The Brief Reunion

The room was as crowded as every self-congratulatory awards show party he had ever attended, and crowded with the exact same industry people - A&R people, recording people, promotions people, handlers and hangers on, groupies, wanna-be groupies, etc. 

There must have been close to 400 people milling about making small talk, schmoozing, exchanging flattering platitudes or deflecting same with self-deprecating comments.

So bumping into people one knew and hadn't seen for awhile was not uncommon, but it was quite a shock to him to literally walk right into his former schoolmate, flatmate, and of course bandmate, Terrence "Tweaks" Twynham as he turned to see where his wife had scooted off to.

"Oh sorry," they both simultaneously said immediately after the slight collision. 

"Pardon, clumsy of me, I was looking for my..." Stuart started, then realizing who he had bumped into stopped mid sentence and stared at the twenty-five years older but still unmistakable face of his former friend.

"Bollocks! - it's you isn't it Stu! By God, you haven't aged a day! How the hell have you been!"

Stuart Jeffreys recovered his composure quickly and briefly looked Tweaks up and down. "Mr Terrence Twynham. It's been over twenty years and you look the same as the day you left for the states. What on earth are you doing back in merry old England?"

"Ah, c'mon Stu, I'm still Tweaks, eh? It's been a long minute, but not so long as we have to be all formal. You do look a bit dapper though, all dressed up formal like. Are you up for an award? I hadn't heard you were back in the business?"

"Oh no, not me - my daughter, Lucy. You remember wee Lucy? She's been in a band for awhile now, up for a Brit Award tonight for their fifth album."

"Their fifth album? I had no idea Stu - That is simply fantastic. You must be one proud Dad, no?"

"I am Tweaks, very proud. Vivian and I hoped one of the brood would follow us into the family business and Lucy has done a right show of it."

"Vivian? Still with Vivian? You two have made it, eh? That's absolutely terrific man. Good for you! For both of you."

Yes, we've managed to make it work. Have four kids now - here comes Vivian now, in fact."

The former Vivian Murphy walked up to her husband holding a drink out to him. "I was able to convince the barman to mix you up something with more flavor than water and with just as much alcohol. Hope it works for you. Who is your friend dear?" 

Vivian turned toward Tweaks as she spoke and then stopped dead in her tracks. "Terrence? Is that really you? This beats all! Why, it's been over twenty years!"

Tweaks rocked back on his heels slightly and responded by taking Vivian's hands into his and saying, "Vivian, it is wonderful to see you, both of you. You two being here is a great, wonderful surprise, My first day back on British soil in decades and what are the chances I'd run into you two. This is really quite fantastic."

"It has been a long, long time Tweaks. Are you here for awhile? Here, give me your number...okay, hold on, let me call you, this way we'll have each other's numbers. That's me ringing you now. I'm just going to save your number...give us a minute...alright, done."

Stuart Jeffreys looked up at Tweaks and said, "Time for us to get to our seats, but now that we have our numbers, no need to be strangers. Give us a call when you can, eh? We have lots to catch up on."

"Yes, yes we do. Get out there and stand proud for Lucy, I'll be in touch in the next few days."

Terrence "Tweaks" Twynham watched as Stuart and Vivian walked toward the large auditorium. He wiped a slight bit of moisture from his eyes as the memory of the day Vivian told him their relationship was over and she was now going to be seeing Stuart flooded his mind. 

He recalled silently the day he moved out of the flat they had shared, and the day the band was formally dissolved over "creative differences." 

He looked down at his phone and tapped the screen until "Add Contacts" popped up and he entered Stuart's name. He was going to be in London for two weeks, and while there was still a sore spot lingering, it was all water under a burnt-down bridge now. 

It would be good to catch up.