58) Third Wheel

September 1, 2025

58) Third Wheel

To a Cute Reunion

Troublemakers

Before Mr. E disappeared, we were disruptors.

Really, I just struggled to get my mouth to stop moving and he was along for the ride. There was one day in particular that our English teacher had had it with us, and 5 of us got sent down to the assistant principal’s office.

I can’t for the life of me remember why other than that we were talking.

We spent the rest of the class period in the miniature lobby that was just for the assistant principals. The secretary didn’t care if we talked down there, so we chatted it up for the rest of the class period.

About five minutes before the end of class, in walked a friend from a very different group on campus. She had befriended me early on, because her boyfriend had the locker above me my freshman year. I never saw him there but she used it.

She was chatty and upbeat, but sometimes she found my brand of chatty and upbeat to be annoying. She was pretty patient with me though.

Anyhow, while we were there in the office, she popped in to drop off some paperwork, and she chatted with me briefly, before taking back off.

Mr. E had a quizzical face when I turned my attention back to my little group. He was quite curious about her, and asked her name.

Let’s call her Reticence.

I told him, and he let out the cutest chuckle of disbelief. They had gone to elementary school together in a different state. In the 5 grade they were quite the item, and they had pledged their undying love to each other. He even proposed.

Then her family moved.

Then his family moved.

And now here we were.

Matchmaker

I was happy to get involved in such a cute love story, and was even happier that it was two of my favorite people. He asked me to find out if she remembered him, so I casually asked if she had ever known a Mr. E.

She was giddy. Clearly, there were still feelings.

They were nervous about seeing each other, and so the plan was for the three of us to meet at the Dairy Queen and walk to the $1.50 movies. The plan involved me walking 4 miles that night. I was only allowed to go because I didn’t need a ride.

We watched “It Could Happen to You,” and they were so well behaved. They held hands through the whole movie.

After the movie they asked for a little privacy, so I walked laps around the shopping center as they caught up and made out.

Then we started to trek back to our homes, with me being dropped off first. Apparently, the date was a success, because they dated for several months after that. It didn’t last forever, but it was sweet while it did.