Mom, Secrets And More
Chapter 32
It was later that evening after both boys had gone to bed that Amanda and Dotty were downstairs in the family room discussing Jamie's mood of late.
Dotty asked concernedly, "Do you think he'll be all right soon, Dear? Now that the kidnapper is gone, I mean?"
Amanda answered pensively with a shrug, "I dunno, Mother...You said earlier that he just picked at his sandwich today? Even though it was one of his old favorites, Peanut butter and marshmallow? When I was his age, that was one of my staples when I was feeling low."
Dotty nodded agreeing. "Yes, Dear, I remember. But also adding a slice of banana used to perk you right up as well. You know, I even offered Jamie a ice cream float as a treat later on, but wound up saving it for Phillip when he got home from school...I'm really worried about Jamie, Darling. Maybe we should call Dr-"
Just then, they heard a thump from upstairs as Jamie cried out, "Lemme go! Lemme go!"
Amanda and Dotty startled, hurried up the stairs and as they reached the boys' bedroom, they saw Jamie on the floor, thrashing about tearfully yelling, "Lemme go! I wanna go home! I wanna see my mom! Lemme go!"
Amanda quickly got down to the floor commenting urgently, "Mother! Turn on the light, please!"
Focusing on Jamie as the light came on, Amanda trying to grab him yelled, "Jamie! It's Mom! You're home and you're safe, Sweetheart! Calm down! Shh..."
Jamie, feeling hands on him, lunged an arm out towards Amanda's face, causing her to dodge to the other side!
Jamie then called out, "Help! Mommy!"
Amanda, attempting again to grab him, stated urgently, "Jamie, it's alright! Mommy's here!"
Jamie cried out, "Mommy!" as he continued to struggle, flinging out an arm again, this time hitting Amanda square in the eye!
Phillip rushed in at that moment and feeling scared murmured to Dotty, "Whoa! What happened, Grandma?!"
Dotty held Phillip back and whispered, "He's having a nightmare, Darling. Stay back..."
Amanda reacted but ignoring the pain she felt, quickly managed to pull Jamie into her arms and began to rock him, murmuring gentle words of comfort to calm him down!
After a few moments, Jamie stirred and looking around the room confusedly, blinked his eyes and asked, "Wh-What happened?"
Phillip shook his head answering, "You just decked Mom! You were really out of it, Kid!"
Dotty shushed Phillip sternly, "You stop this instant! It was an accident because of the nightmare he was having!"
Looking at Jamie, Dotty softly queried to him, "Are you all right, Darling?"
Jamie gulped shakily as Amanda continued to rock him. "I-I dunno, Grandma. It was like that guy was here, trying to get me again."
Looking at his mother finally, he noticed the mark he left on her eye and swallowing stated, "I'm-I'm sorry, Mom! I-I didn't mean to-"
But Amanda shook her head and gently stated to reassure him," It's all right, Honey. I'm fine."
Dotty, wanting to assuage the situation, asked Jamie, "Maybe if I make some hot cocoa, it'll help you get back to sleep, Sweetheart. Would you like that?"
Jamie suddenly fearful shook his head and looking at Amanda responded, "Cocoa?! We can't have that ever again!"
But Amanda immediately shook her head commenting quickly, "N-No, Sweetie! The police took the bad cocoa away. We have mine and Grandma's mixes only! I promise you that."
Jamie leaning against Amanda nodded slowly. "O-Okay...Can I have some marshmallows with it?"
Dotty looked pointedly at her daughter answering, "Well, you could if I find them..."
Amanda sighed and motioned her mother to come close to her as she whispered the location of the treat.
Dotty made a face hearing the location and shook her head as she replied, "I don't like when you keep moving them, Amanda Jean! And besides, they positively weren't in that spot the last time I looked there! Don't you trust your own mother?"
Amanda, getting up slowly from the floor and bringing Jamie up with her, got him back to his bed responding slyly, "Oh, Mother, of course I do. But it's our two curious monkeys here that I have to worry about..."
Dotty shook her head with a sigh as she turned to leave the room. "All right. Hot cocoa coming up..."
Phillip followed answering, "I'll help you, Grandma."
As they left, Amanda settling Jamie back in bed gently asked, "Honey? Would it help to talk about the dream at all? It might make you feel better?"
But Jamie shook his head. "No, I'm-I'm still kind of scared, Mom."
Amanda sighed as she stroked his cheek gently, "I know, Sweetie. But there's absolutely nothing to be afraid of now. Mr. Hawkins is gone, and all the people that love and care about you are right here in this house."
Jamie shrugged. "I know, but maybe if you-"
But his comment was forgotten as Dotty came back in, carrying the mug which was loaded with marshmallows, and handing Jamie the mug answered, "Careful, Sweetheart. It's hot..."
But Jamie found himself hesitating, and noting her son's fear, Amanda took the mug herself replying lightly,"Oh, I see what the trouble is...You need a taste tester, right? Well, let me try a bit here-"
As Amanda took a sip she managed to make a white moustache appear on her upper lip from the marshmallow froth, making Jamie smile a bit as she licked her lip carefully stating, "Mmm! This is delicious! No one makes better cocoa than your grandmother...next to me, of course-"
Dotty, shaking her head giggled, "Oh, you!"
The others laughed as Amanda handed the mug back to Jamie responding, "Now, you finish that, and then try to get back to sleep, hmm?"
But as Amanda was heading to the doorway with Dotty, Jamie asked quietly, "Mom? Are-Are you leaving?"
Amanda sensed Jamie was still a bit afraid as she shook her head then, commenting, "I was going to go to bed in a little while, but if you want, I could stay for a bit?"
Jamie hesitated, thinking for a moment Phillip would needle him for acting childish, but nodded suddenly. "Could you? Just until I fall asleep?"
Amanda smiled. "Sure, Honey."
But knowing it could take a while that night for Jamie to relax, she said to Phillip, "Sweetie, would you mind bunking in my room just for tonight?"
Phillip shrugged lightly. "Sure, Mom. Goodnight."
Amanda kissed him saying, "Thank you. Goodnight."
Dotty then gave her daughter and grandson a kiss replying, "Goodnight. Sweet dreams. And I do mean sweet..."
Jamie half smiled and nodded. "Sure, Grandma. Goodnight. Night, Phillip."
As Dotty and Phillip left the room, Amanda went to turn out the light, but Jamie asked quickly, "Mom? I-I know it's babyish, but could you leave the light on, please?"
Amanda turned back to him adjusting his covers softly answering, "I'll just leave the desk lamp on, alright?"
Jamie finishing his cocoa nodded and putting the mug on the nightstand, yawned replying, "Y-Yeah, okay. Thanks, Mom..."
It was nearly an hour later when Jamie finally fell fast asleep, but as Amanda tried to get up from his side to go rest in Phillip's bed, Jamie suddenly turned to her arms, not allowing her to move!
Amanda sighed as she looked down at her sleeping son and thought with a shrug, Well, it's rare when these boys want to be close any more...
She then lightly kissed his forehead and tried to get as comfortable as she could before drifting off herself that night...
TBC
