Mandy

Chapter 11

I can't believe what she said, and I can't believe what he did. Oh don't they know it's wrong?
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When the doorbell rang a couple minutes later, Mandy ran for the front door like a teenager.

She flung it open. "Samantha!" She greeted her friend, giving her a big hug.

Samantha pulled away and studied Mandy with a smile. "You look good." She told her.

Mandy hugged her again. "Thanks."

"Samantha!" Amilee screamed, running over.

Samantha picked the girl up and spun her around. "Have you been taking good care of your Mommy?" She asked.

Amilee nodded. "I take care of her and Ethan." She boasted, making Samantha laugh.

Mandy led them back to the kitchen. "She's a handful." She warned her.

Samantha shrugged. "I have two sisters and eight step-siblings. I'll be good." She replied.

This time it was Mandy's turn to laugh. "I'm sure you will. I've just never been away from the children for more than a couple hours." She said as she filled the sink with water.

Samantha set Amilee down before turning to Ethan. "Hey buddy!" She greeted him.

Ethan frowned as his face contorted into a pout. "Mama!" He protested.

Mandy sighed. "He will probably be upset for awhile, he usually is." She told Samantha as she picked up some toys that were laying on the floor.

"I'll help. Ethan knows me." Amilee inserted.

Mandy nodded. "Amilee isn't that great at obeying herself, but she is plenty happy to keep Ethan in line."

"And everyone else." Caleb said as he walked into the room. "Hello Samantha."

Samantha smiled. "Hello Caleb. I can't remember the last time I saw you." She greeted him.

"Probably when we were all eighteen." Mandy supplied.

Caleb shrugged. "You've only seen each other like, three times?"

Samantha nodded. "This is the fourth." She agreed.

Amilee jumped up and down. "And she's babysitting and then she's staying for a couple days!" She reminded everyone eagerly.

Caleb nodded. "Ami, settle down please." He reprimanded her, then turned back to Samantha. "The instructions are on the counter. Amilee's bedtime is at eight if she doesn't take a nap, eight thirty if she does. Ethan goes down at seven."

Mandy opened a cupboard and pulled out a box. "Leftovers for lunch, Mac and cheese for dinner. Amilee knows where everything is, so don't worry about that." She closed the cupboard and turned to the sheets of paper on the counter. "Pretty much everything is written down, emergency numbers on the fridge, and of course feel free to call us if you need anything."

Samantha nodded. "We will be fine." She assured her.

   Mandy smiled and hugged Samantha again. "Thanks again, this is really helpful."

   Samantha hugged her back. "It's great. I get a break from my- state and I get to see all of you."

   "Mandy, we need to get going, our flight leaves in an hour." Caleb reminded her.

   Mandy handed Samantha a set of keys before putting on her coat. "We should be back tomorrow by noon. Have fun!"