Reunion

Chapter 1: The Reunion in the Frozen Foods Aisle

*The shopping cart squeaked as always, a sound Chris had learned to tune out after fifteen years of routine. It was Saturday morning, the only day he and Adriana ventured out together from their new apartment in this vast, gray city. They had left their hometown three months ago following Chris’s promotion at work: more money, more stress, less life.*

*He pushed the cart, his soft belly brushing the handle, his plaid shirt poorly buttoned, his bald head shining under the fluorescent lights of the supermarket. At 38, Chris rarely looked at himself in the mirror anymore. Why bother? Adriana was still… Adriana:*

*She walked two steps ahead of him, as she almost always did now. Her dark brown hair fell in perfect waves just to the tops of her shoulders. Slim body, wide hips swaying with every step, generous breasts stretching the gray floral cotton of her T-shirt, a defined waist, and that round, firm ass that still managed to make Chris nervous whenever she bent down to grab something from the lower shelf.*

*But he hadn’t really touched her in months.*

*“I’m tired from the move,” she would say.*

*And he accepted it. He always accepted it.*

“-Chris, should we get vanilla or chocolate ice cream?” *Adriana asked without turning around, checking the list on her phone.*

“-Whatever you want, honey,” *he replied automatically, his voice soft and flat.*

*Adriana sighed, the sound so faint it nearly dissolved into the low hum of the freezers. She had been like this ever since they arrived: sighs, or distant stares out the living room window, lost in nothing. Chris noticed. Of course he noticed.*

*But… It’s the new city. She’ll get over it.*

*That had become his favorite sentence lately.*

*Then it happened.*

*A sharp squeal of excitement burst from two aisles away.*

“-No fucking way! Adrianaaa!”

*The rapid click of high heels against the floor.*

*Chris looked up just in time to see a woman throw herself into his wife’s arms.*

*Abella.*

*Abella in the flesh—or at least the present-day version of the girl who had been the nightmare of his high school years. Short, jet-black hair, messy as if she had just climbed out of someone’s bed. An athletic, explosive body: natural, high breasts bouncing beneath a yellow cropped T-shirt with something indecent written across it, barely containing anything; a wasp waist, a round ass, and sculpted legs poured into leggings that looked painted on.*

*The same Abella who, fifteen years earlier, used to sneer and call him “sissy” whenever he walked down the hallway. The same one who dragged Adriana to parties until six in the morning while Chris waited at home like an idiot.*

*Abella melted into an embrace with Adriana.*

*An embrace that lasted too long. Too tight.*

*Their breasts pressed against each other, and Chris watched as Abella’s hand slid shamelessly down to the small of his wife’s back, almost brushing the top of the ass he barely touched anymore.*

“-Holy shit, Adri… you’re just as fuckable as you were in high school!” *Abella laughed loudly, completely unapologetic. Her voice was husky, charged with that wild energy Chris had always hated.*

“-How long’s it been? Fifteen years? And you’re still with this…?” *She turned her head and looked at him directly. Her dark eyes gleamed with pure disdain.*

“-Mr. ‘I’m harmless, I’m invisible’?”

*Chris felt his face burn. He tried to smile.*

“-Abella… what a surprise. I didn’t know you lived here.”

“Didn’t even know myself until two weeks ago,” *she replied, still not letting go of Adriana, who kept laughing—cheeks flushed, eyes bright for the first time in months.* “-Moved here for work. You know… events, private parties, that kind of thing. Life’s too short to rot in some shitty little town.”

*Adriana pulled back slightly, but not entirely. Her hands were still resting on Abella’s waist.*

“-I can’t believe it… Abella, seriously. Here. In this dead city.”

“-Dead until I showed up, babe.” *Abella winked at her, then looked Chris up and down, pausing at his belly.* “-And you still doing the same old thing, Chris? Office, couch, quick jerk before bed? Because your wife looks like she needs more than that.”

*Adriana let out a nervous laugh.*

“-Abella, for God’s sake… stop.”

“-What? I’m just telling the truth.” *Abella shrugged and finally released Adriana, but stayed glued to her side, shoulder to shoulder, as if they were already a team and Chris the awkward substitute.* “-Adri, you have to come out with me this weekend. There’s a party downtown. Interesting people. No boring routines.”

*Chris gripped the cart handle until his knuckles turned white. He wanted to say something. Wanted to say my wife isn’t going to any party with you.*

*Instead, he **** that weak smile he always used.*

“-Well… if Adriana wants to unwind a little…”

*Adriana looked at him. For a second, something strange flickered in her eyes. Then she smiled—a new smile Chris didn’t fully recognize.*

“-I don’t know, it’s all so sudden… But on the other hand, I’ve been alone for so many days… Well, with my Chris, of course. You know what I mean, sweetheart.” *She said it while looking at him with an almost puppy-like expression.*

*Abella let out a short, vulgar laugh.*

“-Jesus, Adri, you’re still way too nice to him.” *She turned to Chris and flashed him a fake smile full of perfect teeth.* “-Relax, baldy. I’ll bring her back before midnight. Or… well, no promises.”

*Adriana gave Abella a light nudge with her elbow, but the smile never left her face. For the first time in months, her eyes were truly shining.*

*Chris swallowed. He felt that familiar knot tightening in his stomach.*

*It’s just a party. She’s happy. That’s what matters.*

*He repeated the sentence to himself while the two women kept talking as if he were no longer there. Abella was already taking Adriana’s phone to put in her new number. Already planning Friday. Already claiming space.*

*And Chris… Chris kept pushing the cart.*

*Because everything was fine.*

*Right?*