Chapter 14

Amanda linked her arm into Philip's as they strolled through the tables sampling ice cream. He'd already eaten six samples and was debating on what flavor he wanted to try next. Dotty walked alongside them dipping a spoon into the last sampling she picked up, a small cup of fudge maple ripple. They stopped several times and talked to each vendor before moving onto the next table. Philip finally decided on one last flavor, chocolate peanut butter swirl. He hummed happily with each spoonful as they found seats along the pier and watched as families strolled by.

"Mom," Philip asked, "When do you think we can move into the new house?"

"I'm not sure, Sweetheart, we haven't signed all the paperwork yet. I know Lee was hoping to do that on Monday, but that's only if it is ready," Amanda explained.

"Can I paint my room? Before we move in? I mean, I like the room and all, but yellow just isn't my favorite color. I was thinking blue or green would look better," he explained.

Amanda smiled and replied, "You can paint it any color within reason. When we get back, you and I can head to the hardware store and pick out a sample, how's that sound?"

Dotty nodded and said, "I think that sounds like an excellent idea. I was thinking that myself. Most of the rooms are painted that neutral cream color. There's no personality to the rooms."

"That's why when we move in, we're going to make it our home with our things, our colors. We still need to figure out what furniture is going to go where and there's all the furniture in Lee's apartment we have to consider," Amanda reminded them.

"Jamie said he likes the color of his room but not me!" Philip exclaimed.

Amanda smiled at Philip, "I don't think Lee has a preference on color to be honest. He hasn't said anything but then again, he might be waiting for us to decide together."

"How do you think Jamie and Lee are doing right now?" Dotty asked as she looked over her shoulder, scanning the beach below for any sign of them.

Amanda smiled, put her hand on her mother's arm and said, "If lunch is any indication of the relationship they are building, I think things are going just fine."

"I'm sorry, Lee, I didn't mean to knock you into the water," Jamie apologized again as Lee was wringing water out of his shirt. He'd been standing on one of the rocks, trying to get a good picture when he lost his balance. Lee tried to grab him before he fell but lost his own footing. He ended up falling into the water, landing on his backside, waist deep. Jamie managed to get his feet under him before he landed in the water also.

Lee grimaced when he looked at Jamie, but when he saw his frightened face he quickly suppressed his anger. He knew the instant he hit the water he yelled "Dammit, Jamie!" and he had scared him. "It's ok, it's ok, I'll dry," he groused. He pulled his damp shirt back on and stood up. "Let's move away from the rocks. Maybe we can find something else to take pictures of?" He suggested.

Jamie backed up several steps when he spotted a seagull in the sky. He held up the camera and quickly snapped off a few shots before lowering the camera again. He thought for a few seconds before he said, "Grandma likes starfish and shells. Do you think we could find some on the beach?"

Lee nodded, reached out and touched Jamie's head. "Yeah, yeah I bet we could. Let's start heading in the direction of the pier," he said as he pointed down the beach.

Together they slowly made their way along the waterline, Jamie stopped every few yards to take a picture before he began walking again. Lee jammed his hands in the pocket of his wet shorts, uncomfortably. He wanted to hurry Jamie along so he could get changed back at the hotel out of his wet clothes, but the look on the boy's face told him he needed to be patient.

It was almost an hour before they finally reached the other end of the beach. Lee looked up when he heard Amanda's voice calling them from above. "Lee! What happened?" she called down to them. His shirt was wrinkled and stiff from the salt water as were his shorts.

"It was my fault, Mom," Jamie admitted. He'd spent the last hour trying to figure out how he could make it up to Lee. Lee was patient with him, pointing out different camera angles, finding interesting shells, crabs, and starfish for him to photograph and he even went as far as to collect a few sand dollars for him to take home. Jamie didn't know what he could do to apologize to Lee. He figured the only thing he could do would be to ask Amanda for advice. The last thing he wanted was Lee mad at him the rest of the weekend.

"I'm sure you didn't mean it, Sweetheart. Tell you what, you head up to the boardwalk and we'll meet you there. I'll even get you some ice cream on the way. What flavor would you like?" Amanda called down to them again.

"Anything is fine. I'd like to take a shower and change my clothes though," Lee admitted.

"Can I have chocolate ice cream, Mom?" Jamie asked tentatively.

"Sure can! We'll meet you down there," Amanda said as she pointed in the direction of the boardwalk. "See you in a few minutes."

Dotty shook her head at Lee's appearance. "Poor Lee. He looks very uncomfortable. I have an idea…." she began as they walked back to the tables distributing the ice cream.

"What's that, Mother?" Amanda asked. She stopped at one table and found Cookies and Cream Cheesecake flavored ice cream for Lee.

Philip, now a few tables ahead, found chocolate ice cream for Jamie. He picked up two small cups and handed one to Dotty with a wink. "Thank you, Philip. I was thinking, if the boys wanted to hang out at the pool for a while, I would sit down there with them. I also saw an arcade a few doors down. They could go there for a bit… give you and Lee-" Dotty tried to explain when Amanda cut her off.

"Mother! I asked you not to do that anymore!" she snapped. "Philip, you do not need any more ice cream."

"I was getting two for Jamie, but the sign says you can only take one per person. That's why I handed it to Grandma," Philip explained.

"Amanda, if you would just listen, I can explain. Lee looks like he needs a shower and I think he's had some wonderful bonding time with both boys, BUT, I think he needs some time with you too," Dotty explained.

Amanda lowered her eyes as she contemplated what Dotty just said. Lee had spent all morning with Philip and now a good portion of the afternoon with Jamie. She decided it would be nice to spend a little bit of time, just the two of them together. With a sigh, she said, "Only if you're certain, Mother. After all, this is your weekend too. I'm sure there must be something you want to do."

Dotty smiled at her daughter and replied, "Tomorrow, before we leave, I simply want to spend time with Lee, alone. That's it."

Amanda bit her bottom lip as she raised an eyebrow at Dotty. "Mother? What do you have going on in that mind of yours?" she asked suspiciously.

"Amanda, darling, I just want to spend a little bit of time with my soon-to-be son-in-law. Is that too much to ask?" she asked sweetly.

Amanda knew that tone and knew Dotty had something up her sleeve, but let it go. "All right, Mother. If you say so." They neared the edge of the pier where Lee and Jamie were waiting for them.

"Hey, Bozo! I have your ice cream!" Philip teased as they got closer. He held out the small cup, but just as Jamie reached out to take it, he darted to his right and started running.

"Hey, come on!" Jamie yelled back as he started to chase his brother.

"Boys! Boys!" Dotty yelled after them as Amanda stopped and handed Lee the ice cream she'd picked up for him.

Philip and Jamie darted in and out of the people crossing the street as they ran back to the hotel, Dotty not far behind. Amanda and Lee just watched and laughed when Jamie finally caught up to Philip because a slow-moving family blocked his way. Amanda couldn't help but smile when Philip handed Jamie the cup and put his arm around his brother's shoulders while they waited for Dotty to catch up.

"Mother's going to take the boys down to the pool then to the arcade next door for a bit. She thought you and I could use a little bit of time together after you take a shower," Amanda explained after Lee guided her across the street toward the hotel lobby.

"She doesn't have to do that," Lee stated. He was feeling bad about snapping at Jamie and although he tried to make it up to him, he wasn't sure if he succeeded.

They crossed the lobby and waited at the elevator doors. "She knows that. She said you've been spending so much time bonding with the boys, I need my time with you too," she said quietly as they entered the elevator and pressed the button for their floor.

"Well, we need to do something special for her then," Lee declared.

"About that," Amanda began, "Mother wants her own time with you, alone, tomorrow."

Lee stopped and stared at her before he said, "You're serious, aren't you?"

Before he could reply, he heard Dotty call out, "Lee? Amanda? I could use some help here!"