Amanda was still feeling giddy on her walk back home that Friday. She’d been floating all day long after Joyce had left the clinic with Dingo. She’d ignored Doug’s reproachful looks. She was happy. Sooner or later he would see that and accept it. If he didn’t, then he wasn’t the friend she thought he was. She’d managed this long without friends and she could do it again if she had to. She liked Doug, but if she had to choose between him and Joyce, the choice was clear.
Remembering that her fridge was empty, she decided to grab dinner to-go at the Bagel Café before she went home. She’d already ordered her turkey, cream cheese, baby spinach, and tomato sandwich when she spotted them, or she would have turned around and left before they could see her. Barbara and Heather were sitting at a table close to the front windows.
Amanda stood at the counter with her back to them, waiting impatiently for her sandwich, praying it would arrive before they noticed her. When she risked a glance in their direction again, however, Heather was looking at her with a friendly smile and waved. She was waving politely back when Barbara turned around and noticed her.
The young woman on the other side of the counter handed Amanda a brown paper bag and she headed for the door only to hear Barbara’s dictatorial voice call out to her. “Amanda, please come and join us for a minute.” She felt trapped.
She grunted internally and reluctantly made her way to the table but didn’t sit, holding her paper bag with closed fists. “I can’t stay, but I hope you have a pleasant evening.”
“Sit down for a minute, young lady, before you run away again. I’m beginning to think it’s me you’re running from,” Barbara said with a loud, obnoxious laugh.
“Mom,” Heather pleaded, “if Amanda says she can’t stay, let her go.” Heather then turned to her, “I’m really sorry about what happened the other night. I, for one, think you and my aunt would make a great couple. Don’t listen to anything my mother says.”
“Shut up, Heather. A great couple? You can’t be serious. But of course, I should have known you would encourage your aunt’s ludicrous behavior.”
Amanda watched as mother and daughter argued, thinking she should probably make her escape, when Barbara looked up to her, “You realize my sister will be eligible for Social Security before you reach forty, right? Think about it, Amanda, and get out of this before it’s too late. Before you cause Joyce and yourself more pain.”
Amanda wanted desperately to find a witty comeback, but nothing came. “Barbara, Heather, it was lovely to see you. Good night,” she simply said. Then she smiled, turned around, and walked out of the restaurant as calmly as she could. As soon as the door closed behind her, she quickened her pace and by the time she reached Norumbega Parkway, she was practically running. Certain they could no longer see her, she slowed down and took a few deep breaths to calm herself.
She couldn’t believe how snooty Barbara could be. She vowed not to let her words get to her. She couldn’t help but feel compassion for Joyce though. With a sister like Barbara, it wasn’t surprising that she’d been so insecure about their age difference. She could only hope Joyce would somehow break free of the severe judgment she’d been subjected to all her life.