It was the summer of 1981. I hadn't seen most of my old classmates since graduation in 1971. Hopefully, most of my old classmates were coming. My husband and I were going with one of my high-school buddies and her husband. I had put on 30 pounds from my 98-pound low in high school, and of course I heard the expected, "My God...you've changed" more than once. But I wasn't the only one that had changed.They first served us dinner, but I was so excited to see everyone that I couldn't eat much. After dinner, I ordered a gin Tom Collins. It tasted horrible--like pure alcohol. But I needed something in my hand to carry around in order to appear nonchalant. So I kept sipping. Halfway through, I could no longer taste. Right about then, someone told me the drinks were being made "triple-strength", but by then I no longer cared.
Mr. and Mrs. Vandermeer were there, and neither one had changed a bit. I think he might have been retired by then. After that first drink and no food to absorb it, I was starting to act a little silly. I remember going up to Mr. V, patting him on top of his bald head and saying, "You're a dear, sweet man"!
Another drink or so later, we hit the dance floor. While dancing, I was trying to introduce my husband to a classmate's husband who was from Elnora. Not only was I having trouble remembering my friend's husband's name, I couldn't remember my husband's name! But I could remember what towns they were both from. What I meant to say to both the men was, "Jim, meet Leroy", but since I couldn't remember either name and I was having trouble speaking what came out of my mouth was, "Elnora, eat Loogootee"!!!
After 3-1/2 drinks, I was finished. I told Leroy I needed some fresh air. He knew what was coming, but I didn't. He helped me out of the building and we sat on the porch. I can remember classmates coming up to talk to me and being amazed that I was drunk. After a few minutes, I told Leroy I needed to walk.
As we were walking in the parking lot, I proceeded to lose those 3-1/2 drinks and the couple pieces of shrimp I had for supper. We walked on to the car, but by then I had forgotten that I had just "ralphed" all over the parking lot. Leroy leaned me up against the car, and then I asked, "Leroy, did I just throw up?" He confirmed that I did. Then I said, "I thought so...my ankles are wet!"
I was sick for three days. I have not been drunk since then--I like to learn my lessons earlier than most. We had a 20th class reunion, but it was depressing--full of old people. We might have also had a 25th, but I wasn't able to go. I haven't heard of any since then.
I just did the math...is it really possible I've been out of school for over 37 years?
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