afterburn

                                                     We ♥ It
"Did anyone tell you about Olivia?" Syd made small talk with Amanda while she was there with Evan. Syd was doing her best to make the most of the visit. Even though they were pretty much confined to the nursery. Eric stayed in the kitchen.

"What about Olivia?" Amanda looked Syd, a bit indifferent.

"Her Dad's here."

"So."

"Her real Dad." Syd nodded.

"Her dad's a pastor or a missionary, isn't he?" Amanda winced who picked up Evan then.

"Thats what Eric thought, but it seems that's not her real, Dad." Syd thought for a second that this was pure gossip, but still it was an uplifting story. She hoped she made it sound that way. "She's adopted, and-and well, he's here." Syd was all smiles, thinking she might be the worst chicken soup for the soul storyteller ever, but still it was talk. "So are you taking any classes this summer?"

"No." She was solemn about it. "Elliot and I might visit some of his relatives back East."

"That sounds fun." Syd smiled.

"Yeah, he says it'll be our honeymoon." She didn't smile about it.

"Well, good for you two." Syd felt her smile fading.

"Look, you don't have to be nice to me." Amanda glared at her then.

"But, but I want to be. I want us to all get through this, you know. We have to, we have to try. At least for Evan." Syd told her. "I do want to be your friend, Amanda. Lets face it, we'll be seeing each other. A lot."

"Eric just acts like I'm a monster of some kind." Amanda gritted.

"Don't-don't worry about him. It'll take some time. You've been through a lot." Syd told her.

Amanda just frowned and handed over Evan before he could get fussy.

"I don't want to be his mother!" Amanda lasped into tears. "I don't. I don't want to be any-ones mother."

Syd just nodded as Evan grasped her thumb. She stayed still wondering if she had started this, to make Amanda so upset.

"Maybe, next week will be better." Syd remained even lipped.

Amanda shook her head.

"These pills make me feel nothing." Amanda slightly shook. "I don't feel anything, like I did. At least, I felt something. Now I feel nothing."

"Well, you should talk to your doctor." Suddenly, Syd felt like a commercial. She hoped Elliot came soon. She knew it was best not to bring Eric in on this. At the moment.

Syd's thoughts