Page 35 of Picking Pismo

David entered the auditorium, refusing to glance back to see if Lauren and Zach were following him. But he didn’t need to look, David could feel Lauren’s presence only a few steps back. Weaving through the long rows of seats, David hoped to lose Lauren and Zach. The last thing he needed was for Claire to meet Lauren. Sure, his divorce would always be a part of his past, but he managed to avoid running into Lauren for three years. If he was lucky, he’d make it the rest of his life without seeing her again.

Though, knowing Lauren, David knew she’d make sure she wasn’t ignored tonight. Lauren demanded to be seen at any cost. One quick glance back behind him, confirmed his worst nightmare, Zach and Lauren were on his tail. Spotting Claire on the other side of the auditorium, David swam through the sea of parents.

“Sorry,” David managed once he landed next to Claire. Running a hand through his hair, David continued, “I didn’t mean to bolt.”

“I’m glad you didn’t leave.” Reaching out, Claire gave David’s hand a slight squeeze. Her gaze roamed his face. “Alexis was excited you were coming, and she’d be disappointed you left without telling her congratulations.”

Tugging at his collar, David asked, “What about you? Did you want to see me too?”

David knew he was acting foolishly, digging for confirmation when Claire never wavered in her interest for him. But seeing Lauren again, the woman who had rejected him and tossed him aside when she found someone new, was doing all sorts of things to his ego. Even though so much time passed, and David should be over it, seeing Lauren in the flesh made his wounds fresh, practically bleeding.

“Of course,” said Claire. Tilting her head to the side, worry lines sprawled across her forehead. “Why wouldn’t I want to see you?”

Rubbing the back of his neck, David shifted his weight. “I don’t know.” He stared blankly out at the crowd of parents surrounding them.

Raising an eyebrow, Claire asked, “Am I missing something?”

Then David didn’t need to look, his heightened sense of awareness alerted him to Lauren’s presence. His shoulders tightened, making his back straighten. Lauren’s nearness made him uncomfortable in his own skin. Suddenly, he was small, inadequate, and he hated himself all over again.

“There you are,” said a breathless Lauren. Tugging Zach forward by the sleeve of his sports coat, Lauren inched her way closer to Claire and David. Annoyingly, Lauren flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder, making David’s gut clench tight. If Lauren noticed the narrowing of his eyes and locked jaw, she didn’t show it. Clearing her throat, Lauren pushed up her chin and continued, “I wanted to meet your date.”

“Why?” David hissed. His tone was harsh, making him immediately regret it.

He hated showing Lauren how unhinged she still made him feel. He should be over her, and he was, but seeing the one who outright rejected you, does something to you. Things you never thought possible. Every bit of your self-work you’ve done goes out the window, and you find yourself right back to where you were the day they left.

Claire’s eyes darted between David and Lauren then Zach. Looping her hands around the crook of David’s elbow, her touch grounded him a tad. Silence followed, so wide and vast, he didn’t know silence could be deafening.

Finally, Claire replied, “I’m Claire. Who are you?” She smiled back at Lauren and Zach.

“I’m Lauren.” Lauren wrapped her arm around Zach’s waist. “David’s ex-wife.” She squeezed Zach’s middle, looking up at him with eyes that made David want to hurl. “And this is Zach, my husband.” Reverting her glance back to Claire, Lauren narrowed her eyes.

“I see,” slowly Claire nodded. Her lips formed a tight line. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Another awkward pause, then Claire being the brilliant, fantastic woman she was, managed to exchange some pleasantries with Lauren, while David stood frozen, unable to form a single coherent thought. He wanted to run, but he couldn’t, so the rest of the conversation continued in a blur. David blacked out, managing only a few mumbled phrases, a nod here, but he couldn’t focus or remember anything other than he hoped for Alexis to appear to end this whole miserable exchange.

Finally, to his great relief, Alexis along with the other dancers emerged from the side of the stage. Soon parents moved en masse, each hoping to reunite with their child. The chaos brought an abrupt halt to a conversation he didn’t want to remember.

Up on her tiptoes, Claire waved to Alexis. “My sister’s here.” Tugging David away from Lauren and Zach, Claire declared, “We need to go.” Claire pushed them forward through the throng of people, over her shoulder she said with a polite wave, “It was nice meeting you.”

They blended into the sea of people, moving further and further away from Lauren and Zach until they slipped out of sight. David trailed along behind Claire, gripping onto her hand like she was a life raft.

Before they made it to Alexis, Claire tilted her head up to his. “Are you okay? You look pale, and you left me hanging, making me talk to your ex-wife and her husband without any help.” She peered back toward Alexis nearly to them.

Hands clammy, David released his grasp from hers. Shoving them into his pockets, he couldn’t rid himself of the uncertainty rising in him. Lauren managed to do what she did their entire marriage, annihilate his self-worth.

David cleared his dry, scratchy throat. “I’m sorry. I froze. Seeing Lauren after three years threw me for a loop.” His body stiffened as he replayed the exchange over in his mind. “I really don’t know…”

Claire put a hand on his forearm, settling the spiral of thoughts whirling around in his mind. “We’ll talk about this later. I don’t want Alexis involved in this.” She turned toward Alexis, smiling brightly as her little sister arrived.

David’s cheeks burned. A trickle of sweat ran down his back. Though it was stuffy and crowded, he knew his cold sweat wasn’t due to his surroundings. No, it had everything to do with having to further explain the complexities of his failed marriage.

David plastered a smile on his face. “Alexis, you were amazing!” He held his arm out and gave her a quick side hug.

Beaming, Alexis asked, “Did you really think so?” She wrung her hands together, casting her glance down at her feet. “I messed up on one turn.”

“Are you sure? You fooled me. I thought you were fantastic,” said David with enthusiasm. “Claire told me you were talented, but I had no idea.” He made a mind blown gesture.

Alexis stood up straighter. “I’m glad you think so.” Her cheeks grew redder by the minute. “And I’m glad nobody could tell I messed up.”

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