Brand New Journey
Chapter 51
As Lee and Amanda pulled into the driveway Sunday night they both had a strange feeling something was wrong but couldn't put their finger on it.
Lee parked the car and as they got out of the car they smelled a faint scent of smoke coming from the back!
Forgetting their luggage, they ran toward the back and Amanda gasped as she saw a small part of the patio had been burned and yelled out, "Mother! We're home!"
Dotty came through the back door and asked giving her and Lee a hug, "Hello! How was your trip? Did you have a good time?"
Amanda sighed and answered looking at the patio, "Mother! What happened? Was anyone hurt? How's Kelly?"
Just then Kelly came out through the French doors and ran toward them stating excitedly, "Hi, Daddy! Hi, Manda!"
Lee scooped her up commenting softly as he gave her a kiss, "Hi, Sweetie! You okay?"
Kelly nodded and replied happily, "Aunt F'wancie made S'more's for us! But they were blacky."
Dotty shook her head giggling and responded, " You mean charred, Darling. It wasn't too bad. that's why I didn't mention it when you called last night. The fire department wasn't here that long-"
Lee and Amanda both shouted, "The fire department?!"
Lee then queried concernedly, "Where's Francine?"
Francine emerged from the kitchen and put up her hand, "I wanted to do them in the oven but Dotty said they were usually done by campfire. By the way, I'm okay, too."
Dotty sighed and remarked, "Yes, and so we tried to do it by grilling since we didn't have a campfire and someone said she knew how to do it-"
Francine shrugged defensively responding, "Hey, all I had to do was heat up the marshmallows and chocolate and the rest was supposed to be easy-"
Dotty cleared her throat answering, "Yes, but the flame got away from us and-"
Amanda sighed and queried impatiently, "What's the total damage? Do I want to go in there?"
Dotty replied, "It was contained out here. Nothing happened inside, thank goodness. Now, how was your trip?"
Lee put Kelly down and distractedly stated, "Um, fine. Amanda, let me help you inside with your luggage."
Amanda nodded and followed him to the driveway answering, "Sure, thank you."
Kelly ran after the two asking, "Did you bring me anything?"
Lee cleared his throat and nodding commented, "Uh, yeah. I think Manda might have a little something for you, Honey."
They all went back into the house with the luggage and Lee asked, "Francine, can I drop you home? I've gotta get going. Got an early day tomorrow."
Francine shrugged and answered, "Sure. Don't you want to say goodbye first?"
Lee gave Dotty a hug remarking, "I'm glad you're all okay. See you later."
He kissed Kelly and commented, "I'll see you tomorrow, Sweetie. Be good."
Dotty and Francine then noticed some tension between Lee and Amanda as they said their good byes and parted. What was up with them, they both wondered.
As Lee and Francine left Dotty asked Amanda lightly, "Everything all right, Dear?"
Amanda nodded and took Kelly's hand answering, "Fine, Mother. C'mon, Honey. Time for bed..."
Kelly pouted answering, "But I wanted Daddy to read me a story."
Amanda responded gently as they went upstairs, "Maybe tomorrow, okay? He was a little tired coming home..."
Dotty overhearing this scoffed silently thinking, I don't think he looked so tired. But something happened on that trip and I'm going to find out what it is!
Dotty waited downstairs for Amanda while she read a magazine.
Amanda came down to the kitchen finally responding, "Well, I'm glad you all weren't hurt. And trust me, Francine doesn't know that much about cooking. Especially outdoors."
Dotty smiled answering, "Well she did try to go with the flow, Dear."
Amanda sighed looking at her mother commenting, "You knew and you still let her do it. She could've burned the house down!"
Dotty waved it away stating, "I told you we were fine. I got the hose but the fire department showed up anyway. Now, tell me about your trip? Did you like the hotel?"
Just then the boys bounded in the front door remarking, "Mom, we're home!"
Amanda went to hug them stating, "Shh, I just put Kelly to bed but I missed you two! How was your trip? Tell me all about it while I help you take these things up..."
The three went up chatting quietly leaving Dotty to muse, What happened on her trip that she doesn't want to talk about?
Going to the phone she decided to call her new son-in-law and find out. Dialing his car number she thought, It couldn't that bad!
Lee answered, "Stetson."
Dotty responded, "Lee? It's Dotty. Do you have a minute?"
Lee groaned inwardly, Oh no! I can't do this now!
Shaking his head as he drove toward Georgetown he shrugged commented quickly, "Sure, Dotty. What's up?"
Dotty sighed and thought, He doesn't sound enthusiastic at all. Better tread slowly here.
She asked, "Amanda didn't tell me about your trip so I just wondered if the hotel was all right? Edna Gilstrap's daughter said it was a dream-"
Lee quickly remarked, "About that, we found out it was you that set the whole thing in motion. It had nothing to do with the Gilstraps or their daughter. Why didn't you just tell us, though?"
Dotty swallowed and answered,"Well I just didn't feel that a ceremony at City Hall was enough. It seemed too impersonal somehow, and the trip I felt was something you both needed after everything you both went through with Kelly. Please don't be upset. I didn't mean any harm. I just wanted to do something nice, that's all."
Lee cut in gently, "But Amanda told you we would've had all of you there regardless of where it was, right?"
Dotty was about to answer when Amanda came into the kitchen once more and held her hand out querying, "Could I have the phone, Mother? I need to talk to Lee, please."
Dotty sighed knowing Amanda would be upset that she called him and commented to Lee, "Yes, I understand. Um, Amanda wants to speak to you. Goodnight, Lee."
Lee responded, "Goodnight, Dotty."
Handing the phone to her daughter she stated in a hurt tone, "I only called him because you don't talk to me any more like you used to before you got this job. I also know your relationship isn't a normal one so to speak but I thought at least you would've appreciated the thought that went into all this. Goodnight, Dear."
Dotty went upstairs without a hug to Amanda, leaving Amanda feeling hurt!
She swallowed and asked Lee, "Did you get all that?"
Lee nodded as he was pulling into his apartment complex and parked in his space. Turning off the car he stated, "Yeah. I'm sorry. I don't know quite how to fix this. It's just that-"
Amanda sighed and nodded commenting, "I know. Instead of making everything easier we seemed to have complicated it, huh?"
Lee agreed remarking, "Yeah. And about earlier today, I-"
Amanda answered, "Lee, stop! It was an accident pure and simple. We should have checked our timing before deciding to take showers, that's all. And I should've checked with the desk clerk before deciding to open the window last night. Who knew security alarms could be so loud?"
Lee chuckled and responded, "Yeah. Our hearing should come back at least by tomorrow!"
Amanda laughed as well and then commented, "Well, I'll let you go. Oh, Kelly wanted a story before she went to bed. Can you do two for her tomorrow?"
Lee smiled and sighed stating, "Sure. Goodnight, Amanda."
Amanda smiled and answered, "Goodnight, Lee."
They hung up feeling better about the weekend and as Amanda left the kitchen and went up the stairs Dotty stood at the top and remarked, "A-ha! I knew something happened! So, you saw each other naked. What's the big deal-"
Amanda shushed her stating firmly, "Not so loud, all right! Yes we did but only for a second and let's drop it already, huh? I'm going to bed. Goodnight, Mother."
As Amanda closed her door Dotty smiled thinking, She's married now. Why is she acting so prudish?
Chuckling softly she went to her own room and closed the door...
TBC
