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his black tux, wondering what
thoughts ran though his mind. Did seeing them together move his
heart as it did hers?
    She caught his gaze as he looked
around the room. She glanced away when his eyes focused on her. It
seemed impossible to believe that the smiling, loving couple on the
screen now sat in the same room, worlds apart and barely speaking
to each other.
    Tyler ended the evening
with eloquent, emotional words. "We've spent the past few days
reliving days gone by, reacquainting ourselves with old friends,
treasuring a more innocent time in our lives." He paused and
glanced purposely around the room. "Haven't we all been changed by
this reunion? Our hearts renewed by linking our past with our
present? It's a wonderful reminder of where we've been, where we
are going and of what really matters in life. Family. Friends.
Faith."
    Applause filled the room.
Belle smiled from her spot in the corner. Tyler continued,
motioning to Burke. "Isn't it great to see Burke here this
time?"
    More applause, accented with
scattered cheering. Burke waved to the crowd.
    Belle watched, acknowledging her
feelings and memories of Burke, missing what used to be. But after
a brief moment, she purposefully shoved all affection aside, hiding
it away in the recesses of her mind.
    I forget what lies behind, and
press forward to what lies ahead.
    " And then there's the reunion committee," Tyler said,
calling the six member team by name. The class of '88 honored the
committee with a standing ovation.
    " Belle, thank you for chairing the committee." Wild applause
erupted across the room. Suddenly all eyes were on her. She
blushed, feeling caught and as if her private thoughts were
exposed. She offered a small wave, hoping that would suffice,
praying no one would yell for a speech.
    " You all did a outstanding job," Tyler said when the
clapping died down. He left the stage, ending the night.
    Suddenly, Belle found herself
surrounded by dear friends saying good-bye. She hugged them one by
one, promising to stay in touch, busily stuffing her small handbag
with business cards and napkins scribbled with email addresses.
    When the crowd around her
finally cleared, Burke stood off to one side, alone and
waiting.
    " Tyler's right. The committee did a great job organizing
this reunion. I'm glad I came."
    Belle squared her
shoulders and tried to look him in the eye, so blue, so sincere.
But she looked away as she said, "Thank you. Everyone seemed
thrilled to see you. And Grace."
    She fumbled clumsily with the
clasp on her purse.
    " All except you?" Burke slipped his hands into his pockets,
dipping his head to see Belle's face.
    She trembled, fighting the
storm of emotions brewing inside. "I can't change that," she said
as she turned to leave.
     

Chapter Five
     
    On a starry Sunday night Burke's
sports car hummed down the highway toward the airport, the wind
whipping through the open top.
    " What a lovely night. So many stars," Grace said, pulling
her long thick, tangled hair into a ponytail. She dropped her head
against the headrest and fixed her eyes on Oklahoma's night
sky.
    " Did you enjoy the weekend?"
    " Hmm, very much."
    Burke smiled at her. "I'm
glad you came."
    Grace slipped her hand
into Burke's. "Thank you for inviting me."
    " Not too much autograph hounding, I hope."
    Grace shook her head. "You
have very considerate classmates. They were almost apologetic about
asking."
    " And you were very gracious."
    Grace laughed softly.
    Burke grinned. "What is
it?"
    " You, me, this small talk."
    Burke's smile faded and he
focused on the road ahead.
    Grace reached for his hand
and lifted it toward the dashboard lights. "I always loved your
hands, you know. They are so like you; strong, capable, gentle and
handsome."
    " Handsome?" Burke asked, glancing at Grace. Strands of her
burnished red hair had pulled free from her ponytail and whipped
about her oval face. Her almond shaped eyes stared at his hand as
she traced across his knuckles with her