Amanda
“No way… am I hearing this right? Is that Dale’s laughter? My son, I haven’t heard you laugh like that in years. Come give your mother a hug.” A beautiful older woman appeared in the doorway. She was wearing one of those fancy designers dresses complete the lavender cardigan, and matching wedges.
“Mother…” Dale came to her, and she hugged him and kissed his cheek lovingly.
His father and brothers had retreated back to the bar, and continue on their talk for a more serious discussion.
Mmhh… his family is actually better than mine, but still, the appraisal would always bother me. I still didn’t get why…. why put anyone in that spotlight, why judge from their appearance alone.
I did that years ago and ended up with Troy and I have learned my lesson, the hard way. Now at twenty-six, I’m a divorcee with a mental bruise that would re-emerge from time to time.
Dale and I would talk about his past and mine. I know about his late wife Ava, about his feud with his parents regarding her social status.
I was itching to wear my jeans and hoodie for this meet just to show his parents, but I actually love Dale. I actually wanted him to see that I could help him mend his relationship with his family. Because sometimes I would sense that he actually missed them. It has been years already, I do believe that Dale had given his parents enough time to feel bad about their behavior towards his late wife Ava.
“Mable say hello to your grandmother…” Dale and his mother came closer to us, then Mable stood up and give her a hug.
“And this is my girlfriend Amanda…”
Again, just like her husband she gave me a once over then nod appreciatively. Again I winked at Dale, making him let out another laughter that he couldn’t hold back.
His mom looked at me and was about to say something when Natalie entered the room. She was with her sets of parents, they look just as posh as the rest of the people there.
“I see that you’ve met Amanda.” Natalie was giving me her looking down at my expression.
This bitch…
“Ah yes… Natalie was talking about you previously, she said that I should meet Dale’s new girl.”
Before she could talk more, Dale introduced me to Natalie’s parents who didn’t look so pleased to see me.
“So, what do you do Amanda?” Natalie’s mom asked while she took a seat beside her husband. I know she was asking me about my job, I had no doubt that Natalie probably worked in her family business with some fancy title on her office door.
I grew up with trust-fund kids, I know their types and she didn’t appear to be one of those who shop all day and vacation around the world. She looked like one of those go-getters, who would fill their time playing in daddy’s office until it was time for her to marry to expand or strengthen their family business.
“I’m a painter,” I said while stirring my tea and sipping it elegantly, I know they notice this little stuff, that was why I sit up straighter and cross my legs as if the queen of England herself was sitting in front of me. They were a bit taken back when they heard me, then Natalie smirked looking satisfied with herself.
“Oh, how… wonderful…” Natalie’s mom hangs her words, I just smile knowing that she intended to belittle me for being an artist with no steady income.
Mable that was sitting with Dale and talking to her grandmother suddenly came up to me and sit back on my lap. I smiled and caressed her hair, then she relaxes back to my chest.
“I also like to paint, my teacher said that I’m good at it…” she looked up and smiled at me.
“Of course, you’re a true Rapunzel aren’t you? I’ll set up a small easel for you when we get back then we can paint together…” I tuned out Natalie’s parents and started my conversation with Mable. She was getting bored with the adult conversation and honestly so was I.
“Dale, would you mind if I took Mable outside for a while, I think she’s getting bored with all the adult conversation…” I said to him in all politeness, his mom was smiling at me and telling Dale to give me the house tour.
“… show her the gallery, I’m sure as a painter she would love to see the paintings there. And be back here in an hour, we’re still waiting for your father’s business partner.” She said with all sincerity, I was feeling her warmth towards me, while Natalie looked at me with jealousy.
Suck it up bitch…
I smirked at her and latched my hand to Dale’s while my Mable was on my other side.
“You’re enjoying this a bit too much aren’t you?” Dale whispered as he kissed my cheek. I could see Natalie pouted, then finally join his brothers at the bar.
“Yes, she deserved this.” I grinned at him.
“Come on then, let’s give my two favorite girls the house tour. Mable, I don’t think you’ve seen the gallery. It’ll be the first time for my girls.” He took and grabbed her by her little waist and carry her sideways making her laugh loudly.
“Daddy, my brain is going sideways… you need to put me down…” she was giggling and screaming to her dad all through the long hallway. He was playing her, carrying her steady by his side until we reached the gallery. Then he put her on his hip and kissed her temple, she rests her head on his chest.
Their closeness always gives me extra fuzzy feelings on the inside. Then Dale wrapped his arm around my waist when he reached my side, while I was looking at a very beautiful painting of the coastal scenery.
“This gallery is mother’s pride and joy, she likes to collect arts, some are really good, but some she collects just because she can.” He shrugged as he told me, though seemed a bit bothered.
“Hey… she seems nice Dale, just give her a chance. Trust me, yours is better than mine. And they seemed to miss you too. I love you, baby, just give them a chance…” I whispered my last sentence and peck his cheek.
The gallery was a very beautiful high ceiling room, filled with paintings of different genre and arranged beautifully as it flows throughout the different eras.
We were back at the lounge trying to have a civilized conversation, while Natalie’s parents keep on talking me down. I could see that Dale was calming himself down a couple of times, while I caress his hand silently telling him not to fuel them any further.
“Natalie here just closed a very lucrative account for the company, you should really try going into business Amanda, it’ll set you up financially. A woman should taste their independence before they settle down….” Natalie’s mother chimed in after her father, while her daughter smirked at me from across the table.
Dale’s mother was being polite by not interrupting them, while she was keeping Mable busy making tea and cutting more cake for everyone.
Then a familiar voice appeared from the background.
“Ahh… here they are Eli… Lily welcome, I thought you’re canceling on us…”
“Alan, I’m sorry for being late…”
“Nancy, forgive us to keep you all waiting…”
My mom and dad both greeted Dale’s parents at the same time.
Oo oh…