Mom, Secrets And More
Chapter 36
It was decided after an initial examination by Dr. Pfaff that Jamie should stay overnight, so while Lee was in the room helping Jamie get settled, Amanda, after filling out the Agency hospital admittance forms for Jamie, called home to fill Joe in and to ask him to bring an overnight bag for Jamie.
Now a half hour later, Joe walked into Jamie's room, with bag in hand, and found Amanda, Lee, and Jamie having what looked to be a lively conversation when he saw a smile cross Jamie's face. Trying to mask his initial anger at the sight, he cleared his throat and nodded saying, "Hi, Amanda, Mr. Stetson..."
Joe then put Jamie's overnight bag on a chair nearby them, and turning back to Jamie stated, "Hey, Son. How are you doing?"
Jamie's smile faded slightly seeing his father enter the room, and he shrugged slowly."Hi, Dad. I'm kinda scared. The doctor I talked to wants to figure out why I acted weird at school today. Do you think there's something really wrong with me and that's why I'm here?"
Reassuring him with a shake of his head Joe replied carefully as he hugged Jamie, "No, of course not, Jamie. He just wants to help you feel better...That's what we all want. Now, you just get some rest, and try not to worry, okay? I love you."
Jamie nodded as he hugged him back, "Thanks, Dad. I love you, too."
Lee, glancing at Jamie, and then his watch remarked patting Jamie's shoulder, "Well, I'd better be going now, Jamie. You need your rest-"
But Jamie shook his head in protest and then looked at his mother stating, "No...Mom, tell Mr. Stetson he can stay, please? I'm not even tired yet-"
Amanda touched Jamie's hand and gestured to the pillow, "Sweetie, he's right. Look, he'll be back in the morning to see you, okay? Now, lie back and close your eyes, huh?"
As Jamie laid back in frustration, Lee gently squeezed the boy's hand and winked at him replying, "Take care, Sport. I'll see you tomorrow."
Joe, clearly noting that Jamie hadn't asked him to stick around, and trying to hold his anger in, asked Amanda, "Can I see you outside for a moment?"
Amanda nodded to Joe and then glanced at Lee who was headed to the door, "Sure...Wait, Lee? Why don't you stay at least until I get back, alright?"
Lee replied slowly, "Of course."
Kissing Jamie's forehead, Amanda responded softly, "I'll be right back, Sweetheart..."
As Amanda headed to the door with Joe, Lee, in an effort to distract Jamie, grabbed the TV remote remarking lightly, "Let's see what they've got on here now, huh?"
Glancing gratefully at Lee for a moment, Amanda stepped out into the hallway with Joe and asked, "All right. What is it?"
Joe queried incredulously, "What is it? What's not it?! From the time this whole thing started, somewhere along the way I've lost my son who'd rather hang out with a total stranger than his own flesh and blood!"
Amanda grabbed his arm and pulled him with her to the lounge area sat him down with her on the couch and commented in her ramble style quickly, "Joe! I told you what happened to him and I also mentioned Lee being there at the same time when they had the bomb go off! I want our son to feel comfortable with whomever he chooses at the moment and if that's Lee that's fine! If you agree that you also want our son to get better sooner then this is how we do it, all right? I know this is upsetting you, but this has to be about Jamie now."
Lee came over to them just then and clearing his throat answered, "Excuse me. The nurse told me visiting hours are almost up. They're gonna give him a sedative to relax him soon."
Amanda sighed and rose from the couch and nodded replying, "Thank you, Lee."
Looking at Joe she responded evenly, " So...Do we go in together now like a supportive team to show our son we're with him no matter what, or are we gonna be at odds throughout this crisis? It's up to you, Joe. But if I were you, I'd swallow that damn stubborn pride of yours and realize that Jamie is in pain right now and he needs both of us behind him every step of the way!"
Amanda then turned and started back down the hall towards Jamie's room as Joe just sat on the couch dumbfounded by his ex-wife's statement!
Lee watching him replied carefully," She's right, Joe. It's not about winning or losing anything here. Jamie went through something no one, not even a kid, should have to endure-"
Joe nodded and slowly finding his voice commented flatly, "Right...About that. How many times have you put Amanda through that garbage all in the name of getting the bad guys? I think she should quit. Why don't you guys tell her that already?"
Lee sighed and responded, "I don't tell her anything she doesn't already know herself, Joe. No one can force her to do anything. Besides, it's not up to anyone else. She's a grown woman that can think for herself."
Joe chuckled derisively stating, "Yeah. Well, she should be thinking of those kids of ours and her mother-"
Lee, while trying to keep his anger in check, narrowed his eyes at Joe and answered, "I could tell you the same thing...like, did you think of the kids or Amanda when you left them?" Lee held up a hand then to stop whatever Joe was about to say."But that is neither here nor there. The important thing is what needs to happen right now to help Jamie out."
Joe shook his head replying, "Amanda and I aren't married any more. Why do you say "me"?"
Lee chuckled lightly and responded, "Because you want it to be about you, but it isn't. It's about that boy's emotional well being and-"
Lee shook his head and sighed stating, "I'm sorry...I have no business sticking my nose where it doesn't belong, Joe."
Joe shrugged in reply, "It's alright. You wouldn't have said all that if you didn't care about Jamie, too...So, thank you."
Lee and Joe then shook hands begrudgingly with Lee commenting, "You're welcome. I'm gonna go say goodnight to him now."
Joe nodded and said in reply, "Tell him I'll be there soon. Goodnight, Mr. Stetson."
Lee stated, "Goodnight, Joe", and left him sitting on the couch.
Have I lost too much focus on what's really important here? Joe thought as he watched Lee start down the hall to Jamie's room.
He then decided to wait until Lee and Amanda left to go see Jamie, and instead got up from the couch and went towards the elevator to head down to the cafeteria...He had a lot of thinking to do...
TBC
