Let Us Toast to the Passing Years, to Grief and Joy

I went on a trip with my childhood friend, whom I’d had a crush on for years. His secret crush, the school belle, came along too.

To keep things from getting awkward, I also dragged along the school belle’s ex-boyfriend.

I showed up at the beach wearing a sexy sundress.

My childhood friend immediately wrapped his huge beach towel around me.

I thought he’d noticed how beautiful I was and didn’t want anyone else ogling me.