room and a door marked Cleaner. From there, they walked into a broom closet and out the other side into the gym itself. ‘Wow! I never knew that was there,’ Josie exclaimed, as she felt the familiar sights and smells of the gym take her over.

‘I doubt you spent much time in the boys’ change rooms,’ laughed Brad, ...