Starting Over- Chapter 25

Lee was now in his apartment, facing the worst firing squad imaginable-Amanda, who just realized that he was the reason that she or her mother, had not heard from Joe yet!

Amanda with an icy stare at her squirming partner,"Well, where is Joe? What did you do to him?" Lee blanched at her words, saying," Oh, back the truck up, and calm the hell down, lady! I didn't do anything, or say anything that he didn't already deserve to hear!"

He shook his head, and threw his keys on the coffee table, sitting in the chair adjacent to the couch, where a fuming Amanda sat. Amanda sighed, and said,"Look, all I meant was- I've known the man for over 10 years-and he knows me, so we could have handled this without your interference-.."

Lee tried hard to stay calm, but she was pushing his buttons, one by one! " Oh, really?" Chuckling, he stood up, and began pacing like a caged animal, running both hands through his hair! He said, while pacing," I believe we've recently established that we have feelings for each other, correct?-.."

Amanda shrugged,"Of course, but-.." Lee continued,"Albeit, I told you how I felt before you did, because I was unsure of the outcome of your condition- however, I felt, memory or not, you would've let him in some small way, walk over you, and your mother, and you would lose control of the situation-.."

Amanda tried to speak, but Lee held up a hand,saying,"Please- let me finish! I did not harm him , but I simply pointed out to him things that even non- lawyers would know.."

Amanda said quietly,"Such as?" Lee swallowed hard, and cleared his throat,"Well, all the shots the boys would have to get for diseases-as much as I travel, you know I'm not spinning a yarn here.."

Amanda nodded,"Go on.." Lee said,"Then there's the obvious one- residency-he would have to establish a regular address in order to maintain custody, correct? When you got divorced,what was his address?"

Amanda said, "Well, I had his mail forwarded to the EAO office..what are you getting at?" Lee slowly went to her, and sitting down next to her on the couch, said," And the EAO office would be anywhere he set up shop for the time, right? Whatever country he happened to be in, it would probably be a P.O. box of some sort-what I'm saying is, and you know I'm right, that you've had the boys in Arlington, Virginia since their birth- they have residence here- Joe was born here, but goes all over the place, never putting down roots- I don't fault him for that- if that's what he wants to do.. but I also get why you didn't want that for the boys-see what I'm getting at?"

Amanda said,nodding,"You meant, why would he suddenly think it was a good idea to put them through that? He loves them, but hasn't thought everything through all the way?"

Lee sighed,"Yes- I'm sorry if I acted like a bull in a china shop, but it really wasn't about my own self-interest here- I do care about you, and your family, and I just wanted the right thing done here, you know?"

Just then, the phone rang. Lee picked up,"Stetson.. oh, uh, hi, Joe.. yeah, yeah, she's right here.." Giving the phone to Amanda, he said,"I need some air- I've said my piece-do what you think is best, ok?" Kissing her cheek, he grabbed his keys, and left.

TBC