Weary, I side stepped him. “I can do it.”
I took all my belongings, packed them in my SUV, and drove to my condo.
I’d left the keys on the counter for Amy and taken an Uber to the airport. I’d left.
And now, here I was, as if no time had ever passed, staring at the source of my unhappiness.
Holding hands, Clay and Amanda grinned at me. Clay had cut his hair. It was now buzzed short. Still black, but definitely more respectable. Amanda looked bridal thin. Still strong, but much thinner than the athletic downhill skier she used to be. It was as if all she was eating was celery and the occasional hard-boiled egg. Her light brown hair was expertly highlighted honey blond. Her fake lashes confused me. She had never been the girly type. She had become a stranger.
“We are so happy you’re here.”
I couldn’t tell if she was masking her nervousness or if she was genuinely pleased to see me. Our fight had been a little different than the one with Clay. More yelling. More tears.
I remained stoic, a watery smile on my face. “I’m happy I’m here too.” I said politely. I had dreaded this moment for so long. The beginnings of a fever dream closed in around me.
Amanda let go of Clay’s arm and hooked hers through mine. She escorted me into the main living area of the house. Clay followed behind.
A waiter passed by with a tray of mango shrimp. “Ma’am?”
I put my hand up, “No, thank you.”
Standing regally at the fireplace, my parents waved us over.
The fifteen-foot mirror above the mantel, flecked with gold, reflected the light from the elaborate crystal chandelier hanging above the sitting area.
“Elizabeth,” my mother exclaimed. “You made it.”
The guests’ chatter surrounded us. I noticed a few side eyes and quiet whispers from some of the men I’d treated as players. Clay may have been traded to the Bruins, but he still had many friends in Colorado. A few of the players waved and smiled. Others took a direct route out of my way.
“Hello, mother.” I kissed her cheek. My dad took me in a hug. “Dad.”
My mother addressed Clay and Amanda, “I’m going to sneak her off for a moment, we’ll be right back.”
Amanda said to my parents, “We’re going to continue greeting guests.” She turned to Clay, beaming, “And then I think you want to formally announce, right?”
Clay wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “I can’t wait.”
I almost vomited. My gag reflex caused my breathing to rapidly increase. I turned back to my mom, “You wanted to talk.”
“Yes, come to the study with me.”
She turned on her heel. I followed dutifully behind her.
We moved towards the front of the house again, and then down a hall to the right. My dad’s study was dark and smelled of leather. Triple crown molding gleamed at the ceiling. Wood paneling made it look like a British gaming club.
I sat on the arm of a burgundy leather couch.
My mom came to me. With two hands, she grabbed my face, “Elizabeth.” She kissed my cheeks. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
I put my arms around her. She dropped her hands from my face and pulled me towards her. “It has been so long. I wish you hadn’t stayed away for so long.”
“I’m glad I’m home too.”
She stepped back and crossed the room to sit in a Queen Anne chair. She crossed her ankles and sat primly with her hands in her lap. “Now, I want to make sure you aren’t going to cause any trouble for Amanda.”
Sucker punch. “What?”
She didn’t move. “It’s just that they’ve waited a long time out of respect for you, and I don’t want you making this difficult for them.”