San Angelo With A Twist

Chapter 35

Dinner was more or less quieter than usual and as Lee looked at the boys, he knew it was partly his fault.

He was basically a stranger to them still but felt guilty for being authoritative with them earlier about the football incident.

Amanda reassured him that he did fine and that it was appropriate for the situation.

As dinner was winding down Phillip asked Amanda, "Can we please be excused? Jamie and I still have some homework to finish before we go to bed-"

Amanda nodded but added, "Yes, Sweetheart. But you need to take a bath still and I have to wrap your foot now-"

Dotty got up and stated, "I'll get the Saran Wrap."

Lee then queried, "Uh, could everyone stay for a minute more? There's something I need to say."

Phillip and Jamie, who were getting up along with Dotty, sat down again slowly. What now, they thought somberly.

As Dotty sat she stated, "What is it, Lee?"

Lee sighed as he looked at all of them and Amanda nodded at him encouragingly.

He then said, "First of all, I want to thank you for welcoming me into your home the way you have lately. I know the current situation is at best unusual but we're getting through it the best way we can without making it too uncomfortable-"

Taking Amanda's hand he then continued saying, "Dotty, Boys. Amanda and I have been talking and I expressed to her that I would like to make this a more permanent arrangement. Now, I don't want an answer right away as I realize that we're all still new to each other but I would very much like your blessing."

Lee then looked at the boys and stated, "I'm clearly not your dad in any way shape or form, but I'd like to feel that we can at least try to communicate like a normal family would. I've been alone for a long time so it's new for me here. I'm not claiming to know everything that I should but I'm trying to learn, with your mom's help. All I'm asking for is a chance because I really care about your mom and I think we can do it. Together."

As they all sat there quietly absorbing what he said Lee slowly got up and stated to Amanda, "I'm gonna call it a night. We all have a lot to think about. I'll see myself out. Goodnight."

He bent down and kissed her cheek and went out the front door.

Dotty queried, "W-Well, that wasn't totally unexpected but why didn't he bring it up sooner to us?"

Amanda got up and stated, "Number one, he's shy. And number two, he's not used to opening himself up to many people. It took a lot of courage to say what he did but he did it because he really does care about us. Now, I'm gonna go see if he's all right. Jamie, please help your grandmother with Phillip and I'll be right back."

Amanda went outside to the driveway, but Lee wasn't there. She continued walking down the street and around the bend until she saw his car at the nearby park where the boys and other neighborhood kids usually played.

Sighing deeply, Amanda approached the car and knocked on the passenger door.

Lee opened the door and she got in. He shook his head stating, "That was either a smart move I made or a dumb one. C'mon, I can take it. What did they say?"

Amanda queried, "Didn't we talk about all this taking time to develop? Mother wonders why it took so long for you to speak up to begin with. Are you thinking of calling Joe of all people to get his consent now?"

Lee scoffed, "No way in hell-"

Amanda stated, "All right then. You said your piece. Let's just let them think about it. No pressure. I already told Mother a while back that I don't do anything without considering her and the boys first and then myself, okay?"

Lee sighed deeply and nodded stated, "All right. I just-I just want this to be settled and to work out. I know I seem a bit impatient-"

Amanda gave him a knowing look and teased, "Really? I hadn't noticed."

Lee shook his head as Amanda chuckled and got out of the car and shutting the door stated, "See you tomorrow."

Lee then opened his window and stated, "Hey... c'mere."

Amanda walked around to his side of the car and bent down to look at him replying, "What?"

He kissed her gently and remarked, "Thank you for trying to pound some sense into me. Takes me a while to get it, you know?"

Amanda giggled and responded, "Oh, I knew from the first case we worked on that you were gonna be a challenge-"

Lee snorted and replied, "Me? What about you?"

Amanda then shook her head and stated, "I don't know what you're talking about. Goodnight."

Lee chuckled as he watched her through his rear view mirror head back home thinking, I'll just bet you don't, Lady.

Starting the car, he continued to chuckle as he headed out of Maplewood Drive to his own home...

TBC