Kelly's Journey Continues

Chapter 6

Joe's funeral was the following week and Amanda had been helping Carrie pack up Joe's things the last few days.

Carrie didn't want to have to deal with it in the coming days and she knew the boys may want some things of their father's. Clothes and collectibles through the years.

Amanda asked her, "If you don't mind, I think Joe wanted Phillip to have his watch. The one his father Jack gave him?"

Carrie nodded and answered, "Of course. Joe mentioned that Phillip admired it at one time. Let me get it."

As she went to the dresser to retrieve it she remarked, "I was going to give his clothes to Goodwill, but I thought if they wanted some ties or whatever they're more than welcome to have them."

Amanda nodded and commented, "Thank you. There was a tie Joe had that was dark blue with stripes? I was thinking Jamie could have that one."

Carrie nodded welling up and nodded responding, "His favorite one, yeah. I know the one you mean."

Going to the closet she found it hung up near the front by the suits and handing it to Amanda gulped answering, "He called it his lucky tie. He wore it when Phillip and Jamie were born, when he got the EAO job, and when he met me."

Amanda smiled gently remarking, "All good things. Thank you."

Carrie hesitated and stated slowly, "I was going to include your wedding day but I forgot. He wore a tux then, right?"

Amanda swallowed and nodded commenting, "Yeah. We were going to have a small wedding to save money, but Mother gave us the wedding as Daddy's gift. She told me Daddy insisted that I have the best when and if I married and he had already put money aside in the bank for me in a separate account before he died. We found out when Mother and I went through his bank statements."

Carrie replied asking, "Did Joe ever meet him?"

Amanda shook her head answering, "No. Unfortunately, he died before I knew Joe. Before we started dating."

Carrie sighed remarking, "That's too bad. I'm sure he would've liked Joe."

Amanda nodded and commented, "Yes. And he would've loved the ch-chance to be a grandfather, too."

Carrie swallowed replying, "You have the best boys. Joe was so proud of them. Do you think Phillip will come to the funeral? I know this whole thing has been hard on him, though."

Amanda sighed and answered quietly, "I'm really not sure. He hasn't talked to anyone lately. He shuts down when we mention Joe at all. I'm pretty worried about him. He hasn't cried since that day."

Carrie responded, "Please tell him for me that if he ever wants to talk, I'm here as well. I may not have the memories you all had with Joe, but-"

Amanda shook her head and squeezed Carrie's hands gently stating firmly, "Listen. You are and always will be a part of this family. Joe was very lucky to have found you."

Carrie hugged her and responded tearfully, "Th-Thank you so much! I think you and Lee are very lucky as well..."

The day of the funeral arrived and to everyone's surprise, Phillip was getting ready with them!

Kelly had come to the boys room and seeing Jamie in his suit asked, "Are we going to a party? What do I wear?"

Jamie was fixing his tie and answered patiently, "You don't have to dress up. You're gonna be at the Lombardo's while we're gone. Remember when Grandma told you that?"

Kelly thought for a moment and then commented, "Oh, yeah. So you can say goodbye to Uncle Joe who went to heaven, right?"

Phillip overhearing this snapped at her, "That's right! Because he's gone and he's never coming back! Just like Grandpa West and your Grandma Rose! So stop asking such stupid questions already!"

Jamie retorted to him, "Hey, leave her alone! She's just a kid!"

With that Phillip charged out of the room pushing Kelly aside and nearly knocking Lee down who had come in to check on them! He queried angrily, "What the hell-"

Jamie then saw Kelly sink to the floor in a puddle of tears!

Shaking his head he stated to Lee, "I'll go find Phillip. Geez! "

Lee picking up Kelly answered, "Thanks, Jamie. And tell your mom to go on ahead to church. I'll be there as soon as I can."

Jamie nodded and left and Lee kissed Kelly's temple and replied softly, "C'mon, Sweetheart. Let's go down to your room for a minute, okay?"

Lee bringing Kelly to her room settled her with Chester on his lap in the rocker and stated gently, "It's all right, Honey. Phillip still loves you. But the thing is, he's mad at everyone because he misses Uncle Joe a whole lot and doesn't think anyone understands or cares how he feels. I know you don't really get this because you were so young when Grandma Rose went to heaven. Phillip's feeling pretty lost right now but I know he didn't mean to take his sadness and anger out on you. He has a whole houseful of people including Aunt Carrie who will talk to him about it but I guess he's not ready yet, you know?"

Kelly sniffed and queried, "Can I give him Chester to say I'm sorry?"

Lee held her close and shook his head remarking softly, "No, Honey. You keep Chester. Phillip knows deep down that you're sad for him and that you love him. He'll be better soon. I promise, okay?"

Kelly nodded and Lee got a tissue from her night stand and wiping her face commented, "Here. Blow your nose."

Kelly did and Lee threw away the tissue and kissing her cheek responded, "That's my girl. All right. Why don't I take you over to the Lombardo's now where they have lunch and cookies, huh?"

Kelly asked, "Can I take Chester and my color book?"

Lee smiled at her and answered, "Absolutely. Let's go."

Helping her off the rocker he helped Kelly get her things and headed for the stairs with her and seeing Phillip in Dotty's room dressed he stated tersely, "Stay right there, Young Man! I'll be back!"

Taking Kelly to the Lombardo's place quickly he thanked the couple remarking, "Thanks for watching her. We'll be home in a while."

Giving Kelly a hug he commented, "Be good, okay? I love you."

Kelly hugged him back answering, "Tell Phillip I hope he's better soon, Daddy."

Lee chuckled and touseled her head stating, "You bet, Sweetheart..."

When Lee came back to the house he headed upstairs where he found Phillip on Dotty's bed fumbling with his tie and crying, "I-I can't get this stupid tie to work! Damn it!"

Lee sighed seeing that the dam had burst finally and gently pulling Phillip up held the boy as he wept!

Lee swallowed hard and remarked softly, "I really wanna yell at you but you're already in about as much pain as you can stand so let's table this for later okay, Chief?"

Phillip nodded and calming down after a bit asked, "Wh-What now?"

Lee answered gently, "You go wash your face and I'll fix your tie and we'll go, all right?"

They made it to church as the funeral was underway. They found Amanda and Jamie and sat down with them.

Phillip whispered to Amanda, "I'm-I'm really sorry, Mom."

Amanda hugged him and kissed his cheek remarked softly, "It's all right, Sweetheart. You're here now and that's all that matters."

As Phillip leaned on Amanda she looked over at Lee and mouthed her thanks.

Lee nodded and winked at her.

He then sighed thinking about the talk he'd have with his stepson tomorrow and then concentrated on the funeral as it continued...

TBC