Chapter 3 - Everything She Wants
After dinner, while Amanda and Dotty were distracted doing the dishes, the boys got busy in the dining room making their Mother's Day cards. Taped to a chair that was strategically placed in the doorway was a note that read, "No Mothers allowed."
Strewn across the table was an assortment of crayons, markers, papers, and paste. The room was eerily quiet as the boys worked in deep concentration.
Amanda thought that perhaps it was too quiet in the dining room. "Fellas, it's awfully quiet. Everything all right in there?" She peeked around the corner.
Philip and Jamie sprawled over their artwork, desperately trying to hide their cards. "Get out! Don't come in here. Read the sign, will ya? It says, 'No Mothers allowed'."
Amanda retreated to the dishes and smiled knowingly at Dotty. They both chuckled.
Dotty teased, "Well, they did put up a sign, Amanda."
"I know how to get in there." She paused, then called, "I guess you don't want this hot chocolate I made. With extra marshmallows."
The boys looked at each other. "What do we do now?" Jamie whispered.
"Don't fall for it, Jamie. It's a trap." Philip sat up straighter. He called out, "That's not gonna work, Mama! Grandma makes us hot chocolate any time we want it!"
Amanda raised her eyebrow as she turned to look at Dotty. "Motherrr…"
Dotty blushed and shrugged. She let out an uncomfortable giggle. "That's not true," she said with a guilty grin.
"I guess I'd better start hiding the marshmallows now," Amanda quipped, smiling at her mother, knowing the real truth.
Dotty reflected on the boys' conversation she overheard earlier in the store. "Amanda," she began, treading lightly. "In the store today, Philip said that he thought you were sad. Is it true? I thought you were doing better."
"Oh my gosh, Mother. Philip actually said that?" Amanda was crushed. "I didn't think they noticed. I've really tried to be upbeat and happy around them."
"But are you?"
Amanda sighed. "I try to be. I mean, I have a roof over my head, two beautiful boys, a wonderful mother who loves and supports me. How could I not be happy?"
Dotty pulled Amanda into a warm hug. "My darling, Amanda. I just want the best for you."
"Oh, Mother, please don't worry. Really, I'm okay."
Dotty took Amanda's face in her hands. "But okay isn't good enough for need some romance and adventure in your life. Just think about it. It may be time to consider getting out and meeting someone." She hung the dishcloth to dry and walked over to the laundry room.
Amanda looked out the kitchen window and sighed. "I'd love to be more than just a housewife. But, now I'm not really even a wife anymore. Maybe I need some excitement - romance and adventure? Perhaps one of those fantasies I used to have about secret agents will come true."
To Be Continued...