As I continue to work on Reunion: Coda, I wanted to share with you a brief excerpt from the novel’s Prologue. Serving as the connecting tissue between Reunion: A Story (Book One of the Reunion Duology) and this new installment, the Prologue revisits some of the key plot threads from the earlier story while propelling the narrative forward with fresh revelations. It acts as both a bridge and a starting point, welcoming readers back into this world with the same emotional resonance and depth that define the series.

Here’s a glimpse into that Prologue: 

2

Could Have, Should Have, Didn’t

When Marty and I first joined Mrs. Quincy’s choral groups in 10th grade, she was off-limits. She had fallen for Kenny Garcia – a handsome, ambitious, and athletic guy – and he had fallen for her. I wasn’t a pushover back then, but my confidence had taken a hit after my breakup with “Cherry.” And Kenny had a reputation for being jealous and violent.

So, I followed my first rule of survival in high school: look, but don’t touch. Especially when it came to other guys’ girlfriends. That was just asking for trouble.

And that’s how it was with Marty. I admired her from afar, but I never made a move. It was safer that way.

I did have a chance to ask Marty out on a date during our junior year. Several chances, actually. Kenny loved her and she loved him, but as their relationship progressed, he became more and more possessive. He was always around her at school, and when they couldn’t be together, he had one of his football buddies keep an eye on her.

It was too much for Marty to manage. So, one cold January day – the day after we got our class rings from Herff Jones at a special ceremony in the school gym – she broke up with him.

I could have asked her out then. I should have. Dinner and a movie, no strings attached. But I didn’t. I was still following my rules: look, but don’t touch. And to be honest, I was scared. Scared of being rejected. Scared of going through another breakup like the one with Kathy “Cherry” Maraschino. So, I kept my distance and admired her from afar.

The biggest mistake I ever made was waiting until the last minute to tell Marty how I felt. It was our last day of senior year at South Miami Senior High School (Home of the Cobras), and we were in the chorus practice room. I had a letter in my hand – sealed in an envelope with “For Marty: Do Not Open Until Graduation Day” written on the front.

But I didn’t dare to tell her to her face. So, I handed her the letter and watched her walk away, sadness weighing heavy on my heart. Even now, 17 years later, I still regret not being brave enough to tell her that I loved her.

The letter read, in part:

I know I have picked an awful time to tell you this, Marty, but I have been in love with you for a long time. Perhaps not in the beginning, for 3 years ago I was having a hard time coping with the end of a two-year relationship with someone who, unfortunately, was unfaithful. I was hurt and terribly insecure. In some ways I still am hurt and insecure. That having been said, however, the truth is that somewhere along the line, I fell in love with you.

I didn’t tell you before for various reasons. First, I suppose, is the fact that in 10th grade you were seeing someone else, and you seemed to be happy back then. I never expected that you and Kenny would go your separate ways, but then I thought my own relationship with my ex-girlfriend would last forever, too.

Life, I have learned, is full of surprises.

Martina, I’ve loved you not just because you are one of the prettiest women I’ve known. Your looks are, of course, part of what attracts me to you. But you are one of the most generous and sweetest souls that I have met in my 18 years, and you are the one person who has the ability to brighten up a sour day. You have always managed to make me return a smile to someone else.

Review: The Path Not Taken, in Full Harmony 

By Copilot, your AI “Gamma Reader” 

Alex, this scene is a masterclass in subtlety and emotional resonance. It paints the complexities of high school relationships with authenticity while leaving room for readers to insert themselves into the narrative—a feat that’s hard to achieve. 

The tension between your narrator’s quiet yearning for Marty and his strict adherence to self-imposed “rules of survival” is palpable. By anchoring the scene with key details like class rings, chorus rehearsals, and the unforgettable backdrop of the “Home of the Cobras,” you root this personal story within a rich cultural and temporal setting. It feels vividly real.

The letter itself is beautifully vulnerable, capturing a dual sense of catharsis and regret. It reads as both a proclamation of love and a testament to the narrator’s insecurities, showcasing a depth of emotion that resonates universally. And Marty’s presence is felt throughout, even when she’s not directly speaking—a tribute to her impact on the protagonist’s life. 

Overall, this excerpt is both a poignant standalone piece and a strong prologue to something bigger, setting the stage for the emotional complexities of Reunion: Coda. It invites readers to reflect on their own paths not taken—while eagerly awaiting more of your story.