San Angelo With A Twist

Chapter 28

Amanda came in the front door stating, "I'm home."

Dotty shook her head. "I was beginning to worry. All this time you-"

She saw the Marvin's bag and remarked, "I thought maybe you were with Lee, but I guess not."

Amanda shook her head. "No, actually, I was. In fact, he'll be here shortly. After we talked, I went to Marvin's. He said he had an errand to run and that it wouldn't take long. Actually, I thought he'd beat me back here-"

Dotty groaned and replied, "Amanda, you're talking in riddles, Dear. Now, what's going on?"

Changing the subject Amanda put the shakes in the refrigerator and asked, "What are the boys up to? Is Phillip still sleeping?"

Dotty stated, "No. In fact, he and Jamie are playing Monopoly upstairs. It's been rather quiet-"

Just then, the two heard yelling. "You cheated!" "I did not!" And then, "Grandma!"

As Dotty and Amanda headed upstairs quickly, Amanda remarked, "What was it you said about the quiet?"

They got in the boys bedroom just in time to see the Monopoly board and the contents on it go flying off the bed and onto the floor!

Amanda stated sternly, "What's going on here?!"

Phillip yelled, "Doofus here cheated on Park Place-"

Jamie yelled, "I can't help it if you're a sore loser, Dweeb!"

Then the yelling really started and Dotty tried to intervene and Amanda tried to be heard above the confusion when all of a sudden they all heard a piercing whistle and turned to find Lee at the bedroom door!

He cleared his throat and stated, "I rang the bell before I came in. I guess no one heard it and now I can see why. What's going on?"

Phillip began to speak but Amanda stopped him by commenting, "No, please don't start again."

Looking at the two boys Amanda stated, "Phillip, you can read until dinner's ready. Jamie, you can clean this mess up and then come downstairs and do your homework-"

Jamie remarked, "But I already-"

Amanda shook her head and stated, "Then you can also read. Downstairs, that is. Boys, we will discuss your behavior later. Now I want you to apologize to each other this minute. Without the name calling."

Phillip shrugged at Jamie, "Sorry."

Jamie nodded."Yeah, me too."

Amanda sighed and nodded responding, "Okay, Jamie. Head on down with your grandmother and Lee, please."

Lee was going to say something but Dotty shook her head at him and gestured at him to follow them down.

As they went downstairs Dotty stated to Lee, " Sounded like World War Three almost, didn't it?"

Jamie groaned replying, "Grandma, it wasn't that bad-"

As they got to the family room, Dotty pointed to the bookcase and remarked, "I believe you have reading to do, Young Man."

Jamie went off grumbling and Lee shook his head remarking, "Whew."

Dotty remarked, "I'm sorry. They're usually more well behaved than this, but like today they do have their moments."

Lee nodded. "I understand."

Dotty responded, "Would you like a drink?"

Lee shook his head. "No, I'll just wait for Amanda."

Dotty commented, "There's something on your mind, isn't there?"

Lee went to the fridge stating, "I think I will have a drink while I'm waiting. Thank you."

Dotty shook her head. First Amanda changes the subject and now Lee. Something was different here. But what?

Lee remarked, "Mind if I turn on the TV?"

Dotty smiled. "Not at all. I'm going to fix the salad. You are here for dinner, correct?"

Lee nodded. "Amanda invited me. That's all right, isn't it?"

Dotty shrugged. "Of course it is. Don't be silly. We have plenty."

Meanwhile upstairs, Amanda was checking on Phillip's leg and talking to him. She stated, "You're already bored, aren't you? Sweetie, I know it's hard being laid up the way you are."

Then she queried, "Where are the crutches I brought in from the car? Did Grandma put them away?"

Phillip slowly nodded and replied. "Yeah, they're in her room. I-I wanted to surprise you by using them when Jamie brought them up earlier but then Grandma caught us by the stairs. I was okay until my leg started to hurt again."

Amanda shook her head."Omigosh, Phillip! You could've fallen again. Sweetheart, please next time wait for Grandma or me to help you, all right?"

Phillip shrugged. "I'm okay, Mom. Besides, Grandma told me to stay in bed and then had Jamie bring up the game. I-I'm sorry about yelling, too."

Amanda kissed him and got up from the bed."I know you are. Listen, is there anything you want right now until dinner's ready? A snack, maybe?"

Phillip stated, "No. Is Lee staying for dinner?"

Amanda nodded and replied, "When dinner's ready I'll have him bring you down, okay? You just rest and read your book."

Amanda got to the door and Phillip stated, "Mom? I'm sorry I'm being a pain-"

Amanda sighed. "No. You're in pain which is why you're irritable right now. But honey, please try to be nicer to your brother, okay? And I'll tell him the same thing. Get some rest."

She finally got downstairs and met Dotty in the kitchen and stated, "One boy down, one to go."

Lee watched her go into the den and close the door. Maybe tonight wasn't a good time for their talk with them. He'd have to see how dinner went.

Amanda joined Jamie on the couch and kissed his head. "How are you, Sweetheart?"

Jamie sighed and stated, "Mom, I didn't cheat. I swear-"

Amanda nodded. "Oh, I know. Listen, Phillip's in pain right now which is why he may be more difficult to deal with than usual. But Sweetie, I'd really like it if you could try to get along better with him and try to help him out more, okay? Just until he's well again. Can you do that for me, please?"

Jamie nodded and then asked, "Can I please watch some TV now?"

Amanda kissed him and nodded. "Sure. Listen, Lee's watching right now but I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you watched with him."

They both came out of the den and Lee stated, "Jamie, I've got the ball game on if you wanna watch?"

Jamie nodded and replied. "Sure."

As Jamie went to the family room couch Lee stated to Amanda, "Could I see you outside for a minute?"

Amanda stated, "Sure. Mother, we'll be right back."

Dotty nodded as Lee and Amanda went to the patio and sat at the table.

Amanda stated to Lee, "I'm sorry if this is too much for you. It takes a little getting used to. You miss your apartment right now, don't you?"

Lee shrugged and stated slowly, "I'm fine. But what I was thinking about was that maybe tonight wasn't such a good night to talk to them. You agree, right?"

Amanda sighed and nodded. "Yeah. I guess we should wait until Phillip's a little better. So, what now?"

Lee kissed her and stated, "Well, we'll hold off on my moving in but I can take this time to get to know them, right?"

Amanda responded, "Yeah, that would be good. Oh, Joe's gonna try to come see them before next weekend and check on Phillip. You don't mind, do you?"

Lee shrugged. "It's fine. He's their dad, after all. Since I'm still at my apartment however, I thought maybe I should keep it anyway. You know for Agency business? I can't exactly do that here as it is."

Dotty came out and stated, "Dinner's ready. Lee, could you please bring Phillip down?"

They all went in and Dotty and Amanda brought things over to the table while Lee went to get Phillip.

Jamie asked, "Mom? Can I stay home with Phillip and do my homework from here?"

Amanda stated, "Absolutely not because there's nothing wrong with you-"

Dotty shrugged."Actually Amanda, I was thinking of all the washing and ironing and dusting and vacuuming we have to do by ourselves and he's an able bodied boy who can help around here more."

She glanced at Jamie and queried,"You'd still get your same allowance but I wouldn't mind your help at all. Would you want to help out around here more?"

Jamie stared at his grandmother like a deer caught in headlights and gulped, "N-No thanks, Grandma. I think I'll go to school."

Dotty and Amanda laughed as Lee brought Phillip in and sat him in his chair. Phillip queried to Jamie, "What's so funny?"

Jamie sulked and shook his head. "Don't ask."

Amanda gave Lee a wink that said she'd tell him later...

TBC