Stepparenting 101

Chapter 9

After Lee and Amanda left, Francine was summoned to Billy's office.

As she entered she remarked, " Lee and Amanda are out looking for Phillip and his friend but will be back as soon as they can."

Billy sighed."Sit down, Desmond."

Francine sat down slowly."Sir?"

Billy was about to speak when Dr. Smyth walked in stating, "Well, did you lower the boom on Desmond yet, William? Because it's my turn."

Francine gave a glance to both men answering, "Um, I don't know what you two are talking about-"

Dr. Smyth lit up his cigarette and stated, "Has there been any tomfoolery in suburbia, Desmond? Anyone we know been murdered in King's neighborhood?"

Francine gasped as she looked at Dr. Smyth and shook her head. "N-No, sir! Not to my immediate knowledge-"

Dr. Smyth puffed away answering, "Fine. Then destroy any files on Bradford and his family post haste. We don't delve into suburbia for kicks. You remember what search warrants are, don't you? You need proper authorization to snoop in personal bank records and the like. And that means only if the citizens have broken laws here. Do we understand each other, Desmond?"

Francine swallowed and nodded as Dr. Smyth commented tersely looking next at Billy, "Fine. William, place in the report that she is assigned desk duty until further notice. That goes for Stetson and King, when they see fit to return today. And as for you helping William, I'm also putting you on notice...Toodles, Children."

With that Dr. Smyth left and Billy remarked, "Sorry, Desmond. But you know the rules as do I. We shouldn't have dug so deep, even for friends. Stetson and King are also in trouble here. I suggest you head back to work on your files."

Francine stood up and protested, "But, Sir! He sounded like he just grounded us. We didn't go hunt down Charlotte Brooks! We just found the info on her. You know, I'll bet there have been plenty of times he's gone around the law here. Stemwinder, for example-"

Billy pointed to the door and answered, "Can it, Desmond! Let's let the dust settle upstairs and maybe he'll calm down sooner. Dismissed."

Francine sighed and nodded as she left. "Yes, Sir."

Meanwhile Lee and Amanda had been checking downtown Arlington for any sign of the teens.

Looking in grocery stores, drug stores, and finally the Ballston Quarter Mall.

Going inside Lee noticed the front mall directory and gestured to it. "Okay, Honey. You're the expert here. Where do we find two school skippers?"

Amanda shaking her head was nonplussed looking at him. "I dunno. But Phillip knows better than this. It's not like him to-"

Lee put up a hand. "Please save your outrage for later, huh? I have a feeling it was Chet's idea, anyway. Now, which direction is the arcade?"

Amanda looking around then noticed Marty at the food court and nudged Lee. "There's Marty now. Maybe he's seen the boys already."

They went over and Amanda remarked, "Hello, Marty. Did the school call you about the boys leaving early? Have you seen them anywhere here?"

Marty smiled. " Hey! Small world, right? You playing hooky from work, Mandy?"

Lee cleared his throat. "Uh, no. Actually, the school called Amanda at work telling her that the boys took off about a half hour ago. Any idea where your son might be? Because if we find him, we'll find Phillip."

But Marty waved it off saying, "Eh, don't worry. Chet knows when to come home. He'll take care of Phil. It'll be fine."

Amanda looking at Lee in disbelief stated, "Arcade. Let's go!"

As they took off Marty shrugged and muttered, "That lady needs to chill..."

As they reached the arcade a few moments later Lee spotted Chet and Amanda saw Phillip and they brought both boys out quickly with Phillip sputtering, "Geez, Mom! What the hell? I had a good score in there and you embarrass me like that?!"

Chet shook his head. "Not cool, Mrs. King. You gotta chill once in a while, you know? We were almost done the game, anyway."

Lee seeing Amanda's pursed lips cleared his throat lightly to Chet,"Um, Chet? Let me take you to see Marty now while Phillip has a talk with his mother, all right? C'mon..."

They left and Amanda sighed deeply. "Phillip Thomas King, you have no idea what went through my mind when the school called to say that you had left. You had me worried sick. Do you know that?"

Phillip groaned. "I just left a little early. What's the big deal? I was with Chet. He's cool."

Amanda shook her head. "No. Not any more, he isn't... You've changed, Phillip. And I don't like what I've seen lately. In fact because of this little stunt you pulled today, you are hereby grounded for the next week-"

Phillip in protest hollered, "For what? C'mon! I'm not a baby, Mom. Get a grip-"

Amanda pointed to him. "And for that backtalk, it's now two weeks-"

Phillip interjected, "But-"

Amanda stood firm answering, "You wanna try for three? Keep talking."

When Phillip shrugged wordlessly Amanda nodded gesturing toward the mall exit. "Okay. You and I will head to the car and wait for Lee. Marty can get Chet home. Move it!"

As they passed the three in the food court Amanda told Lee, "We'll be in the car."

Lee nodded answering, "I'll be there soon."

As Amanda and Phillip went through the exit Marty sensed Lee wanted to talk and gave Chet money saying, "Hey, Kid. Why don't you go get a drink while Mr. Stetson and I talk, all right?"

Chet gave a knowing look to him and rolled his eyes.

Taking the money he took off in the direction of a snack bar.

When Chet was out of earshot Marty asked sitting down at a table, "So, what's up? I mean, you saw the guys were okay."

Lee replied nodding as he joined him, " Yeah. Well... Being around Phillip as much as you have now, you know that he's obviously different from Chet. I mean, the boy has structure and boundaries. Something I think Chet doesn't have, if you'll pardon me saying so."

Marty cleared his throat and sighed shrugging, " Aw, it's okay. Look, Chet's a good kid. Doesn't steal, smoke or do drugs. I trust him...I do the best I can. In fact, we do good on our own. We have each other and have fun together."

Lee nodded again and commented lightly, "Yeah, I get it. But Marty...When I spent that week with Phillip and Jamie while their mom was away, I took on the temporary role of parent which wasn't easy. Sure, it's great that you guys have a good time together but Chet has to know from your signal what's permitted and what isn't. And cutting classes is only gonna bring his grades down. See, he has to know that you actually care on some level what's going on in his life. He'll resent you for giving him any kind of disipline, but he'll soon grow to respect you."

Marty mulled over what Lee said and asked, "You sure you don't have kids of your own? 'Cause it seems like you know a lot even though you're single."

Lee half smiled."I have an uncle in the Air Force who raised me from the time I was seven and believe me, I was a hell raiser. But being around Amanda's kids has changed me a bit."

Marty laughed and replied, "Oh. So now you and your uncle are bosom buddies, right?"

Marty took note of Lee's slight wince and chuckled as Lee answered, "Um, not exactly. Let's just say we tolerate each other at best and leave it at that."

Marty gave a low whistle and shook his head as Lee got up, noting that Chet was coming towards them and shook his hand. "Take care, Marty."

Marty nodded. "You too."

Lee patted Chet's shoulder saying, "See you around, Chet. And don't give your dad a hard time, okay? He cares..."

Lee left and Chet asked thumbing towards Lee, "What was that about, Pop?"

Marty watching Lee leave motioned Chet to a chair saying, "We gotta talk. Sit down..."

TBC