“Well, look who it is. The Wicked Bitch of Blissville High,” Milo had said when he walked up on the scene. “Take your flying twats and be gone before I borrow a bucket from the janitor and douse you with water.”
“My, aren’t we brave this year?” Amanda had asked. “You do know that my boyfriend is a football player and can crush you, right?”
“Yes, but I also know that my boyfriend is the captain of the football team and could snap your boyfriend like a twig. I don’t think you want to get into a pissing contest with me. Get going.” Milo had made witch cackling noises when Amanda turned and strode away in a huff.
“There’s a crazed killer that seems intent on killing you,” Amanda said, pulling me back to the present. “I’d call that trouble.”
“Oh, that,” I said, playing dumb. “It’s nothing for you to worry your pretty head over. Thanks for checking on me though.” I wanted her out of my store as fast as possible.
“Well, I admit to having ulterior reasons for stopping by.” Amanda’s face flushed prettily and she tilted her head down to look at the ground, but I could still see a wicked smile spread across her lips. When she raised her eyes to meet mine again they glittered with evil intent. She placed her hand over her stomach, splaying her fingers to cover as much area as she could. My heart sank when I realized what she was about to say. “I’m expecting,” Amanda said excitedly. “Not many people know it, but Clayton and I are so excited about our little bundle of joy that’s due to arrive later this year.”
“That explains the sudden weight gain,” my mom said. She placed her hand at the small of my back to remind me that she’d always have it through any battle.
“Mom,” I said in a warning. As vapid and vain as Amanda was, I didn’t want her starving herself and harming the baby because of something my mom said. We were better than her. “You look beautiful, Amanda. Congratulations to both you and Clayton.”
Amanda had sneered at my mother’s barb but flinched at my kindness. Had I found the way to beat her after all? “Thank you,” she said cautiously. “Well, Clayton said an ordinary nursery wouldn’t do for his baby, so I’m hoping you can help me find the perfect pieces. I want the room to be elegant, classy, and timeless.”
“A child’s nursery?” my mom asked. “Honey, there’s nothing elegant or classy about changing shitty diapers, so it’s best you prepare yourself for that now. You’ve come to the right place though. Maegan has the absolute best taste and can find almost anything your heart desires. She’s also mature enough not to let the heinous way you treated her in high school interfere with conducting a business transaction. Right, Maegan?”
There was a not-so-gentle dig at Amanda and reminder that my business was more important than Amanda’s shenanigans. She was right. I wouldn’t allow Amanda to go around town telling people that I refused to help her. It would give my business a bad reputation and more ammunition for Amanda to use on me later. I’d be damned if I played another one of her games.
“Absolutely,” I said to my mom before I kissed her on the cheek. “I love you.”
“Call me later if you can tear yourself away from your man. Good luck, Amanda,” my mother said dramatically.
“What did you have in mind for the nursery, Amanda? Did you have a theme or pattern in mind?”
“Uh….” It was obvious she expected me to refuse her.
“You don’t want antique baby furniture because it doesn’t typically meet today’s safety standards and it lacks certain convenient features such as sides that lower or cribs that can convert to beds.”
“Um…”
“However, there are manufacturers that specialize in making modern furniture that resembles vintage pieces. Beautiful stuff. I can help supplement whatever design you choose with lamps and decorative pieces. Oh! I found the most amazing collection of porcelain Beatrice Potter figurines, but I think I’m going to save those for my own nursery someday.” Amanda looked at me like I had lost my mind, and before she could comment, I said, “There is more than one way to become a mother, Amanda. Surely you know this.”
“Sure,” she said, nodding her head.
Of course, I always knew that adopting kids was an option. I just didn’t think I’d find a guy who could get past it. I had this idea in my head that men only wanted kids that carried their DNA. How misguided was that? It wasn’t that Elijah told me something I didn’t know, but hearing it from him made me want to heal that wound and live my life to the fullest. I didn’t have to give up on being a mom, I just had to do it another way. I didn’t have to wait for a guy to come around and approve my plan either.
“I’m going to adopt a houseful of rowdy kids.” Visions of kids running through the house or back yard with barking dogs chasing them made me smile. Then I realized the house and yard wasn’t my current residence, but it felt like home regardless. I didn’t think I’d been inside the house with wide plank wooden floors, so why did it feel familiar. Then I realized that I had indeed recently seen those floors with my very own eyes.Huh, I didn’t see that one coming.
“Do you smell something burning?” Milo asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Smells like sulfur.” He sneered at Amanda. “I thought I saw your broom parked outside.”
“Hello, Milo,” she said.
“Should I grab a bucket of water?” he mock-whispered.
“Nah,” I told him. “I’m helping Amanda pick out furniture and decorations for…” I wasn’t sure she wanted people to know about her condition.
“Clayton and I are expecting a baby,” Amanda told him. “Maegan is giving me some guidance.”
“She is?” Milo asked.
“I am.”
“You’re a better person than I am,” Milo said. “I still want to douse her with water for the way she treated you.”
Amanda sucked on her teeth as she contemplated his words while she studied me. “She’s a better person than me too. I’d have blasted me with both barrels.”
