Read When You Least Expect It Online
Authors: Sandra Leiper
She would miss her family and friends so much, but then again, would she? After all, Hilary was married and she got tired of being the third wheel all the time. Most of her good friends were married, and her single friends were busy playing the single scene that she wanted no part of anymore.
The front door opened and Amanda went to see who it was, hoping it was Alex. She’d let him take the car to work today, he’d left work two hours ago, and she hadn’t heard from him.
“Hi Mom.”
“Don’t ‘hi mom’ me, where have you been?” She looked at him noting the bandage on his eyebrow. “What happened to your eye?”
“Mom, don’t wig out, but I had a little accident.”
Despite the warning, Amanda wigged out. “What? When…what happened? Are you all right…why didn’t you call me?” Amanda was beside herself. “Where’s the car?”
“I’m fine. It was just happening so fast. A trailer hit the side of the car, it wasn’t my fault.”
“Was anyone hurt?” Amanda’s heart was beating so fast, she had to sit down. She felt as if she was going to black out.
“No. But even though it wasn’t my fault Mom, they ticketed me because I have no insurance. The trailer guy heard that and started talking about lawsuits, even though the police officer told him it was his fault.” He went on to describe the details of the accident.
Amanda was speechless. She’d forgotten Alex had no car insurance. She couldn’t afford it; in fact, no one could afford the ridiculous amounts they charged for new male drivers. She’d been irresponsible allowing Alex to drive her car without it, and now she was going to pay the price. “Where’s the car Alex?”
Alex hung his head. “Outside. It’s still drivable. Mom, I’m so sorry.” He watched as his mother walked to the door and looked out at her car. He’d never forget the look of her face crumpling when it registered.
“Oh Alex, how is
that
drivable?” She went out to take a closer look. The whole front fender on the passenger side had received the most of the damage, with the door following. She tried to open it. It only opened about six inches. She noted the wheel rubbed against the metal where the rim was crumpled. She tried to pry it apart. It helped some, but not much. She didn’t know what to say, or what to do. She was as much to blame as Alex was. She looked at her son who looked as crushed as the car. She went and put her arms around him. “You’re all right and that’s what matters. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but don’t worry, it’s all going to fall on me, because I’m the owner of the car. I should have never let you drive it with no insurance, Alex. I thought you were a good driver, which is why I did, but I guess I never thought about what somebody else could do. One thing is for sure, you’re driving days are over until you get your own car.” She stood with his arm around him, looking at the car. She felt defeated.
“I have a court date in two weeks. What’s going to happen there?”
Amanda looked at her son who sounded so young at the moment. It was surprising how different he was without his tough façade. “I guess we’ll find out when we get there.”
They went in and Amanda sent Alex to soak in a hot tub before going to bed. She went back to her wine, the problem of moving forgotten. What was she going to do if the other driver sued her? How was she going to pay for his damages? What would she do if her car weren’t drivable anymore? She still owed money on it. She buried her face in her hands giving in to the inevitable tears. It was always one problem after another, and she was tired of dealing with them alone.
~~~
Amanda finished with the car dealer, trying to get an estimate as to how much it was going to cost to get her car fixed. Her insurance had been no help, not only were they not going to pay for the damage because Alex was driving, and an uninsured driver, they were going to cancel her policy too. The estimate was for five thousand dollars.
Amanda sat in her car staring into space. She’d cried when they had told her. The mechanic had sympathized with her, and had pulled the rim out so she could drive it, so that helped, a little. She felt inundated with problems she couldn’t solve.
She started up the car and flinched when she put it in drive, listening for the rubbing wheel. Thankfully, there was none, one thing in her favor today. She still felt like driving it directly to the junkyard. She felt like a loser driving this beat up car around. She sighed knowing that she should just be grateful that she had a car to get her to work.
She drove over to Hilary’s, having the need to vent. She breathed another sigh of relief when she saw her car in the driveway. Hilary came running out when she saw her car.
“Oh no, Mandy, what happened?” She looked at her sister, “Are you alright?”
Amanda stepped out and went straight into her sisters’ arms. “I’m fine. I didn’t wreck it. Alex did.”
“Alex? Oh no! Is he hurt?”
“No he’s fine too. He’s at work.”
“Thank God. Then, why so blue? Your son’s fine and by the looks of it, you’re going to get a new car in the process.”
Amanda stared at her sister for a minute before filling her in. “So see, life isn’t so rosy, is it?”
Hilary was in shock. How many things could go wrong for her sister? “What are you going to do?”
Again, Amanda stared at Hilary wondering what the hell she was thinking when she had decided to come over here. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. What can I do? I can’t afford a new car, I can’t afford to fix it, and I won’t be able to afford insurance. Hmmm…I should punt.”
Hilary took her sister inside and started a pot of coffee. “We have to put our heads together here and figure something out. Make Alex pay for it! He broke it, he should fix it.”
Amanda laughed. “Yeah, I wonder how long it would take to save five thousand dollars if he handed over all his tips to me.”
Hilary glared at her. “I’m just trying to help. Are you going to drive that thing the way it is?”
“Well sis, it looks like I have no choice. I have to get around. Speaking of which, I better get going.”
Hilary walked her to the car. “I’m sorry Mandy; I wish I could help you more.”
“I know you do. I’ll be fine; aren’t I always?” She gave her little sister a hug. “Don’t worry.” Amanda got in her car and drove away, wishing she felt as confident as she had sounded.
~~~
Elisa was waiting for her when she got home. Her eyes about bugged out of her face when she saw the car.
“Mom! You said the accident was minor. This isn’t minor! How are you even driving this?” She tried to open the passenger door. It opened six inches. “You can’t even get in over here. Mom, this is ridiculous, I don’t think it’s safe to drive.”
Amanda was seconds away from tears. “I really don’t want to have this discussion, Elisa. I have to drive it; it’s all I have. I just got back from getting an estimate to how much it would cost to fix and that’s no longer an option. I just got it, so I still owe a lot. So unless you can think of another plan, I’m stuck.” She gave in to her tears.
“Mom, don’t cry. I’m sorry. I guess I just didn’t realize how bad this situation was.” She hugged her mother. “Anyway, I came over to give you some happy news. It looks like you could use some.”
Amanda smiled at her daughter. “I sure could.” They went into the house and she went into the bathroom so she could blow her nose, take a deep breath and try her best to shake off how defeated she felt.
She poured herself a glass of water. “Okay, happy news time!”
Elisa held out her left hand. “It’s official!”
Amanda couldn’t help but focus in on the rock that was sitting on her left ring finger. “Holy cow, Elis, it’s beautiful—and enormous.” She took her daughters hand, truly in awe.
“I know, huh? I was so surprised Mom, and Tom was so romantic.” She went on to tell her all the details which included being picked up by a limo, flowers and a fancy restaurant, where he finally proposed.
Amanda was elated for her daughter. “So, is there a date?”
“Next year. So we have to start planning right away.”
“This should be fun! I can’t wait.” She squeezed her so tight; Elisa finally laughed and pulled herself free.
“Mom, there’s one thing. Tom said he wants to be part of the planning. He wants us to do everything together. From picking out the invitations, the cake, flowers, the location, all the way down to the dinner; everything, except for my wedding gown.
We’ll
do that part! He said unlike most guys, he has also always wanted the perfect wedding.” She hesitated for a moment, noting the shocked look on her mother’s face.
“That’s okay with you, right Mom? I mean, I know it’s usually the bride and mother-of-the bride who does all that, but isn’t it better if the groom wants to be involved?”
Amanda had always dreamed of the day her daughter got married. The planning, the bonding, she knew it was a special time in a mother-daughter relationship. Her own mother had been gone by the time she got married, so she had missed out on that end, which is why she thought she and Elisa would make up for it. Amanda squelched her feelings immediately. “Of course it is. I think it’s great. Okay, I’ll admit I feel a little disappointed because I always imagined that I would be a part of it, but it’s good that Tom wants to do it. I take it you’re having a big traditional wedding; although I thought you didn’t want that.” Elisa had always told her mother she wanted a small wedding. She’d felt that big weddings were a lot like three ring circuses. “What happened to being barefoot at the beach?”
Elisa laughed. “I was a kid then. Tom says that I would regret not having the princess wedding. I decided he was right. I want to be the fairytale princess, Mom.”
“So, who’s paying for the ball, Cinderella?”
It was Elisa’s turn to look shocked. “Well, traditionally, it’s the parents of the bride.”
.
Amanda fought every muscle in her body to keep her face straight and not burst out laughing. She thought of her car outside and wondered where her daughter could even imagine she could pay for such an event “? Oh Have you spoken to your father yet?”
“No, Mom, you know I always tell you everything first. You’re not going to help pay for my wedding?” The grown-up Elisa suddenly turned back into the child, eyes wide and full of wonderment.
“I’ll try, honey, that’s all I can say right now. The wedding you just described will cost ten thousand dollars, at least.”
Elisa’s eyes brimmed with tears. “But I’m only going to do this once, Mom. It’s forever, not like you and Dad. I want it to be perfect.”
“Of course you do; every bride does.” She wondered briefly if she thought that she and Randy had gone into their marriage planning their divorce. “I can only promise you so much, Elis. You and Tom are going to have to take in some of the cost too. I promise you I’ll do my best.”
“Okay, Mom.” She hugged her and turned to go. “I’m meeting Tom, I have to go.”
“Well, thanks for stopping by and telling me. I love the ring. Congratulations Elisa; I am so happy for you.”
“Thanks, Mom, see you later.”
As the door shut, Amanda’s feeling of defeat surged through her body once again, only now it was double the amount.
She went over to the phone and blindly dialed Ray’s number. He answered on the first ring.
“What’s up, buttercup?”
Amanda smiled briefly at the corniness of that line, and then burst into tears. She brought him up to speed on her life of the last few days and ended by saying she was done. Literally. She was to the point where her plate was full, overflowing really, and she didn’t know how to fix it, or where to go from here. “In other words, I’m asking for your help, Ray. Help me fix my life.”
Ray smiled. “If that’s a marriage proposal Mandy, and as tempting as you have just made it sound, I’m going to have to pass.” He sighed and continued before she could take that the wrong way. “I want to help you honey, really I do, but I’m not sure what you’re asking me. Do you want money? Do you want me to come down and take matters into my own hands? Would you like to move in with me? I don’t know what you need right now. I do know this Mandy, I
do not
want you to decide you want to move to Maine so that you can run away from your problems. I want it to be because you want to be with me, not hide from everything. I just wanted to say that upfront before you continue, because if you
did
say to me that you were moving here, I could and would only be able to say, ‘Woohoo!’” He laughed before adding, “Is that what you’re saying?”
It was Amanda’s turn to laugh. “Wow, you can really take things and run with it, huh?” She laughed hysterically until tears were running down her face. “You are too funny!”
Ray rolled his eyes annoyed because she was laughing at him, but before too long he was laughing right along with her, her laughter contagious. “Well if laughter really is the best medicine, you must be cured!”
Amanda’s laughing finally subsided. “I needed that! I think that because I feel so overwhelmed it was either laugh or cry; or as in my case, a little of both.
Ray wished he could reach through the phone and hold her. “I prefer the laughter. I’m glad my little speech tickled you. Feel better?”
“Yes, I do. Your little speech, tickling or not, made a lot of sense. I do want to run away, Ray. But you’re right, that wouldn’t be a very good beginning for the two of us. I’ll figure things out. I do have a question for you though. How far is Boston from you?”
“Boston? It’s about a two and a half hour drive. Why do you ask?”
Amanda’s wheels were turning so fast she didn’t even hear him.
“I’m just wondering. Elisa is planning to move to Boston next year. Maybe moving across country, say to Maine, wouldn’t be such a bad idea. How do you feel about acquiring an almost grown man as a roommate?”
Ray couldn’t believe his ears. Was she actually thinking about possibly moving here? He put his finger in his phone ear and shook it. He definitely was hearing things.
“Would you have a problem with Alex moving with me if I decided to come to Maine? That is, if you wanted me to move in with you. We could get our own apartment if that worked better. Hmm…that probably
would
be better as far as Alex was concerned.” Amanda was pretty much just thinking out loud at this point.
Ray, on the other hand, was pinching himself. He must be dreaming. If not, he was speechless. He couldn’t conceive the possibility of his dream actually coming true. He didn’t know how to react. “Mandy…”
Amanda cut him off. “I have to go Ray. I have to pick Alex up from work. I like to allow myself extra time considering the shape of my car. We’ll talk about this later.” She hung up; unaware that Ray was still in shock on the other end.
He hung up in slow motion, his mouth still hanging open. Was Amanda serious? He looked around his tiny apartment, wondering if she could be happy in it. Wait! She talked about bringing Alex! This wouldn’t be the place for him! No room! A young man of his age would definitely need his own bedroom. He dialed the concierge.
“Hi Mr. Knight. What can I do for you?”
“Good evening.” Ray recognized the voice of the usual night clerk. “I was just wondering if there were any two bedrooms available in the building.”
“I think so. We have quite a few openings right now.”
“Any idea how much they are?”
She looked on her list and gave him the amount. “Thinking of moving?”
“Well, you never know! Thanks for your help.”
Ray remembered Amanda’s idea of maybe her and Alex getting her own apartment. Of course, she’d come blindly, without a job. He’d have to be ready for her, help her and Alex in any way he could.
If
she was serious, there’d be a lot of work involved, and it would cost both of them a lot of money. Nevertheless, whatever it was that Amanda would want or need; he was ready to take it on.
~~~
Amanda flew out of her house and jumped in the car. She turned the key to hear only the grumbling of her engine. Oh no! This was all she needed. She kept trying the key and pumping on the gas. She yelled at the car to start, she pumped the gas; she turned the key repeatedly, until she noticed the billows of smoke coming out of the hood. She hurriedly got out of the car and opened the hood to find the engine on fire! Flames shot out of the car, brushing with Amanda’s hair, throwing her on the ground. She screamed for help, hysterically, hoping someone would notice. She finally came to her senses, ran into the house, and dialed 911. She then dialed Hilary’s number, frantically told her the story in ten words or less, and asked her to pick up her son.
She went outside, stood by her car, and watched as the flames flickered in the darkness, the smoke thick and black. She felt nothing. She thought about her car insurance, or lack thereof. She thought about getting to work. She thought about her car payment. Then she thought about Ray; how he didn’t want her to run away from her problems. She threw back her head and laughed a deep, throaty laugh. Fighting hysteria, she watched as the firefighters pulled up and sprang right into action, like the superheroes everyone knows them to be. They put out her fire in a single bound. Amanda didn’t move from her spot.
“Ma’am, are you alright?” One of the handsome firefighters put his hand on her shoulder, jarring her from the safe spot in her mind.
She looked at her car, what was left of it anyway; looked at his handsome face and smiled. “I’m great,” she answered. “Couldn’t be better.”
Chapter 43
Amanda was on her way home from work via the bus. She kept trying to
convince herself that this wasn’t the end of the world. Maybe it was even better! She didn’t have to deal with traffic, gas was cheaper this way, and she didn’t have to worry about insurance or maintenance. Yes, this was the life.
She laughed out loud, not caring if anyone heard. The fact was she had no choice. The bus would be her way of life now, like it or not.
Alex had felt terrible when he had seen the charred body of what had been left of her car. No one was sure what the cause of death was, but it was apparent that it was an aftermath of the accident. It was just as well. Alex had promised her that he was going to somehow, someway get another car for them to use. Although she didn’t feel it was too likely at this point, the offer touched her.
Amanda pulled the string, thanked her driver and started her trek home. She passed by a McDonalds and decided to bring home dinner. Alex was going to be home. Until they could figure out how to get him home at night, he had asked for a few days off.
She was surprised to find him sitting in the living room holding an envelope in his hands. He didn’t have the television or radio on, he was just sitting there.
“Hey, Al, are you okay?” She noticed that he looked like he was about to explode with excitement.
“I’m fantastic, Mom. I have good news.”
“Great, I could use some about now.” She plopped down on the couch. “What is it?”
He handed her the envelope. The return address was from the University of Arizona in Tucson. She looked at him before opening it. “What’s this?”
“I applied to the U of A, Mom. I’ve been accepted.”
“What? When?” She read his acceptance letter, tears running down her face. “Oh Alex, this is great!”
“I didn’t think I would get in, so I didn’t tell you. My guidance counselor wrote a letter of reference, because he is an alumnus. I really want to do this. I can probably get financial aid, it won’t cost you anything.”
Amanda hugged her son. “I think this is great. I’m just surprised. But, school starts soon, is everything in order?
At this point Alex ran to his room and returned with a large envelope. “I have all the financial papers filled out Mom. You just have to sign it and fill out your financial information. I can probably enroll this semester.”
Amanda was speechless. He was so different from Elisa. Elisa always let her know what she was up too, what her plans were. Alex did this without even mentioning it to her. It was so unexpected. She looked at her son. “Why didn’t you tell me Alex?”
“I wanted to surprise you. Plus, like I said, I wasn’t sure I was going to get in, and I didn’t want to disappoint you if I didn’t. I have to do something now that I’m out of high school. This feels right.”
Amanda was ashamed that she didn’t know this about her son. “I guess I didn’t realize you were planning a life without me knowing. I’m proud of you Alex; and of course, I’ll help you as much as I can, any way I can. I’m also glad that Aunt Blossom will be in town with you in case of an emergency.”
Alex groaned. “Mom, will she be coming over all the time?”
She laughed. “Probably not Al, she’ll probably just want to cook food for you and bring it over occasionally.”
He considered this for a moment. “Great!”
She rumpled his hair, which he hated. “Go eat, I brought home some food. I’ll fill out the papers. Oh, and if you haven’t called your dad, now would be a good time.”
“Oh yeah! “ He took his food into the bedroom, and Amanda could hear him excitedly telling his father the same story she just heard. She smiled as she munched on her burger, filling out the papers that would send her son onto another phase of his life.