Chapter Two – Easter Sunday Night
Amanda sat on the edge of the bed applying lotion to her legs as she contemplated the testy dynamics of her family during the long, unsatisfying day. Easter was meant to be a time of rejoicing, but this year the holy day spiraled down into mean confrontations and hurt feelings.
Lee had excused himself early in the afternoon, saying he was going home to his apartment to sleep off a migraine. Then retreating to the foyer, he'd barely spared her a hasty kiss on the forehead and a few curt words. "See you tomorrow," he'd murmured before escaping to his Corvette. To make matters worse, Joe and Carrie had overstayed their welcome, making it impossible for Amanda to pursue Lee. While she'd contemplated abandoning her guests, she didn't feel right leaving her mother to labor in the kitchen with the lion's share of the clean-up.
Instead she convinced herself that Lee needed time to nurse his wounds before he was ready to talk about the family friction directed at him. However, hours later, he was still in isolation mode, refusing to answer the phone when she attempted to call him.
A painful sigh escaped her lips as she set the lotion bottle on the nightstand. Reaching to turn out the light, she heard a slight knock on her bedroom door. "Come in," she called, already guessing who was there. Drawing her legs under the covers, she braced for another dicey encounter.
A dark blond head peered around the opening. "Hi, Mom," Jamie said as he paused to size up his mother's mood. "Sorry I wouldn't talk to you earlier, but I'm willing to try now."
"Sweetheart, it's very late, but we do need to clear up a few matters before going to sleep." Patting the mattress, she watched as her pajama clad son cautiously approached her side.
Climbing onto the brass bed, Jamie situated himself at her feet. Then pulling his knees up, he hugged them close to his chest, insulating himself in a protective cocoon. "I know you're pretty angry about the way I treated Lee today."
She smiled faintly, wishing he was still the little fella who crawled into her bed at night, snuggled close, and confessed his worries. Instead, she met the eyes of a brooding preteen. 'Patience,' Amanda reminded herself as she prepared to address her son.
"Jamie, I'm not just angry, I'm disappointed in your behavior. Lee doesn't deserve to be the target of your unhappiness." Watching him hang his head against his chest, Amanda heaved a big sigh as she waited for a response that didn't come. Her arms ached to hold him, but his body language warned her to stay away. That was the problem in a nutshell. Jamie was on the cusp of adolescence, and he was entering the contentious "cave years" so typical of teenage males. The long talks and frequent hugs and kisses they'd shared for a dozen years would now be fewer and far between.
Amanda didn't need a manual on parenting teenagers to explain the larger problem. Her sensitive boy wasn't just confused about Lee, he was confused about life in general. Wasn't it enough that he had to accept a new stepmother, without also blindsiding him with a stepfather? She couldn't very well announce, 'oh, by the way, Lee and I got married last February.' For her son's sake and the sanity of the whole family, they'd need to continue concealing their marriage and be less demonstrative in the boys' presence. And, too, if their marital union had to be kept secret at the Agency, then it needed to stay a secret at home.
"Jamie," she finally pleaded. "Talk to me."
The boy raised his head, just enough to reveal his contemptuous scowl. "Mom, I don't like Lee," he said in a belligerent tone of voice. "I don't think I can ever like the guy."
"Of course, you can. Lee cares about you and wants to be your friend."
"No he doesn't. He wants to be Phillip's friend – just like every other person we know."
Amanda shook her head at their impasse. While wanting to deny his perception, she was fully aware that Jamie had lived in the shadow of his gregarious brother since he'd entered middle school. Even though the teachers praised the younger boy's excellent grades, the students gravitated toward Phillip - the joke cracking, easy going, all-around jock. Her two sons were polar opposites when it came to their talents and interests? Stretching out her arm, she waited until Jamie hesitantly took her hand. "Listen, young man, if you give Lee half a chance, you'll find he's very similar to you in many ways."
"Well, I already know we're both interested in photography."
"And, it was very nice of Lee to give you a camera. I thought you appreciated the present."
"I do, but it's just a secondhand gift; the camera is old and not something we actually enjoy together. He gave Phillip a new basketball, and the two of them are outside shooting hoops all the time."
Amanda cringed at the comment. Her husband fully intended to set up a dark room for Jamie, but hadn't found the time yet. "I'm sure Lee wants to do special things with you, too."
"Yeah, right. Mr. Charm is the typical jock who wants to be the center of attention and show off his athletic skills."
"Sweetheart, you underestimate the man and need to take a closer look. Lee is much more than a typical athlete. Behind his public persona, he is basically a shy and sensitive person. He cares deeply and suffers hurt feelings when rejected- just like you."
Jamie appeared skeptical. "The man sure hides it well. My comments seem to roll off his back."
"Believe me, he's had more than thirty years to perfect the art of concealing hurts. You know Lee's parents died when he was little, and he had to be raised by a stern uncle - a bachelor, career military officer."
"Yeah, so you've told me several times." Shrugging, the boy masked his own feelings. "So, big deal, his shyness doesn't mean he's anything like me."
"It's more than shyness," Amanda said with a hint of annoyance in her words. "Like you, Lee loves to read, and he's an avid history buff. Whether you were aware of it or not, I saw you perk up when he talked about the scientist and explorer, John Wesley Powell."
Jamie shrugged. "It was better to listen to a history lesson than hear everyone argue over Dad's whitewater rafting trip. I don't want to go anyway."
"Really? You seemed pretty excited."
"Yeah, maybe at first, but after I thought about the trip, I realized it would be one more way I can't measure up to Phillip." Leaving his perch, the boy stretched out beside his mother. Taking his glasses off, he fiddled with the stems while he continued his rationale. "Danger is a thrill for Phillip, but I'm afraid of the rapids. It's bad enough that my own family knows I'm a wimp, without having Lee there to see it, too."
Amanda recoiled at the word "wimp". She hated to hear her youngest define himself by such a term. "Jamie, being afraid of danger doesn't make you a coward. Being cautious can be a good thing. Phillip throws caution to the wind and gets himself into trouble more often than not."
The boy's brown eyes begged her to understand. "Please, Mom, don't invite Lee to join us. Cruel or not, I don't want him there to complicate the whole experience. Can't we enjoy the trip as a family, just you, Dad, Phillip, and me?"
"And Carrie," Amanda reminded him. "She may be new to the family, but she's definitely an official member of the clan."
"Don't bug me about her," he groaned. "No one ever asked how I felt about Dad marrying again, but if you really want to know, I'll tell you."
"All right," Amanda said as she tensed for the backlash. "Tell me."
"I think it sucks. With Dad back from Africa, we were finally doing things as a family again, like we did when Phillip and I were little."
Amanda winced at Jamie's idealistic expectation. "Sweetheart, your Dad and I divorced long before he left his humanitarian work. We can never be the family you remember."
"Maybe not, but we all get along and have fun when it's just the four of us. We don't need anybody else except Grandma."
"Jamie, life never remains static. We all change and move on. That means accepting new situations and new relationships. Dad needs Carrie in his life, just like I need Lee."
"Yeah, but who needs Phillip and me?" The boy glared as he clenched his jaw in defiance. "It doesn't seem to matter what we think or feel. I bet you can't wait until we're grown and gone."
"Sweetheart, you know better than that."
"No I don't." Abruptly, Jamie rolled himself off the bed and scrambled to his feet. Hurrying toward the door, he paused for one more parting shot. "It's not like Lee is my stepdad, and if you care about my feelings, he never will be."
The Midnight Rambler:
Long after the family retired to bed, Dotty stood in the kitchen concocting her nighttime sleep potion. Just as she topped off her glass of milk with a splash of Galliano, she heard a key in the lock. Suddenly, the backdoor swung open, and there stood Lee Stetson looking as alarmed as she felt.
"Sorry, Dotty," he said, obviously embarrassed to be caught red-handed. "I saw the light and thought Amanda was still up, so I just let myself in."
Dotty removed her hand from her rapidly beating heart and pulled the sash on her bathrobe a little tighter. "Hello, Lee, I see my daughter gave you a key?"
"Yeah, she did." Sheepishly he slid the object of their attention into his pocket. "Amanda wanted me to have it for emergencies."
Repressing a laugh, Dotty registered the disheveled appearance of the usually debonair man. With faded jeans, a rumpled shirt, and sockless sneakers, he'd definitely retreated to comfort mode. "So tonight is considered an emergency?"
"Well, you know," he stammered. "Considering the tension here today and my leaving in a rush, I thought maybe I should talk things over with your daughter."
Employing mild confrontation, Dotty pinned him in place with an accusative gaze. "Lee, darling, she went to bed an hour ago. And, I must say, Amanda wasn't very happy. She tried calling, but you never answered your phone."
"Yeah, the blame is all mine." Running nervous fingers through his hair, Lee struggled to deflect Dotty's gentle reprimand. "I just wasn't ready yet . . . you know . . . to rehash the whole day."
Dotty relented and nodded in understanding. "I must apologize for my family. The behavior around the table was inexcusable. Even I threw in some zingers that had no redeeming purpose."
Lee ventured a small smile. "Hey, don't beat yourself up; you were in my corner and that meant a lot to me."
"And so was my daughter, even if she didn't take Joe and Jamie to task in front of the group. However, I noticed Amanda reassured you in her own special way. By all appearances, you two have your own secret code."
"You noticed, huh?"
"Yes, Amanda's subtle gestures didn't escape my keen observation skills," Dotty teased. "A little hand-holding and whispering in the ear can calm even the worst tempers. By keeping your cool, you two pulled off a stellar performance in the face of exasperating behavior. I'm proud of you both."
"Thanks," he said, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "I appreciate the affirmation." Then consulting his watch, he began to back away. "Tell Amanda I'm sorry I missed her. We can talk tomorrow."
"Certainly, dear." Dotty watched as his tall dejected form moved toward the door. Empathizing with his feelings, she didn't have the heart to send him away. "Wait, Lee."
He whirled around, hope etched on his handsome face.
"Would you like me to wake Amanda?"
He paused, struggling for an answer. "I'm grateful for the offer, but I'm sure Amanda could benefit from a good night's sleep."
Dotty nodded in understanding. "Sleep is important, but I know without a doubt that you're her best medicine."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, but there's no point in stirring things up when she's so tired."
As he pulled open the door, Dotty impulsively rushed to grab his arm. "Lee, this may sound strange coming from a grandmother . . . but I want you to feel free to come and go in our house, day or night, and for whatever reason."
Lee's jaw dropped open in surprise, and he stood there speechless.
She laughed. "Don't worry I'm not suggesting anything improper that would contradict my daughter's stellar principles. We both know Amanda's morals are as straight as an arrow. She's always been a firm believer in marriage before . . . well, you know." Even the thoroughly modern Dotty felt a blush warm her cheeks.
"Yeah, I hear you," he said, carefully avoiding her gaze.
"Good, then we're in agreement. I trust you both to be discreet with children in the house." Dotty closed the door and gave Lee a little shove toward the front hall. "Now go on upstairs and sit with Amanda a bit. I'm sure she'll sleep better knowing you came back to apologize."
He hesitated. "But what about the boys?"
"They're sound asleep," Dotty assured him. "A sonic boom couldn't wake them tonight."
The bedroom door creaked on its hinges and the floorboards groaned under the weight of Lee's footsteps, but Amanda was undisturbed by the intrusion. Even when he banged his shin on the dresser, she didn't budge.
Taking a seat on the barely adequate boudoir chair, he allowed the silence of the room to sooth his frazzled emotions. Moonlight streamed through the open curtains, casting an ethereal glow on Amanda's beautiful face. Relishing the moment of perfect peace, he drank in the sight of his wife's sweet repose. Tendrils of brunette hair fell across her cheek, and one foot peeked out from under the covers. Just watching her sleep enabled the day's tensions to drain away.
God, he couldn't believe he was in her bedroom at midnight with the entire family only several feet down the hall. Even though they'd been married for nearly two months, he'd rarely breached the upstairs of 4247 Maplewood Drive.
At least he didn't have to climb the flimsy trellis and crawl through her bedroom window anymore. He shuddered at the memory of the "Red February" terrorists who'd been getting dangerously close to Amanda during the Alan Chamberlain case. His only option to warn her had been a risky ascent to the second story. The rickety trellis had also provided an escape route during the "Stemwinder" incident – a week of personal terror when the Agency mistakenly accused Scarecrow and Mrs. King of selling out to the Russians. God, it was in this very room that he'd told Amanda he loved her, and she'd committed to following him into Hell.
Shaking his head at the poignant memories, he knew he was a lucky man. Now, thanks to Dotty's gracious invitation, he could enjoy easy access to his wife, all within the boundaries of proper discretion, of course. "Humph," he murmured, not realizing he spoke aloud.
"Mother, is that you?" Amanda mumbled as she rolled over.
"It's me," he said as he stood up and moved beside her bed.
"Lee, oh, my gosh!" Amanda flung the covers back and bolted upright. "You're actually here."
"Sssh." Placing a finger against her lips, he sat down and pulled her onto his lap. Running his hands over the smooth silky nightgown, he luxuriated in the delicate curves of her body that pressed against his chest. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, burying his face in the long column of her neck and breathing in the fragrant scent that drove him wild.
She brushed her gentle fingers through his hair in the comforting gesture that always soothed the savage beast of his emotional turmoil.
"Lee, I'm sorry for the horrible day. I should have read the riot act to my irascible family."
"Hey, it's okay. I just need to develop a tougher hide. Jamie behaved better than I did on my best day as a twelve-year-old."
"Oh, come on," Amanda chided as she tickled his ribs. "I'm sure your strict uncle never allowed you to be rude to a guest. He'd have punished you into the next century."
"Punishment never deterred me," he said, cringing at the memory of his adolescent behavior. "I was determine to challenge the old man's authority. Did I ever tell you about the time I deliberately dumped my full plate of food on the table, knocked over my glass of milk, and stormed from a dining room full of guests just because the Colonel told me to sit-up straight?"
"Ah, no, you never told me that story," she said with a grin. "That particular fit of rage sounds more like Phillip on his worst day."
He laughed. ''Amanda, don't worry about your boys. You've done a great job raising them."
"Thank you," she said, acknowledging the compliment with a kiss to his cheek. "Lee, be patient. I'm sure Jamie will come around. He just has a bad case of growing pains."
"Humph, let's hope his growing pains don't turn into a chronic condition. Whatever ails Jamie isn't some twenty-four hour stomach bug. The kid despises me."
"He just needs more time to get to know you."
"Yeah, I get it," Lee said with ragged sigh. "Believe me, I plan to give him all the time he needs."
"Good." Cupping his chin in her hands, she captured his gaze. "Lee, I'm confident Joe and the boys will personally invite you on the rafting trip."
"Don't bet on it, Amanda."
"Sweetheart, whatever happens, I have to accompany my boys. I'm the parent who led all the Cub Scout and Junior Trailblazer camping trips. Joe underestimates the difficulty of taking the boys on a wilderness adventure."
Lee grunted at his disconcerting memory of the novice Joe. "Yeah, I've seen the guy row a boat on a serene pond. He'll definitely be out of his league paddling down a river of whitewater."
"Then you understand my rationale for wanting to go."
"Absolutely, but I'm adamant that you'll not go without me. Even my world class "Cub Scout lady" can't single-handily manage two rambunctious boys, a stubborn greenhorn ex-husband, and his no nonsense, schoolmarm bride."
"Well, be forewarned, sweetheart, if you tag along, Joe will goad your temper at every turn. Then you two will lock horns, and I'll be caught in the middle. Sounds like fun, huh?
"Hey, I'm not expecting fun," Lee said with a pang of guilt. "I know I shouldn't let Joe get to me, but he's very territorial when it comes to you and his sons."
"I'm afraid you're right," Amanda said as her soft breath tickled his ear. "I hope Joe embraces marriage this time and has a child with Carrie. Maybe then my ex-husband can remember he's not the head of my household anymore. He knows perfectly well that you and I are committed to each other."
"Would it make any difference if we inform Joe we're married? You always intended to tell him when we got engaged, but you never found the appropriate time to share our secret."
"I promise, I'm going to announce it soon, but part of me fears he'll balk at two spies caring for his sons. Certainly they'll be some snide remarks about the mother of his children eloping with her favorite intelligence operative."
"I hear you," he said, resting his head against the comfort of her breasts. "However, we can't continue this charade much longer. If we don't make the announcement, the truth is going to hit the fan at the worst possible moment."
"I know, Sweetheart, but let's not figure out the details tonight. I just want to hold you close a little longer."
"Me, too," he concurred as he eased his wife to the bed and laid down beside her.
"Don't get any ideas, Buster. My mother can hear a pin drop from 100 yards away. She's bound to catch us in the act."
"Your mother already knows I'm upstairs. In fact she was in the kitchen when I arrived, and she invited me to look in on you."
"You're kidding?"
"Nope," he responded with a deep laugh. "She followed me up the steps with her favorite sleep cocktail in hand. Dotty said she'd fall asleep secure in the knowledge that her very proper daughter will always hold me to the highest standard."
"My mother discussed my moral behavior with you?"
"You bet. She vowed you'd never cross the line without a marriage license."
"But, we do have a marriage license."
"Exactly!" Rising to his feet, Lee crossed the room and turned the lock on the door. Then hesitating, he had second thoughts. "Amanda, what if the boys hear us?"
"Don't worry; they've had a hectic day. Phillip and Jamie won't wake-up until I drag them out of bed in the morning. I think we can risk a little intimacy tonight."
"Just a little," Lee teased as he toed out of his shoes, pulled off his shirt, and dropped his pants. Then padding to the bed, he watched Amanda fling her nightgown over the bedpost. "I guess we'd better be quick."
"And quiet," she reminded him as he climbed into bed and wrapped his body around her naked form.
TBC: