Lunch turns into a reunion

No sooner had your lunch order arrived, when a whole raft of pickups pulled into the parking lot at the burger joint. Out poured about five or six guys from each truck, including a few that were wearing various forms of police uniforms. Most of the guys you quickly recognized as your former teammates from your championship team.

“GOD DAMN BOYS, it’s true: John is back in town!!!” Shouted one of the guys you recognized.

“Hey Jimmy, how are ya?” You respond. Deputy Jimmy Connors was on his way to making it as a pro running back, but an Achilles tear ended that dream for him. Now he is hoping to be town sheriff one day.

“See guys, I told you I smelled shit in here!” Cried another guy you could spot a mile away. Mainly because he took over for your father as sheriff.

“Very funny Jonas.” You reply as you take a drink. Jonas MacMurry was the right guard on your offensive line. While not as big as Tommy, he still looked like a guy you would not want to meet in a dark alley without at least a howitzer to back you up. After spending seven years in the NFL, he returned home a town hero and was more than willing to take over for your dad when your mom got sick.

“No problem man. I’m surprised you even remembered to sit in our old booth.” Lucas snickers.

“Between the picture of us celebrating the big win, everyone’s initials carved into the table and the burn marks from your stomach acid, it ain’t hard to miss.” You jest. “I swear this booth still smells from when you barfed all over it that night!”

Your entire team erupts in laughter as you all recall memories from the town’s proudest moment. In a matter of moments, every available chair in the restaurant is taken by one of your buddies. The meal which Tommy ordered was quickly parceled out and Janine smiles as she knows her brother has missed another unhealthy pig-out session. You and your buddies are distracted enough to not see the cars pull into the lot, nor do any of you notice when the cheerleading squad comes in.

“Well, well. Looks like the gangs all here! You boys behaving yourselves?” Doe asks sarcastically as she takes a seat on your lap.

“Now why on earth would we want to **** ourselves by engaging in good behavior?” You reply back.

“HAHA! Some things never change.” Tommy jokes.

The jokes go on for a few hours while you Tommy, Doe and the other players and cheerleaders trade stories of how life had turned out for each of you since you last saw each other. Somewhere in the midst of the trip down Memory Lane, Doe tugs on your arm.

“What’s up girl?” You ask. She has a look of uneasiness on her face, and you are sure there is something wrong.

“Can we go outside for a minute?” She asks you in a way that confirms your suspicions.

“What’s wrong Doe?” You inquire as she starts walking for the door. You just barely take notice of how quiet your friends all become as they see the two of you head for the door, but you are too concerned about your best friend to ask why.