Destination D by Lori Beard-Daily Page B

office telling me what these white boys think? I thought she was upset because she had to work late, not about the people who talk about me. Does she think I'm that naïve and don't know what they are saying behind my back? Why is she saying this now? Oh! How I wish she would just shut up and stick with what she gets paid to do around here.
    â€œAmanda,” she said coolly.
    â€œPlease, let me finish. I know I'm sticking my neck out here.”
    Pam stared at Amanda condescendingly. Amanda was right about one thing: she was stepping out of line. Way out of line.
    Hmmm…what is it with her today? Pam fumed. All of sudden, she's gotten downright bold and saying things to me as if she doesn't expect it to have any consequence. She's confident to the point where she's borderline insubordinate. Well, good for you, Amanda—you're finally speaking up for yourself after all these years. But I'm not the one to practice your newfound identity with today or any other time. Please, go talk to someone who really gives a damn!
    Pam sucked in her cheeks and bit down hard on the inside of her jaw so she wouldn't go postal on Amanda. She was no fool; she knew she needed Amanda's assistance for this case. Despite her disdain for Amanda's family issues, she was one of the best paralegals in the firm. Of course, she would never tell her that. But for now, she would hold her tongue until after her big trial was finished, and then after that, Amanda would be too!
    Amanda talked so much that Pam's ears became numb. The pain spreading from her cheek was relentless and made her even angrier as Amanda's utterings continued to ramble.
    â€œYou have no idea how they feel about you. And then the people who try to support you, like me, working with you all of the long hours…The one time I need to leave early, and the one time I decide to put my family first and my job second because my only child is about to graduate from high school, you force me to work. For months you knew about this celebration. Now, because of this one instance, you decide I'm lazy. You berate me and try to make me feel guilty! No wonder people around here call you the evileyed tiger. You sure know how to chew ’em up and spit ’em out when you are through with them.
    â€œAnd one more thing,” Amanda's voice became low and somber. “I know we made a pact that we would never discuss this.”
    â€œI told you earlier I did not want to go down that road with you! So let's not break that pact!” Pam sneered.
    Amanda started to shake. “Oh, you broke it long ago,” she said, holding back her tears. “I just never did anything about it. But, I can't and I won't be silent anymore.”
    Pam abruptly stood up. Her papers flew across the desk and startled Amanda. “Damn you!” she whispered as she slowly managed to win back her composure and sat back down.
    Amanda's voice quivered at first, but she managed to speak very deliberately and quietly. “Let's drop the formalities for now, okay, PAM?” Those three letters hadn't come out of her mouth in so long, she'd forgotten what it sounded like. What happened to the person who I knew in college, huh? Amanda thought, still fighting back her tears.
    â€œI'm Ms. Madison to you in this office! Which by the way, don't think I haven't noticed how you purposefully avoid calling me that! The Pam that you knew in college did what she said she would do and became an attorney!” Pam struck back in her most haughtiness tone. “But, you on the other hand…”
    â€œYes, I got pregnant! I had an illegitimate child and couldn't finish law school like you and Dee. I couldn't hold up my end of the bargain for the three of us to become lawyers together, and you haven't let me forget it, have you? I don't know what has happened in your life that would make you become so bitter, cruel, and self righteous.”
    â€œYou are so ungrateful, Amanda! This is exactly why I