Mixed Blessings
Amanda poured the coffee and handed one to Patsy.
"Come on then," she said. "Spill the beans."
Patsy looked at her older sister and shook her head in disbelief.
"Oh Mand," she sighed. "You don't really want to know"
"Try me," replied Amanda. "A problem shared and all that"
"It's David," started Patsy. "We've been seeing each other for about four months...we love each other Mand...it's the real thing"
Amanda sat down with a thump and stared at her.
"David...David who?" she asked quizzically. "Joe's father of course...what other David?"
"Alright, alright, don't get argumentative," said Amanda. "Explain everything to me now."
So Patsy began the long tale. She told her sister about the night at the opera...about the kiss.
She said that they met each other twice a week...it wasn't just the sex. They were soul mates. What should she do?
"Does Fred suspect at all? " asked Amanda...still dazed by the revelation.
" I don't know," answered Patsy. "He's no fool, he must know that things haven't been right...you know..."
"What are you going to do now?" asked Amanda in a matter of fact manner.
"We're going to come out in to the open," said Patsy. "I know that Fred will be hurt, and the twins, but it is so sordid keeping it a secret. It's just like..."
"You mean Joe," said Amanda sadly. "I know what he gets up to Patsy. I suppose I choose to ignore it rather than confront the situation"
Patsy looked stunned for a minute.
" You mean you know about...?"
"Sue, Rachael...Becky next door, until a few weeks ago," said Amanda. "Yes...I always know. He thinks I don't...thinks I'm stupid maybe, I don't know. He's just like a little boy who wants the sweeties from the top shelf...he does love me...and the
children."
Patsy stood up and put her arms around Amanda's neck
"Go for it sis," said Amanda. "David's a lovely man...just do right by Fred and don't put off telling him. He doesn't deserve that at
all."
Their peace was shattered by the sudden arrival home of Joe. He walked in to the kitchen and kissed his wife on the cheek.
Patsy, who was fond of her philandering brother-in law, shook her head when he kissed her playfully on the top of her head.
"You're happy," she said. "Had a good day."
Joe told them both that he had heard about an hour ago. He had been recommended for a big promotion. It meant more money and a bigger company car.
Seeing the proud look on her sister's face, Patsy got ready to go home.
"Our place...tomorrow," ordered Joe. "We'll have an early celebration...I'll cook a meal"
Amanda nearly fell over with the shock.
"You...cook," she exclaimed.
"You look tired love," said Joe. "You've lost weight as well."
"But I've been trying to lose weight Joe," she said.
"Well...no more," he said with mock anger. "There'll be nothing left of
you."
He also said that he'd just invite his father, Fred and Patsy, saying that it would make a nice change to have a small get-together.
He also didn't really want to face Becky. She'd made it quite clear that she was no longer interested in him. Joe was pleased really, after
all. Sam was a good man, and as for Amanda...she didn't deserve this sort of juvenile behavior from her husband. He intended to curb his ways...it'd be tough, God knows.
Seven thirty the next evening saw the five of them sitting around the dining-room table.
Joe had excelled himself by preparing a beautiful Salad Nicoise for an entrée. Fresh fruit and a wonderful cheese platter followed a casserole of beef served with potatoes and green beans.
Amanda simply couldn't get over it...Joe a chef, would wonders never cease?
David had brought round a particularly excellent bottle of vintage port and the evening was progressing well.
Amanda found herself looking for signs of affection between her sister and father-in-law.
They were apparent as well. Joe and Fred, however, were blissfully unaware of anything. Patsy obviously hadn't told Fred of recent developments yet.
Patsy excused herself and went to the bathroom to re-apply some lipstick. As she left the bathroom, she ran in to David.
"Patsy, I can't stand this," he said. "Having to watch the two of you together...it's tearing me
apart."
Patsy grabbed his hands and kissed him firmly on the lips
"I'll tell him tonight," she said. "He knows that something has changed...I can't hurt him anymore...or you, I love you David, with all my heart!"
As she re-entered the dining room, was it her fertile imagination or guilt...was Fred eyeing her suspiciously?
It had been, all in all, a wonderful evening. Joe had been more attentive to Amanda than he had in years. He had even raised his glass and toasted her, saying,
"Amanda, my true love...to new beginnings."
Amanda thought that she knew what he was trying to say.
David was staying with his son and family tonight, and so the only ones to leave were Fred and Patsy.
Alone in the cab, they didn't say much to each other. As they sat in the darkened lounge once they had arrived home, Fred stared hard at her.
"Things aren't right are they?" he asked.
"It's not just the age...we are so different Pats...we want different things from life. Go...go to David, I know how you feel, have done for a couple of weeks.
You love him don't you?"
Patsy begun to cry softly and Fred put his arm around her shoulders.
"I've been offered a job in Spain," he said. "I've accepted it too...we'll part now then we can remain friends. I love you still Patsy, but I'm not in love with
you."
"Me too," said Patsy, and they both began to laugh. They laughed so much that their jaws ached.
It was so true; they had been living a bit like brother and sister for a while now.
Patsy worried about how Natalie and Steve would take the news. She needn't have worried. Fred said that, sure, they'd be angry at first probably...but they'd come round. They liked Patsy and treated her more as an older sister than a step-mum.
The two of them sat up drinking brandy until four in the morning.
Fred was due to leave for Spain in just three days time, and he asked Patsy if she would like to take over the mortgage on the house.
She agreed to do just that. David had his own place, but she didn't want to rush things and move in with him...they'd take it slowly.
She asked Fred how he'd guessed about David. He said that he couldn't ignore the signs...the snatched looks...it was obvious.
"I'm so sorry Fred," she said...meaning every word. "You don't hate me...do you?"
"My dear girl," he said shaking his head. "Yes, it is sad...but we are growing poles apart now. Better to stop now before things maybe got
nasty."
They went to bed, and Fred said that he'd sleep in Steve's room until he left for Spain.
Patsy told him that he didn't have to, but he said that it'd be best.
As Fred said goodnight and turned towards Steve's room, Patsy said, "You know, we haven't slept together Fred. I wouldn't have done that to you...you do believe me?"
Fred smiled. "Thank you for that," he said. "It means a lot."
Sighing inwardly, they went their separate ways.
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