Page 10 of Beyond Reach

“I have to agree with you.” Chanda smiled, thinking she’d try to be friendly with Lanae.

“Then again…” Lanae changed her mind. “Marcella, didn’t Garner say you look perfect and beautiful the other night?”

Marcella squealed with delight. “He did.”

Chanda followed the two women out of the apartment. She thought about sticking her fingers in her ears to cut off some of the squealing but didn’t figure they’d take that well. Now that she was with Marcella and her friend, she was glad she’d had the foresight to reserve a room at the hotel. The very second she could extricate herself from this girl time, she would.

Chapter 5

“Aunt Hope,” Chanda said. “How have you been?”

“Chanda.” Her aunt, Marcella’s mom, was almost as thin as her daughter and just as attractive. She’d aged over the last decade, but time had been kind. “It’s so good to see you, baby. It’s been too long.”

Chanda stepped into Marcella’s parents’ house. “Yes, it has. How’s Uncle Bill?”

“Hateful as ever. I don’t know why I’m still with him.”

Chanda coughed away a laugh. She followed her aunt into the kitchen, where her aunt liked to entertain company. Chanda’s mom had done the same. It must be a family thing. Chanda had vowed when she grew up and had people over to her house, she’d see what the living room looked like. Funny, since she grew up, she hadn’t had one person over. It was pretty pitiful.

“Your uncle is at work.” Her aunt checked the clock over the TV. “Come to think of it, he should be off. Probably stopped at the bar to have a drink with his friends.”

“Well, since he’s still working, and you look good, I’m assuming you’re both in good health. Glad to see it.”

“Never mind about us. Sit down here and tell me about you. Should I expect my invitation in the mail some time soon?”

“Huh?”

Her aunt poured her a glass of lemonade, and Chanda took it with thanks. “I’m asking if you’re about to get married any time soon. I don’t see a ring on your finger.”

“Me? No.” She covered her discomfort with a sip

of the cool beverage.

Her aunt sat down in front of her and took one of Chanda’s hands in hers. “My poor baby. Tell me your heart is healed after all that tragedy you endured. You’re doing okay, right?”

“I’m fine.”

The older woman narrowed her eyes and stared into Chanda’s. “You look just like my little sister, just like her. It still hurts thinking about her dying so young, but I know she’s in a better place.”

“Yes.”

“And you should know that too, sweetheart.”

Chanda looked away. “Of course I know that, Aunt Hope. You’re right. I’ve done a lot of healing over the years, and that’s why I’m here.”

“And the other thing?”

“What other thing?” She didn’t have to ask. She knew where her aunt was going and wished she’d let it go.

Her aunt brought out a chocolate cake from the fridge. Even before she cut into it, Chanda could see her aunt had smeared a pound of frosting on top. The frosting must be an inch deep.

“Don’t try to fool me, Chandelier. I love my daughter with all my heart, but Marcella… Let’s just say she fixes her eye on something and that’s all she sees. I bet it never occurred to her how hard it would be for you to come back and have to watch her marrying your college sweetheart.”

“It’s not like that. I’ve had tons of relationships since Garner,” she lied. Too late, she realized she sounded like a ho. “I mean…”

Her aunt cut off the biggest slice of cake Chanda had ever seen and plunked it on a plate to slide in front of Chanda. “He’s a sweet man, perfect for my Marcella. Do me a favor, Chanda, and I’m begging you.”

Chanda’s mouth fell open. “You don’t have to beg me for anything, Aunt Hope. What is it?”

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