What's Your Name

Arlene in the bright sweater

Coach and Arlene

I've been hanging out with my friend Arlene and a few of her classmates from Paradise Valley High School.

A couple months ago they talked about their class reunion and suggested that I come. I told them to give me a name of someone that I could pretend to be so I could see how many classmates would act like they knew me.

So last night was the big night  - when we arrived Arlene started quizzing me before we got out of the car with what's your name, where do you live, and what year did you graduate?

We get to the door and had to stop for a name tag. As Arlene was getting hers I was slipping past to walk in inconspicuously, when she turned and said, "Do you want a name tag?"  Well that was the end of my cover.

When she asked what my name was I replied Beverly as instructed, she looked at me puzzled and said, "Who?" Arlene said, " Don't you remember Beverly?" as her classmate Rick walks past me and whispers," No, you're Janis."

I then interrupt Arlene who is still working on convincing her, and say, " I'm Janis." when I hear another voice say," No, Delores". Are you kidding me! I thought there was one black girl in the entire school...no one knows her name.

Anyway, I finally told her that my name is Carolyn - she asked me if I was sure and said, "What year did you graduate?" I said, "77  but I didn't go to your school. I lived in Tucson"  She gave me one of her looks again - kind of  like a principal that is now clenching the pen because he's sick of your lies but has to remain calm. I got my name tag, smiled and moved on.

Once we were in the lounge we had a good time listening to the band, dancing and drinking.

I waved and smiled with my fake classmates on their videos, posed for pictures with them and danced with the 81 year old coach.

Love my fake class of 66!