Family Adjustments

Chapter 1

Phillip King waited out in the Arlington Heights Middle School yard for his brother Jamie.

He saw their friend Billy Batson leaving with some of their classmates on their bikes and wished that he too, could leave.

Why did he always have to look after Jamie? He would have to have a talk with his mother, Amanda on that score!

She knew they weren't babies any more, but she seemed to have a hard time accepting it and letting go, he thought.

Jamie had a hard enough time just seeing her with Lee Stetson. Phillip thought Lee was pretty cool and Amanda was certainly happier, so what was with Jamie's attitude?

He tried talking to Jamie about Lee, but to no avail. Jamie was determined to hate anyone that wasn't their father, Joe King.

Philliup felt the same way when soon after the divorce, Amanda had met Dean McGuire at a school function where he gave a talk in one of Phillip's classes on Career Day.

Phillip shook his head as he remembered how boring the man really was! But then Amanda began dating him, so Phillip tried to be nicer about the guy, but it didn't last long.

A friend of Phillip's suggested the idea of putting sugar in Dean's gas tank. He said it worked for him because his parents got back together after a loud argument about whose fault it was that he got out of control!

Naturally Phillip thought it would help his parents get back together! Unfortunately, all it did for him was get him grounded! Amanda then insisted to Dean that Phillip would pay for the repairs out of his own allowance! But Amanda helped some with the payments, and it only took a month.

Whining through the month he said to his mother,"But Mom! It'll take years to fix the gas tank! Do you know how long I'll have to go without buying baseball cards?!"

Amanda's response was this."Then you should have thought about that young man, while you were pulling that awful stunt!"

But now as Phillip tried to talk to Jamie at different times about Lee, Jamie would just shut down whenever Phillip mentioned Lee's name and stomp away saying that his brother just didn't understand!

Phillip's friends already thought of Jamie as a mama's boy, so he rarely went out with them, causing Jamie to become more sullen and withdrawn lately.

Looking at his watch impatiently he saw that it had been a half hour since school let out.

He saw their vice principal Alma Dennis, coming out of the building. She saw him and said,"Phillip? What are you still doing here?"

Phillip answered."I'm waiting for Jamie, Mrs. Dennis. Have you seen him? We're supposed to go home now."

Mrs. Dennis shook her head."Peter Stiles said that Jamie went with George Miller to the park and that they'd meet you there. Is there a problem, Phillip?"

Phillip was bewildered! George Miller was hardly a friend to anyone, having the reputation of being a real troublemaker. What would Jamie be doing with him?! Just a few months ago, he'd been bullying Jamie and his friends.

Something wasn't right. Not to alarm Mrs. Dennis he said,"Um, no, but could I call my grandma and let her know? She worries if we're late."

Mrs. Dennis nodded."Of course. Go on in. Patty's still in the office. Tell her I said it's okay. See you Monday."

Phillip said,"Thanks- bye."

He headed into the office where the school receptionist was. Patty greeted him and let him call saying she'd be back in a few minutes.

Phillip then took the IFF card with Amanda's phone extension number out of his book bag and dialed. A voice soon answered,"International Federal Film?"

Phillip said,"Amanda King, please? It's her son, Phillip."

The voice said,"One moment, please."

A few seconds later, it was Lee who picked up. "Stetson."

Phillip said,"Lee? It's Phillip. Is Mom there?"

Lee smiled into the phone."No, Chief. She's out on a location scout today. What's up?"

Phillip sighed."Well, here's the thing..."

When Phillip finished telling him about Jamie, Lee said."Okay, sport. You go outside and wait for me. I'll be there soon."

Phillip said nodding."Thanks, Lee."

When Lee at last arrived, Phillip got into the car quickly and Lee began his Class C interrogation. He said,"Now, how long ago did Jamie leave with George?"

Phillip admittingly said,"Probably an hour ago. George likes to "duck out" early. He isn't much for rules."

Lee nodded in understanding. He himself was the same way growing up. Pulling out, he said,"Let's head over to the park."

As soon as they arrived, Phillip saw his friend Peter and called him over. When Peter got to the car, he said,"Phillip, wanna shoot some hoops?"

But Phillip shook his head."No, I can't. Is Jamie here? We gotta go home."

Peter said,"Nope. He and George went to the B.C. movie theater. See ya."

Peter ran off and Phillip got back into Lee's car and looked at him, stunned!" Whoa! He's in for some serious lockdown time when Mom finds out! Baltimore?! What do we do now?!"

Lee looking at his watch, sighed."Well, now I'll take you home and you stay with your grandmother and I'll go get him. If your mom calls, he's just at a friend's playing video games, okay? I don't want to worry her- I'll tell her later about it."

Phillip nodded."Got it. Thanks for helping us out today."

As they pulled into the King's driveway, Phillip said,"Lee?"

Lee said,"Yeah?"

Phillip said,"Jamie's not a bad kid. I kind of acted out too when Mom was dating Dean."

Lee tried to be nonchalant."Who?"

Phillip shrugged."Oh right. You didn't know Mom then. About 3 years ago, the weather guy, Dean McGuire, was going out with Mom. He was a total dweeb! Anyway, then Mom got the IFF job, and dumped that loser. She's happier now that she's with you."

Lee smirked saying,"Y-you'd better go in now."

Phillip smiled as he got out of the car."Thanks again...and Lee?"

Lee said,"Yes, Phillip?"

Phillip put up a hand saying,"I swear I won't put sugar in your gas tank."

Lee shook his head as he pulled out of the driveway and watched Phillip run into the house. He remembered Amanda's tale of Phillip's dislike of Dean, and the gas tank incident.

Leaving Maplewood Drive, he muttered,"You'd better not, pal. You'd just better not."

TBC