Chapter 52
Amanda was stunned momentarily. When she dragged herself out of her thoughts, she listened to them again.
"Don't mess this up, Jessie. I'm counting on you. Don't make the same mistake Julie did." Peter said.
"Don't underestimate Amanda." Jessie stated. "Gotcha." Amanda heard the front door open and close. She waited about another half hour. Peter had left but Jessica was making dinner or something. Finally, she heard Jessica walk out the front door. She waited until she heard the car pull out of the garage before she stood up. She stretched her legs for a moment, then left the room. She hurried up and left the house altogether before Jessica or Peter decided to come back.
She was three blocks away from Jessica's house, one block from Rebecca's. When Amanda showed up at Rebecca's house, she seemed confused.
"Amanda, what's wrong? Mark was already here to get John." Rebecca said.
"Rebecca, I need your help. But I need to know that I can trust you." Amanda said. Rebecca seemed reluctant, but then nodded and let Amanda in. Amanda told her what happened at Jessica's.
"Why are you telling me this? Why can't you tell Mark?" Rebecca asked once Amanda was finished.
"He won't listen. I need some proof."
"You have proof. You heard everything."
"It won't classify as evidence. Not if you're trying to pin it on a detective."
"Can't Mark look into it better?"
"Could. But won't. He doesn't think she's up to anything."
"Then why are you telling me this?" Rebecca asked again.
"Because, if something happens to me, I need you to tell all of this to Mark."
"What do you mean? 'If anything happens to you'?"
"I'm not sure." Amanda said. "But something might. And I don't want Mark to get hurt."
"Amanda, I don't know about this. This is a lot of responsibility. I don't think I can-"
"Rebecca, trust me. No offense, but I wouldn't come to you if you weren't the last person." Amanda said. "I would've went to Jill. Before anyone else, it would've been Jill. But I can't. She's gone. I don't have anyone else. Please Rebecca. Just keep this between you and me. For now. Please."
Rebecca thought for a moment, then sighed reluctantly.
"Yeah. Okay. For now I'll play along."
"Thank you."
"Do you want me to drive you home?"
Once Amanda got back to the house, Rebecca left right away. She walked up to the front door, then noticed another car in their driveway. Jessica's car.
"Fuck!" Amanda gasped, then ran through the door, her dream replaying in her mind momentarily. When she got inside, she ran to the kitchen where Mark and Jessica were standing by the counter.
"Manda, are you okay?" Mark asked coming over to her.
"Are you?" She asked him. He seemed confused.
"I'm Fine."
"Mandy, where were you?" Jessica asked sweetly. Amanda glared at her.
"Jessica just brought over some brownies she made." Mark said, then shrugged at her.
"It's my mother's recipe." Jessica said, holding out a brownie. "Try one."
"No thanks." Amanda said. Jessica frowned.
"Well, I suppose I'll get going." She said. She grabbed her purse off the counter and walked to the door. "It was nice seeing you, Mark. Bye, Mandy."
"Bye." Mark said. Once Jessica closed the door Amanda spun around to face Mark.
"A: Why was she here? B: I don't like her. And C: Why does every God damned person call me 'Mandy'? Just because my name is Amanda doesn't mean I like the nickname!" Amanda complained.
"I told you, she brought over some brownies. I guess."
"Why?"
"I have no idea! It was odd to me too. She just came over and asked if I want brownies." Mark said. "It was like one of those little girl scouts that sell cookies, only this girl scout I have to see everyday."
"You don't even like brownies!" Amanda stated.
"I know! But what was I suppose to do?" Mark asked. Amanda groaned.
"I'm going to bed." She said.
"It's only 8:30."
"Oh well!" Amanda yelled back as she stormed to her room.
