The Reunion

Chapter 1

Amanda had decided to forgo her high school's 15th year reunion as her family had teased her about her outfit.

As they were headed upstairs, there was a knock at the back door. Amanda glanced at the staircase as she headed outside knowing it was Lee.

She came out to hear Lee remark, "Hey baby, what's happening? "

Shutting the door quickly, Amanda shushed him and then getting a good look at his outfit teased, "Where did you get the ancient threads? "

Lee scoffed as he saw her playing with the necklace he wore and replied, "Ancient thr-"

Amanda giggled and nodded as she answered, "Uh-huh! What brings you by? "

Lee cleared his throat and responded, "Well, I heard a rumor that you might be needing an escort to your reunion tonight-"

Amanda shook her head immediately in protest stating, "Oh, no. I'm not gonna go! I didn't like the dress. I'd feel silly-"

Lee then brought her close to him and gingerly shook her arms as he held them pleading with her, "C'mon! We'll make the perfect couple! What do you say? "

Amanda hesitated and then saw the twinkle in Lee's eyes and relented finally as she gushed, "Okay, thanks! "

Lee chuckled and replied, "Great! "

Amanda then noticed an envelope sticking out of his pocket and queried, "What's that? "

Lee then saw what she was referring to and pulled it out, giving it to her as he remarked, "You did say tomorrow was your grocery day, right? "

Amanda nodded taking it from him stating, "Oh yeah, it is! Thanks. "

But as she was looking it over her expression changed and Lee inquired, "What's wrong? It's not too much again, is it? "

Amanda shook her head and replied, "No, no. But it's one day late and exactly one dollar short! "

Lee shook his head as they laughed about it together and he responded, "Don't worry about it. I'll give you the dollar-"

Amanda sighed in protest as she answered, "No, Lee! You don't have to do that-"

Lee stopped her as he stated, "It's only a dollar. I can afford it, okay? Now go on and get ready-"

Then out of the corner of his eye he suddenly spotted Dotty coming into the kitchen and quickly turned to leave whispering to her, "Meet me at the car!"

He was gone in a flash and Amanda then heard Dotty call for her.

Amanda went inside and Dotty queried, "What were you doing out there? "

Amanda thinking quickly replied, "Checking the plants. They don't need watering right now. "

Dotty shook her head stating," Well I should say not, Darling, since I checked them not one hour ago-"

She then saw Amanda take the dress and head for the stairs and questioned her. "Where are you going? Leave the dress here and we'll return it tomorrow-"

Amanda going upstairs replied, "That's all right, Mother! I've decided to go after all! Be right down! "

Amanda was down in no time and kissed her mother as she stated, "Make sure the boys finish their homework before they watch any television tonight, all right? I shouldn't be too late but don't wait up, okay? Bye! "

Grabbing her purse, she dashed out of the house before Dotty could ask any more questions.

Lee saw Amanda coming around the bend and got out of the car to let her in the passenger side as she remarked apologetically, "I'm sorry if I kept you waiting. "

Lee smiled her and before closing the door stated, "It was worth it. You look great! "

Amanda blushed as she watched Lee coming around to get in and start the motor. She smiled at him and responded,"Thanks. You don't look half bad yourself, mister. But I still feel silly in this dress. It wasn't my first choice anyway but because of the interruption in 60's R Us earlier today, I didn't see anything that really made a statement-"

Lee chuckled at her ramble and grinned remarking as they drove, "Oh, you're definitely making one with me, lady! You're a knockout! "

Amanda scoffed at his "line" and replied, "Yeah, right! Well, I hope you won't get too bored there. I know it's not really your thing-"

Lee answered defensively, "Hey! I grew up in the same era! I can relate! By the way, is your friend Barnhill coming to this shindig? "

Amanda shrugged." Connie? I suppose so. Why? I thought you liked him a little after our case in London two years ago-"

Lee sighed and responded, "He's okay. In small doses. Very small. Anyway, I'm asking because we'll have to remind him to keep his mouth shut about our jobs. To him and everyone there tonight, we work for International Federal Film. Period. The last thing we need is him running his mouth off about that case-"

Amanda sighed as they parked in a space at the Arlington Country Club where the reunion was being held and Lee shut off the motor.

She looked at him and stated, "Lee, please don't worry. It'll be okay-"

Lee then shook his head and questioned, "Really? C'mon. Do you remember how big his head got then? "

Amanda nodded and touched his arm replying," He'll be fine. Let's go in, huh? "

But as Lee helped her out of the car and took her arm going into the club he had a feeling that he'd have to do damage control before the night was over because in Amanda King's world,anything could happen. And since meeting her three years ago, something usually did.

TBC