Kelly's Journey Continues

Chapter 52

Friday afternoon, Amanda and Dotty were out shopping while the kids were in school. Dotty had come to stay for the weekend while Curt was out of town.

Amanda told Dotty what had happened with Kelly and the talk that she and Lee had with her about Rose and the memorial they were planning for that weekend.

As Dotty helped Amanda inside with the groceries she remarked sadly, "Oh, that poor child. Is she all right?"

Amanda was holding Jenny and shrugged answering, "She's having a bit of trouble sleeping lately and she hasn't been eating much either, but we think after we have the memorial things will get somewhat back to normal. At least, we're hoping that."

Jenny gurgled and Amanda nodded at her commenting softly, "I know, Sweetheart. You're worried about Kelly too, huh?"

Dotty smirked and shaking her head replied, "Oh, Amanda! Must you tease your daughter like that? She couldn't possibly know at this stage what we're even talking about, Dear."

Amanda smiled back at her mother and answered lightly with a grin, "Oh, I wouldn't be too sure, Mother. Why just the other day I swear it looked like she was laughing at Lee when he made a silly face at her."

Just then however Jenny started to fuss and Amanda sighed responding quickly, "Oh, boy. Here we go. Nap time. C'mon, little one. Say bye bye to Grandma..."

As Amanda was heading upstairs Dotty cooed answering, "See you later, Darling... Sweet dreams."

When Amanda came back down she heard music from the kitchen and knew Dotty had turned on the small radio that Amanda kept on the counter.

It was on an oldies station that had just finished a Glenn Miller tune and Dotty sighed as she commented, "They sure don't make music like that any more! I remember when your daddy and I went to a friend's wedding. I tried to get him to do the Lindy with me and the poor man seemed to have two left feet and constantly stepped on my toes! That's when I decided that we should stick to the slow dances... Oh, how I miss that man!"

Amanda gave her mother a kiss on the cheek stating softly as she swallowed, "Me too, Mother. He did show me how to do the Cha-Cha."

Dotty chuckled and nodding replied, "Yes, and how was that even possible? The Lindy and the Cha-Cha are almost similar in their movements! Ridiculous!"

Amanda laughed knowing her mother was a bit confused and answered,, "Oh, Mother!"

She then stopped when she suddenly heard the next song playing and hearing the lyrics shouted, "That's it! That's the song!"

Grabbing the phone she quickly dialed the Agency and the "Q" Bureau extension and Lee answered, "Stetson."

Amanda replied, "I found the song Kelly was talking about with the balloons! Listen!"

Amanda turned up the radio slightly and put the receiver to it. The song playing was "Up Up And Away" by the Fifth Dimension!

Amanda got back with Lee responding, "Isn't that terrific, Sweetheart? I think I have that record somewhere, too! We'll have to play it for Kelly tonight, huh?"

Lee nodded excitedly and commented, "Yeah. That's great, Honey! Listen, I'm gonna finish up here and then go get Kelly from school. Mrs. Jenkins asked to see me since you and Dotty weren't home earlier and she couldn't get a hold of you."

Amanda puzzled asked, "Anything the matter?"

Lee shrugged it off remarking, "No, I don't think so. I think if it were really serious she'd have asked me to bring you. Don't worry, huh? See you later."

Amanda sighed and replied, "All right, Sweetie. See you soon. Bye."

As she hung up Dotty saw the worry on Amanda's face and queried, "What is it, Darling?"

Amanda shrugged and answered, "I dunno. Maybe I'm worrying for nothing. But because of the goldfish incident i can't help it, you know?"

Dotty sighed and shaking her head stated firmly, "I'm sure Lee's right. As the saying goes, "Don't borrow trouble", okay?"

Amanda nodded and commented brightly, "You're right, Mother. Now, Let's see what we can fix for dinner..."

Lee got to the school at three o'clock just as school was letting out. He made his way inside the building and went to the main office asking where Mrs. Jenkins classroom was.

The receptionist there told him it was down at the end of the hall on his right.

Thanking her he headed out and found the room minutes later.

Coming in he greeted her stating, "Mrs. Jenkins? Lee Stetson, Kelly's dad."

Mrs. Jenkins shook his hand and remarked, "Please sit, Mr. Stetson. Thank you for taking the time to see me."

As Lee sat he asked, "No problem. Where's Kelly?"

Mrs. Jenkins answered, "Oh, she's in our art room drawing pictures. I told her you'd be by to get her when we're through."

Lee nodded and responded, "Is there anything wrong here? My wife's mother is visiting for the weekend and they must have been out when you tried our house earlier."

Mrs. Jenkins sighed and stated carefully, "Mr. Stetson, we had what we call a Sharing Day today. Everyone brings in something for the class to enjoy together for homeroom."

Lee shrugged and replied, "Okay. So, what did Kelly bring in? She didn't tell us anything about it."

Mrs. Jenkins commented, "Well, she decided to share a story about her grandmother Rose Morgan."

Lee smiled and remarked, "Well, she loved the woman very much and she had some happy memories with her. She told my wife and I about Christmas and going to the beach..."

Lee then saw a certain look on Mrs. Jenkins face and queried carefully, "What is it? Look, Kelly is a very loving, very giving child. She wanted to share things about her grandmother because she meant a lot to her. I don't see what's so wrong about that."

Mrs. Jenkins stated slowly, "Mr. Stetson... I don't begrudge Kelly's memories of Ms. Morgan. However, some children here aren't as lucky as Kelly's been. They don't have two parents to care for them, or siblings. Some children's parents don't show up for conferences or Parent-Teacher Night. Some come from broken homes. They just don't wish to be reminded how little they have, and-"

Lee by this time had heard enough and stood up replying angrily, "Mrs. Jenkins! Forgive me, but if you knew Kelly's background, you wouldn't be so judgemental here. Kelly had it pretty rough when I first met her. She was three when Rose died and she had no one else! My wife and I who work together but weren't married at that time decided to raise her together once I learned she was my daughter and her real mother...Well, I won't go there. She's gone also so it's a moot point. But from now on, we'll just have Kelly share books or toys if she chooses to do so. Wouldn't want to offend anyone by getting too personal here, hmm?"

Mrs. Jenkins put up her hand and shaking her head answered quickly, "Mr Stetson, please. All I meant was-"

Looking at his watch he sighed and commented, "Save it, Lady. We're done here. I'm taking my daughter home now."

He shook her hand replying, "Thank you for the chat. It was very enlightening. Good day..."

Lee left quickly and going down the hall back towards the office found the art room and came in responding, "Kell? It's time to go, Sweetheart."

Kelly smiled and got up to put her sweater on asking, "Hi, Daddy. Wanna see my picture?"

Lee came over and saw she had tried drawing the family and the house and returning the smile stated, "That's real nice, Honey. C'mon, let's go."

But Kelly tugged at his hand responding, "Wait. I didn't finish coloring everybody yet."

Lee tweaked her nose and commented, "You can finish at home with your crayons, all right? C'mon..."

They gathered her books and bag and went out to the car and as Lee buckled her in her seat Kelly queried, "Daddy? Are you mad at me?"

Lee kissed her cheek and shook his head answering, "Of course not, Sweetie. Daddy's just tired."

Shutting her door he went around and got in starting the car when Kelly replied, "Mrs. Jenkins looked sad and wouldn't let me finish talking about Grandma Rose. Why, Daddy?"

Lee cleared his throat and shrugged commenting gently, "I don't know, Baby. Maybe she had a hard day but believe me it had nothing to do with you, okay? You're perfect just the way you are. You wanted to make people happy today by sharing happy things about Grandma Rose. That's always a good thing. Don't ever be sorry about that, all right?"

Kelly sighed and asked, "Okay, Daddy. Can we go get ice cream?"

Lee chuckled as he looked at the time and answered, "No, Honey. It'll spoil your dinner. Besides, I'll bet Grandma Dotty has cookies or something for dessert. Let me find out."

He dialed the house and Amanda answered, "Hello?"

Lee smiled and stated, "Hi. Your daughter here wants to know if there are any treats for after dinner."

Amanda smiled and looking at Dotty remarked, "Oh, she may have something Kelly likes. Is she partial to brownies?"

Lee cleared his throat and commented, "Let me ask."

Looking at Kelly he queried, "Um. You wouldn't want yucky old brownies, would you?"

Kelly brightened and responded, "They're not yucky at all! I sure would, Daddy!"

Lee chuckled and answered Amanda, "Yeah, she wouldn't mind at all."

Amanda laughed stating, "I had a feeling! Listen. Please tell her that she has to finish what's on her plate first. Even if it's asparagus, okay? That goes for her daddy as well."

Lee shrugged replying, "Sure, no problem. See you soon, Honey."

Hanging up Amanda shook her head at her mother responding, "We'll have to watch Lee carefully tonight, Mother. Last week, I caught him "helping" her finish her succotash so she could have a treat! Honestly!"

Dotty laughed and stated, "Well, you know how picky children can be about certain food, Dear."

Amanda shrugged and commented, "What's wrong with succotash? Or beans for that matter..."

TBC