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Amanda hates sitting anywhere in the house except the family room. She loves it, so I suggested we do appetizers and drinks in there instead of the more formal living room.
We’re all sitting around with drinks, making small talk.
Reggie says, “Mandy, my mom and dad are coming in for a visit next week. They asked about seeing you.”
Amanda smiles. “I’d love to see them. It’s been years. I didn’t realize they’re able to travel.”
“It’s not easy, but they want to come in for SJ’s graduation party.”
“Has he decided on a school?”
She and Sam look at each other and then she sighs. “We want him to go to a state school. It’s a lot cheaper. He got into a few Ivy League schools and wants to go, but they’re triple the price. We can’t afford it and I don’t want him graduating with a pile of debt.”
I can’t help but interrupt. “What about a scholarship? I know those schools offer several for deserving kids.”
She shrugs. “He applied to a few, but it doesn’t look like he qualified for any.”
We’ll see about that. I pull out my phone and fire off a few texts, before turning back to her friends. “Where do your parents live, Reggie?”
“In California. My brother passed when we were teens.”
I nod. “I heard. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks. They couldn’t stay in the house. They couldn’t even stay in the area. The minute I graduated high school, they moved to a small town in Northern California, as far away as possible. They practically died with him. They fell apart and have never been the same since.”
I turn to Amanda. “That’s when you lived there, right?”
Amanda nods.
“She did more than live with us. She carried us.My brother wouldn’t have lasted as long as he did if not for her.”
“Reg…”
“No, Mandy, it’s true. My parents were amazing before his illness. The best parents you could ask for, but they fell apart when he got sick. They couldn’t manage to do anything knowing their son was dying. Mandy was the one who held me when I cried. Mandy is the one who played nurse to my brother. She managed his medications and doctor’s visits. She cared for my parents when they should have been the ones taking care of us. She’s a fucking angel sent from above. There’s no better human being on this planet.”
Amanda shakes her head. “She’s exaggerating. They were losing their child. Any parent would feel the same.”
“He needed them. I needed them. They failed us both. I have five kids. I can’t imagine anything worse than losing one, but I’d like to think I’d go on and live for the others.”
Amanda wipes the tears trickling down her face. “Anyway, I’d love to see them. Just let me know when and where.”
Reggie nods.
I can tell we need a subject change. I turn to Victoria and Cliff. “How many children do you have?”
Victoria answers, “I have one from a previous marriage, Pandora. She’s Jade’s childhood best friend. That’s how Amanda and I met. Cliff and I have two sons in elementary school. And I agree, Amanda is an angel from above.”
I smile. “I guess it’s unanimous.” I kiss her hand. “You’re an angel.”
Reggie looks between both of us. “I think I should give some kind of interview. I’ve known you longer than anyone. I can set the record straight on all this nonsense coming out. Tell them about the real you.”
Amanda shakes her head. “Absolutely not. You don’t need to be in the line of fire. Think of your kids. That’s the last thing I want. This will all blow over at some point.”
“At what cost, Mandy? This is so fucking wrong.”
I see pain in Amanda’s eyes. She’s hurting and it’s my fault.
AMANDA
