Reunion at the Bridge, chapter 1
That day we were walking to the Covered Bridge Park, off of Christie Road. It was within walking distance of our houses, the school, and it was across the street from a shopping center, so it made the perfect hang out spot. You could find us, one of us, there at almost any hour, just doing whatever-ditching a crappy class, eating, making out, or just escaping from reality.
But before I continue, I'll tell you who we all were. Growing up, all anyone had to do to find us was ask the 7-11 manager for "The Group" and probably be sent out to the bridge. Nobody ever asked, though. Just a bunch of prep/punk/jock/misfit or otherwise creatively intelligent brats. Mike was (and is) the sweet, quiet guy-until you hand over a bass. Over there is Tre and his flavor of the week. I think her name is Jessica. She keeps him occupied, and I think that's a good thing. Billie Joe (and later, Adie) was the show-off and unofficial leader. Mairghread was Billie's first groupie from the days of milk and cookies and sleepovers where you actually watched the movie. Oh, and me too, Zoë. I'm not sure where I fit in.
A lot has changed since those days. For one, no one sleeps alone at the sleepovers now. For another, Billie Joe, Mike, and this guy Al had a band that almost got big. Then Al left in pursuit of a lucrative career, and Tre jumped in. Sweet Children became Green Day, and now they really are big. HUGE, actually. So it's been awhile since we got together like this.
Back to the story though. We were en route to the bridge, and feeling nostalgic. Billie Joe was pointing out old landmarks to Adeline (an old friend's house, the slushie heaven 7-11). The covered bridge itself was the attraction. It was a looming hulk of wood, two stories tall, just to cover a piddling creek. Kids have been migrating here since the turn of the century to lose innocence and virginity; to smoke cigarettes and pot; to get bombed and enjoy life, I guess. All of our initials were carved on here somewhere, tokens of our existence for the next generation. Mine are next to my grandmother's, vandalism must run in the family. Billie Joe and Mike actually took a cooking torch out here one night and burned theirs on.
Once we got there, everyone headed towards a small oak tree planted by the mayor way back in sixth grade. Memories were rushing back, and for old time's sake, a fat joint was rolled. When it got over to Adeline, she just passed it on, and the action got some attention. We pestered her until she started to explain.
"I can't smoke that right now. I...um...we...Billie, sweetie." She turned to look him in the eye. "Remember that night on the bus a couple weeks ago? The one where you...?" Even Tre and Jess had unglued to pay better attention.
"Yes...?" I'd never heard Billie Joe so hesitant before.
"I took the test this morning, and we're having a kid, baby!"
There was silence, then everyone broke into happy chatter. The expecting parents looked deliriously pleased with themselves.
Tre suddenly shouted out with all the tact of a charging rhino, "Dude, marry that bitch!" It earned him a deserving slap. Billie glanced at Adeline.
"Do you wanna marry me?"
She nodded, and he picked her up and swung her into a breathless kiss.
But before I continue, I'll tell you who we all were. Growing up, all anyone had to do to find us was ask the 7-11 manager for "The Group" and probably be sent out to the bridge. Nobody ever asked, though. Just a bunch of prep/punk/jock/misfit or otherwise creatively intelligent brats. Mike was (and is) the sweet, quiet guy-until you hand over a bass. Over there is Tre and his flavor of the week. I think her name is Jessica. She keeps him occupied, and I think that's a good thing. Billie Joe (and later, Adie) was the show-off and unofficial leader. Mairghread was Billie's first groupie from the days of milk and cookies and sleepovers where you actually watched the movie. Oh, and me too, Zoë. I'm not sure where I fit in.
A lot has changed since those days. For one, no one sleeps alone at the sleepovers now. For another, Billie Joe, Mike, and this guy Al had a band that almost got big. Then Al left in pursuit of a lucrative career, and Tre jumped in. Sweet Children became Green Day, and now they really are big. HUGE, actually. So it's been awhile since we got together like this.
Back to the story though. We were en route to the bridge, and feeling nostalgic. Billie Joe was pointing out old landmarks to Adeline (an old friend's house, the slushie heaven 7-11). The covered bridge itself was the attraction. It was a looming hulk of wood, two stories tall, just to cover a piddling creek. Kids have been migrating here since the turn of the century to lose innocence and virginity; to smoke cigarettes and pot; to get bombed and enjoy life, I guess. All of our initials were carved on here somewhere, tokens of our existence for the next generation. Mine are next to my grandmother's, vandalism must run in the family. Billie Joe and Mike actually took a cooking torch out here one night and burned theirs on.
Once we got there, everyone headed towards a small oak tree planted by the mayor way back in sixth grade. Memories were rushing back, and for old time's sake, a fat joint was rolled. When it got over to Adeline, she just passed it on, and the action got some attention. We pestered her until she started to explain.
"I can't smoke that right now. I...um...we...Billie, sweetie." She turned to look him in the eye. "Remember that night on the bus a couple weeks ago? The one where you...?" Even Tre and Jess had unglued to pay better attention.
"Yes...?" I'd never heard Billie Joe so hesitant before.
"I took the test this morning, and we're having a kid, baby!"
There was silence, then everyone broke into happy chatter. The expecting parents looked deliriously pleased with themselves.
Tre suddenly shouted out with all the tact of a charging rhino, "Dude, marry that bitch!" It earned him a deserving slap. Billie glanced at Adeline.
"Do you wanna marry me?"
She nodded, and he picked her up and swung her into a breathless kiss.
