Between A Rock And A Hard Place

Chapter 7

Amanda was released the following day.

Kitty brought Amanda home with her while Lee followed in his rental car.

As Kitty got out to go unlock the front door, Lee helped Amanda out of the car taking her inside the house.

When they all were in, the phone was ringing.

Kitty stated, "I'll get that."

Lee guided Amanda to the living room couch and sat her down with Amanda sighing answering, "Lee, I'm all right. You don't have to fuss."

Lee shook his head commenting, "Then you stop being so stubborn, huh? You heard the doctor. Concussions are nothing to fool around with. Trust me, I know."

Amanda retorted gently, "Oh? This coming from the world's worst patient ever! I'm gonna be okay."

Lee sat down next to her and responded, "Yeah, because Kitty and I will make sure of it...Now. Can I get you anything? Coffee or tea?"

Amanda couldn't resist answering as she remembered the Mongoose case, "How about a blanket or an in-flight movie?"

Lee sighed but chuckled at the reference as he responded, "All right, all right. I get it. No pushing."

Amanda smiled as she replied with a pat on his arm, "Thank you. Really. But I'm fine at the moment."

Just then Kitty came in remarking, "Well, it looks like there's a change in plans..."

Amanda queried worriedly, "What's up, Kitty?"

Kitty answered looking at Lee, "That was my husband Tom on the phone. He's been in San Francisco with our daughter. Looks like he and the family came down with the flu...I'm gonna have to go take care of them."

Wistfully she replied to Amanda, "I'm so sorry, Amanda."

But Amanda shook her head stating, "Don't you worry about that. I'll be fine. I'll just go pack and-"

But getting up she had a dizzy spell and Lee quickly helped her sit once more commenting concernedly, "Uh-uh! You're not going anywhere until you're able to!"

Looking at Kitty he asked, "That is... If it's all right with you?"

Kitty nodded answering, "Of course. Mi casa, Su casa. There's plenty of food and other essentials. At least with you here Lee, I won't have to worry about my pal here."

Amanda looking at both of them queried, "Don't I have a say in this at all, Guys?"

Lee shrugged responding, "Sure. How about "Thanks for not leaving me to fend for myself." That would suffice."

Amanda shook her head and remarked indignantly, "You're really pushing it, Stetson!"

Lee and Kitty shared a smile as Lee quipped, "See? She likes the idea already."

Kitty nodded seeing the peturbed look on Amanda's face and commented, "Yeah, right...Well, I've gotta call the airport and pack."

Giving Amanda a hug she answered, "Try giving him a chance, huh? Let him help if you need it."

As she headed upstairs Amanda replied, "Thanks, Kit."

After a moment Lee asked Amanda gently, "So, do you want to stay down here or go get some rest?"

Amanda sighed and shrugged stating, "Guess I'll go upstairs for a while."

Lee took her hand helping her up and nodded stating, "Sure. I'll walk you up. C'mon..."

When they got up to the hall near the guest room Kitty replied, "I put your meds in the bathroom, Amanda. Do you need them yet?'

Amanda shook her head giving Kitty a hug and commented, "No. Think I just want to be left alone right now. Thank you both for your help. Kitty, have a safe flight and we'll talk soon. Lee? Just...go downstairs, all right?"

Going into the guest room she closed the door behind her and taking off her shoes, laid down thinking dejectedly, Boy! Some week this is gonna be!

Out in the hall Kitty noticed Lee's rather hurt expression and responded gently touching his shoulder, "Aw, don't worry. She doesn't mean to be grouchy. She's just frustrated by everything that's happened lately. She'll be back to her old self soon, you'll see."

Lee shrugged commenting, "Yeah, sure."

Clearing his throat then he answered, "Let me know when you're ready to go and I'll help you out to the car with your bags, okay?"

Kitty nodded as Lee headed downstairs to the kitchen to get some iced tea from the fridge.

Looking at the time, he decided to call Billy with an update.

Billy answered, "Melrose."

Lee stated, "Hi, it's Lee."

Billy asked, "How's everything going? How's Amanda feeling?"

Lee sighed remarking, "She was released this morning, but she has a slight concussion from the accident so we won't be flying out of here for another week. And her friend Kitty has a family thing to take care of in San Francisco, so she'll be leaving soon."

Billy shrugged answering, "Well. I'm sure Amanda appreciates you sticking around, in any case."

Lee grunted commenting, "Heh...Not so you'd notice..."

Just then he saw Amanda entering the kitchen and she queried, "Are you talking to Mr. Melrose? May I speak to him, please? Kitty said she's ready to go."

Lee nodded and remarked, "Uh, Billy? Amanda wants to talk to you. I'm going to help Kitty out with her luggage. I'll be back in a minute."

Handing the phone to Amanda, he left the kitchen to help Kitty.

As they walked out to her car and he loaded her trunk Lee responded, "I dunno, Kitty. Am I helping her at all by being here? Seems like she just wants to be left alone and keeps saying she's fine, but I don't buy it. And she doesn't seem to appreciate my efforts here. Little as they are, anyway."

As he put the last bag in and shut the trunk Kitty giving him a hug answered, "Of course she does, Lee. But as long as I've known her she's always been self reliant..."

Lee responded, "Translation: Tenacious, stubborn, pig-headed..."

Kitty smiled stating thoughtfully, "Hmm... Now why do I get the distinct feeling that you're the same way?"

As Lee was about to protest Kitty put up a hand replying, "Wait! All I'm saying here is that instead of working against each other, why not try to find common ground, huh? I mean you both were blindsighted by what happened with your work situation. And obviously, Amanda's been trying to deal with this in a way that you and I just don't get. So what I think is that with patience and time it will sort itself out, okay?"

Lee shrugged and commented slowly, "Okay...Slow and steady wins the race, right?"

Kitty nodded and getting into the driver's side replied, "Yeah. And one more piece of advice?"

Lee stated, "Sure. What?"

Kitty answered softly, "A little TLC wouldn't hurt here, either. Got it?"

Lee chuckled and responded sheepishly, "All right. Got it...Anything else?"

Kitty started the car and replied, "Yeah. You could also ignore everything I said and just do what feels right for you with no pressure. The bottom line here is that Amanda gets better and you stay friends."

Lee shook his head at her remarking, "Now I'm starting to think you said this same stuff to her upstairs. Am I right?"

Kitty shrugged and smiling at him commented, "Well, I had to get the ball rolling somehow."

Looking at her watch she answered, "I've got to go. Lee, it was great to meet you. See you around sometime..."

Lee winked at her and patting her arm stated, "Thank you. Same here. Safe trip, huh?"

She gave a wave back at him as she pulled out and he went back into the house.

He could now see why she and Amanda were such good friends.

As he shut the front door he could hear Amanda still on the phone with Billy and went to sit on the stairs to allow her privacy.

Although after a moment his concern for her heightened as he then got up to walk slowly to the family room, should she want to talk afterwards.

He heard her comment, "Well, Sir. I didn't leave him a note because I didn't know what to say. I mean, I've been nothing but trouble to him since the beginning and I thought it wouldn't matter anyway since we wouldn't see each other again...Until my friend called him, that is."

Lee decided to go into the kitchen after all, whether she liked it or not. After all, they had to start somewhere.

Amanda noting Lee's presence then remarked, "Look, I told him about the goodbye notes to my family because I thought I could deal with this myself. In my mind if they'd stayed together without me that would've been my way of protecting them. You see, Sir?"

Billy on the other end of the line nodded commented, "Yes. I understand, Amanda. But now you know that is no longer necessary and you can come home. Your friend did the right thing by calling Lee. Whether or not you believe this we were both worried about you, Dear. And I for one wished that you had let us know your plan so we could've helped you."

Clearing his throat he continued replying, "Nevertheless...Your only job now is to get better so you and Lee can get back here next week. Have you spoken to your mother yet?"

Amanda swallowed and shook her head answering, "N-No. Not yet. I will in a while, though. I'll put Lee back on and again, I'm sorry I worried you."

Billy nodded and commented, "Take care and I'll see you next week."

Amanda replied, "Yes, Sir. Here's Lee. Bye."

Handing the phone to Lee she answered quietly, "I'll be upstairs..."

As Amanda left the room Lee queried to Billy, "What was all that about, Billy?"

Billy shrugged stating, "Just that she hadn't included you in her goodbye notes and I wondered why."

Lee bewilderedly asked, "Oh? Care to fill me in?"

Billy smirked responding, "You'll find out soon enough, Scarecrow. See you next week."

He hung up before Lee could ask any more questions and Lee stared blankly at the phone thinking, What just happened here?

Shaking his head he hung up the phone.

It suddenly dawned on Lee that Amanda for whatever reason, felt like she didn't matter to him on any level. And that bothered him... A lot.

He decided they needed to clear the air once and for all as he headed upstairs and only hoped she did as well...

TBC