Unsung Chords

Chapter 10

Lee froze at the sight of Dotty suddenly showing up at the gazebo!

Great, he thought. How do I get out of this?

But Amanda spoke then getting up from the bench stating, "Oh, Mother! Of course I'm not ashamed of you! How could you think that?"

Then they heard another voice, a sleepy one commenting, "Mom? Where are you? I'm hot..."

Amanda called out then, "Phillip? C'mere, Sweetie. I'm at the gazebo..."

Phillip came over then and Amanda felt his forehead and nodded answering gently, "Ooh, yeah. You're pretty warm there."

Looking to Dotty she asked, "Mother, would you take him inside and get aspirin and the thermometer? I'll be right in..."

But standing there Dotty responded looking at Lee, "Of course, Dear. But shouldn't you introduce your friend here to us, first?"

Clearing her throat she mouthed an I'm sorry to Lee before remarking, "Y-Yes. Mother, Phillip. This is Lee Stetson. He works with me at IFF. He-He was just here to ask me about how to handle a problem at work."

Dotty smiled wryly and extended her hand to Lee answering," At this hour? Of course he is. Well... I'm Dotty West and this young man is Phillip King, Amanda's oldest and my grandson."

Lee shook Dotty's hand and nodded to Phillip stating, "Nice to meet you both. Phillip, I hope you feel better soon."

Glancing at his watch he stood up replying to Amanda, "Well, I've kept you up long enough. See you tomorrow..."

He let himself out as Dotty and Amanda walked back into the house with Phillip.

Dotty got aspirin out of the kitchen cabinet and Amanda commented to Phillip, "Honey, the thermometer is in my bathroom. Go on up and we'll be there soon..."

Phillip nodded and headed up as Dotty queried to Amanda, "Well?"

Amanda filled a glass with water and turned off the faucet answering, "Well, what?"

Dotty took the glass from Amanda and gestured her toward the stairs remarking, "What was all that out there with your friend?"

Amanda tried steering the conversation away from that and asked as they walked up, "Mother, what were you doing up so late?"

Dotty sighed responding, "I was reading and I came down to rinse my milk glass out and I noticed the back door open a bit. Then I heard voices outside. One being yours and I was curious. And since when do I need to explain myself to you, Young Lady? I'm your mother. Not the other way around. Do you understand me?"

They reached Amanda's room where Phillip was laying on her bed with the thermometer in his mouth and Amanda queried gently, "How long have you had it in, Sweetheart?"

Phillip held up two fingers and Amanda commented, "Good...Let's check it, okay?"

Taking it out she looked at it and winced slightly answering, "Close to a hundred."

Helping Phillip up she replied, "All right. You go on to bed and I'll bring your aspirin, all right?"

Dotty shrugged as she sized up the situation and commented to Amanda, "Okay. This topic is shelved for now. But you and I will have a talk soon about that friend of yours, hmm?"

Amanda half smiled and sighing stated, "Can't wait..."

Taking the aspirin from her Amanda headed to the boys room where she noticed Jamie was gone.

Amanda queried, "Phillip, did you see where Jamie went? He should be in bed."

Phillip shrugged commenting, "I dunno, but at least I get the room to myself for a while."

Amanda admonished him answering, "Honey, that's enough..."

Giving him the aspirin and water she kissed him and remarked, "When you're done leave the glass there and try to get some sleep, huh? I love you."

Phillip mumbled, "Love you too. Night, Mom."

Amanda called out to Dotty, " Mother? Jamie's not in bed. Let's go look for him. He's gotta be somewhere in the house..."

But Dotty called from Amanda's bedroom stating, "He is at this moment out on the driveway looking at your friend like an interrogator and being very serious..."

As Amanda came in Dotty gestured for her to look out the window and remarked, "Let's listen to what he's saying..."

The window was slightly ajar as Jamie's voice carried and he queried to Lee, "You heard me, Mister! One, who are you and what do you want with my mom? And two, what's the matter with using the doorbell and ringing it? Or just calling her? At a reasonable hour, that is!"

As Lee fumbled for an answer or two he looked up at Amanda's window and seeing her watch him mouthed, Help me!

Amanda nodded with amusement and turning from the window answered to Dotty, "Uh, I think I'd better rescue Lee and get Jamie to bed. I'll see you in the morning, Mother. I love you..."

Kissing Dotty's cheek she headed downstairs and out to the driveway with Dotty shaking her head commenting, "He's just trying to protect us, Darling. And you will tell me soon about him."

Shrugging, she closed the window and went off to her own room to sleep.

Meanwhile Amanda came out to the driveway replying firmly, "James Joseph King! You march right up to bed, Young Man! Uh...But first, I'd like you to meet Lee Stetson. He works with me at IFF. Now, apologize for your rudeness and we'll talk in the morning..."

Jamie grumbled nodding to his mother and Lee, "Sorry. Nice to meet you. Night, Mom...""

Amanda kissed him and gently swatted his behind answering, "Move it. And I love you, okay? Goodnight."

As Jamie turned away Lee remarked quickly, "Yeah... Nice meeting you too, Jamie. Night..."

As the front door closed Lee sighed responding, "Your timing could've been better, you know? Or did you enjoy seeing me squirm?"

Amanda kissed him gently and playfully shrugged commenting, "Oh, it looked like you could've handled it all right."

Lee shook his head stating, "Well, it was a hell of a good first impression I made on your family...Goodnight."

Amanda sighed as she watched him head for his car and remarked, " I am sorry for all that. Goodnight. See you tomorrow..."

Lee barely waved as he got in his car and left.

Shaking her head Amanda headed inside wondering how her mother's interrogation with Lee someday would go...

TBC