Copyright 2009 to Andrew Angerclashes.

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John tapped the girl's shoulder.

"I'm going to feel like a fool if I'm mistaken, but aren't you Sandy Gills?"

"Yes.  Oh my word, aren't you John Walters?"

"That's right.  How are you?"

"Good, thanks.  Wow, it's so good to see you after all this time!"

"You look fantastic.  But i still remember you as the cutest girl I knew."

"Come on!"

"No, I mean it.  I absolutely loved you when we were ten."

"Oh my God!  Do you still remember things from back then?"

"Yup.  I remember you and me playing martians in your back yard."

She sure had grown up, but the years had been kind.  She was quite plump now, and wore glasses, but when she smiled that naughty grin at him it took him back to those fine days of youth, laughing as she pushed him into the pool, then jumping in after him to splash him and play tag.  They'd been really close back then.

"Are you still as mischievous as I remember you?" he asked, winking.

"No!  Well, not much..."

"Remember all the trouble we used to get into?"

"Some of it, yeah."

"Like the time you'd tried to tie a rope to that car and go wind surfing using a skateboard?"

She laughed and her eyes lit up.  "Oh yes!  I got like four blocks before that inconvenient corner came up!"

"I remember what that stunt got you."

"Oh, yes, that."  Eyes downcast.  Smirking.

"As I recall, that escapade culminated in you crying as your mother spanked you over her knee."

"Yup.  Sure hurt."  Definite amusement in her voice.

"It was a position you were often in, as I remember.  One might say you were an incorrigible free spirit."

"Nothing's changed there."

Thinking back, John remembered just how cute his companion was during her chastisements.  As a boy, he had been entranced by the loud smacking noises of hand against shorts, her cries and pleas, the scolding.  Watching her kick, struggle as tears ran down her face.

"Remember how I comforted you afterwards?"  Never too late to earn a couple of brownie points.

"Yes, you were very sweet about it.  A real gentleman in the making."

"Well, you never seemed to learn your lesson.  Those tears were just for show, I think."

"Whatever are you insinuating?"

"That you'd be planning your next escapade even while paying for the last one."

"A bit of an exaggeration, I think.  But yes, basically.  Spankings weren't so bad."

"Listen, I was really sad when my folks had to move.  Let's hang out again sometime, just like we used to."

"In case you haven't noticed, we're adults now.  Things have changed."

"Consider it reclaiming a bit of our childhood, then.  We can do whatever you want."

"..OK.  Sure."  They exchanged numbers.

"There is just one thing, though," John stipulated, "If you try any of those stunts from long ago, I might just spank you myself."

Her expression, shocked, embarrassed, eager and excited all at once, was priceless.