Esther nodded her head as she listened.Mandy’s mom was always perfectly presented – even in the morning after a slumber party, Mandy’s mom would have her full makeup on and her hair styled in some cute, relaxed fashion to match her expensive pj’s and slippers.
“So, she mentioned to me once that she wanted me to make sure that you weren’t left out at recess.Apparently, she had noticed that you hung on the edges of the playground and had heard that your parents argued.She thought I could help you, and it would make her look good to have such a loving daughter.”
“I’m a charity case?”
“See, I told you that it wouldn’t come across well.”Mandy hurried to continue.“So, I did what she said.I started to talk to you and play with you.I didn’t want to deal with my mom being disappointed in me because that would be a never-ending thing.She’d still be reminding me of my shortcomings now if I hadn’t done what she wanted.”
Esther huffed.None of what Mandy was saying was helping anything until she added…
“It was the best decision I ever made.I’ve never had a friend like you.I can see why Fred liked you.You’re the best friend everyone wants, and honestly… oh, you’re going to hate me.”
Esther attempted to brace herself for some even more damning revelation.
“I didn’t want you to date Fred because then, he’d be your best, best friend, and I’d be left behind.”The words were spoken so quickly that Esther wasn’t sure if she had heard them all or properly.
“You ruined my chance at the best thing that could have happened to me because you were what?Jealous?”The thought simply boggled her mind.
“Yes,” Mandy’s reply was soft and pained.“I’m sorry.I know those words don’t suffice, but I am.I am so, so sorry.I have been for years.”
Esther pulled the phone away from her ear and just looked at the screen.
“Esther?Esther, please.Say something.”
She put the phone back by her ear.“I don’t know what to say, Mandy.I think I need some time to process all of this.”
“Okay.I can understand that.”
“So, um, well, I guess I should go get things in the oven and all that, so I’ll be ready for Dad when he gets here.”
“Sounds good.Remember, we’re watching Christmas movies tomorrow night and scrolling for great Boxing Day sales online at Rosalie’s.”
“I know.”
“You’ll be there?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Even if I’m there?”
“Yeah, even then.”
“I love you, Esther.”
“Love you, too, Mandy – I think.”She flopped onto the couch as she pressed end.What a Christmas this was turning out to be!
What she wouldn’t give to be able to call Fred to tell him what she had just learned.She tapped her phone on her hand.She could call Steve, but… well… that seemed like a bad idea.He was busy with family stuff, and she wasn’t sure he wanted to hear how she only had her friends because they felt sorry for her.
Okay, maybe not all of them, but the one who seemed to be the catalyst to the group she now called her dearest friends.
And she was also sure that Steve didn’t want to know the reason why her good friend had talked her out of dating Fred.In fact, he didn’t know that she had ever almost dated Fred.He only knew that they had been life-long friends.
She pushed off the couch.The food was not going to cook itself.Part of it – the small turkey she had bought – was in the oven, of course, but the sides still needed some prep work and then cooking.A message popped up on her screen as she tied on an apron and pulled out the carrots and potatoes that needed peeling and chopping.
Hey, Sweetie.Got a third call.
Of course there had been a second call, which explained why her father still wasn’t on his way to her house.And there’d likely be a fourth at this rate.
Guy’s shift starts at 3, so I can be there after that for certain unless the final repair takes too long.I’m sorry, Sweetie.
