25 Year Prom Night

25 Year Prom Night

August 28, 2025

She arrived at my door wearing a gown and a smile. My parents received her and asked to wait in the living room. I was out back, preparing to mow the lawn.

I told my parents I had no idea as to why she was here. She was in my English and history class, but no others. We never spoke much. I never asked her out. I never asked anyone out. I had work to do.

None-the-less, my parents wanted me to speak with her. Reluctantly, being somewhat confused, I agreed.

I wish I had not.

She told me (and my parents) her tale of poor choices and missed opportunities. She laid before me more than I thought it was possible to say. Her father was rich. If she did as he demanded, she would be rich also. However, she did not follow his instructions to the letter. She was to get married, have children, and guarantee her father could leave his company, when he died, to her and her children. Unfortunately, she did all he asked in the wrong order. She told me she was pregnant. She said she wanted nothing to do with the father. He left her when he discovered her condition and has not been heard from since. I asked what all of this has to do with me. She asked me, with an audacity on levels I had never experienced, to take his place. In essence, tonight, the Senior Prom night, would be the cover for her to disclose her condition to her family. I would propose and within a month, be the father of her children. Her father would have what she wanted. Her children would have a respectable name. I would be a surrogate with access to finances I could only dream of.

I asked her why she chose me? She told me I was a safe choice.

Her dryness pierced my heart, laying bare her true character. This was a young woman without an ounce of shame. The rumors I heard were now all true. Some people know the price of everything and the value of nothing. I now was for sale to a single highest bidder. Last hour, I didn’t even realize there was a sale. I learned more about life in the last ten minutes than in the previous 18 years.

My father declined her offer. My mother asked her to leave. Surprisingly, I wanted to know more. She said she brought a tux with her that would fit me. If I was to be so bold, her limo driver could marry us tonight. She had the paperwork that detailed the terms of the arrangement. All I had to do was say, “Yes”.

It has been 25 years since. The twins, I hear, are grown. She purchased my share of the business, as promised. The divorce becomes final tomorrow.

I have no idea where she went or what she looks like. I have never spoken to or seen the twins.

She got everything she needed. I doubt she got anything she wanted.

This year, I will pass on my 25th high school reunion. One of the ladies I work with invited me to hers. Her father has passed and she does not have a lawyer on retainer.

I can handle a three hour commitment this time around.