Never Remember Them

That next weekend, hinting that they needed “to talk to her,” Mike and Amanda drove to her mother’s in the Wisconsin Dells. Cheryl Hanson’s face lit up as Mike approached and kissed his prospective mother-in-law’s cheek. He even lightly draped an arm over her shoulder as they entered the condo.

On the drive here, Amanda had warned him not to go too far. “If she thinks you’re mocking her, she’ll hate you forever. She has a bad temper.”

“Never fear, sweetheart. Besides, I like your mother. You gotta admit she’s hot.”

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Hot? That had never occurred to Amanda. Since they had moved to the Dells, Cheryl had never once gone out with a man. She had explained this—often—saying that if Amanda were ever alone in the room with a man, they were all in trouble. Cheryl had refused to allow Amanda to go out with friends, let alone on a date, including high school proms. So the fact that she liked Mike, Amanda’s first real boyfriend, so well she stood straighter and her gait suggested somehow that she might starting skipping—well, that was a godsend.

Just as all those years ago, Cheryl’s boss in New York had been “a godsend” during a furious, confused week. Amanda didn’t remember why exactly. They had moved abruptly to the Wisconsin Dells, where a good job managing the golf resort was waiting for Cheryl. And unlike her work in New York, it required zero traveling.

That boss, unnamed, unknown to Amanda, had loved Cheryl, even though he was married. In any case, he had influence and had “saved the day” from behind the scenes.

That last year in New York, when Cheryl sold golf clubs and accessories she had traveled so much that, basically, 11-year old Amanda had lived alone. A few days after the turmoil (all she really remembered was Disneyland), Amanda she and her mom moved to a Wisconsin Dells’ condominium. Within hours, it had seemed, Cheryl went from absentee mom to hawk.

When the cheerleaders picked Amanda for varsity, Cheryl had told her, no way. She wanted Amanda to play a real team sport, not stand around clapping and shouting and turning upside down for a pack of boys. Cheryl was sorry if Amanda was hopeless at field hockey but could cartwheel better than the basketball star could jump.

“It’s field hockey or volley ball, take your pick.”

After Mike and Cheryl returned from a quick round of nine holes, Amanda perceived a twinkling quickness coming from Mike that made her shudder.

In bed that night, staring at the stars, she hit upon an explanation for her sudden chill. Mike had flashed the same look at her mother that he used on her, that celestial expression that implied just looking at Amanda (or Cheryl) was an awesome privilege. No doubt, Amanda was imagining it. And even if she wasn’t, what did it matter? That’s how Mike looked, appreciating a woman standing before him.   

It could be a trick, his way of “turning on the charm.” This possibility bothered her, but she quickly decided it shouldn’t. Who didn’t want to project charm? Who wouldn’t want to transmit marvel and wonder after glimpsing deep into another person’s soul?

The marriage delighted Cheryl. Mike said that he and his parents and Amanda had tentatively arranged to meet in two weeks. “Would it work out all right for you, Cheryl, if we all came here and ate dinner at the resort?”

“That sounds lovely, Michael. I’m looking forward to meeting your folks.”

While Mike showered and packed, Cheryl grabbed Amanda’s wrist and pulled her, still in her robe, onto the outside deck. Amanda expected her mother to insist that she finish college and not have children right away, no matter how well off Mike and his family were. Plain common sense, but Amanda figured Cheryl needed to say it. Why out here, though? The air was so cold they could see their breath.

Cheryl’s fingernails dug into her daughter’s arm and she hissed, “Don’t you dare use this wedding as an excuse to contact the Underwoods. Any of them.  Do you hear me?”

“The Underwoods?” The name filled Amanda with fondness. “I haven’t thought of them in years.”

“Well, don’t!” Cheryl said. “Don’t think of them ever again.”

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