That night, Pa James was restless. It did not make sense. Why would Mirabel say her name was Amanda? And he could remember that the description his son gave him about the girl he was chatting with fit Amanda. Mirabel was the exact opposite of everything his son had said.
Could it be that what he was thinking was true?
He had to confirm, he told himself.
The next day, Pa James arrived in his beggar outfit at Amanda’s shop. She happily offered him a side of her bench and an orange. Just then, Mirabel walked up to them.
“Why are you already surrounding yourself with losers?” Mirabel said, her voice dripping with disgust.
“Mirabel, he is my customer,” Amanda replied firmly. “And I believe it is none of your business.”
Mirabel hissed.
“Of course, it is none of my business. Pigs always mingle with pigs.”
With that, she walked away.
“Don’t mind her,” Amanda said softly to Pa James.
Pa James cleared his throat.
“Amanda, I want my son to marry you.”
Amanda smiled shyly.
“Papa,” she called softly, “that is thoughtful. But…”
Pa James noticed a shadow of sadness cross her face.
“Is there a problem?” he asked. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
“No,” Amanda said gently. “I once had a brief relationship with someone. I never met him, but I liked him.”
Pa James raised an eyebrow.
“How can you like someone you never met?”
Amanda sighed.
