Misunderstandings

Chapter 1

It had been a full week since Amanda was released from the CA hospital and returned to Arlington after the accident that nearly took her life.

The time in the hospital was arduous due to her chest injury, recovery and eventual physical therapy so that she could return home.

Dotty and Lee had been encouraging her walking and had been most attentive to her needs until finally Amanda had enough of their "hovering."

At the end of the week one morning Dotty was outside tending to her garden when Amanda stated to Lee, "I think it's time for you to head back to work. I love you dearly, but I think Billy's been lost without you, hasn't he?"

Lee sighed and started to protest when Amanda remarked, "Mother and I will be fine here, okay? You'll still be coming for dinner-"

Lee stated, "Yeah, Billy's been bugging me lately, but I-I just don't feel right about leaving you-"

Amanda kissed him tenderly and responded, "Sweetheart, I'm not going to be all alone. If Mother has to go out, one of the neighbors will stop in, all right?"

Lee shook his head and replied, "Not Buck McConnell though, right? I mean, you did change the locks?"

Amanda giggled and nodded saying, "Uh I believe that was you, Pal. Right after we got home. Joe didn't believe the stories about him anyway-"

Lee raised an eyebrow at his wife. "Oh, really? Never bothered him, huh?"

Amanda shook her head and grinned commenting, "He hadn't seen Joe before and for some reason stayed away from the house. The boys told me that."

Lee chuckled and answered, "Well, now he's afraid of us both. We've done our job-"

Amanda once again shook her head stating, "Oh, c'mon! He's really not that bad-"

Lee chortled, "Oh, no? The first night we were back and the boys were at the Barton's and I stayed in the den? He was knocking on all the downstairs windows until I chased him away. Then the next day I remember changing those locks! By the way, thanks for the heads up to Joe about that. I had enough keys made, right?"

Amanda sighed and smiled responding, "Yes, Sweetie. The boys are going to Joe's tonight and he'll get them then. Now, I believe you had someplace to be?"

Lee shrugged and remarked, "Well-"

Amanda queried, "Well, what?"

Lee sputtered, "You-You could fall down the stairs or something if Dotty was outside or if the neighbor had to-"

Amanda then called Dotty inside yelling, "Mother! Could you come in for a minute, please?"

Dotty immediately came through the back door and asked, "Yes, Dear. What is it?"

Amanda sighed and remarked, "Could you please reassure Lee that I will be fine with you or anyone else here while he goes back to work?"

Dotty shook her head and stated to Lee, "She will be fine, I guarantee it. Now, are you coming tonight for dinner? I assume you will, but in case there's a lot of work you have to catch up on-"

Lee shook his head and replied, "No, there won't be but I'll be here. See you later."

As Dotty turned to go out the back door again Lee bent down and kissed Amanda responding, "I love you and that's why I'm worried, okay?"

Amanda groaned lightly and cupped his cheek replying, "You're gonna have to trust me like I've trusted you all these years, all right? And I love you too. Now, go!"

So Lee begrudgingly left the house and as he got into his car he dialed Billy and stated, "I'm going home to change and then I'll be in, okay?"

Billy was relieved and remarked, "It'll be good for you to think about something else now. A nice change of scenery is all you need, Scarecrow. See you soon."

Lee growled answering, "I know you're right, Billy and believe me I wouldn't have come in today if it weren't for the fact that she kicked me out anyway. See you in a while."

Hanging up, he put his car in gear and left Maplewood Drive heading for Georgetown...

TBC