Invisible

INVISIBLE

She watched him from across the room with such sadness. He didn’t see her. Maybe if he’d have looked, he might have caught a glimpse of her. After all, it isn’t as though she were invisible, was she? To give him a bit of credit, she was standing behind a very large artificial plant.

Amanda had been so careful when she dressed. She fixed her flaming red hair into the soft flowing curls she knew he liked. When she applied her makeup while it brought out the clear blue of her eyes and rosiness of her cheeks, it all looked so natural. She was careful to use the soft brown mascara instead of the deep black. She didn’t want to appear as though she was trying too hard for his attention. Even the elegant blue dress she wore brought out the color of her eyes and hugged her body as though it was made just for her. Okay, she thought, it WAS made just for her. That was a special treat from her parents for her eighteenth birthday – a custom made dress in whatever design and color she chose, and it fit her perfectly.

Now, here she was, trying to celebrate her eighteenth birthday, but Ryan, the one she loved never once noticed her.

Damn it, she thought to herself. That’s MY boyfriend she’s dancing with. And all too close, too!

She had a good mind to march through the crowd on the dance floor and approach them and give Grace a very hard shove. With any luck, she’d shove her hard enough to knock her on her… Okay, she’ll allow her temper to tamp down. She’ll wait and watch. She was getting better at waiting and watching.

Something’s wrong, she realized. Where are my parents? Amanda looked around the room. She didn’t see them. Surely, after all their planning, they hadn’t forgotten what day it was.

She saw her brother, Kyle, standing in a corner with his arms resting on the shoulders of his girlfriend, Dani. What’s going on with them? she asked herself. They don’t look at all happy! I hope they’re not breaking up! They’re so good for each other. Amanda began to worry.

Her best friend, Leigh wandered by holding hands with her boyfriend, Keith.

“Oh Keith. It’s so hard to believe. It just isn’t fair!”

The attractive young man hugged Leigh and said, “Honey, life isn’t fair, and we’ll just have to play the hand that dealt to us. We’ll all get through this.”

As they walked, Amanda wondered what wasn’t fair. What will they have to “get through”?

She decided to roam quietly around the room and see if she could find out what was going on. Everyone seemed to act very strange. Although this was her birthday party, suddenly, she didn’t want to make a scene; at least, not until she found out why people were acting the way they were.

Amanda looked down at her pretty party dress and wished she didn’t look so dressed up. She didn’t want to “stand out” and bring attention to herself.

She decided that rather than walk across the room through the crowd of people, she’d let her back hug the wall and move side-step, hoping not to knock anything over.

So far, so good! she thought as she got closer to where Ryan and Grace seemed huddled in a private conversation.

Amanda heard their conversation. “So, Ryan, are you still going way in September?

“Yeah, it’s what Amanda and I talked about all the time. It’s what she’d want. I know she’d never want me to give up on the dreams we had, both personal and joint.”

Okay, she thought, Ryan is still going away to college. That’s good. I know he’ll do very well. So, then, why does he look so forlorn?

“Attention, everyone. Please, can I have your attention?”

It was her brother’s voice. She noticed that her father finally arrived and he, with her brother, was walking to a small podium that she hadn’t noticed before.

Her dad spoke. “I want to thank you all for coming tonight. I know it hasn’t been easy.”

What’s not easy? Amanda thought.

Her father continued. “I came here directly from the hospital. My beloved wife, Marti has gone to be with our daughter, Amanda. While this will no doubt dampen the festivities, please, try and not allow it to do so. Remember Marti and Mandy as the happy go-lucky wonderful people they were. Please, let’s enjoy our memories.”

He hugged his son and Kyle began to speak. I gave a list of songs that my sister loved. You’d often hear her singing to the top of her voice, even though we all know the only way she could carry a tune was if it were in a bucket.” You could hear a few people chuckle. “My dad and I want you to dance and sing along with each song just as if Many were here leading the chorus! Please let’s celebrate her life, not mourn her death. She’ll always be with us.”

Whoa! Wait just a darn minute! Her death? Me? No, there’s a mistake, Kyle. I’m not dead! I’m here and what did dad mean that mom went to be with me? I’m here and she isn’t.

I saw a couple walk in and make their way to where dad and Kyle were standing as the podium was being removed.

Carol held our hands out, one to dad and the other to Kyle. Her lips quivered as she spoke. “Tom, I have no words. None at all. I don’t even know what happened.”

Her husband, Hank shook hands with dad and Kyle. “You know if you ever need anything .. and listen, I won’t wait to be asked. I’m coming over tomorrow and we’ll make plans.

My dad looked at Carol. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you immediately, Carol. This happened so fast. They were driving home from the dressmaker’s shop. You know that Marti had a special dress made for tonight. Well, they were driving home when at the intersection of First and Henry, two large trucks collided. One ran the light. They believe he’d fallen asleep behind the wheel. Anyway, the collision was violent and sent the other truck skidding across the road – directly in the path of where Marti’s car waiting for the light to change to green. The ME said they never knew what hit them. Amanda died instantly, and Marti held on for almost 48-hours more. Finally, her heart just stopped. She looked so peaceful.”

Dad’s eyes filled with tears and grabbed onto Kyle for comfort and support. He wiped his eyes.

Amanda stood there in disbelief. Dead? Her mom was dead? She was, too? That can’t be right.

She ran to the huge picture window where the glass was darkened for privacy. She was able to see the reflection of the crowd of people. What she didn’t see was her own image.

She ran to the hallway where decorative mirrors were strategically placed for ornamental purposes. Again, no reflection.

Now, she understood.

As sadness overtook her, she understood why Ryan ignored her.

He couldn’t see her.

She was, indeed, invisible.