“Do you know what is nice about freshwater pearls? Even the most imperfect pearl is still beautiful.” Dunc smiled at Amanda, hoping that she liked his gift. She was staring at them with her mouth open, thinking about what he was saying. She blinked, fighting off a sudden warm tingling sensation in her eyes. Amanda was not going to cry in front of him over this. She had done that enough. A single tear escaped, and Dunc frowned. “Amanda? I’m sorry? Did I do something wrong?”
Amanda was worryingly silent for another minute. Then she picked the necklace up and turned to Dunc, smiling and squinting her eyes to keep her emotions in check. “Please put them on me?” Dunc was still concerned but took the necklace and fiddled with it a moment to make sure he had a good hold on the clasp. She turned her back to him, taking a moment to run the back of her hand over her eyes discreetly. Dunc slipped the necklace over Amanda’s head and fastened it around her neck. He smiled when she turned around, running her fingers over it. She was smiling, and that’s all that mattered.
***
The ride to the restaurant was short and silent. Amanda was still smiling, and Dunc was a little confused, but everything seemed okay. Amanda ran her fingers over the irregularly shaped pearls in deep thought. She glanced at Dunc. He was concentrating on finding a spot to park and not paying attention. He might not have been what everyone would want, but everyone didn’t want the same thing. Amanda didn’t even know he was what she would want until she had met him. She couldn’t deny that immediate spark that went deeper than appearance.
Amanda averted her eyes. He was at least a decade older than her. If he is 40, then he would only be hers for 40-60 years. Humans only lived 80 to 100 years compared to her 800 to 1,000. Just her luck. Still, what did it matter? He would pass away before her and never know what she was. Any children they might have would take after her. She would have a family of her own to love. She wouldn’t be alone.
Then Amanda smiled. That was not here or now. Right now, she had the attention of an amazingly kind man who was thoughtful and considerate. That was enough for someone who thought there would never be anyone at all. Now she needed to get rid of Joseph, and Dunc had assured her that the plan was in motion.
For a brief moment, Amanda considered telling Dunc that she was an Arcadian. He knew about Arcadians. Then she remembered his reaction to the photos. No. Arcadians tended to have a reputation. THAT reputation. She didn’t want him to think of her like he did Joseph. This was a secret she could hold. Amanda was as human as him. She just had a much longer life and the ability to blow up anything that annoyed her. She could keep this secret.
***
Lunch was at a nice seafood restaurant. Amanda couldn’t help but notice how everyone treated Dunc. He was taken to the best table in the house and had most of the staff's attention the entire time. They offered her wine but brought him root beer and water. It was kind of odd to see a bottle of root beer on the table next to her glass of Albariño.
Their meal was lavish. Dunc had told Amanda to order whatever she wanted, and he did the same for himself. The owner came out, and Dunc held a lengthy conversation with him in French. Flawless French. Amanda had tried not to stare. She had taken a few courses in it but was nowhere near as fluent. Then Amanda remembered that she had heard him speak other languages before. She was impressed.
After Amanda ordered, Dunc ordered a few extra items for them to share on the extreme high end of the menu. Everything was delicious. Amanda couldn’t help but be happy when Dunc didn’t seem to care that she enjoyed eating. Every time Amanda had been out with Joseph, he had ordered for her. He was always nitpicking her choices and ordering salads for her. Amanda had grown to detest salads.
When they were done, and it was time for the bill to be delivered, Amanda noticed that there wasn’t one. Dunc left a large pile of $20 bills on the table, but Amanda was still perplexed by the entire exchange. Now that she was thinking about it, she hadn’t seen a receipt, cash, or card pass between him and anyone. The money on the table was a tip.
They left and took a stroll down Main Street to a small park. Everyone who passed them said hello to Dunc, most referring to him as Mr. McCormick. There were grown adults walking away, whispering. They were making noises that sounded like giggling. He introduced Amanda to everyone they met, and she began to feel self-conscious about it. Many of them gave her a skeptical look bordering on suspicion.
Others seemed to be reading something far more significant in her presence. These people all did exactly the same thing. When she was introduced, they looked at her, looked at Dunc, looked back at her, then smiled. Then they excused themselves with a head motion that looked suspiciously like a bow. These were the ones who would excitedly start talking and giggling as well. Dunc looked uncomfortable every time they did it.
Amanda was dying to know exactly what was going on with these people. She had met some of them before, and they were ordinary everyday people. Something about her being with Dunc made them treat her with a weird reverence.
Spending
