“So it’s the selfishness that you despise?”
“Yeah. I guess that would be more accurate,” she acknowledged.
Viktor decided to ask the one question that was burning a hole in his brain. “So what if you found someone who was like me, but extremely wealthy?”
“Oh boy.” She chuckled. “That’s a tough one.” She turned and began walking again as she pondered her answer.
Viktor’s heart was in his throat as he walked next to her, waiting to hear her reply.
“I think I’d still have to say, no,” she finally answered.
His heart sunk. “How come?”
“How could I ever relate to him? We’re from different worlds.”
“There is only one Earth,” he reasoned.
“Tell that to the starving children in Africa,” she shot back.
He found it difficult to counter that.
“Maybe it’s not their fault, but I do believe that money changes a person. Usually not for the better,” she continued. “There’s always exceptions, of course, but I think it’s hard for wealthy people to relate to the rest of us. They don’t know what it’s like to live in a dingy apartment building and not be able to do anything about the dirty walls and carpet. They don’t know what it’s like to choose between groceries or your electric bill, or between going to the doctor and paying your rent … Your car is old? Buy a new one. Your clothes don’t fit in the closet anymore? Build a new one. You like that $10,000 watch? Just get it.” She shook her head. “I don’t ever want to become that.”
Amanda’s response was sobering for Viktor who was guilty of nearly all the things she just listed off. She saw his expression change and thought that maybe she had expressed her opinion too harshly.
“I’m sorry,” she stopped and turned to him. “I didn’t mean to rant.”
He seemed to snap out of it and gave her a smile. “Nonsense. I’m happy that you feel free to share your thoughts with me.”
“Well …” she bashfully grinned. “You kind of make me feel safe.”
“I’m glad.” He stood looking into her eyes for a few seconds before turning his attention to the castle and taking a deep breath. “Should we tell them that we’re going on a boat tour?”
“Probably,” she agreed. “Let’s hope it’s sold out.”
He grinned and they began walking back to the castle to find Gavin and Sheila. They found them making out overlooking the cliff. Viktor cleared his throat loudly as they approached. Gavin turned to them first, followed by Sheila.
“Done touring?” Amanda asked.
“Yeah,” Sheila said. “It’s an amazing place.” Gavin had his arms around her still and he kissed her neck.
“We booked a tour on a boat,” Viktor informed them. “It leaves shortly. We’re going to head over there now.”
“Oh, we booked one also,” Gavin replied. “Which one?”
To Amanda’s utter disappointment it was the same tour she and Viktor were going to take. They decided they should all head there and began walking toward the parking lot. The two couples parted ways as they neared their vehicles.
Amanda looked over as Gavin and Sheila approached a very expensive looking red sports car. “Dear God, what is that?” she asked with a tone of arrant abhorrence.
Viktor turned to see what she was looking at. “That would be a Ferrari.”
She shook her head but said nothing and they continued to their vehicle. As they drove out of the parking lot, Amanda reflected on her behavior and began to think that perhaps she was being excessively judgmental because of her feelings about what Sheila did.
“There’s nothing wrong with owning a sports car,” Amanda suddenly blurted, feeling embarrassed over her outburst.
“I didn’t say anything,” Viktor replied, wondering where she was going with it.
“You must think I’m totally unreasonable.”
“You have strong feelings,” he acknowledged.
“Well, I think my feelings about Gavin have more to do with Sheila than anything else. I’m finding fault with everything and it’s easy to pick on his money.” As Amanda expressed that conclusion, she became aware of just how raw her feelings still were about what happened and how angry she still was.
“I can understand that,” he sympathized.
“I don’t want to feel angry,” she said as tears welled in her eyes. She felt frustrated that she couldn’t just let it go.
Viktor pulled the car off on the side of the road and parked. He turned to her as she tried in vain to wipe the tears from her eyes.
“Let it out,” he said softly.
“I don’t know what to say.” More tears fell and she looked in her bag for a Kleenex.
“Tell me why you’re angry.”
She blotted her tears. “You know why.”
“Tell me.”
“She left me. She just took off and didn’t care what happened to me.”
“It really was terrible what she did,” he sympathized.
“You don’t think I’m overreacting?” she asked as she began to calm.
“No. I think you have every right to be angry.”
“I don’t want to be angry … It’s exhausting.”
He couldn’t help but chuckle. “It is,” he agreed. “What do you think you need in order to let it go?”
“I’m not going to get an apology.”
“No. I don’t imagine you will.”
Amanda was silent as she honestly couldn’t come up with an answer for him.
“She is not your friend, Amanda,” he said finally. “Don’t try to force it. I personally feel you are better off without her.”
Amanda realized he hit the nail right on the head. She had hoped that she and Sheila would become closer friends through this vacation and the fact that it wasn’t happening was what truly was disappointing her.
“You’re right,” Amanda said. “I guess when I look at it that way, it’s not so bad … I wasn’t abandoned by my friend. I was abandoned by someone I hardly know
