Watching Amanda by Janelle Taylor

the fifth floor.
    Olivia was probably surprised by the shabby five-story brick apartment building in which Amanda lived—that she lived in this run-down neighborhood, a long subway ride and river crossing away from the glittering lights and riches of Manhattan.
    â€œNo elevator?” Olivia commented when she reached the top step on Amanda’s floor. “Good thing I work out every day.”
    Amanda smiled. “Keeps me in shape.” Which is a good thing, because I can’t afford the time or money for a gym. “Come in.”
    Olivia came inside and removed her hat, gloves, and coat, which Amanda took and hung up in the hall closet. Olivia glanced around, clearly surprised that Amanda lived so simply.
    â€œI won’t beat around the bush,” Olivia said, pushing a lock of long blond hair from her face. “I’m dying of curiosity about the envelope.”
    Amanda smiled. “I haven’t opened it yet.”
    â€œNot curious?” Olivia asked.
    â€œOh, I am. I’m just more nervous.”
    Olivia nodded. “I think I will be too when it’s my turn. But there’s another reason I’m here too. Did you see this?”
    Olivia held up New York Now , a daily tabloid newspaper that was full of gossip about wealthy and celebrity New Yorkers. She flipped some pages, folded the paper and handed it to Amanda.

    Word has it that the daughters of William Sedgwick, one of New York’s wealthiest businessmen and greatest philanthropists, were invited to the reading of his will only to receive cryptic information regarding their inheritances. Each daughter is to receive an envelope on a specific day, the contents of which no one knows. How exciting! Today, Amanda Sedgwick, 28, of Queens, is to receive her envelope. Let’s hope our trusty informant can get a peek inside. We’re dying to know!

    Before Amanda could even register her own shock, the doorbell rang again. This time, though, Amanda had a feeling she knew exactly who it was.
    She was right.
    Ivy.
    At the sight of Olivia, Ivy laughed. “Okay, so I guess we’re all curious about what’s inside that envelope.”
    Olivia smiled. “My mother won’t get off my back about it. She must have asked me a hundred times if I found out anything yet.”
    Ivy laughed and pulled off her gloves. “Mine too—though I’m sure you didn’t need me to tell you that. Ah,” she said, pointing at New York Now . “I read that garbage too. The partners of Harris, Pinker and Swift must be furious, trying to figure out who among their hundreds of employees, from lawyers to support staff, is on the New York Now payroll. Their celebrity clients especially don’t appreciate reading about their confidential business in a daily gossip rag.”
    Olivia nodded. “I called in a favor to an executive at the paper to stop printing rumors about me and my family. I think this will be the end of it.”
    â€œGood,” Ivy said. “And it’s ridiculously premature and stupid for the paper to assume we’re inheriting anything.”
    Once Olivia and Ivy were sitting down in the living room, in front of them a tray of hot tea and some cinnamon chip scones Lettie had brought over that morning, Amanda picked up the envelope from the kitchen table.
    She brought it into the living room and sat down in an easy chair across from Olivia and Ivy.
    â€œI’m a nervous wreck,” Amanda said. “I feel like once I open this, there’s no turning back. From what, I don’t even know.”
    â€œI know what you mean,” Olivia said. “There’s a lot I don’t like to think about concerning our father. I feel like these envelopes will force us to think.”
    â€œI guess that’ll be a good thing, though,” Ivy said, sipping her tea. Steam swirled up from the mug. “Right?”
    Amanda smiled and shrugged. “I’m glad you’re both