Through Thick And Thin

“It could have at least been a bar and grill. I hope to get hammered tonight…or at least tipsy enough that I remember sleeping with Mark tomorrow morning,” Amanda said. Amelia smiled and took another sip of her juice. Amanda looked around the bar again and frowned. “Seriously, Amelia. There is a child seated at that table. We could at least sit at the bar…there is no bar, is there?” she asked and Amelia shook her head.

“There is a very beautifully detailed wine list. And look they offer cocktails too,” She said as she handed Amanda the menu.

“This is so not what I had in mind when I suggested a girls’ night out,” she said. “I hope you at least took an Uber here. Because I did.”

“Why would take an Uber when I have a car?”

“Well, do you want to get a DUI in your record, missy?” Amanda looked at Amelia who was now shrugging.

“Not exactly,” she said.

“That’s that then. Maybe we can leave it here and then…” Amanda’s voice trailed off. “What exactly are you having? I can’t see any orange juice cocktails here.” She looked up. “Matter of fact, they only have the two. Bloody Mary and cosmopolitan.”

“Actually, I am having juice,” Amelia announced.

“You are officially acting weird today.”

“I don’t mean to, maybe it’s just hormones.”

“Aunt Irma in town or something?” she asked.

Amelia held the back of her neck and sighed loudly.

“No, not really,” she started. “Actually she won’t be visiting for a while,” she added in a small voice. She looked at her sister’s face and tried to read the reaction as best as she could. She could have sworn that she had offended her sister when Amanda suddenly gasped, a smile on her face.

“No freaking way,” she said before she slapped a hand on her mouth when she realized she was louder than she had intended to be. “Do you have a bun in your oven?” Amelia nodded and shrugged again. “I am going to be an auntie?” Amanda asked and Amelia nodded again.

“Generally, that’s how these things work out Mandy,” she said.

Amanda climbed off her chair and walked to where her sister was before she engulfed her in a big hug.

“I am so fucking happy for you,” she said in a whisper.

“Considering everything that is going on in my body, you need to start watching your language,” Amelia said smiling.

“Oh come on, that little thing can barely hear me.”

“Well, it is good practice for when he or she finally gets here,” Amelia said.

Amanda hugged her again.

“Oh my God…” she said and Amelia gently pulled away.

“We are starting to attract attention,” she whispered. “People might think you are my girlfriend or something,” she said. Amanda sighed and looked around. People were indeed staring,

“She is my sister,” she said to one women who was trying to cover her son’s eyes. “She is going to have a baby,” she added proudly and the woman smiled.

“So you are happy?” she asked.

“Why the hell wouldn’t I be happy for you? That is amazing news.”

“I know but I know that you and Mark…” Amelia started.

“Oh please, don’t go there. You are my little sister and I will always celebrate your good news regardless of what I am going through,” Amanda said smiling. “Did you hold off on telling me because you didn’t want to offend me?” she asked and Amelia nodded.

“Kind of.”

“I’m too happy to be pissed off,” Amanda said as a waiter walked up to them. “A bottle of your finest champagne.”

“A bottle? Really?” Amelia asked, raising an eyebrow over the other.

“Yes, a bottle. I will be drinking for both of us now that your body is an alcohol free zone for a while,” Amanda said. “Oh and a plate of ribs,” she said to the waiter before he walked away. She turned and looked at Amelia. “So, how far along are you?”

“Nine weeks…so two months and a week.” Amanda frowned.

“Two months? That’s about how long Grandma Leila has been gone.” Amelia nodded. “Really? That’s when it happened?”

“That night at the wake actually…I’ll spare you the details,” she said laughing.

“And how is Chad taking the news?” Amanda asked. Amelia took a sip of her juice.

“He couldn’t be happier.”

Amanda took her phone and began typing frantically. Amelia became suspicious when she saw the smile on her sister’s face.

“Who are you texting?” she asked.

“Mark, telling him the good news and Tweeting the good news to everyone I know. Hashtag proud auntie, hashtag sister mummy.” Amanda looked up. “I think I will put in some more hashtags in there,” she said. Amelia smiled and took another sip of her juice.

“Hashtag knock yourself out,” she said smiling.

“Maybe I should take a selfie too,” Amanda said looking up and Amelia rolled her eyes.

“Oh boy,” she said under her breath.