A Memory Unchained Read Online Free PDF Page B

dating world.
    When the gold engraved envelope popped up on
    Pamela’s desk, she had tried to ignore it. When she finally opened it, the gold words jumped out.
    SATURDAY – 8:00 PM.

    A Memory Unchained___________ 37
    MONROE ESTATES, EAST BOSTON ROAD.
    RSVP
    Pamela had laughed out loud. “I finally made her list!
    Well I’ll be!” she thought. It hadn’t been so many years ago Janice Monroe wouldn’t give Pamela Thornton, Designer,
    the time of day.
    Pamela remembered her refusal to take a dress she had
    designed for her. It made her look fat, she snapped! She
    had saved their relationship by taking her to the stockroom and letting her pick anything she wanted. She was pleased as punch! Little did she know that there were a dozen more just like it on the rack. From that day on Pamela could do no wrong in Janice’s eyes.
    Pamela laid the gold invitation aside. Jill’s words vi-
    brated in her head. “Get out a little Mom, you’re working too hard!”
    The weekend before had been hard on Pamela. Entering
    the beach house again for the first time since Tom’s death, then Jill’s insistence she get back into circulation. She had second thoughts about Janice’s party and had almost decided not to attend when the phone rang.
    “Hi Mom, what’s new?”
    Jill’s voice always made her day. She missed her daugh-
    ter. But she would never let her know how much or Jill
    would move home in a minute. College for Jill had been
    her dad’s fondest wish.
    “How about if I come down this weekend and we go
    shopping?”
    The whole world looked brighter to Pamela. Just the
    thought of seeing Jill made it that way!
    Pamela tried to put Janice’s party invitation out of her

    38 __________________Gloria Graham
    mind. But every time she shuffled through her papers,
    there it was, staring her in the face!
    When she told Jill about the invitation, she was de-
    lighted. She bubbled with excitement as she began her
    plans. “You have to go,” she insisted.
    “Now,” she said, “You need a new hairstyle, something
    short and bouncy, and maybe something to cover the little gray hairs. Let me think on it Mom. I’ll figure out something scrumptious for you to wear!” Pamela laughed and
    agreed to think about it.
    She finally decided to go. “Besides, what could she lose
    at forty? She assured herself.
    Pamela had answered the RSVP and Janice gushed
    with sweetness.
    “Wonderful darling!”
    Pamela could still hear the drawl of Janice’s d-a-r-l-i-
    n-g!
    That night Jill’s call woke Pamela!
    “Do you know what time it is young lady?” she
    yawned.
    “Sure Mom, but listen. I have a surprise for you, I’m
    going to design your dress for the party!” she paused,
    “On the order of the blue chiffon Dad liked so well, but
    more modern!” Jill waited for Pamela’s response. Pamela
    was especially proud of Jill’s design ability. She would be graduating with honors. How could she discourage her
    now?
    “My blue chiffon with rhinestones?” Pamela hesi-
    tated.
    “We can use the trim off one of your other gowns, or
    the rhinestones off the blue, you know which one don’t

    A Memory Unchained___________ 39
    you?”
    Pamela knew. She would have preferred to leave that
    one in the closet, sealed with her memories, but she would never discourage Jill.
    “It sounds elegant, I’ll be the hit of the party in my own daughter’s creation!” Pamela beamed with pride already.
    “I’m still not sure I should go, but,” her voice trailed
    off. “You’ll have fun, don’t be an old fuddy-duddy, you
    hear! Try to have fun. You need it. Now you call for that hair appointment, please!”
    Jill had actually made Pamela feel excited about the
    party. When she hung the phone up she realized she hadn’t ever asked about Jill’s new boyfriend.
    Pamela worried about her. She wanted her to find a
    love like she and Tom had shared, a love built on trust and caring. Jill seemed to be searching for Mr. Right!
    Pamela looked around the