Mom, Secrets And More
Chapter 45
It was a relatively quiet ride to Lee's Georgetown apartment complex, even though Lee had tried to bring up to Jamie various subjects for conversation, but he knew Jamie was still feeling unsettled about everything as he either mumbled or grunted a response.
As they, at last, pulled into the parking space, Lee turned off the motor and sighed as he looked over at his young companion thinking, I wish to God I knew how to help you through this Jamie, but you've gotta let me in...
Jamie then looking around suddenly, asked Lee, "Where are we?"
Lee stated gesturing to his seat belt, "My place. C'mon, let's head inside."
As they unbuckled and got out of the car, Lee locked the doors and Jamie queried as they headed for the entrance, "I thought we were getting Chinese food?"
Lee smiled thinking, Ahh, he is hungry. Maybe after eating, he'll open up a bit more.
Lee grinned and putting an arm around Jamie as they walked stated, "I'm having it delivered. I guess your mind was elsewhere when I called the place just after we left the park."
Jamie shrugged as the doorman, John Bartley, let Lee and Jamie through the entrance greeting them, "Afternoon, Mr. Stetson... Nice day."
Lee nodded and remarked to the doorman as he went to his mailbox opening it and pulling out some items and then closing it again, "Yeah, it is. Oh, John, this is Mrs. King's son, Jamie. He's gonna spend the afternoon with me."
John nodded to Jamie, "Nice to meet you, Young Man. I've met your mother. She's a very nice lady."
Jamie shrugged morosely, "Yeah, I guess-"
Lee tapped Jamie on the shoulder immediately asiding firmly, "Hey...Be nice!"
Jamie gulped at Lee's tone and nodded answering John, "I-I mean-Thank you, Sir."
Lee gave an apologetic glance to John answering as the two went inside the elevator, "He-He's not feeling too well today. Sorry. See you later."
Lee sighed as they got in and he pushed the third- floor button, and looking at Jamie as the doors closed asked with an air of impatience, "Really?! I mean, I know you're upset with your mother and possibly me right now, but I don't want you to be rude to others. You know you have a great mother and don't forget it! Is that clear?"
Jamie nodded slowly and gulped responding quietly, "Yes, Sir. Sorry..."
They got off at Lee's floor, and he led them to his door, and unlocking it ushered Jamie inside answering gently as he shut the door behind him, " All right...I-I know you've been through a lot today and I'm sorry, too. But we will figure out how to deal with all of this, okay? Because I really do want to help you, Jamie."
Jamie went to sit on the couch and looking at Lee queried, "Why?"
Lee came over and sitting down next to him and asked confusedly, "What do you mean, why? Because I care about you-"
Jamie replied adding, "And Mom."
Lee swallowed nodding. "Yes. Of course your mother, as well. What-"
Jamie then persisted with, "How much do you care about Mom?"
Lee, shaking his head, got up from the couch and asked trying to change the subject gesturing towards the kitchen, "Would you like anything to drink? I know I don't have milk here, but let me go check. I-I think I have juice-"
Jamie sighed shaking his head. "I know you care, Lee! I saw you and Mom in our house in the kitchen after Tony and Hank tried to get to us that night, and in my hospital room! You were holding her both times! Just tell me the truth. Please?"
Lee knew Jamie wasn't going to give up, and slowly sitting back down on the couch next to him, he clasped his hands together and resting his forearms on his knees shook his head as he quietly answered, "I'm-I'm really not sure, Jamie. Now, both times, I was honestly trying to comfort her because she had been through a lot as well here. We're friends and colleagues your mom and I, and through the years I guess we've grown closer. But we haven't had any time lately to talk about it because we've been worried about you, and-"
Jamie then asked, "Why did Dad apologize to me at the hospital for being upset with you? What did you do to him?"
Lee was reeling by all the questions thinking, Wow... I've been as honest as I can so far. Might as well keep going...
Just then the doorbell rang interrupting Lee's train of thought, and clearing his throat answered as he rose from the couch, "There's our lunch...I'll be right back."
As Jamie watched Lee go to the door and greet the delivery person and paying him as he was handed the bag of food, Jamie thought shaking his head, I wonder if he's going to try to fool me like Mom did about how much he cares? Wonder if Dad knows what's going on with them? Well, I'm not going to let him or Mom get away that easy. I'm going to get the truth out of them...
Just then, Jamie was brought out of his reverie by Lee stating to him from the kitchen and gesturing towards the bedroom, "Hey, Ace...Chow time. Why don't you go wash your hands in my bathroom and then come help me set the dining room table for us, huh?"
With a nod, Jamie got up from the couch remarking, "Okay, Lee."
His questions would have to wait he guessed until after lunch...
TBC
