At work, Mike’s mother Carolyn had left two messages on Amanda’s voice mail before nine am. Now it rang in Amanda’s hand.
“Robert and I are sick about this,” Carolyn said and stopped to apologize for skipping hello and how are you.
“I’m okay. I’ve felt Mike’s relationship with Nadia developing since last summer.”
“Well, it won’t last long; I can guarantee that.”
Amanda wasn’t so sure.
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Audibly tapping her fingers, Carolyn said, “Of course, no one expects you to wait it out. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“We’ve changed,” Amanda said. “And we’d be wrong to try going back.”
“This weekend,” Carolyn said, “Evie told me she was a ‘mystic.’ Apparently, Mike’s girlfriend told her that with Pisces in her twelfth house she’s apt to have spiritual revelations. Robert and I admit we’re snobs. But I’m sorry, the idea of astrology influencing our grandchildren appalls us.”
“I doubt it will influence them much. My theory,” Amanda said, “is that Mike can’t resist the way Nadia takes charge.”
“Oh Lord. I knew it was my fault. I bossed him around too much.”
“Carolyn, don’t. Seriously. People grow apart. It happens all the time.”
“Thank you, Amanda. You’re right. However we choose to explain this, we’re speculating. Still. Robert and I have some ideas. Please, consider them, even if we seem overbearing.”
Technically, Carolyn couldn’t offer names. But she wondered if Amanda would talk to their colleague at the U. of C. regarding lawyers. Amanda explained that she and Mike had worked out an equitable agreement and in that area, she trusted him completely. He had hired a buddy from college who was promising them a quick, no fault divorce.
“Must it be quick?” Carolyn asked. “Because if you hire a separate lawyer, the hearing can be delayed. Whereas Mike’s lawyer, if left alone, might be less inclined that way.”
With some queasiness, Amanda wrote down the name and number of her in-laws’ colleague. Carolyn asked if she could offer further advice. “Just listen, that’s all I’m asking.”
“All right.” Even listening made Amanda uncomfortable, but she had no doubt Carolyn was intent on benefiting her.
“Please consider getting out of real estate.”
“Let me call you back,” Amanda said, “when I’m not at work.”
That evening Amanda confessed she was hoping to find an administrative position with a good school district.
Carolyn asked, “Which one?” Because, wouldn’t you know it, her friend in the University’s admissions department could probably locate a secure job in a nice suburb..
The next afternoon Mike emailed Amanda, asking to get together. He would drive in from the city whenever she said. Could they meet “at the house?” Tomorrow at lunch?
That night she hardly slept. Or, if she did, she dreamed of two anxious, competing voices, both loud and serious enough to make her feel she was wide awake. One voice said Mike was furious that she had let his mother take over.
The other voice argued that the best sex was sex Amanda knew she shouldn’t allow. The first voice said if she permitted, in fact, encouraged that, she was a whore. The other voice said, Such drama! And: Metaphorically, who on earth isn’t a whore?
Rather than go to the office that morning, Amanda dressed carefully in the same clothes she wore the night Mike left her. A dark, straight skirt and soft green sweater, except today underneath it she was wearing a sensational, black lace bra. For an hour or so she lay on top of the covers, watching colorful clouds drift through her mind.
Mike was her only lover. After fleeing New York, after Walter, Amanda’s mother had never let her daughter out of her sight. Amanda had married Mike after her first semester in college.
Well before noon, he crept into the bedroom, whispering, “I’m sorry.” He undressed as if on fire. And naturally, they knew exquisitely well what the other liked best, when, and for how long.
So the voice was right about the best sex. By cheating on Nadia, Mike made love to Amanda on an unheard of, one might even say mystical, level.
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