The Talk

Chapter 1

After work, Lee and Amanda went back to his place to finish the talk they'd started at the Agency about their past relationships.

But there were two people left out of the discussion. Until now.

Amanda had already told her mother not to hold dinner as she'd be late tonight.

As they entered the apartment Lee asked, "How about a drink?"

Amanda nervously answered, "No thanks. I'm a bit keyed up for some reason."

Lee nodded and commented, "Yeah, me too. Let's sit down then, huh?"

As they sat down on the couch they eyed each other cautiously and then Amanda shrugged finally stating, "Oh, c'mon! Why is this so hard all of a sudden? We've already told each other what we need to-"

But Lee shook his head slowly and responded, "Not exactly, Honey. There are still two people we left out of the equation to avoid discussing but I think we should take care of that now. You agree?"

Amanda knew what was coming and nodded slowly and sighed replying, "So, another coin toss?"

Lee smiled and grinning commented, "No, but how about the old adage, "Ladies first?"

Amanda shook her head and groaning remarked, "This is just like when you pressed me about my divorce-"

Lee protested, "Hey! It was about the case on Joe, remember?"

Amanda pointed her finger at him and shook her head again stating, "No! Not the stuff I told you about. That wasn't in the file! You know it wasn't-"

Lee put up both hands and shrugged responding, "Okay! Is it a crime to care about someone? Because if it was I'd have been in jail a long time ago."

Amanda smirked and then sighed as Lee waited.

Finally Amanda nodded and queried, "So. You wanna know about Jim, huh?"

Lee nodded adding, "And not what was in the file, okay? I mean-"

Amanda remarked, "I know, I know. But this isn't easy to talk about. I never even told my mother."

Seeing the expression on Lee's face then she responded, "Gee, I can't wait until we get to your person."

What was she going to tell him? Was he ready for it? He thought, Ah, it won't be that bad. If he could handle the Joe stuff, then he could handle this.

Amanda stood up and slowly began pacing the room and stated, "Joe and I planned a weekend away the year after Jamie was born. I got a brochure from a travel agency and found a terrific place at Hilton Head. So I had arranged everything and Mother of course was going to stay with the boys. But then Joe had this last minute arbitration thing that someone asked him to help with so he couldn't go and told me since I had it paid for already, that maybe Mother and the boys could go along with me."

Lee then noticed Amanda falter a bit as she went toward the living room window to look out.

She shook her head stating quietly, "I guess things started to change then between us but I didn't really see it. I mean we loved each other but in some ways love just isn't enough, you know?"

Lee cleared his throat and replied, "I'm sorry. Maybe this isn't a good idea now-"

Amanda then whirled around and shook her head commenting firmly, "No! Don't do that! Don't placate me, Lee. I want our marriage to be what it's supposed to be. Love without questions. communication, trust and respect for one another. Enough to build on. Lee, we have to keep talking because if we don't we won't have a shot in hell of lasting! Don't you think so?"

Lee swallowed hard and nodded answering, "You're right, Amanda. From what you told me in your marriage to Joe I know it couldn't have been easy for you and although I'm not the best at communicating, I'll do whatever I can to help when things come up, okay? So, please. Go ahead."

Amanda nodded and replied, "Thank you, Sweetheart. So, he and I argued a while and then it was decided that I would go. Alone. Then we went to bed. He went to the den and I went upstairs. Mother says she and Daddy never went to bed angry. But here I was married almost four years and I was angry and hurt. We needed this time away and it was as if he had rejected me, you know?"

Sitting down on the couch again Amanda remarked, "Think I will have a drink after all."

As Lee got up to get their drinks he shook his head. Ah, Joe. You were a real jerk. But it's not for me to judge here. I have to let Amanda tell me about this in her own way. If she wants my opinion she'll ask for it...

TBC