Enough

Chapter 2

Lee and Francine went to Ned's to talk after the reprimanding he and Amanda received from Billy that afternoon.

Francine quipped, "You two are the talk of the water cooler."

Lee growled as he ordered a drink, "Save it, will ya?! I'm not in the mood! You want a drink?"

Francine shook her head stating, "No thanks. I have to get back soon. So, what exactly happened out there?"

Lee sighed commenting, "It's ridiculous, I tell you. Billy might as well have sent Amanda and me to bed without our supper! What garbage!"

Francine groaned and responded putting a hand up, "Okay! I get that you're mad. But what exactly went on at the State Department today?"

Lee swallowed and answered slowly, "You know we've been tailing Roberts for weeks because of the shipping labels on those packages? Well, I told Amanda what we had to find out there but of course Little Miss Stubborn decided that Jones was up to no good and wanted to tail him instead. Can you believe that-"

Francine shrugged puzzledly and cut him off asking, "Why?"

Lee chuckled derisively, "Aw, who knows? Probably looked at her the wrong way. You know how nervous she gets sometimes. Anyway. If she had just done what I told her, we wouldn't be suspended right now!"

Francine sighed and remarked, "You know... I can't believe I'm about to say this, but maybe she was right-"

Lee finished his drink and ordered another querying bewilderedly, "A-About Jones? You gotta be kidding me! All the evidence we had pointed clearly to Roberts! We could've taken him downtown today, but no! Amanda had to foul things up once again-"

Francine interrupted him commenting firmly,"What if Roberts and Jones were in fact working together and they fooled you? It's happened before to a lot of us on cases! Why is this one any different?"

After silence from Lee Francine shook her head and responded dryly, "Oh, my God..."

Lee sipped his second drink and asked, "What?"

Francine answered, " Stuns me to even suggest this but what if she had actually figured out something important and you with your dare-I-say-it overblown ego couldn't handle it and that's why you didn't want to listen to her?"

Lee chuckled shaking his head as he stood up and stated, "And Billy thinks Amanda and I should see Pfaff! Whew! You're reaching, Francine."

Francine stood up from the booth where they were seated and sighed responding with a shrug, "Fine. Have a nice long week without your paycheck..."

She turned to leave and then whipping around quickly to face him again commented, "Oh. And if you need tips on budgeting your money this week, check with "Suzy Homemaker"...That is, if she'll speak to you."

As Francine turned on her heel to leave Lee answered, "Oh, yeah? Well, have fun with Beaman and Fielder. They're gonna help you with our assignments this week according to Billy."

A floored Francine gulped and went back to Lee stating quickly, "Oh, no, no, no no, no! Please! I can't be stuck with those idiots! I take back everything I just said here with an apology if you go make nice with King and sweet talk Billy into letting you back now!"

But Lee shook his head as he threw some bills on the table stating, "Oh, hell no! I'm getting the hell out of Dodge for a week! They want me out? I'm gone!"

Giving her a slight hug he remarked, "I'll send you a postcard..."

With that he left and Francine sank against the booth muttering, "What am I gonna do now?"

Meanwhile at the King home Dotty was trying to talk to Amanda through the bedroom door that was closed and commented, "It's all right, Darling. The boys aren't here so if you want to talk to me now, we can-"

Amanda opened the door quickly asking, "What do you mean the boys are gone? I mean I know Phillip's out but where's Jamie? I sent him to his room a few minutes ago."

Dotty swallowed and nodded answering, "I know, Dear. But I wanted to talk to you and I know we have to straighten Jamie out later but I just gave him money and sent him to the movie with Billy-"

Amanda sighed shaking her head as she went back into her bedroom and responded angrily, "Well fine, Mother! Have at it. I'm done. You go raise those boys while I figure out how to save my job-"

Dotty turned her daughter around to face her and retorted,"What has happened to you, Missy?! You don't speak to me that way! I don't care what kind of day you had at work. That's no reason to be insolent and take anger out on people that love you and don't deserve it! I moved into this house after Joe left out of the goodness of my heart because I didn't want you struggling so-"

Amanda felt tears come to her eyes as she nodded slowly stating, "I-I know, Mother. I'm really grateful that you're here. And I'm sorry. But I've been suspended from IFF for a week without pay along with an associate. I-I just don't want to talk anymore. Can you please leave me alone for right now?"

Dotty gasped and nodded replying softly, "All-All right, Dear. I'll let you rest and check on you in a little while, hmm? And don't worry. I'm sure it was a simple misunderstanding at work that can be fixed easily. Would a hug help?"

Amanda took a hug along with a kiss from her mother as Dotty answered, "That's my girl... Everything will be all right soon."

But as Dotty left the room Amanda laid down not feeling sure about anything at the moment...

TBC