The Silent Killer

Chapter Eight

"Well, we're all set," Joe said with a triumphant smile.

They'd gotten Amanda's Jeep packed, finally, and the boys were ready, finally.

Amanda smiled back at him.

"No stress, huh?"

Joe shook his head.

"It's gonna be great. We're gonna have a great time, right guys?"

"Yeah," Phillip exclaimed. "I'm gonna catch more fish than worm brain over there."

"Phillip!" both Joe and Amanda said.

"Nah, dork breath won't catch any fish," Jamie retaliated. "He'll be too busy trying to see if there are any girls around the lake."

"They're brothers," Amanda said with a smile.

"They're wonderful," Joe leaned in closer so only she could hear, "thank you."

Amanda looked at him, puzzled.

"For what?"

"You're a fabulous mom, you know that?"

Amanda leaned over and kissed her ex-husband's cheek. "I wouldn't trade them for anything."

Phillip snorted and Jamie chuckled.

"Parents," they both said in unison.

"Well, let's get rolling here, shall we?" Joe asked.

"Awesome!"

"Yeah!"

Both boys began to race to the vehicle but were brought to a rapid stop by their mother's voice.

"What, I can't even get a hug or a kiss goodbye?"

Both boys rolled their eyes, but willingly trotted back to their mother.

"You know, someday Mom, you've got to stop with all of this mushiness," Phillip told her. "It's not cool."

"It's not, huh?" Amanda leaned down and hugged her eldest son. "Remind me to remind you of that when you have kids of your own."

"No way," Phillip said. "I'm gonna have a fast car and lots of chicks."

Jamie shook his head. "If he doesn't learn how to read, he won't have any car because he won't pass his driver's test."

"Goofus," Phillip told him.

"Boys!" Joe laughed.

"Love ya Mom," Jamie said as he quickly hugged his mother.

"Bye Mom!"

"Be good! Have fun!"

"We'll see you next week," Joe said before kissing her on the cheek. "And tell Lee that I said hello and that I agree with him."

Amanda groaned.

"Have fun sweetheart," she answered. "Oh, I almost forgot."

"What?"

Amanda held out her hand to her ex-husband.

"Keys?"

Joe laughed.

"Yeah, I almost forgot." He handed over the keys to his sedan and Amanda eagerly took them. "Now, do I have to go over the rules with you," he teased her.

"The only rule is have fun. I'll take good care of your vehicle if you take good care of mine."

"Deal."

Amanda watched with a twinge of sadness as they pulled out of the driveway, the boys waving and Joe wearing a huge smile. While their marriage may not have worked, at least they had this. And for that, she was thankful. There were a lot of children out there who didn't have the calm that she and Joe had both agreed was necessary for the boys when they'd first gotten divorced.

Turning around, she headed back inside the house to get ready for work, sneezing again as she went in the door.