Done Adulting Vol. 1 Ch. 135

On the last day of her visit, it was Cheryl had some alone-time with Amanda while Jamie napped.

“Can I try something, Manda?”

“Uh, sure. What is it?” Cheryl blushed and held her arms up. Amanda smiled wide and scooped up Cheryl into an enthusiastic embrace. Cheryl wrapped her legs around Amanda and put her head on her chest. “Have you been wanting to do that all week?”

“I’ve been wanting to do that for years. Uppies always looks so good,” Cheryl answered with her cheek against Amanda.

“Live up to expectations?”

“Even better.”

“Aww. You sweet little girl.” Amanda sat down on the couch and rubbed Cheryl’s back. Cheryl felt softer than Jamie, smaller.

“I want to thank you,” Cheryl said.

“For the hug? You’re very welcome.”

“No. For Jamie. For everything you’ve done for him.”

“It makes me very happy to do all of it.”

Cheryl sat back so she could see Amanda’s face. “I think you saved him,” Cheryl told her.

“Everybody says that. I think he should get all the credit.”

“No. He gets some, but you saved him. I need you to know that.” Amanda felt herself tear up a bit.

“Well, thank you for bringing him to me,” Amanda said softly. “He ...” She choked on a sob. “I ...”

“It’s okay, Manda,” Cheryl whispered.

“I’m a better person because of him,” she said, trying to get her diaphragm to stop cramping.

“You were always an amazing person. That’s why I gave you to him. He just helped you realize it ... I told him as much in my first letter to him.”

“I can’t believe how much I love him. I didn’t think I could ever love someone this much.”

“It’s not just him that makes you feel that way,” Cheryl insisted. “It’s you too. It’s inside you. It always has been.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“Jamie does. He told me.”

“He’s gonna miss you so much.”

“I’m gonna miss him.”

Impulsively, Amanda asked, “Why not stay? Transfer to the agency office here. Or just come live with us.”

“I can’t. I have people in my life I don’t want to leave.”

“You’ll be happier here.”

“I’m happy already. My place is back home. That’s the right place for me.”

“But you don’t want to leave Jamie.”

“He has the two of you. I can leave, knowing he has you.”

“Maybe you’ll change your mind someday,” Amanda hoped.

“I don’t think so. But anything is possible.”

Amanda loosened her grip. Cheryl watched her wipe the trail of a tear from her face. Looking at her, Cheryl was reminded of something it was easy to forget around bigs: Amanda was still a kid herself.