"You seem like you're in a good mood," Andrew remarked to Amanda as they walked up to Alma's front door. "I guess that means Vanessa isn't coming."
Amanda glared at Andrew. "No, she's going to be here. I told Alma I'd give her a chance."
"What changed your mind?"
"Alma and I just had a little talk," Amanda answered.
When Alma had called to invite them to dinner, Amanda's first question had been if Vanessa was invited.
"What do you have against her anyway?" Alma had asked.
"I don't like she acts around my husband."
"Oh, Amanda, no one is interested in your husband but you."
Amanda knew her jealousy had no basis and that she should make an effort to get to know her new sister, but it wasn't easy for her and Andrew certainly wasn't helping.
When they walked inside, Vanessa and Bernice were chatting together in the living room. Amanda was starting to have second thoughts.
"Is Alma in the kitchen? I should offer to give her a hand."
"Don't bother, hun," Vanessa spoke up. "She already has Ed to help her."
"Ed?" Amanda questioned.
Vanessa nodded, "Dr. Wilton."
"Really?"
"That smells wonderful," Edward remarked.
"It's just spaghetti and meatballs," Alma said simply, but she couldn't hide the smile that curled across her lips at the compliment.
"It's not often I get a home cooked meal, other than what I fix myself. My cooking skills leave something to be desired . . .Is there anything I can do to help? Provided it's not too complicated."
"You can stir the pasta and make sure it doesn't stick . . .if that's not too difficult for you to manage . . ."
"No, I think that is right at my skill level."
By the time dinner was served, Amanda was starting to see Vanessa in a new light. The way she was able to include even the painfully shy Bernice in the group's conversation made Amanda believe that she really was the warm and friendly person everyone said she was. She was finding it harder and harder to dislike the woman.
"Do you like the theater, Amanda?" Vanessa asked as they sat down to dinner.
"Yes, but I can never get Andrew to go with me."
"Husbands," Vanessa scoffed. For a moment her mind started to drift back to her marriage to Sebastian and she frowned. She shook the memories from her mind and got back to her original topic. "Anyway, I just got a part in a play and I would love to get tickets for you, if you're interested."
"Oh . . .yes. I'd like that," Amanda replied.
"And if you can't drag Andrew out with you, then we'll make a girls' night of it."
"Drag me where?" Andrew asked, alerted to the conversation by the sound of his name.
"To my new play. I'm finally getting back into acting."
"What about the bar? You're not going to reopen it?"
"No, I'm done with that. I closed the bar and transferred ownership of the building over to Lawrence. I'm getting rid of everything from my old life and starting fresh."
"You sold it to Lawrence?" Andrew asked.
"Well, not so much sold it as gave it to him. I felt I owed him something to make up for what my husband took from him all those years ago. Besides I would rather keep my life simple right now. I'm planning on getting rid of the Boardwalk and the house and moving into a little townhouse or condo."
"Are you getting rid of our mother's house as well?" Amanda asked.
"I've already put it on the market."
"You what?" Amanda dropped her fork. "And you didn't tell us?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. Of course, I should have offered you the first chance to buy it. I'm sorry. I didn't think. If you want it, let me know and I'll call my realtor, I'll give you a good deal."
Amanda angrily stood from her chair. "Buy it? You want us to buy back our own house, when you gave Lawrence Arrendale a piece of property that never even belonged to him for absolutely nothing."
"Amanda, you don't understand . . ."
"No, I don't. We're leaving. Come on, Andrew," Amanda ordered, pulling Andrew towards the door before he could finish chewing. "I knew this was a mistake."
"Oh," Vanessa sighed as the front door slammed shut. "I'm sorry, Alma. I didn't mean to ruin your dinner party. It seems like I can never say the right thing around Amanda. Do you think she'll ever give me the chance to explain?"
Alma didn't look up from her plate. "I think you should go."
Vanessa looked at Edward sadly, who only responded with an apologetic shrug. Slowly she rose from her chair. "Oh, ok. Thank you for the dinner."
Alma and Edward sat in silence at the empty dinner table. Alma lifted her fork to her mouth, but then lowered it again without taking a bite. She sighed. "I should clear the table."
"I'll help."
"No, finish your dinner. I've just lost my appetite."
Edward took a few more bites while Alma gathered the dishes, before taking his own plate to the sink and offering to help with the washing up.
"Such a waste," Alma muttered as she threw out the spaghetti left over on her guests' dinner plates.
"It is a shame. It was delicious." 
After the dishes were done, Alma walked Edward to the door.
"Thank you for dinner, Alma. I had a wonderful time."
"I'm sure you did," Alma replied sarcastically. "Next time I won't invite my family."
"That sounds even better," Edward grinned. "I never realized all that I was missing by not having a family."
"Still, I'm beginning to think it's better than being all alone," Alma remarked. "You will come to dinner again, won't you?"
"Of course," he answered eagerly. "I'm so glad you've decided to give me a second chance. I promise I won't make the same mistake twice. I won't bring up marriage again."
"It's ok. You can mention it if you want to," Alma said shyly and quickly retreated towards the door. "Goodnight."
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