“Hello?” I heard her answer. “Terry, hi!”
Candace paused her haste.
“Oh, you know, living it up now that my kids are gone. We should definitely go grab a cocktail.”
“C’mon, Candace,” I whispered, but she waved me off.
“Not yet,” Amber continued. “But I’m still getting child support payments from deadbeat Brenton, so I’ll be able to afford it soon.”
I watched Candace step closer to the room her mother was in. I was frozen in place, confused at the complete one eighty she just did from wanting to run for the hills just moments ago.
“Ugh, those little monsters. Aiden is at sleepaway camp for the entire summer, thank god. Candace left for her father’s early, which could not have been more perfect. Peter and I have been able to spend soooo much more alone time together without her pouting around.”
Candace tensed, but didn’t move.
“She’s almost fifteen, I think,” Amber continues. “Wait, no. You’re right. She has her license. Whatever. The point is I only gotta put up with this bullshit for a couple more years for her and a few for Aiden. Then, I should be married to Peter, they will be gone and life will be sweet again.”
Before I could stop her, Candace wass barging toward the fitting room door. She raised her hand to knock, but just as she was doing so the door flew open. Amber began to step out but stopped as soon as she saw her daughter, her face filled with shock.
“Sweetie. What are you doing here? Where’s your father?” Amber looked around for Brenton.
“He’s not here,” Candace told her. “Why do you care anyway? Looking for your child support money? That’s the only reason you still have custody of me, right?”
“Candace, what are yo—”
“Save it, mom! I heard everything.”
Amber looked around the store, embarrassed at the scene they were causing. Her eyes found mine.
“What are you staring at, lady?”
“I, uh—” I began, but Candace cut me off.
“That’s my friend,” she said.
“Your friend? Isn’t she a little old to be your friend?” Amber eyed me up and down.
“I’m Brenton’s neighbor,” I told her.
“Oh.” Her eyes grew small and narrow, her gaze sharp as a knife. Then, she turned her attention back to her daughter. “Listen. I don’t know what you think you heard, Candace, but—”
“I know what I heard and I’m glad I did. I’m also glad I left to stay with dad early. You really are such a bitch!”
“Candace!” Both Amber and I screamed at the same time.
Amber glared at me again. “What the hell kind of neighbor are you anyway? Are you sleeping with him?”
My mouth dropped open.
“Let’s go,” Candace said, picking up her bags and grabbing me by the arm.
Before we walked out, she decided to get one final word in. “Oh, and you should know, I’m going to find a way to never have to be with you again!”
Amber looked shocked. Her mouth was shut tight, but her eyes pulsed with rage. Then, Candace dragged me out before I could go off on Amber for being a total trainwreck in front of her daughter. We got back to the car and Candace looked defeated. I felt terrible. I had no idea how to console her.
“If it makes you feel any better, my mom sucks too.”
This got a faint smile, but it faded quickly.
“Let’s get you back to your dad,” I told her.
“Wait until he hears this.” She sighed into her lap and slouched back into her seat.