No More Games

Chapter Twenty Eight

Amanda came into the boys bedroom and sat on the desk chair in the room and said, "Okay, fellas. I know you wanna ask me some things about Mr. Stetson so ask away. I'll always try to be honest with you."

Phillip said meekly, "Do you love him? "

Amanda sighed. "We haven't gone down that particular road yet. We definitely have feelings there but with everything going on- look, he said he does love me, but we still have a lot to work through, okay? I haven't been home long enough to heal yet and there's still stuff to talk about. But when there is something to tell you, you know I will. I promise. Anything else? "

Jamie said slowly, "Mom, what if he left you like Dad did ? I'm still kinda mad at Dad for hurting you. It's-it's not fair."

Amanda sighed and pulled her youngest to her. "Sweetheart, I have a feeling that Lee wouldn't do that. He and I have worked together a long time now and we know each other pretty well. We trust one another. "

Phillip said shrugging, "Well, you trusted Dad and look what happened! I'm with Jamie on this one, Mom. If Mr. Stetson does love you, then he's gonna have to go through us right, Jamie? "

Jamie nodded fiercely,"You know it! Can you call him so we can talk to him-man to man?"

Amanda felt tears come to her eyes. These two boys were incredible! "I-I'll do it right now. Do you know how much I love you boys?"

They looked at each other and Phillip rolled his eyes. "Oh man, here comes the mush..."

Amanda went to sit on Phillip's bed and said, "Give me a break. I need hugs from my two protectors." They hugged fiercely and she kissed them both saying, "Besides, pretty soon you'll be too old for this "mush" as you call it."

She went to her room and swallowed hard. She knew Lee said he had things to do, but this needed to be done. She got on the phone and dialed his place. On the third ring he answered. "Hello. Stetson."

Amanda smiled. "Hi yourself. King here."

Lee's heart slammed into his chest! He loved the sound of her voice. "Hi. What's up?"

Amanda sighed. "You have a meeting to attend here. When you're free."

Lee quizzically said, "Oh? What's this about?"

Amanda said, "Well I think the boys want to know what your intentions are towards me."

Lee guffawed. "You're kidding?! What brought that on? "

Amanda said, "Well, they know their father left and they want to know that you won't do the same and hurt me. Like he did. Lee, kids need to know that they can trust someone their mother or father goes out with when the parents are divorced. I know you wouldn't understand this, but it's real important. Can you meet with them? "

Lee said, "All right. How hard can this be, anyway? When is the secret meeting of the minds?"

Amanda sighed. "Please don't joke about this. I need to know that you know how serious this is. It's about our future after all."

Lee nodded. "Okay, okay. Just call me when you set up a time. Hey. I miss you. "

Amanda said, "Me too. I'll call you soon. "

She hung up and Lee shook his head. Wonder what the boys questions will be? He would just have to wait to find out.

After Amanda hung up, she went back to the boys and said, "He's agreed to a meeting. Just let me know where and when and I'll call him back."

They nodded and Phillip said, "Mom, do you mind that we're doing this?"

Amanda shook her head and ruffled his hair gently. "No, sweetheart. It just shows that you only want me to be happy and I love you both for that."

Jamie sighed. "Good. So, can we go to the park for a little while ? "

Amanda nodded. "Of course. But be back before dinner, okay? "

They nodded and took off down the stairs and she heard Dotty yell, "Don't slam the door! " But as usual with boys, it fell on deaf ears!

Amanda came down to the family room and sat next to her mother and sighed. "Mother, was I gone so long that I missed my boys growing up? They're amazing! "

Dotty smiled. "Good talk, huh?"

Amanda smiled nodding. "Yeah. They want to meet with Lee to make sure he really cares about us and isn't gonna leave. I told them this is still new for us and we still have a lot to talk about before we move forward."

Dotty sighed. "They're being just like your daddy when he was sizing Joe up. But I know Lee loves you. How do you feel? "

Amanda smiled and said, " I didn't think I'd feel this way ever again but it's different this time you know? "

Dotty hugged her saying, "Well, it's different because you're older now and you pretty much know what you want. And I'm very glad he's a part of your life. I approve wholeheartedly, dear. Now, what can we fix for dinner? "

As they went to the kitchen, Amanda thought about all the changes that were ahead for them and felt incredibly blessed that she was given this second chance with her life after almost losing it all to a senseless accident.

TBC