Bunny Tale

Chapter 7

Lee and Amanda got to the E.R. quickly and parked and got out to help Jamie from the back of her car.

As they entered Amanda spotted Dr. Goodman immediately stating, "Oh, I'm so glad you're here! Could you please look at Jamie?"

Dr. Goodman greeted her and nodded to Lee and Jamie whose pallor was ashen asking, "What happened here, Young Man?"

Jamie gulped and answered, "I fell out of a tree. Can you make the pain go away?"

Dr. Goodman replied quickly, "Don't you worry. We'll have you fixed up in a jiffy."

Signaling to a nurse nearby he gestured toward the exam room responding to Amanda, "Let's see how bad it is and if necessary we'll get an x-ray done, all right?"

Jamie queried, "Will it hurt?"

Amanda rubbed his back replying, "Not a bit, Sweetie. Let's go-"

But Jamie swallowing asked, "Mom... Is it okay if Mr. Stetson goes with me, instead?"

Amanda was taken aback but after a moment nodded commenting, "Um, sure. If he wants to."

Lee nodded slowly and responded, "Not a problem. Let's head back."

But as they were turning to leave the area Lee saw the obvious worry on Amanda's face and stated gently, "He'll be fine. I promise. We'll be out soon, huh?"

So as he and Jamie headed back with Dr Goodman Amanda went to fill out the paperwork.

When she finished she called Dotty from the pay phone to fill her in on the situation commenting, "He's only just met Lee, but he felt comfortable enough for him to be there. What do you think, Mother?"

Dotty sighed answering, "Well. I think he's trying to put up a brave front for you, Darling. And since Joe isn't here he's also showing signs of maturity. He still loves you but maybe he feels like a baby if he has you back there with him."

Amanda shook her head protesting, "But Mother, that's silly. I know he's not a baby any more and I wouldn't treat him like that, but-"

Dotty cut in soothingly, "Sweetheart, both boys realize how much you love them but at the same time they have to show at this stage just how grown up they can be. And being the youngest I think sometimes he has to prove something to Phillip, also. That he isn't what the kids today call a "mama's boy", you know?"

Amanda sighed and responded, "Yeah, maybe you're right. I'm probably reading too much into this-"

Just then Lee and Jamie came out with Dr. Goodman and the nurse.

Amanda commented, "Oh, they're back, Mother. We'll be home soon, all right?"

Dotty nodded and stated, "All right, Dear. See you soon."

They hung up and Amanda went over and giving Jamie a small hug asked, "How are you, Honey?"

Jamie sighed remarking, "It only hurts a little now. When they were putting the cast on though, it looked like paper mache'. I wish Phillip could've seen it. It was so cool!"

Amanda looked at Lee who cleared his throat replying, "He uh, has pretty good meds in him right now..."

Dr. Goodman smiled and nodded stating, "He'll be fine in a few weeks, Amanda."

Looking at Jamie he remarked, "No sports or any jungle gym stuff for now. Just rest, all right?"

As Jamie nodded the nurse gave Amanda a scrip for Jamie's meds stating, "You can have this filled right away. Take care."

Amanda thanked her and Dr. Goodman who commented, "Call my office and set up an appointment two weeks from today and I'll check on his progress."

They left and Amanda stopped at the pharmacy near the house to fill the prescription.

When they arrived home they smelled the ham and Jamie asked, "Mom? Can I show Billy Barton my cast after dinner? I want him to sign it-"

But Amanda shook her head stating, "No, Honey. You need to rest that arm, all right?"

Jamie groaned in protest as Dotty and Phillip greeted them and Phillip commented, "Cool cast! So, how did they set your arm?"

Dotty shook her head and shrugged replying, "Never mind, "How do you feel? Does it hurt much? The usual concern a sibling would have for another."

Phillip and Jamie shook their heads as the three went upstairs slowly with Dotty answering, "I'll be right back, Darling."

Amanda giggled at the animated discussion the boys were having as they headed up and responded to Lee, "Thank you for helping out today."

Lee smiled back answering, "It's okay. He'll be fine."

They headed into the kitchen where Amanda asked, "Would you like anything to drink?"

Lee answered, "Whatever you have is good, thanks."

But as Amanda was getting their iced tea she grew quiet which concerned Lee and he queried, "Hey... You all right?"

Amanda shrugged and swallowed stating, "It-It could've been so much worse-"

Taking the glass from her he commented with a sigh, "Thanks. It wasn't, though. He was a real trooper in there. The only bad part was when they had to reset the arm. Whew! That part was painful for him."

They walked into the family room and sitting on the couch Amanda stated, "Lee, I'm sorry about this weekend. Especially today. I realize you were just trying to help at church and I guess I overreacted a bit. If I hadn't gone to New York to begin with, this whole thing wouldn't have snowballed like it did."

Lee shook his head and answered, "Of course it would've. But in a whole different way."

Amanda shot him an outraged look and he put up a hand responding, "I'm kidding, I swear! Anyway, I'm just glad I was here with you when Jamie hurt himself. Not that you needed help, but it's good to have a support system sometimes when you need one, you know?"

Amanda swallowed hard and nodded commenting, "Yeah, it is. And I'm glad you were here too, only-"

Lee noticing her hesitation asked, "What is it?"

Amanda brushed tears from her eyes that had formed and replied, "I-I guess Jamie's getting to the point where he doesn't need me as much any more. I just have to get used to it, huh?"

Lee gently pulled her to him and remarked softly, "Hey...You haven't lost either of them, all right? They're always gonna need you. Jamie was just trying to be brave today, that's all. But no matter how old they get they'll always love their mom, right?"

Dotty was coming downstairs and overhearing Lee stated, "That's what I told her earlier. No matter who the child is. Right, Amanda?"

Amanda got up and hugged Dotty commenting, "Yes, Mother. I love you."

Dotty chuckling softly remarked pulling away, " I love you too, Honey. All right. Enough of this sappy stuff. Let's finish getting dinner ready while Jamie rests, hmm?"

Amanda called Phillip downstairs answering, "Phillip. Please let your brother rest, okay? Come on down. You and Lee can watch a movie or something until dinner."

So Lee and Phillip watched the movie, "Cool Hand Luke" while in the kitchen, Dotty began her inquisition to Amanda while they prepared the rest of the meal.

She asked, "So, how long have you known Lee? Does he have home cooked meals often? Has he dated a lot with his work schedule?"

Amanda tried her best to answer as honestly as she could but very little and at one point caught Lee's eye while looking over at him and mouthed, Help me!

But Lee chuckling shook his head mouthing back, No way!

As Dotty turned away to get something out of the fridge Amanda stuck her tongue out at Lee knowing that he was enjoying this exchange between the two women way too much!

Lee chuckled again and turned his attention back to the TV.

Phillip looked at him strangely and queried, "Are you all right, Mr. Stetson?"

Lee cleared his throat and remarked embarrassedly, "Uh, sure. Let's keep watching this. "

Later Lee and the family gathered in the dining room as Dotty said the blessing.

She stated, "Dear Lord, we thank you for our family and friends and for this wonderful feast. We also thank you for helping us with Jamie today. Please continue to bless all of us and help keep him strong through his recovery. Amen."

As they answered, "Amen" and began to eat Amanda at one point noticed everyone ensconsed in conversation and looking up, whispered a special thank you of her own.

Lee taking her hand gave it a squeeze in support knowing how truly blessed she and her family were that day.

The End