Mom, Secrets And More
Chapter 35
When Lee and Amanda arrived at the school they noticed a large crowd outside near the bleachers and were met by the vice principal Alma Dennis who responded, "Amanda, I'm so sorry about this. That's Mrs. Nelson, the guidance counselor, over by Jamie trying to get him out with no luck, I'm afraid. Just tell us what we can do to help."
Just then Dotty who was on the inner part of the crowd saw Amanda and rushed over commenting quickly, "Oh, Darling...They called me here as well thinking I could talk him down...Er, I mean out. But nothing I or Phillip said helped at all!"
Amanda patted Dotty's arm and gestured to Lee answering, "It's-It's all right, Mother. Oh, this is Lee Stetson, the man from IFF that was with Jamie in the accident?"
Dotty nodded briefly replying, "Oh, hello. I assume you're here to maybe try your luck at this as well?"
As Lee was about to respond, Amanda remarked to Dotty, "Yes he is, Mother." Then looking at the vice principal, asked," Mrs. Dennis, can you see if you could get everyone back in the building while we try to coax Jamie out, please?"
Mrs. Dennis nodded, "Of course..." And taking the gym teacher's megaphone that she borrowed, she spoke out, "All right! Can I have everyone get back inside, please? The family needs their privacy. Let's go!"
As the crowd began to dissipate, Phillip, who was with his classmates, rushed over, and seeing his mother and grandmother stated quickly, "Sure glad you're here, Mom! Jamie's really gone-"
Amanda shook her head and replied firmly, "No he hasn't, Honey. Jamie's just scared and a little confused. Look... Why don't you go back in while Grandma and I look after him, all right? He'll be fine. I promise."
Gesturing to Lee she commented, "Oh, this is Lee Stetson, the man I work with at IFF...Lee, my eldest son, Phillip."
They shook hands as Phillip remarked,"Hi." and swallowing answered, "I heard you were with my brother when that accident happened. Th-Thanks for saving his life, Mr. Stetson."
Lee cleared his throat and nodding replied, "It's okay, Phillip. Your brother's a pretty brave kid deep down."
Phillip shrugged stating, " Yeah...Sometimes he can be a dweeb, but most times he's okay-"
Dotty reproached him. "That's enough, Young Man. You know you two love each other even though you can get on each other's nerves, don't you?"
Phillip sighed and contritely answered, "Sure, Grandma. I'm sorry." Then facing his mother, he asked, "Couldn't I stay and help you guys talk to him? I-I promise, I'll really try to help him-"
But Amanda remarked touching his hand, "I know you're worried, Sweetheart, but I'll let you know what's going on when we're ready to leave. Go on back to class now, okay? Scoot."
Phillip nodded, hugging his mother and looking at Lee stated, "Nice meeting you, Mr. Stetson." And with a glance at Dotty answered, "Bye Grandma!"and left the area slowly looking back at the bleachers and then turned towards the entrance of the school and went back in.
Amanda queried to Lee, "Would you give me a minute alone with Jamie? I gotta try by myself first. Excuse me..." Lee nodded with understanding as she left him standing by Dotty and slowly made her way to the bleachers where Jamie was and crouching down carefully underneath the bleachers asked gently, "Jamie? Sweetheart, it's Mom. How are you doing?"
Jamie sighed and sniffed, wiping his eyes he answered quietly with a shake of his head, "I dunno. I'm scared. The bomb went off and I couldn't get Mr. Stetson out... I'm-I'm so sorry, Mom!"
Amanda swallowed hard, realizing there was a serious problem in front of her now and gulping commented, "You have nothing to be sorry about, Sweetie. Mr. Stetson's here and he's just fine..."
Getting up carefully she turned to look at Lee and gestured him over, "Lee."
Lee came over to her immediately asking, "What's the matter?"
Amanda cleared her throat and shaking her head responded carefully, "He-He doesn't think you made it out of the bomb situation. He's blaming himself."
Lee took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then patted her arm gently asiding to her, "It'll be all right. Stay here..."
Amanda nodded as Lee went underneath the bleachers answering softly, "Jamie? It's-It's okay, Pal... I'm right here. You can come out of there now and we'll take you home, huh?"
But Jamie didn't move or respond and Lee, knowing what he had to do, crouched down on his knees and raising his voice a bit replied, "Hey! Jamie! It's me! Come on out!"
Jamie turned his head finally and shocked as he saw Lee, his face crumpled in tears as he left from under the bleachers and went quickly into Lee's arms sobbing!
Lee, holding Jamie, stroked the boy's back soothingly answering, "It's okay, Tiger...I'm right here...Shh..."
Lee tried getting them both out from under the bleachers, but soon realized that Jamie wasn't letting go of him and he motioned Amanda over remarking, "Amanda? Call Billy and tell him we're bringing Jamie to the infirmary-"
Dotty over hearing Lee asked, "What infirmary? He's coming home with us, isn't he?"
Amanda commented to Dotty calmly, "Mother, we're having a doctor take a look at him at IFF. I'll explain later. Just help get Jamie to the car, all right?"
But Dotty responded arguing, "We have a perfectly good doctor in our neighborhood. Dr. Goodman is a fine physician!"
Amanda sighed and tiredly stated, "Mother, Jamie at this point may need a counselor to talk to. Now please help him to the car. I'll be right back-"
As Amanda turned to go into the school Dotty added, "I called Joe when they called me here. He's on his way. What do I tell him?"
Amanda muttered shaking her head as she turned back to her mother, "Thank you. I totally forgot Joe was still in town for another day. Okay. I'll let Mrs. Dennis know and then Joe can take you and Phillip home and I'll call you and let you know what's going on when I know something-"
Dotty then losing patience queried angrily to her daughter,"Wai-Wait just a minute here! You're taking my grandson with you and this stranger here to God-knows-where and you won't allow your own family to accompany you? What is going on with you, Amanda? I just don't understand-"
Then Jamie whirled around to face his grandmother and yelled from Lee's arms, "Stop it! Stop yelling!"
Lee rubbed his back whispering calmly, "It's-It's okay, Sport. Your grandma's just worried like we all are about you, okay? Take it easy."
Lee then noticed a car coming into the school parking lot, and the man that exited the car a moment later.
Amanda sighed stating to Lee, " Joe."
Getting out of the car he came toward Amanda and Dotty and asked Amanda, "What's going on now? Dotty told me the school had her come for Jamie, and that I should come-"
Then Joe saw Jamie in Lee's arms and sighed irritatedly stating, "Oh, c'mon! Why is Stetson the only man that can help Jamie these days?!"
Going over to Jamie he queried softly, "Hey, Son. I'm here now. Why don't we go home and we'll talk, all right?"
Jamie shook his head commenting quietly as he stayed in Lee's arms, "No, Dad. I want Mr. Stetson to stay with me. Please?"
Joe was visibly crestfallen as he saw he had no choice and after a moment gently replied as he touched Jamie's head, "Okay, Pal. We'll talk later. You'll be alright soon... I love you."
Coming back to Amanda's side he remarked impatiently, "I'm going to get Phillip. At least he doesn't mind my company these days."
Then looking at Dotty he asked in a clipped tone, "Are you riding with me or them?"
Dotty, noting the tension in Joe's voice answered, "I'll go with you and Phillip since my daughter has no need for me to hang around, either."
As Dotty turned and followed Joe into the building, Amanda sighed and shaking her head commented to Lee, " I wish I could make them understand."
Jamie swallowed hard responding, "They weren't there, Mom. They just don't know what we went through..."
Amanda went to his side and kissing his cheek replied softly, "I know, Sweetie. Can you go with Mr. Stetson to the car now, please and I'll be right out?"
Jamie nodded slowly as Lee got them both out from under the bleachers and they made their way to the car. Amanda then went back into the school to call Billy...
TBC
