Kelly's Journey Continues

Chapter 38

Curt came by a few days later with a U-Haul to help Dotty move her things out.

They'd had a simple wedding ceremony earlier that week in the backyard not wanting a big fuss made.

Amanda and the boys looked around the house as though it were half empty as Dotty noticed the quiet from her daughter and grandsons and stated, "My Darlings. You knew that this would happen someday, didn't you?"

Amanda nodded as she had her arms around both sons and replied quietly, "We know. But we just didn't think it would feel this bad."

Dotty shrugged and commented, "Well, it's better than the alternative."

Amanda shocked looked at her mother and reproached her remarking, "Please don't say things like that, Mother. I refuse to think that way."

Dotty chuckled and hugged her responding, "I'm sorry, Sweetheart..."

Lee and Curt were coming downstairs with the dresser and when they reached the bottom Lee asked the boys, "Can you guys get the bed out? The sheets are packed up-"

Dotty shook her head answering, "No, they're not. I'm leaving the bed and sheets here. You can use them for the guest room at the new house."

Amanda sighed commenting, "You've had that bed since I was a little girl. I used to love jumping on it-oops!"

Dotty responded quickly pointing a finger at her daughter, "I knew your father used to let you do that! Shame on both of you!"

Amanda laughed hugging her as she stated, "Oh, Mother! All kids have done it at one time or another..."

Lee and Curt soon came back in and Lee asked, "Is that it then? Anything else up there?"

Phillip remarked, "I'll go check."

He left and Amanda swallowed hard answering lightly, "Um, I'll be right back."

She headed outside to the patio and Lee replied to Dotty, "I'll go check on her."

Lee found her at the table and sat next to her. Putting his arms around her he whispered lovingly, "Hey. Weren't you the one telling the boys that she wasn't going to the moon? It's an hour away-"

Amanda nodded but cried, "I know, but it might as well be a lifetime away!"

Dotty soon appeared and stated to Lee, "Excuse me, but I have to cheer my little one up here."

She sat where Lee did and held her replying soothingly, "I used to sing to you when you'd have a particularly bad day from school or whatever. Do you remember what song it was? Your daddy tried to sing it when I had the flu one time and I couldn't be there."

Lee queried, "He didn't sing well?"

Dotty smiled faintly and shook her head commenting, "It made her cry even harder, Poor Thing."

Amanda sighed as she leaned into her mother and nodded remembering as she answered sniffing, "He-He thought it was that Jack Sprat song. I loved Daddy, but he couldn't carry a tune to save his life."

Phillip came downstairs and went to Curt at the French doors stating, "Everything's out. What going on?"

Curt remarked in a low voice, "Your mom's not dealing with your grandma leaving that well."

Jamie came over and answered, "Maybe we can tell her jokes."

Phillip shook his head and jeered, "It won't work, Genius. Besides, Grandma will fix it so Mom feels better."

Curt gestured to the boys quietly for them to go out and listen as Dotty began singing softly,

"Hush little baby, don't say a word

Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird

And if that mockingbird don't sing

Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring.."

Lee then joked asking, "Better than mine?"

Dotty gave him a stern look and continued,

"And if that diamond ring turns brass

Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass

And if that looking glass gets broke

Mama's gonna buy you a billy goat.."

Amanda interrupted with giggles and Dotty responded, "Well, what's wrong with that? It's part of the song!"

Amanda cleared her throat and answered, "I-I know, but it's just so silly to have that in a song!"

Dotty shook her head as everyone laughed and she answered, "May I continue? You're being as critical as your father was. Now..."

She continued,

"And if that billy goat won't pull

Mama's gonna buy you a cart and bull

And if that cart and bull turn over

Mama's gonna buy you a dog named Rover..."

Kelly then came out and asked, "Daddy, are we getting a dog?"

Everyone except Dotty laughed as she stated, "No, Young Lady. Now please be quiet while I finish, hmm?"

Lee picked Kelly up and whispered to her, "Shh."

Dotty continued once more as she sang,

"And if that dog named Rover won't bark,

Mama's gonna buy you a horse and cart..."

Lee couldn't resist commenting as he interjected, "i don't think she'd do well with a horse considering her allergies."

Dotty glared at him and responded crisply, "One more interruption and you will be sent to your room, Young Man!"

Lee silently nodded as the others tried hard not to laugh.

Dotty sighed and commented, "Last part if you all care to hear it..."

Continuing she finished tenderly with,

"And if that horse and cart fall down

You'll still be the prettiest baby in town..."

Everyone clapped as Dotty kissed Amanda answering softly, "Feel better now?"

Amanda sighed and hugged her mother remarking, "Much! I love you, Mother."

Dotty gulped and got up with her stating, "I love you too, Darling. In spite of all the interruptions."

Curt cleared his throat and commented, "Well, we'd better hit the road. You know traffic will be heavy soon."

Dotty nodded and they all headed out to the driveway.

Amanda hugged Curt and responded, "Guess I don't have to ask you to take care of her, right?"

Curt gave her a kiss and replied, "No worries, Honey. I will."

Lee and the boys shook hands with Curt and he gave Kelly a hug and kiss as well responding, "You guys can come visit any time, okay?"

As Curt got into the car Dotty stated, "I'll be right there, Dear."

Then she faced the family. Going to Lee first she remarked, "You were an eleven when I met you and you still are. Thank you for being so good to my daughter."

Lee chuckled answering as they hugged, "It's easy when she has you for a mother. I love you."

Dotty then knelt down to Kelly who asked, "Grandma, why do you have to go?"

Dotty hugged and kissed her commenting, "Because, Sweetheart. Everyone that grows up has to have an adventure in their lives. But that doesn't mean that they forget the people that shared the early part of their lives, all right?"

Kelly nodded and stated, "I'll still miss you."

Dotty gulped and answered, "I'll miss you as well, Honey."

Then she faced her grandsons and responded, "I know you're getting too big for mush, but-"

They hugged and kissed her answering, "We love you, Grandma."

As they parted Phillip asked, "Call if you need us, okay?"

Dotty wiped her eyes and gulped replying, "I will. Take care of this family, please. I'm counting on you, hmm?"

Jamie remarked, "We will, Grandma."

Dotty and Amanda then hugged and Amanda jerked suddenly stopping!

Lee queried concerned as he put a hand on her shoulder, "You all right, Honey?"

Amanda gulped and covered by nodding and stated, "Yeah. Guess the baby wanted to say goodbye, too."

Dotty felt Amanda's belly and nodded after a moment commenting, "Yes, it did. Don't worry, Little One. I'll be back soon enough to help your mother."

Sensing then that Amanda needed another moment with Dotty Lee answered, "Okay, Gang. Let's go in and start lunch. Who wants what?"

Kelly piped up as they went in, "Spaghettio's!"

The boys chimed. "Meatloaf sandwiches!"

Dotty watched them and then looking at Amanda asked, "Are you really all right or should I stay one more night?"

Amanda brushed it off replying, "No, I'm fine. I'm not alone here."

Dotty walked with her to the car and hugging her once more she got in and responded, "Please, Dear. Call me if anything should happen, hmm?"

Amanda kissed her and answered, "I love you, Mother. Have a safe trip."

She watched as they slowly left Maplewood Drive and then went toward the front steps and stopped feeling something in her backside!

Taking a deep breath she rubbed the area that was bothersome and muttered, "That's what I get for trying to nap in the wing chair yesterday. Ooh..."

She went into the house to join her family for lunch...

TBC