Maladjusted

Chapter 1

Dotty fumed as she drove along the I-64 route according to the road map she had with her. She had gotten her driver's license while Lee and Amanda were away on their honeymoon.

They'd barely been back a day when work duties called them out of town and now Dotty who couldn't reach Lee or Amanda, was on her way to Norfolk to retrieve Jamie who'd been on a class field trip which was supposed to be an overnight

But as luck would have it the bus broke down and the driver had to stay behind to get it repaired so the parents had to come to retrieve their children.

All but Jamie's parents, Dotty thought miserably.

She loved her grandson with all her heart, but she couldn't understand why the film business Lee and Amanda were in sometimes took so much of their time away from what was really important!

Dotty got the call from the vice principal at noon telling her of the situation. She then called IFF and spoke to Billy, who assured her that he'd get word to Lee and Amanda but in the meantime could she get a neighbor to make the trip?

So here Dotty was, making the trek alone.

Why? Because all the other parents had already left to pick up their children and Dotty was too late to contact any of them.

Meanwhile, the teacher had a relative who picked her up but told Jamie maybe he should go with her until his mother came.

But Jamie insisted on staying telling her, "If I stay in one spot it'll be easier for Mom to find me, but thank you."

So she left Jamie at the gas station with the driver who let the school know exactly where the gas station was.

He did call home and talked to Dotty who told him to stay put, that she was on her way.

Shaking her head as she made her way to the exit which brought her to Rte. 60 finally, she glanced at the directions to Gus' Filling Station.

It would be another quarter mile until she'd be there and wondered if Jamie had eaten lunch yet.

Sighing, she made a mental note to talk to Lee and Amanda about their ridiculous schedules!

She remembered that Lee had a car phone and tried that number thinking maybe Amanda should have one as well.

She was so lost in thought she nearly missed the sign for the filling station but found it and pulled in.

Parking, she got out and Jamie ran to her giving her a hug!

He stated, "Grandma! What're you doing here? I thought Mom or Lee would've been here."

Dotty swallowed thankful that Jamie was all right and commented, " I know Dear, but they're still away until tonight I think. I left word at IFF for them, though. Hopefully they'll get the message soon. Don't worry, hmm?"

The driver came out from the gas garage and shook Dotty's hand remarking, "I'm sorry you had to come all this way..."

Dotty sighed smiling, "I'm just glad I was able to, Mr..."

The man smiled back and answered, "Call me Terry. The school hired me to be the field trip driver."

Looking at Jamie he asked, "Jamie, you got all your stuff? It's a long way back home."

Jamie nodded and Dotty answered, "Thank you for looking out for my grandson, Terry. Do you need a lift anywhere? I could drop you since we're heading back to Arlington anyway-"

But Terry shook his head and commented, "No thank you, Ma'am. I have to stay here until the bus is repaired and then get it back to them. But you go right ahead and have a safe trip home now."

Just then the owner Gus came out from his office by the garage and asked Dotty, "Ma'am, are you going back by way of the I-64?"

Dotty nodded and replied, "Yes, after I get off Rte. 60. Why?"

Gus answered, "Well, I was hearing on my radio in the garage that there was a major pileup just now on the I-64 due to a truck overturn. It's gonna be several hours until it's clear. You may wanna think about staying the night. There's a Holiday Inn just down the road from here."

Dotty shook her head stating, "Is there another route I could take back?"

Gus shook his head responding, "No. That's the major one you want to be on to get you home. Look, is there anyone I could call for you to let them know you'll be back in the morning?"

Dotty cursed silently and noticed then Jamie's worried expression as she commented slowly, "No. I'll call my daughter when we reach the hotel. But thank you for letting me know about this."

Saying goodbye to Terry and Gus, she and Jamie got in the car and she pulled out to head for the hotel.

Jamie asked, "Are you gonna be okay, Grandma? You don't have anything with you."

Dotty smiled lightly and remarked, "Well of course I am. I'm going to think of this as a campout, Darling. No fresh change of clothes but I'm sure there's a store near the hotel to get the essentials I will need for tonight. By the way. Did you remember to pack your toothbrush and paste, Dear?"

Jamie sighed and answered, "I thought I did."

That told Dotty she needed to pick some up for him as well.

As they got near the hotel Jamie stated excitedly, "Look! They have a drug store and a Seven Eleven! Let's check it out, Grandma!"

Dotty pulled into the drugstore lot and parked replying, "All right. We'll go get what we need and then grab some snacks to tide us over in the hotel room until dinner. I take it you all didn't have lunch?"

Jamie shook his head commenting, "We were supposed to but then the bus broke down and..."

Dotty sighed and nodded answering, "I see. It's all right, Darling. Let's hurry up so we can get to the hotel. C'mon..."

They made their way to the hotel and got a room for the night.

It was a little past five when Dotty tried calling home.

Amanda answered, "Hello?"

Dotty responded, "Hello, Dear. Just wanted to let you and Lee know that Jamie's all right and that we're stuck in Norfolk for the night due to some traffic mishap. Did you talk to the vice principal? I left a note for you-"

Amanda nodded quickly and relieved stated, "Yes I did, Mother. There was a message on the machine from her. I'm so sorry i didn't get back in time to get Jamie. Is he all right?"

Dotty thought looking at her grandson eating potato chips and watching TV, Of course he is... Like this was one big adventure for him!

She then realized that Amanda was asking her, "Mother? Are you there?"

Dotty shook her head and commented, "Yes, Darling. I'm sorry. Look, I'm rather tired from my trip. I just called to say we'll be home in the morning and not to worry about us. We're fine."

Amanda sensed her mother was a bit upset and queried, "Well. Could I talk to him, please?"

Dotty chuckled lightly not believing this day and answered, "Just a minute..."

Jamie got on and watched as Dotty went into the bathroom closing the door and then stated, "Hi, Mom. Are you guys home now?"

Amanda smiled hearing her son's voice and responded, "Yes. I am, Sweetheart but Lee's still getting some work done. Are you really okay? I'm so sorry Lee or I couldn't get you today but I'm glad that Grandma's with you..."

Jamie then heard some muffled sounds coming from the bathroom and answered, "Uh, Mom? Just a minute. Something's up."

He put the phone down and went to listen at the bathroom door.

He thought he heard Dotty crying and knocked softly querying, "Grandma? Are you okay?"

Then he heard water running as she commented clearing her throat, "Yes, Sweetheart. I'll be out in a minute, all right?"

Jamie not convinced she was fine responded slowly, "Sure."

Getting back on with his mother Jamie replied quietly, "I think Grandma was crying, Mom. You think she was mad that she had to come get me? I didn't mean for her to-"

Amanda shook her head as Lee came in the door and remarked quickly, "No, Honey. This wasn't your fault at all. You know that, right?"

Jamie nodded and commented, "Yeah, I guess so. Well, I'd better go."

Amanda answered, "All right. We love you and we'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

Dotty came out of the bathroom then and stated to Jamie curtly, "Let me talk to your mother, please."

Jamie responded, "I love you guys, too. Grandma wants to talk to you. Bye."

Dotty got back on and asked, "Amanda, are you and Lee back now?"

Amanda nodded remarking, "Lee just walked in and yes, we're back. Why?"

Dotty commented angrily, "Because when I get home the three of us need to have a serious discussion about changes to your work schedules. Do we understand each other, Young Lady?"

Amanda gulped nervously looking at Lee and nodded answering softly, "Yes, Mother. I understand and I'm so sorry-"

Then the line went dead.

Amanda responded, "Hello, Mother?"

No response.

Amanda sighed as she hung up the phone and Lee asked concernedly, "What is it, Honey?"

Amanda shrugged and swallowed hard stating, "Mother's a bit upset. You might want to call Billy and tell him we'll be late in the morning..."

TBC