Chapter 47 A Missing Card and a Familiar Stranger
"They are kids!" Her mother exclaimed. "You think it's anyway better for them? They have been good kids, Amanda. Don't forget that. And rants like this? It should be expected. You should understand their intention, not their protest."
Amanda nodded. She understood what her mother said perfectly. "What do I do mother? I was harsh. I couldn't get a hold of myself." Amanda asked, sobbing.
"First, you need to stop crying." She pats her back. "You have been brave from the beginning, this is not the time to allow fear to eat you up, right?"
"Yes, mother." Amanda said, wiping her tears.
"Now, you will have to finish what you have started. You will have to make them understand what is going on and why we have to leave here for a while. They are reasonable kids. I am sure they would understand. If they were you, I would have to call a priest."
"Mother!" Amanda snapped "don't even start."
"What? I am not even lying and you know that. They have nothing compared to your stubbornness. Your father had his share before he died."
Amanda smiled. She reached out for her mother's hand. "Thank you, mother. I don't know what I would have done without you" she said, squeezing her mother's hand.
"Come on Amanda. You are still my baby. You may be the mother to these kids but you are my daughter and will be my baby forever." Mrs. Roberts said.
"You are so sweet." Amanda remarked.
"Now, will you stop squeezing my hand and let's talk about the flowers." Mrs. Roberts teased.
"No way" Amanda stood up and walked away.
"You can't shy away from this forever, you know." Mrs. Roberts said.
"My ears are blocked, mother," Amanda answered from the room."
Friday arrived, Amanda's week had been filled with different events. Rowan ensured she went for all appointments. After getting her hair and nails done, she thought it didn't sit well to go to Rowan's family house empty handed. She decided to get them gifts.
"I can't possibly afford anything worthy for them so I better buy something worth it with Rowan's card. A little extra cash will do no harm." She thought.
Amanda strolled through the mall, contemplating what gifts to pick for Rowan's parents. She wanted to make a thoughtful gesture. Something they would appreciate coming from their future daughter-in-law.
"I don't think they would lack anything. They are rich enough" she murmured.
After contemplating for a while, she decided to go for a home decoration. "That will not go to waste" Amanda said to herself. "And maybe some fruits and flowers," she added.
The mall was filled with a wide variety of stores, offering everything from clothing and accessories to electronics, home decor, fruits, groceries etc.
As she wandered through the shops, she noticed a set of beautiful scarfs. She thought about getting Rowan's mother one. "If I pick this for his mother then I will have to buy something for his father as well." She thought.
For Rowan's father, she contemplated buying a fine bottle of wine or perhaps a book on a subject he enjoyed. Amanda took her time, carefully choosing gifts that she believed would be appreciated.
With her shopping cart filled with carefully selected items, Amanda made her way to the cashier to complete her purchase.
"Visiting your in-laws? An old woman said behind her as she joined the queue of people waiting to pay.
"How the hell did she know that?" Amanda thought. She nodded and the woman smiled.
"You have got a nice taste. They would surely appreciate it." The woman said. When she noticed Amanda's confused expression, she continued, "I got the same for my in-laws. They never stopped loving me since then"
Amanda smiled. "That's incredible. I hope I have the same fate." She realized what she said immediately. "That's if they are ever going to be my in-laws." She mumbled under her breath.
"They will," the woman continued. "Thank you ma" Amanda said. To show her gratitude, she offered the woman her position at the counter. "Please go first, ma'am"
"Thank you, my daughter," the woman said, appreciating her kindness.
She felt a sense of satisfaction, knowing that these thoughtful gifts would surely make a positive impression on Rowan's parents.
When she approached the checkout counter, the cashier calculated her goods. "450 dollars," the young lady said. Amanda could deduce that she was rude from her tone but she ignored her.
Amanda's heart suddenly sank. She reached into her bag for Rowan's credit card, which she had been using for the day's expenses, but it wasn't there. Panic set in as she fumbled through her purse, growing increasingly frantic.
"Ma'am, can you be fast about that? I do not have the time for sluggish people" the lady said, impolitely.
"Just a moment," Amanda responded.
The line of shoppers behind her began to grow impatient as she struggled to find the missing card. With a lump in her throat, she had to inform the cashier that she needed a moment to resolve the issue.
"Move aside," the lady said. "Next!" She said without waiting for Amanda to adhere. Amanda moved to the side, clutching her phone and quickly dialing Rowan's number.
"Please pick up, please pick up," she muttered to herself, her voice quivering with worry, as she anxiously waited for Rowan to answer her call.
Just as she was about to dial his number again, a young man walked up to her and pointed his card to the cashier. I will pay for her. Amanda raised her head to get a glimpse of whose voice she just heard.
"Wilson!" Amanda exclaimed.