Chapter 5 Amelia
Amelia
How could I not show up? I mean, come on.
There is no Theta Gamma reunion without yours truly, and they all know it.
Someone…ahem, Roxy…forgot to send the invitation to me, I’m sure of it.
Besides, with all the mourning, or pretend mourning, I’ve been doing over my recently deceased husband, maybe I missed it.
So many condolence cards were clogging our Georgetown mailbox it was obscene.
Yes, he was a long-serving senator with huge power.
And because I was Senator Dell’s wife, I had a lot of power on the Hill myself.
I know as much as anyone, you’re only as powerful as your elected spouse up there in DC.
So, my time is coming to an end there. It’s time to reintroduce myself to Orange County, California.
With all of the money my husband has left me, I’ll return in a surge of financial freedom and live the life I was meant to live.
I’ve always had money, I remind myself as I stand outside this lovely mid-century compound.
My family was on the Mayflower. If you say the last name Alden, most people in the Northeast will recognize it.
My ancestor was John Alden, a prominent figure in the Plymouth Colony.
And up to my daddy, the Aldens prospered and thrived.
My grandmother’s pearls around my neck are starting to feel moist. Ugh, I’m sweating, it seems. I run my hand behind my neck and lift my red hair.
I can’t stand here any longer; I need to ring the bell.
I came here on a lark, and really, I have nothing to lose.
I don’t need any of these people. I have more money now than I can ever spend.
No, I don’t need them for anything. But this is going to be fun.
Ever since I saw Celeste announce a special Theta Gamma reunion out in the desert, I knew I’d be here, one way or another.
Celeste is such a lovely ray of sunshine.
She reminds me a lot of Sunny. Always smiling, always upbeat.
At least that’s what Celeste looks like on her social media. We’ll see if she’s the same in person.
I grab the big iron door knocker and let it drop before pushing the doorbell.
I’m entering with a bang, some might say.
I can’t wait to see Roxy’s face when she sees me.
She won’t have an expression, of course, because she’s had too much work done.
Mine is subtle, East Coast light touches.
Roxy is over the top, and I love sticking it to her, always have.