Excerpt: Privacy Settings: Only Friends

by Michaela Oberlaender

Hi Mandy,
Steve added you as a friend on Facebook. We need to confirm that you know Steve in order for you to be friends on Facebook.
You have 1 friend request.
Send message:
Hi Steve, do we know each other? I don’t recall meeting you, but I’m rotten with names. Can you please refresh my memory? Mandy
Private message to Mandy from Steve:
Hi Mandy, no I don’t think we’ve met. I just did a search for women in the Tampa Bay area who like Almond Roca, and your profile seemed interesting. I like it too. Steve
Private message to Cindy from Mandy:
Hey, Cin! I just got a friend request from someone who I’ve never met on Facebook. I thought no one else could see my info on FB? How do I fix it so I don’t get some weirdoes wanting to be my friend? Please help! You know I’m not so great with all of this tech stuff. Mandy
Reply to Mandy from Cindy:
Go to Privacy Settings, then profile, and set to: Only Friends! That’s it. Don’t worry about the nutcases out there. Cin
Reply to Cindy from Mandy:
I did it! Thanks for being my tech support again. Speaking of nutcases, this Steve said he found me because I mentioned that I like Almond Roca on my info page. Don’t you think that’s desperate??? Mandy
Reply to Mandy from Cindy:
Very!!! (Does this Steve have a cute profile photo?)
Reply to Cindy from Mandy:
I think he must have downloaded it from the web or something. It looks like a model shot of a thirtysomething GQ guy. I bet it’s not even him.
Mandy’s Home Page
You ignored a request to add Steve as your friend.
Mandy’s wall:

Hi, Mandy, I can’t believe I found you on Facebook! It’s been since the summer after graduation, right? Ciao, Annette.
Annette’s wall:
Hi, stranger! How are you these days? Have you finally dumped “Blotface?” I saw that your status is “single” on your info page. Mandy
Annette’s comment below:
Dumped the sod a long time ago. That’s two husbands ago. Want to go trolling for guys some time? I saw that you’re “single,” too.
Private message to Annette from Mandy:
Hi! Where are you living these days? I’m down in the Tampa area, and yes, I’m single, but not because I chose to be. Alan died four years ago in a freak accident. He wrapped his car around a tree when he was reaching down to sneak a bite of Chocolate Trinity ice cream on his way back from Publix. He couldn’t wait to get home to have some! I’m still angry about the senselessness of his death. Especially since I still had homemade brownies at home! He could have gotten his chocolate fix there. Instead, he left me with our son, Matthew, who is now a typical 15-year old that misses his dad.
I don’t know about looking for guys. The whole thing has put me off men for the time being. I don’t know if Alan and I would have made it for the long haul, anyway. We were sort of on autopilot in our relationship. Besides, I’m not in my 20s any more, and don’t know if I can stomach the idea of dating again.
Let me know what you’ve been up to!
XOXOX
Mandy
P.S. Why did we lose touch in the first place? Do you remember?
Mandy’s Notes:

48 Questions
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 1:50am | Edit Note | Delete

Here are the rules - post this list on your profile (in Notes) replacing my answers with yours.
Tag 10 people (or however many you want to) to do the same thing. If I tagged YOU, it's because I want to know more about YOU!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My grandmother Amanda.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Last night.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Nope, prefer to type.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey, I guess. Am not much into lunch meat.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? One son, Matthew, the light of my life. Mostly.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Of course!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Heck, yes!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No. I credit my ice-cream addiction to the tonsillectomy as a child.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Some days yes, some no.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Don’t like cereal.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Yes.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Nocciola and bacio at the Italian gelato place.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their hair.

15. RED OR PINK? Both.

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Let’s not go there.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My husband who died four years ago.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST? If they have the time. . .

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Neither. Am in my nightie.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? My dogs playing chase with each other.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? I never took that FB test.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Fresh roses and freesias.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My son.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Never met her in person, but I like her on Facebook. : )

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Don’t like to watch sports much.

27. HAIR COLOR? Natural or artificially enhanced color?

28. EYE COLOR? Blue

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes.

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Ice cream

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Definitely happy endings!

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Whatever was playing on Lifetime in the background as I read the paper.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Didn’t we cover this already?

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter in Florida, summer in the mountains of North Carolina.

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Why not both?

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Annette?

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Someone who has a life?

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Promotion for prescription antidepressants. (It was free!)

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Too tired to watch TV.

42. FAVORITE SOUND(S)? The ding on the oven when the cake is done, and I can take it out and have a break.

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles!!!

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Paris.

45. Who is your BFF? Cindy.

46. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Decorating cakes and pastries.

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Anyone who cares to reply.

48. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER? In a design class as undergraduates at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Private message to Mandy from Annette:
Hi Mandy: You really don’t remember why we lost touch? Blotface came between us. You couldn’t stomach him and all I wanted to do was have sex with him. In the end, you were right. But the sex was really great, if I didn’t look too closely at his face. . . Then I lost your phone number and by then your parents’ number was unlisted anyway. Plus, I didn’t want to admit that you were right about Blotface. There! I’ve said it. Are you happy???
Sorry to hear the news about Alan. I thought you ended up with Pete? What happened there? I didn’t even know you married mister milquetoast. Ooops, should not speak ill of the dead. Sorry. I just never saw you with Alan, you know? Much too conservative for you.
I’m still living in Chapel Hill and loving it there. I’m teaching yoga classes in a shopping center near campus. What did you end up doing? Do you have your own catering business?
More importantly, are you coming to Homecoming in a couple of weeks? When was the last time you were in Chapel Hill? You can stay with me, and there are some cheapo airline tickets to RDU these days. Please say you’ll come! It will be like old times!
XOXOX
Annette
Mandy’s wall:
Mandy is having a crappy day.
Comment from Cindy:
Why? What’s up?
Comment from Annette:
See, you have to come to Homecoming! You’ll have a good time for a change!
Comment from Mandy:
Cake burned while I was on the phone with Matt’s principal. Now I’m even more behind. And mad.
Comment from Cindy:
What did my godson do this time?
Comment from Mandy:
Tell you when we work out. Hafta make a new cake.
Comment from Mandy:
Annette: I’m thinking about it. I may just need a break from this place. Gotta run.
Private message to Annette from Mandy:
Hi Annette: You’ll never believe it, but my boss went for it! She gave me Homecoming weekend off. Not because she’s that nice (she’s not), but because the big society wedding for which we were supposed to do pastries and the gala cake was called off. The usual reason: the groom was caught messing around with one of the bridesmaids after the shower. Doesn’t anyone watch TV? That’s like the plot of every other Lifetime movie I watch. But I digress. . .
Are you really sure you’re up for company? Can you pick me up from the airport? The flight I’m looking at arrives around 8 p.m. on Thursday night. I can stay till Sunday afternoon, and Matt’s going to be spending the weekend with his best buddy A.J. I’m so excited! I haven’t been to Chapel Hill in years. Do you know who else is coming from our old crowd?
The timer just dinged! And no, I don’t have my own business (I wish!). I was a full time mom until Alan died and now I’m working for Delectable Desserts as a pastry chef. Call you soon! Mandy
Mandy’s wall:
Buy the ticket already! Annette
Annette’s wall:
Already did! Now I’m coming, whether you want me or not! Mandy.
A.J.’s wall:
Hi A.J.! It’s Matt’s mom. Just wanted you to know that I’m glad that you’re having Matt over for the long weekend, but please don’t get too wild, okay? Mandy
Mandy’s wall:
Hi Mrs. G! You know my mom wouldn’t let us get in too much hot water, right? We’ll be good! A.J.
Private message to Cindy from Mandy:
Hey, Cin! Did you see A.J.’s message on my wall? Do you think I can trust two 15-year olds with hormones raging for one long weekend?
I really need to get away. Working for the Delectable Dragon is running me ragged. I can barely believe she gave me time off to go to Homecoming. If the Snebbish-Foster “wedding of the year” hadn’t been called off, I could forget it. I wish you were coming, too! But I guess going to the convention with Tom will be fun for you. I mean: what’s not to like about going to Waikiki Beach? Change that: I wish I were coming with you instead. But my budget is just too tight. And I would be the third wheel. Or is that the fifth wheel? Who knows?
What do you think of me staying with Annette? Do you remember her whole thing with Blotface? I’m a little apprehensive. I haven’t seen her in . . . wait, I need my fingers and toes to count that high! Yikes. We’re getting old. But Chapel Hill was always so nice this time of year and I do miss it.
Oh, and Annette told me that Pete might show for Homecoming. Apparently, it’s along the way of some business trip of his. I didn’t even know she had reconnected with him. She said she contacted him after I told her I was coming. Do you think she’s matchmaking for us? As if we didn’t have our personal past to contend with – please! I wonder what he looks like now? Probably paunchy with no hair on top. A guy can’t stay that good-looking forever, right? Anyway, I’ll keep you posted.
Thanks for offering to loan your maid to check on my flowers. I don’t think they’ll really need it. I mean, I forget to water them all the time when I’m here. Why should they have it better when I’m gone?
I’m going to miss you! Here’s to both of us having fabulous weekends away from the daily trot!
Your BFF, Mandy
Private message to Cindy from Mandy:
Hey, girlfriend! You buried the lead, as usual!!! Pete is going to be there? Now I wish I hadn’t promised Tom that I’d go with him to Hawaii. This is almost too good to miss. The big reunion of the “most romantic couple ever.” Until you weren’t. I don’t think you were even on speaking terms when we graduated, right? But you had hooked up with Alan by then, anyway. I really wish I could see this whole reunion thing unfold. I’ll keep my iPhone on, so you can chat with me, just in case you need it. . .
Gotta go pack some bikinis! Let’s have lunch when we get back, okay? Your BFF, Cindy
Mandy’s wall:
Meet you at the arrivals gate. I’ll be in the red Mini Cooper. I hope your suitcase isn’t too large. . . Annette
Annette’s wall:
As long as I have my Carolina T-shirts I’ll be dressed right, so my bag should fit just fine. If you look as good as in your profile photo, you won’t have changed a bit. Are you sure you didn’t Photoshop the image? Can’t wait to see you! Mandy
Chat
Clear Chat History
Mandy 10:37 p.m.
Cin, you wouldn’t believe it: Annette hasn’t changed a bit! It’s scary!
Cindy 10:37 p.m.
Y?
Mandy 10:38 p.m.
It’s like she has a picture like Dorian Gray in her attic. Only her condo doesn’t have an attic. I’m intimidated.
Cindy 10:38 p.m.
Don’t B! U R beautiful!!! And not Botoxed!
Mandy 10:39 p.m.
Annette could give Joan Rivers a run for her $$ with regard to plastic surgery. She told me she trades with a local surgeon, who takes private yoga classes from her. Private yoga, my a$$! She’d have to be giving him classes all day long to make up for the trades she’s received.
Cindy 10:41 p.m.
What R U sayin? R U sad you went?
Mandy 10:41 p.m.
No. Yes. I don’t know. Everything reminds me so much of Alan. I wasn’t expecting that. It’s as if all the memories rushed right back in. I’m taking it out on Annette, aren’t I?
Cindy 10:43 p.m.
MB. IFYP.
Mandy 10:45 p.m.
I know you’re just doing this to snap me out of my funk. But you know how much I hate the stupid abbreviations when chatting! Will you please spell things out, like the PR professional that you are?
Cindy 10:46 p.m.
It worked! Don’t worry too much about Annette. You have your own unique charms. Just have fun. . .
Mandy 10:47 p.m.
I’ll try. You too.
Cindy 10:47 p.m.
C4N.
Mandy 10:48 p.m.
Ciao!
Mandy’s wall:
Hey, Mandy & Annette! Y’all look great in those mobile uploads you took at Homecoming! Wish I had known you ladies would be there. Spencer
Mandy’s Home Page:
Hi Mandy,
Pete added you as a friend on Facebook. We need to confirm that you know Pete in order for you to be friends on Facebook.
You have 1 friend request.
Mandy’s Home Page:
You are now friends with Pete.
Cindy’s wall:
Cindy is sick. Who comes back from Hawaii sick, I ask you? I’m contagious. Stay far, far away!
Comment from Mandy:
So sorry to hear that. I was so looking forward to telling you about Homecoming. Your phone is turned off, so you must be really ill. Feel better soon! Your BFF, Mandy
Private message to Mandy from Cindy:
Dear Cin,
Since your phone is turned off, I figured I’d send you a message and tell you about my trip to Chapel Hill. But first, please let me know if I can bring you something to make you feel better. Prescriptions? Pastries? Pumpernickel bread? I know you have a perfectly capable husband and a maid, but sometimes you need the tender care of your BFF. So, let me know what I can do for you, okay?
Now, to the good stuff: I saw Pete again. I don’t know if you noticed that he friended me on FB. You were probably too sick.
Cin, he looks almost as good in his own way as Annette does. And without the plastic surgery. I think. He still has his hair, and he must do touch-ups, because you can’t see any gray streaks in that lush brown mane. He definitely still works out. Between him and Annette, I felt downright dowdy. I know, you say that nobody trusts a skinny pastry chef. But I’d like to be one, just the same.
Regardless, he seemed interested in me. Not in hard body Annette. I don’t think she was entirely pleased about that, once she realized just what a catch he is. It turns out that he’s not a beach bum at all, like we always thought he’d be, but a successful businessman. I never quite figured out exactly what he does, but he has to travel a lot for work. He’s never been married, can you believe it? He said he’d see if he can set up some meetings in Tampa soon, so he could see me again.
Cin, I don’t know how I feel about that. Everywhere I went, I remembered Alan. Our first date. Eating out at the Carolina Coffee Shop and at Spanky’s. It was a walk down memory lane, without my Alan at my side.
On the other hand, I also remembered the times I had with Pete. They were pretty explosive, even if it didn’t last that long. Then, to be on the receiving end of his intense attention this weekend was really something. I could tell that other women from our year were eyeing me suspiciously, like “why is he interested in her, of all people?” And no, I’m not being down on myself; I’m just being factual there.
You wanted the full report, right? In the interest of accuracy, I must ‘fess up that Pete kissed me right before I left. Really kissed me! And I remembered that he was always the best kisser. . . Then Annette came to take me to the airport. She asked me about Pete, but I don’t think she saw the kiss. Otherwise, she would have been much more inquisitive.
As it was, she was pretty nosy about everything. About Alan and Matt. About why Pete and I had broken up way back when. I couldn’t tell if she was trying to sound genuinely interested, or if it was just fodder for her gossip mill. She took me to the place where she teaches yoga and made me take a class. You may be sick, but I can’t move, I swear. My body was never meant to be pretzeled in those ways!
At the yoga studio, it was as if she knew the dirt on any and everybody. I hope she doesn’t add my story to the mix. I don’t want people to sneer at Alan and his greedy ice cream accident. I’d laugh, if it wouldn’t make me cry. Neither one of us ever expected him to die so soon, and you know how tough it has been for me to reenter the working world, put up with the Delectable Dragon, and explain to Matt why his daddy would never come home again. So, the last thing I need is for the Chapel Hill crowd to snicker over the stupidity of the whole thing also. It was bad enough when some of our local acquaintances made fun of it behind my back. Sondra even had the gall to bring me some Chocolate Trinity ice cream after the wake. If you hadn’t hung onto me, I probably would have done her serious bodily harm.
Annette turned out to be pretty charming, if you ignore the gossip aspect. She was a gracious hostess, although trying to convince me that Sarah Lee pastries were her own homemade ones didn’t work. I didn’t say anything, because I didn’t want her to know that I had seen the cardboard box in the recycling bin. But please! I’m a pastry chef, after all!
If I wasn’t concerned about what Pete would think of my weight if (when?) he comes down here to visit on his next business trip, I might go whip up a batch of lemon cream puffs right now, just to prove that I know my stuff. And because they’re totally addictive. I know: you could probably use some also, to make you feel better!
I’ll drop some off later, but don’t breathe your germs on me. With my stiff muscles, I don’t think I could handle the crud that you have on top of it.
Apparently, your godson was remarkably good while I was gone. It seems that A.J.’s dad had just given him a new video game for the Wii, so he and Matt spent most of the weekend playing that, A.J.’s mom said. When you’re better, we’d like to have the pleasure of your company for dinner one night when Tom is on call at the hospital. We both miss you!
Be by with the cream puffs later.
XOXOXO Mandy
Mandy’s wall:
Thanks so much for the cream puffs, Mandy! I think they must be a panacea. I feel much better already. ;)
Mandy’s wall:
I like the photo you posted of us at the Homecoming game! I always did look better with half my face painted Carolina blue. Hope to be in your neck of the woods soon! Pete
Pete’s wall:
I kind of like your face au naturel. Look forward to seeing you down here – the beach weather is great this time of year. Mandy
Private message to Cindy from Mandy:
Cin,
Help! What am I going to do? I don’t remember how to flirt! Did you see my lame message on Pete’s wall? Yeah, I like him better au naturel, but didn’t that come off as if I prefer him naked??? And the rest sounded like a phrase from the local Chamber of Commerce! I’m completely out of practice with the flirting thing. No wonder, since the last time I really dated, I was an undergrad at Carolina. And no, I don’t count those two abortive blind dates you set me up on since Alan’s death. They are too horrible to contemplate, so they’re stricken from the record!
Do you have any useful advice? I know you’ve been with Tom almost as long as I was with Alan, but you’re a PR professional, for cripes’ sake! You should be able to tell me how to polish up the communication with Pete. I want to sound flirty, mildly interested, but not trying too hard. I don’t want to come off like a moron who hasn’t prettied up for a man in the last decade. This is an emergency! What if Pete tries to email me, and I have to use more than the 160 characters allotted in a news feed comment? What then? If I flub this up, he really won’t be interested in me. You should have seen how those other women at Carolina were eyeing him! As if he was the only piece of fresh meat around! And I don’t even know if I want him to be interested in me! I’m so confused!!! Set me straight! Meet me for some carbs at Panera Bread for lunch, so I can bring the laptop and you can give me a one-on-one lesson! In distress, your BFF, Mandy
Mandy’s wall:
You’re on for lunch. But you’re picking up the tab, since you’re getting free professional advice! See you at noon, Cin
Comment from Pete:
I’d like to be a fly on the wall at your lunch. Enjoy! Pete
Comment from Cindy:
If we see a fly in the restaurant, it gets swatted! No bugs allowed! Cindy
Mandy’s wall:
Mandy is happy.
Comment from Annette:
What’s going on, girl?
Comment from Spencer:
Does it have to do with me?
Comment from Pete:
I enjoyed our phone conversation last night. Pete
Comment from Mandy:
Just having a spectacular day. Everything’s done for the International Food Festival this weekend, and I can actually relax tonight!
Comment from Helene:
Hi Mandy! I’m going to be in town and plan to swing by the Food Festival. Are you still working the Delectable Desserts stand?
Comment from Cindy:
When do you want me to show up for the Fressfest? Will your stand have those divine cheesecake and mousse creations?
Comment from Mandy:
Yes, Cin, and 1 p.m. is fine. I know how you like to sleep in on Saturdays.
Comment from Pete:
This sounds too good to miss! I’ll see if I can swing by on a business trip to Sarasota.
Private message to Mandy from Cindy:
Cin, did you see Pete’s comment on my wall? I think he might be coming by! What shall I do? I’m not ready for him to meet Matt, and anyway, I have to work all weekend!
Chat
Clear Chat History
Cindy 9:22 p.m.
I got your message. Can’t call right now. Tom is watching the game and doesn’t want interruptions. You don’t know for sure if Pete’s coming or not, right?
Mandy 9:23 p.m.
No. But Helene said she’d stop by. Just what I need. I should update my status to “Mandy is stressed” instead.
Cindy 9:24 p.m.
I thought you got along with Helene. Isn’t she Alan’s sister?
Mandy 9:23 p.m.
That’s my point!! What would she think if she sees Pete hanging around my stand all the time?
Cindy 9:25 p.m.
She can’t expect you to mourn forever.
Mandy 9:25 p.m.
That’s cold.
Cindy 9:25 p.m.
You know what I mean. It’s been almost four years now. You shouldn’t have to remain celibate forever.
Mandy 9:26 p.m.
Who said anything about giving up celibacy???
Mandy 9:27 p.m.
Besides, she’ll report back to Alan’s brother and his parents if it looks like I have a new guy. I’m not ready to face the scrutiny of Alan’s family like that. Especially since I do not have a new guy to begin with!
Cindy 9:29 p.m.
Yeah, Pete is actually an old guy. In the sense that you dated him pre-Alan at Chapel Hill.
Mandy 9:30 p.m.
Crap!!! I forgot that Helene knew that I dated Pete at Carolina. Then she’ll be even more suspicious if she sees him around.
Cindy 9:31 p.m.
You think she would recognize him after all this time?
Mandy 9:32 p.m.
You have no idea. He looks almost exactly like he did back then, only with a tiny bit more gravitas.
Cindy 9:32 p.m.
That could only help. He had no gravitas that I can recall.
Cindy 9:33 p.m.
Cute butt, though!
Mandy 9:33 p.m.
You’re missing the big picture, here! What shall I do if he comes? The DD will never give me the weekend off – we’re counting on getting new clients through this food fest.
Cindy 9:35 p.m.
Well, it’s pretty clear that you have to work. So, if Pete does come, he’ll have to work his schedule around yours. Or he can come another time. . .
Mandy 9:36 p.m.
But if he does come, I’d like to have some time with him.
Cindy 9:36 p.m.
Ah, have you decided whether you’re dating yet?
Mandy 9:37 p.m.
You know, we’ve just had some good phone conversations since Homecoming weekend. I think it’s premature to say we’re dating. For all I know, he has a girlfriend in every port.
Cindy 9:39 p.m.
Aren’t you the optimist? What have you told Matt about him?
Mandy 9:40 p.m.
He did ask about him after I got several evening phone calls from a man. I just told him it was an old college friend from before the time I knew his dad. Perfectly honest.
Cindy 9:41 p.m.
Bet you left out a few details. ;)
Mandy 9:42 p.m.
What was I supposed to say? That I liked sleeping with Pete way back when and that I’m thinking of doing it again?
Cindy 9:42 p.m.
Are you?
Mandy 9:43 p.m.
Thinking of it.
Mandy 9:43 p.m.
Doesn’t mean I’m going to do it!
Cindy 9:43 p.m.
The lady doth protest too much. 
Mandy 9:44 p.m.
I’m not dead yet. I’m allowed to think about it.
Cindy 9:44 p.m.
My point exactly!
Mandy 9:45 p.m.
Speak of the devil. He just sent me an email. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Be thinking of a good way for me to handle this! G’night!
Cindy 9:46 p.m.
G’night!
Private message to Mandy from Pete:
Hi Mandy,
It was really great talking to you last night. Sometimes it feels as if hardly any time elapsed since we were at Carolina. Other times, it seems so long ago, especially when work is stressing me out.
I saw your post about the International Food Festival and think I can combine a business trip to Sarasota with a side trip to see you. How would you feel about that? Maybe you can spare me some time on Saturday night? Let me know if that works for you. I’ll talk to you soon,
Pete
Private message to Pete from Mandy:
Hi Pete,
It was so sweet of you to think of stopping by this weekend. I’d love to see you. At the same time, it’s one of our busiest events, and I will be beat at the end of the day. It’s draining having to be nice to strangers who are yelling their orders at you all day and who complain when the chocolate stuff melts faster than we’d like in the Florida heat. (Can you believe our weather? We’ve been having record temperatures.) I don’t know what to say. I can’t get time off. Even on Saturday night, I’ll have to go back to Delectable Desserts and clean up and get things ready for the full-day Sunday event. Unless you’re volunteering to massage my feet after that, I don’t think I’m up for it. I remember that you used to be good at foot rubs. . .
So, don’t go out of your way to see me. If you can make it another time when we both have more time, then that would be preferable. But if you do come, don’t forget the foot lotion. 
How’s that?
Gotta turn in. We have a full day at work tomorrow. I see frosting 30 cakes in my future.
Bye, Mandy.
Private message to Mandy from Steve:
Hi again,
I’ll buy the foot lotion. Good night, Pete
Private message to Cindy from Mandy:
Hi Cin!
Pete’s coming! Now I have to squeeze in a hair cut and a mani/pedi before the Food Fest on top of everything else. I told him that I’d be too tired, and that all I’d be up for is a foot rub. But that would mean he actually has to see my feet. Even my manicurist hasn’t seen my feet in the last six months! What have I gotten myself into? Want to get an appointment at the same time, so we can hang out together? I bet they’ll squeeze you in, since you’re such a good customer. Let’s try for the 4 p.m. slot, so we can get there before the after-work crowd. I’ll just tell the Delectable Dragon that I need to go pick up some of the weekend supplies. Considering how much overtime I’ll be putting in for the festival, I won’t even feel guilty about it.
Do you think we should just call the Delectable Dragon DD? I bet that’s her cup size, after all. Considering that everything else about her is slender, I’m sure they’re fake.
I’m frazzled. Mandy
Private message to Mandy from Cindy:
Confirmed both of our nail appointments at 4 p.m. Meet you there! Cindy
P.S. I know they’re fake. Tom’s plastic surgeon friend did them. I thought I told you? Must have slipped my mind.
Mandy’s wall:
Mandy will be at the Delectable Desserts stand #145 at the International Food Fest. Come by and see me this weekend!
Comment from Spencer:
Will do!
Mandy’s wall:
Don’t you think you get enough of our desserts, Spence, considering you come by every weekday for your afternoon snack?
Comment from Spencer:
I come for the nourishment of my intellect, not just my body.
Mandy’s wall:
That sounds so pretentious. But we all know you’re having a love affair with the lemon cream puffs. : )
Comment from Spencer:
Who told?
Comment from Annette:
Wish I lived close enough to swing by. I’ll do extra yoga for you, since I’m sure you have to sample the goodies!
Comment from Helene:
I’ll look for you there! Helene
Comment from Cindy:
I sure hope you haven’t messed up that new manicure lugging all the food trays out to the stand. Cindy
Mandy’s wall:
I’m making the new assistant Jorge do it. I’ll do the touch-up frosting instead. Mandy
Comment from Matt:
Mom, get a move on. You’re running late!
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Clear Chat History
Mandy 1:04 p.m.
Cin, where are you? I just spotted Pete on his way over.
Cindy 1:05 p.m.
I’m stuck in a major traffic jam on the Howard Franklin. Both lanes are blocked. Don’t know when I’ll be there.
Mandy 1:04 p.m.
This is not good. Helene is just two aisles over and she said she’d swing by after a lap around all of the stands.
Cindy 1:05 p.m.
Just breathe deeply.
Mandy 1:04 p.m.
Spencer is here, but he’s no moral support. He has his gob full of cream puffs.
Cindy 1:05 p.m.
Just remember a white chef’s coat is sexy. You’ll do great!
Mandy 1:04 p.m.
Easy for you to say.
Cindy 1:05 p.m.
Excuse me! People are so mad, they’re flipping each other off. So, it’s not exactly a picnic here. Don’t you think I would be there for you, if it wasn’t for some moron crashing into the guard rail?
Mandy 1:04 p.m.
Sorry. I’m just nervous.
Cindy 1:05 p.m.
You’ll be fine. Gotta go. The line is moving a little.
Cindy 1:05 p.m.
False alarm. I only thought we’d be moving. What’s happening?
Mandy 1:04 p.m.
Pete’s here. And so is Helene. Wait, they recognized each other. Air kisses all around. Come as soon as you can!!!
Cindy 1:05 p.m.
Will do.
Private message to Mandy from Cindy:
Hi Mandy,
Please don’t be mad at me. I did try to make it. I was stuck on that @#@$% bridge for almost two hours and I had forgotten my cell phone charger, so I couldn’t even call you, because I ran out of juice, as usual. I almost asked a stranger to borrow his phone, but then I thought that he might not consider being late to a Food Fest an emergency and I chickened out. When we finally got to move, I’d just had it and went home.
Tom says my hormones are raging with the latest fertility treatment. I just knew that if I had to be around any more angry or upset people, I would have lost it. Please, please don’t be mad. You know I did try to come to lend you moral support, right? You’re probably having your feet rubbed by the rugged Pete, while I’m sitting here alone, missing Tom. He has overnight duty at the hospital again. So, I’m sure you’re doing fine. Besides, you look really good in your chef’s whites. I bet he thought you were hot. Let me know what really happened, okay?
How was Helene? She never did like me. I’m not Southern enough for her, I think. Especially since I say what I think most of the time. Not genteel enough for milady. Maybe it’s a good thing I stayed away? At any rate, I was thinking of you. Good night, Cindy
Private message to Cindy from Mandy:
Hi Cin,
I was really mad that you didn’t make it, you know! But then I worried that something bad had happened to you when I couldn’t reach you. If I didn’t want to tell you so badly about all that went down, I’d stay mad for a little while longer.
Where to start? DD was in rare form. If anything, she was more tyrannical than ever. If we hadn’t had the new kid Jorge along, I don’t know how we could have gotten all the food trays from the van to the stand. We were so busy, that we had to keep replenishing the supplies. And it was so hot, I thought I would melt under my whites! Who said it was okay for it to be upward of 90 degrees in late October?
Then Spence dropped by and hit on me (as usual), but I think he really only does it so I’ll sneak him an extra cream puff on the house. It’s sickening that he can stay so skinny, considering all the calories he ingests from Delectable Desserts alone! I wish I could do that. . .
While DD was on break, Helene and Pete arrived at the stand almost simultaneously. That was awkward! When Helene saw Pete kiss my cheek and hug me, she looked apoplectic! Then she realized who it was, and she squealed and tried hitting on Pete instead. (You remember that her divorce was final three weeks ago, right?) Meanwhile, I was continuing to wait on customers, and got so discombobulated that when someone jostled my arm, a whole tray of pineapple upside-down tarts descended on me. I looked like a fruit salad! I was horrified, while Pete and Helene looked on with eyes as wide as saucers. I made Jorge help clean up the mess while I ran to the van and grabbed a spare change of clothes. Thank goodness that I always have two extra changes of clothes in the catering van, considering all the mishaps that have happened to me at various events. I could even dash into a nearby restroom and clean myself up fairly well. But when I got back, DD blessed me out that I shouldn’t have left the stand while she was on break. I tried explaining about the accident, but she didn’t want to hear about it. Jorge just shrugged his shoulders and tried to cover for me. Thankfully, he had cleaned up the mess before DD got back. I really like that kid! I hope he can hang in there with DD as our boss. I mean, I don’t have much choice: DD is one of the few good caterers that would take a chance on me after Alan died and I had been out of the work force for all those years. But Jorge can go pick and choose where he works.
I know, I know. I’m burying the lead again. But I wanted to set the stage, so you can imagine the chaos surrounding me when Pete was there. He finally realized that I wouldn’t be able to talk two consecutive sentences to him, and Helene shanghaied him to have some dinner with her. As if she hadn’t been sampling foods at all the other stands for at least two hours that I know of! Pete said he would meet me after work and give me that promised foot rub.
I don’t think I’ve ever cleaned up so fast after an event in my life! I hurried home and jumped in the shower and barely had time to re-apply my make-up before Pete stood at the door with a bouquet of gerbera and a bottle of Chianti. And a bath set with foot lotion! I really didn’t think he’d remember that. I mean, I know that a lifetime ago he had been my lover, but I felt as awkward as if I didn’t really know him. In a way that’s true: so much has happened to us both. Are we even the same people that we knew way back when?
I had two glasses of wine because I was so nervous. Since you know what a cheap drunk I am, I fear that I was more than a little tipsy. I wonder if that was Pete’s plan? Anyway, I had turned on my electric fireplace and set the air conditioning lower, because I thought it would be more romantic this way. (What’s the point of having a fireplace if we don’t use it except on Christmas morning, I ask.) Then we both sat on my couch and Pete told me to put my feet in his lap, and he started massaging them. It felt sooo good! It had been such a stressful day that combined with the vino, the unthinkable happened: I fell asleep! I never even kissed him, except the peck on his cheek when he arrived at my door. I couldn’t quiz him about what Helene had wanted or anything else. I slept right through on the couch until my alarm went off at 5 a.m., so I could get ready for another day at the Food Fest. Thankfully, I had at least set the alarm before my shower, or I would have been in trouble with DD again.
The big anticlimax: Pete tucked my blanket around me, turned off the fire, and left me a note saying it was good to see me, but that he had to leave, since he had an appointment in Sarasota in the morning.
It definitely wasn’t the climax I had been hoping for! I don’t know how I feel about that. On one hand, I had psyched myself up for a more physical relationship, figuring it was safer to try again with someone who had been my lover before. On the other hand, I’m relieved that I wasn’t just some quickie one-night stand on a lay-over between work appointments for Pete. What do they call that these days? A booty call?
So, my big night fizzled. Now it’s back to the trenches again. I’ll bring you some leftovers after the Food Fest winds down. Since it is Tom’s day off, I don’t expect to see you over here. Have fun! Mandy.
Mandy’s wall:
Mandy is off to the gym to work out the kinks from a weekend standing behind the stall at the Food Fest.
Comment from Spencer:
That’s the spirit! Do a few extra laps on the treadmill for me, darlin’
Comment from Pete:
Glad to see you’re back in form. Wish I could have seen you longer.
Comment from Mandy:
Next time?