Amanda sat at the dining room table, lingering over her morning coffee. She was still in shock. Not only had she and Alma lost their mother, but they were about to lose their home as well.
Alma was still bitter about it. When she heard the news, all she could think about were all the years they had worked to support the family, while their mother had been saving away money in a secret bank account. They had done so much for her and she left them with nothing but a few trinkets.
Alma was angry, but Amanda was just hurt.
When she saw Alma walk through the house, dressed as if she were going out, Amanda stood up from the table and approached her.
"Where are you going?"
"To work," Alma replied, as if the answer was obvious.
"So soon?"
"Why shouldn't I? We need the money, now that mother left everything to some stranger."
Amanda looked shocked. She knew Alma was angry about the situation, but she couldn't believe she said that.
Alma softened her tone a bit and reluctantly admitted that wasn't the only reason she was going to work. "Besides, I'd rather stay busy.
After Andrew left for his first day of work at his new job and Amanda was left alone in the house, she decided keeping busy would be a good idea. She got out her mother's old address book and decided to make some calls and see what she could find about Dorothy Alice Summers.
Summers had been her mother's maiden name, so chances were the mystery heiress was somehow related to her. She didn't remember hearing that name before and she didn't see it anywhere in the address book as she flipped through it. But she did recognize a few of the other names listed. She decided to try calling some of the numbers in the book. Maybe one of her distant relatives would know something about who this woman was.
When Lawrence walked into work that Monday morning, everyone was gathered around Hector, shaking his hand and giving him their congratulations. Immediately suspicious, Lawrence wandered over to the group to see what Hector was up to now.
"Laurie!" Hector greeted him cheerfully. "I'm glad you're here. I have good news."
When Hector paused for effect, Lawrence was certain that he was going to announce that he had been promoted to vice president. He braced himself, preparing to give a convincing congratulations.
"Congratulate me. I'm getting married to Eileen."
Stunned, Lawrence asked without thinking, "She said yes?"
Hector slapped him on the back and laughed. "Don't act so surprised."
Before Lawrence could even begin to speak, Arthur interrupted, "Congratulations, son. I know you'll take good care of her."
As the others talked, Lawrence slipped away from the group and retreated to his desk.
He couldn't believe the news. Did she really say she was going to marry him? He thought Eileen said that she didn't want to marry Hector. It didn't make sense, unless he had misunderstood what he had heard outside of Arthur's office that day. Maybe he had everything wrong.
He didn't want to think about it or about how foolish he felt, so he sat down at his desk and tried to focus on his work.
Eileen and Lucy greeted each other outside of the restaurant where they were meeting for lunch.
"Congratulations," Eileen said, as she gave Lucy a hug.
"Thanks," Lucy beamed. "I can't believe we haven't seen each other since Craig and I got engaged."
"I know. I've been so busy. Let me see your ring."
As they walked up to the restaurant, Eileen asked Lucy all about the proposal and Lucy happily shared all the details.
Only after they were seated at their table and Lucy had finished telling her story did Eileen share her big news.
"Guess what. You're not the only one who's engaged. I told Hector I'd marry him," she said with a smile.
Lucy frowned. "You did what? How could you do that, Eileen? You cannot marry Hector!"
"Why not?" Eileen asked defensively. "Just because you don't like him?"
"No," Lucy replied sharply. "This doesn't have anything to do with me. You're the one who's always saying that you aren't ready to settle down and now suddenly you're going to marry Hector. It doesn't make sense."
"But it does. Hector and I get along great and we've known each other forever. I've thought about it and this is really the best thing for everyone."
"No, it's not. How can you even think that?"
"I think I know what's best for my own life," Eileen snapped. "And I don't see what gives you the right to judge my choice. At least I'm not getting married to a man that I barely know."
"I know Craig," Lucy defended herself. "Maybe I haven't known him forever, but I definitely know him now and I know that I love him. And I can say it. I love Craig. Can you say that about Hector?"
"My mind is made up and I'm not going to change it," Eileen said with a defiant glare.
"I can't stop you from marrying Hector, if that's what you want, but I won't be a part of your wedding."
"Then don't count on me to be a part of yours either," Eileen said as she stormed out of the restaurant.
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