Into the Light

It’s been ten years since high school, and Gunnar is returning for the ten-year high school reunion. The last two years of high school were his absolute best and worst times.

His dad was a sheriff’s deputy who was killed in the line of duty the summer between middle and high school. Though his parents’ marriage was more convenient than love, they made the best of things. It was a messed-up situation that resulted in a high school pregnancy. Just before his dad’s tragic death, his dad met a woman that he fell in love with, through them he gained a sister, Allie. She is thirteen now and is in eighth grade.

When his mom married Ben, her high school love, he gained a brother and another sister. Hudson and Everett. He had always wanted a big family as it was lonely growing up being an only child. Now he reflects on how much fun they had, well still have. They are still his best friends and biggest supporters. Though he talks to Hudson and Everett more he is closest to Allie. She is beyond mature for her age and they understand each other since losing their dad. Ben has played a huge role in all of their lives growing up and he couldn’t be more thankful to a man who took care of the woman who raised him.

The only thing he is missing out of life is the one person who can bring him back from the shadows when life gets too dark. He’s typically in a good mood and not much can bother him but when he does have those down moments it’s nice to have someone to be there. He’s dated a few people but no one has ever lived up to the one person who was there for him during the most difficult times in high school - Victoria. She allowed him to be him, accepted his family dynamics, never pushed him to be anything more than simply Gunnar. When she broke up with him in high school he was devastated. In his senior year, he had signed to play at the University and she wanted him to focus on his future. He begged her to change her mind and to see that he wanted her to be a part of that future but she wouldn’t budge. Said knew he needed to focus and she needed to focus on herself. In the end, it was the right choice but no one could hold a candle to her.

Gunnar is now driving home for the weekend specifically for this reunion. His only reason and hope for this weekend are that she shows up. He couldn't find her on any social media and couldn't find any phone number for her. He couldn't even find her parents' information which only added to his curiosity of what happened to the one that got away.

Gunnar lives and works in the city next to the small town they grew up in so he has traveled back and forth on occasion for quick trips. This weekend Sadie and Ben are traveling in Italy so Gunnar will have the farmhouse to himself. Hudson is in Colorado for training and Everett is on a trip to the family land with her friends for a weekend of photography. She is getting preparing for another gallery to showcase her work.

Arriving home he drops his stuff off in his old room and decides to call a friend. Josh is a coworker and investor in Gunnar's business. He has been a big part of Gunnar’s life since College. They played college football together and Josh helped Gunnar build the mentor program that has now become Gunnar’s life passion. They mentor kids in lower-income areas in hopes to keep them on a good path. Josh first started as an investor but now he just donates time or money for their cause.

Gunnar sits on the edge of his bed and smirks as he calls his friend. Work never stops especially when you work for yourself.

“Hey Josh, how is Austin doing? He had that big test on Friday and he was supposed to have the backpack of food to take home for the weekend,” Gunnar says.

“Yeah man, He got a B on the test which is amazing compared to the grades he’s been putting out,” Josh says. “And he got the food backpack. I added some extra money in there for anything extra since he got that B.”

“Awesome! We will reimburse you for that.” Gunnar says.

“Nah, my donation to a great kid. He’s earned it.” Josh says.

“Cool, alright I need to get ready. Meeting some old high school football buddies at the bar. I’ll catch up with you Monday.” Gunnar says.

“Later,” Josh responds.

He hangs up the phone and starts to get ready to meet a few high school friends for dinner. He wants to look a bit better than he normally does just in case Victoria shows up. She didn’t run in the same group that Gunnar did back then but still hopes that maybe she will be there. When he arrives he sees his old football friends who now look like the dad bod guys. It’s good to see them but he feels a bit awkward. They are all married with kids but they still talk about things from the past with nothing new to add. A few married their high school sweethearts who were also cheerleaders.

It’s all small-town dreams.

Sitting next to Gunnar is one of the cheerleaders who always tried way too hard.

“So Gunnar, are you seeing anyone?” Ashley asks. Pushing her body into Gunnar.

He backs away trying to keep his distance between them. “Nah, I’m single. Still looking.”

“Oh yeah? See anything you like here?” She tries. Pushing her chest out and puckering her engorged lips.

She’s pretty, don’t get it wrong, but she is what Gunnar refers to as a face value person. They are some of the most toxic of humans and Gunnar learned early on the type of people they are. That is one of Gunnar’s biggest turn-offs.

“No,” He says.

“Not even me?” She whispers to him.

“You are married to Jake, definitely not you.” Gunnar states.

“We are separated, we could at least have the weekend together.” She says. continuing to push herself onto him.

“No, married is married, Jake is a good guy.” Gunnar states.

“You know I’ve liked you since high school.” She says.

Gunnar rolls his eyes in annoyance. “I know and I am not trying to hurt your feelings but I wasn’t interested then and I am not interested now,” Gunnar realizes that this can go bad as Jake is at the opposite end of the table. He decides to take himself out of this situation. “Alright guys I’ve had enough for tonight, I’ll see you tomorrow at the reunion.”

He gets up and says bye to everyone. Walking out the door, just as he gets to his car, he sees a car drive by and the woman in the driver’s seat looks like Victoria. His heart stops at the sight of the brown hair that flips over her shoulder as she looks at him.

Was that her? Is she actually at the reunion this weekend?

He is quickly snapped out of his thoughts when a hand slips into his and he looks down and the perfectly manicured long fake nails that try to grab his hand. He quickly pulls his hand away in disgust.

“Ashley, keep your hands to yourself. I am trying to be nice about this but do not ever touch me again.” He firmly says.

He quickly gets into his truck and heads back to the farmhouse. Tomorrow should be interesting and he hopes more than ever that Victoria is at the reunion. She is the only reason that he is attempting to come back home for this reunion.

Victoria drives nervously into a town where she doesn’t have the best memories. Her parents were a few of the repeat callers at the sheriff’s office. They would choose alcohol over food for her and her brother. She did all she could to keep that part of her life hidden. When Gunnar would come to the house her parents were on their best behavior but it was always temporary.

Gunnar was the only thing in this town that made surviving in that house worth it. He was every girl’s dream. He never knew of her family struggles. She didn’t talk about it and luckily neither did Ben and Sadie. This weekend she promised her girlfriends that she would come to face the man that single-handedly gave her a safe space during that time. Gunnar was the man who made the time here worth it but if he knew the truth, he would’ve never left. When he begged her not to break up with him all those years ago it tore her to pieces but she had to stay strong. He had a future that she couldn’t be a part of simply due to her family. They would pull any good away and Gunnar had finally found a family he dreamed of.

She had one serious boyfriend since Gunnar but ended it before it got too far. Guys were always put off by the fact she doesn’t drink and was independent. She was also still in love with Gunnar and it wasn’t fair to compare everyone to him. So she stopped dating altogether.

Since high school, she spent the years working and taking care of her younger brother, Oscar. Seven years ago he was diagnosed with cancer and since her parents didn’t care about anything unless it involved alcohol or drugs she stepped up and did everything for him. Unfortunately, even with everything they tried, he passed away. Heartbroken she now lives to fulfill his bucket list while trying to pay off his medical and funeral bills.

On her way to the hotel, she is driving past a bar when she turns to see a big man walking out. She realizes that it is Gunnar. Even after all these years, she knows it’s him.

“Fuck me …” She says out loud. She sees a busty blonde slip her hand into his and her heart immediately drops. She continues to the hotel and checks in. When she gets settled in her room she takes her phone out calling her best friends on a conference call.

“I can’t do this!” Victoria says breathlessly.

“Yes, you can!” Isla says.

“What is the actual problem?” Henley says.

“I drove past a bar and saw him. He looks amazing! He was with a big busty blonde. He has to be married.” Victoria says.

“Do you know for sure?” Isla says.

“It’s not like you have social media,” Henley adds.

“No, I don’t know anything except that he is built like a god! I can’t do this.” Victoria says.

“Yes, you can! Do not come back until you see him.” Isla says.

“And talk to him!” Henley adds. “Seriously you’ve talked about him all these years and you deserve this weekend.”

“FINE! Ugh, ok, I’ll get it together.” Victoria says.

“Call us Sunday with details,” Henly says.

“Ok, love you birds!” Victoria says.

She hangs up the call and looks around the room. being back in this town creates a combination of uneasiness and excitement. She unpacks a few more things and hangs her dress up for the reunion tomorrow. Running her fingers over the fabric gives her the smallest hope for closure after all of these years.

Maybe her decision to break up all those years ago had given him the life and family he had always wanted Maybe he was happy? Maybe he was single? Maybe he has waited for her?

Shaking her head she grabs her favorite book and sits in the window that overlooks Thompson’s farm. She sits and reads until she is fully exhausted and heads to bed. Though she is tired she can’t seem to fall asleep. Tossing and turning, not being able to calm her mind.

Tomorrow is it, tomorrow is clarity and closure. Tomorrow is when she sees him ... The man who has her heart.