Forever 29

Poppy barked like crazy at the sound of mail being pushed through the slot, bravely rushing forward to protect the family. There would be no takeout menus or unsolicited requests for money on his watch! Laurie quickly scooped up the mail on the chance there was something worth salvaging, and to her surprise, there was.

The square-shaped envelope was crisp and glaringly white, having somehow arrived unmolested. The faux wax seal on the back gave way to her fingernail with little protest, and Laurie pulled out a square of black card stock embossed with rose gold. One side was finely decorated with leaves protruding from twisting vines. The other side contained a printed announcement in overly ornate cursive, making it difficult to see the words among the fine arches and swoops. It took Laurie half a minute to comprehend the entire card, eyes widening as she did so.

You are cordially invited to:

the 29th birthday celebration of

SUSAN ANDREA MAPLE

The Bar (you know the one!)

8PM TONIGHT

“What’s up?” Jeff asked as Laurie walked into the kitchen, still staring at the invitation.

“You’re not going to believe this, but I just got a birthday party invitation from my old college roommate. You remember Sue Maple?”

“How could I forget?” Jeff replied, rolling his eyes. “I didn’t know you still talked to her.”

“I haven’t in years,” Laurie said. “I’m surprised she has my address.”

She showed Jeff the invite. “Twenty-nine?” He snorted. “I wonder how many twenty-ninth birthdays she’s had.”

“I remember the original,” Laurie laughed. “We were pretty wild in those days. Though I doubt this party will involve drinking all night and hooking up with random guys.”

“I should hope not,” Jeff replied. His forehead crinkled as he studied the card. “This invite is weird. Did you notice there’s no location other than ‘the bar,’ and the date just says ‘tonight?’ Is this some kind of secret code?”

Something in Laurie’s brain clicked as she read the card again. “I think she’s referring to her first twenty-ninth birthday party,” she said. “It was at that wine bar, in the city, on her birthday, which, if I remember correctly, is today.”

“You’re not thinking of going, are you?” Jeff asked.

“Why not?”

“Like you said, you don’t talk to Susan anymore. And it’s last minute. And how can you be sure you’re remembering things right? That party was a long time ago.”

Laurie bristled. “It wasn’t that long ago. Besides, we don’t plans tonight. Surely you can sit on the couch and watch tv without me?”

“The kids…” Jeff began.

“You can watch tv and the kids at the same time, can’t you?” Laurie huffed.

Jeff looked like he was ready to say something but thought better of it. “It just seems weird, that’s all,” he muttered.

At that moment, their youngest walked in carrying the shredded remains of Laurie’s favorite bra. “Poppy got into your boob drawer,” she announced. Laurie turned to Jeff but he had already left the room, leaving his coffee mug on the counter.

A few hours later Laurie arrived at Fine, the wine bar she used to frequent in her college days. Or as Susan used to say, the scene of the crime. She glanced inside and saw a lively group of women gathered at the bar. She pulled out her compact to do a quick hair and makeup check, and was dismayed to see a tired older woman no concealer can hide. Sighing, she shoved her compact back into her bag and walked inside.

Laurie scanned the bar for anybody that looked familiar, but the only person who caught her attention wasn’t even facing her. The long curly blond hair and and hyena laugh immediately reminded her of Susan, but as she approached, her apprehension grew. Jeff had a point, this was pretty weird. What were the odds that this woman was Susan?

Suddenly the woman turned around, her curly hair falling around her shoulders and surrounding her heart-shaped face in a honey colored frame. Laurie stopped in her tracks. It was Susan all right, only she looked…a lot better than her. “Laurie!” Susan squealed, enveloping her in a big hug. “I’m so glad you made it!” A stunned Laurie couldn’t do much more than return the hug. “Have a drink and we’ll catch up later, alright?” Susan said before practically skipping away.

Laurie then noticed that a martini glass had somehow materialized in her hand. She stared into a bright green liquid shimmering inside and knew right away that it was a Granny Apppletini, her poison of choice in college. Susan had an impressive memory. It only took one sip to trigger a powerful wave of nostalgia, covering her like a warm blanket as the tart liquid spread through her system. Memories of the countless nights Laurie and Susan and all their friends partying without a care in the world flooded her mind, inviting her join them. Laurie smiled and took a bigger sip.

She looked around the bar for more familiar faces, but all she saw were smartly dressed young women enjoying a few drinks before hitting the club. Susan was in the middle of the group, laughing and talking as though she fit right in. Laurie felt a twinge of envy as she took another sip. Suddenly the woman standing next to Laurie at the bar turned to face her. “OMG, Laurie!” She cried, delivering an enthusiastic hug. “It’s so good to see you!”

“Jen?” Laurie gasped. She couldn’t believe it. Like Susan, Jen looked a lot better than her. “You look amazing! How have you been?”

Jen flipped back her thick chestnut hair back like she used to and laughed. “Oh, you know, the usual. How about you?”

“Pretty good,” she replied. “Jeff and I are still plugging along. He’s at home, holding down the fort.”

Jen rolled her eyes. “In other words, he still hates fun. Why are you still with that killjoy?”

Laurie was stunned, having forgotten how blunt Jen could be. “I didn’t mean to give you the wrong impression. Jeff and I are good. Who doesn’t complain about their marriage sometimes?”

“YOU’RE MARRIED?” Jen shrieked. “When did that happen?”

Laurie stared at her. “Years ago. You were there, remember?”

Jen blinked, her face twisted in confusion. “No, I don’t remember that,” she said slowly, as if there was suddenly a crazy person standing in front of her. “The last time I saw you guys, you…”

“Ladies!” Susan cried, popping up between them with a glass of Chardonnay for Jen and another Granny Appletini for Laurie. “What’s all the fuss? It’s my birthday! Lighten up and have fun!” She handed them each a drink and led them to the circle of women where she was holding court.

Laurie decided to leave after that drink, but by the time she got to the bottom of her glass her mood had greatly improved. The girlish chatter and sudden squeals that had initially annoyed her now sounded warm and inviting, and her envy at all the perfect bodies and stylish clothes dissipated into a carefree feeling she hadn’t known in a long time. Where did all her youthful energy and confidence go? If only there was some way to grab it and put it in a jar so it could never escape again.

“Having fun?” Susan chirped in her ear.

“Sure am!” Laurie declared, waving her empty drink. “Wanna do shots? I wanna do a shot. Let’s do shots!”

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Susan laughed. “Be right back!” She turned and pushed her way through the crowd towards the bar. Laurie, feeling both her head and bladder swimming, pushed her way to the bathroom.

The bathroom was empty except for one woman adjusting her bra in the mirror. She looked up and smiled, and although Laurie didn’t recognize her, she smiled back. The woman was still there when she emerged from the stall and took the sink next to her. “Laurie? Don’t you remember me?” The woman suddenly asked. “It’s Becca!”

Laurie searched the young woman’s face, trying to remember, when she spotted the unmistakable purple lipstick. It was Becca’s signature look, but there was no way that this could be Becca. “Hi! Are you Becca’s daughter?” She asked.

“Daughter?” Becca snorted. “Wow, how many drinks have you had?”

Becca’s words barely registered with Laurie, disappearing into the growing fog around her brain. She went to splash water on her face, but the face she saw in the mirror shocked her out of her stupor faster than water ever could. It was a fresh, smooth face, glowing with possibilities. Not a worry line or crow foot to be seen, even under the harsh and unforgiving glare of public bathroom lights. Her waist? Tiny. Her breasts? Perky. Her thoughts? Nowhere to be found. She was too busy scrutinizing her makeup for imperfections and being annoyed with herself for buying such a cheap brand.

“There you are!” Susan cried as she burst into the bathroom. “The shots are at the bar, but not until you finish your drink first!” She held out yet another Granny Appletini.

Laurie was about to grab the drink when without warning, her body turned on her. Her stomach lurched and her pleasant buzz went from the feeling like being wrapped in a warm blanket to the feeling of angry bees rattling around her skull. Although her vision was blurry, outside the dim lights of the bar she could see that Susan didn’t just look good, she looked…twenty-nine. Just like Becca. Just like her. Laurie’s stomach churned like a hurricane and the walls began closing in. “I have to go,” she moaned, but Susan blocked her way.

“Go where? Home? You’d rather hang out with your boring lump of a husband than have a little fun?” Susan huffed, shoving the drink towards Laurie again.

Laurie hesitated. “My husband?” She blinked.

“Never mind,” Susan said impatiently. “Maybe you should worry less about men and more about you. Men come and go, but girlfriends are forever. Right, Becca?” Becca responded with a lopsided grin. She turned back to Laurie. “Drink!”

The cool smooth glass felt good in Laurie’s hand, the shimmering green liquid inviting her to dive right in. Suddenly something big and solid collided into her from behind, causing the contents of her drink to spill on the floor. Susan leaped back with a yelp, instinctively protecting her outfit, then glared over Laurie’s shoulder at Becca. “Sorry!” Becca giggled. “Still getting used to these high heels!”

“Don’t worry, Laurie, Becca will buy the next round,” Susan said soothingly to Laurie and if comforting a toddler. “Let’s go!”

The three of them left the bathroom and headed single file towards the bar. Laurie felt as though she was powerless to resist, being pulled along on an invisible leash. Suddenly, she changed direction. Pull turned to push as she was swept through the crowd, unable to do much more than put one foot in front of the other…

Laurie woke up with a start, her brain snapping into panic mode as it sensed she was not in her own bed. Vomit rose in her throat as she sat up too quickly, but she managed to force it down. When she noticed she was in her own living room, on her own couch with a blanket and pillow, her body instinctively relaxed.

Jeff walked in. “Feeling better? You were pretty far gone last night so I just set you up down here.” He handed her a glass of water and two aspirin, which Laurie gratefully downed.

“Thank you,” she said feebly.

“You’re welcome,” he replied. “I assume you had a good time?”

Instead of answering Laurie bolted to the bathroom. She found her old self looking at her in the mirror, complete with grey streaked hear, crows feet, worry, lines and the beginnings of a small waddle under her chin. Laurie was relieved to see her, and feeling more than a little foolish. Beer goggles had nothing on Granny Appletinis.

“You okay?” Jeff called from the other side of the bathroom door.

“Fine,” Laurie replied. “Just going to take a shower.”

She began stripping off her sweaty garments when she realized there was something in her pocket. She pulled it out and froze. It was a coaster from the bar. Scrawled across the middle was a message that read “be your own jar,” sealed with a perfect, purple kiss.