The Truth Will Out
Chapter 25
While Amanda was going through her physical therapy that morning, Lee went to the hotel to see the Colonel who was packing to head home.
Colonel Clayton shook his head as he went through the dresser drawers filling his suitcase and stated, "I still don't get why you're here. I think we said all we had to back at the hospital. We've managed this far with a comfortable distance from each other. Let's keep it that way, hmm?"
Lee cleared his throat as he sat in the chair near the window and replied, "I can't believe I'm about to say this, but what if we change that routine?"
Col. Clayton guffawed as he stopped packing to sit on the bed! When he recovered slightly he remarked, "Wait just a darn minute, Son. Are you trying to tell me that you're thinking of moving your family near my base?"
It was Lee's turn to laugh as he shook his head responding, "Oh, hell no!" Calming down himself he swallowed and stated reflectively, "I have to tell you that I'm also a little upset with Dotty for her way of trying to "fix" us but I'm beginning to realize what she was really doing. I guess the normal relationship we would've had should have started when I first came to live with you. But I just felt so angry. At the relatives who felt sorry for me."
Col. Clayton nodded and replied angrily, "And the friends of your folks who also thought you were this little waif that was gonna be lost. I remember when you had just turned seven. You were out in the yard at your aunt's house climbing a tree. Aunt Sally had called me because she and the other relatives talked about who you were going to live with next. I went there and listened to everyone argue and I stopped it right there! I told them that I would take you if it was so hard for them to care for one of their own! Burned me up, I tell you. Okay, so we didn't stay in one place, Skip. But you had structure and discipline which every kid needs to survive in the world. I wasn't much in the affection department but you had to know I cared. I just wouldn't have had you come with me otherwise. You understand?"
Lee swallowed as he listened and nodded slowly stating, "Yeah, I think I do. It took me a long time to be able to even function because I guess I was really angry at Mom and Dad for dying and leaving and the last thing I wanted was to have anyone else tell me what to do."
Col. Clayton shrugged and responded, "No wonder the first thing out of your mouth when you came to live with me was "No!" But inside I knew you were hurting. I just had to give you time to adjust. We had our moments though, didn't we?"
Lee sighed and commented, "A few hairy moments but all in all, not bad, right?"
Col. Clayton cleared his throat and stated, "What is that saying? Oh, yeah. No comment!"
They both laughed and then the Colonel responded, "Okay. So, how do we forge ahead?"
Lee remarked, "Well, it's gonna take a while for Amanda to recover anyway and I have to use that time to get to know her sons but when everything gets squared away we'll have another ceremony with you and the rest of the family. In the meantime, come to town whenever you want and we'll hang out as the kids say."
The Colonel was puzzled and queried, "Hang out?"
Lee chuckled stating, "Yeah. We'll go to a Orioles game or a Skins game depending on the season and you get to know Amanda's kids, too."
Col. Clayton nodded and remarked, "Ages?"
Lee thought carefully and answered, "Let's see. Phillip's almost fourteen and Jamie's almost twelve. Think you can handle it?"
The Colonel replied, "Listen, if I handled a seven year old scruff like you, then I can handle them."
Lee shook his head as they both laughed. The phone rang just then and Col. Clayton picked it up stating, "Colonel Clayton speaking."
He then answered with surprise at the caller, "Who did you say you were? I see. Of course, but how did you- I see."
Lee curiously watched his expression change and wondered what was up. Hopefully he'd find out shortly.
The Colonel responded to the caller, "I have some time before I leave. Where should we meet? Fine. See you soon. Goodbye."
He hung up and Lee queried, "What's wrong? Anything I can do?"
The Colonel shook his head and remarked, "No. Everything's fine, Son. I have a meeting to get to and then I'm taking off-"
Lee puzzled shrugged commenting, "But you don't know anyone here. How could you-"
The Colonel replied, "My sergeant got a call from a colonel out here at his base needing my advice on something. Now c'mon. I'm gonna be late."
When they reached the lobby the desk clerk asked Lee, "Are you Mr. Stetson?"
Lee nodded and stated, "Yes. What can I do for you?"
The clerk responded, "I have a message from a Dotty West. She needs to see you at her hotel. She thought maybe you'd be here."
Lee shrugged and asked, "Did she say why?"
The clerk shook her head and answered, "No, sir. Only that it was important."
Lee looked at the Colonel and sighed stating, "Okay. I guess we say goodbye here."
They shook hands and then parted ways.
On the way over to Dotty's hotel he wondered what was so important...
TBC