Mom, Secrets And More

Chapter 50

Jamie and Amanda sat eating breakfast while Lee had his cream-laden coffee.

Lee took a sip of his coffee and after swallowing, put his cup down and said, "So, Jamie...We know you must have more questions for us, so fire away-"

Amanda shook her head and gave Lee a worried look, causing him to clear his throat, "I - I mean, shoot-"

Exasperated, Amanda commented quickly, "What Lee means, Honey, is-"

Taking a sip of his milk, Jamie swallowed and put a hand up replying, "It's okay, Mom. I know what Lee means. I know he's not talking about a gun. He just means to go ahead, right?"

"That's right, Sweetheart. What's on your mind?" Amanda asked.

Jamie queried, "Why doesn't Dad like Lee?"

Amanda puzzledly asked, "What do you mean, Jamie?"

Lee, recalling the conversation with Jamie from the day before, looked over at Amanda with a gesture, responding, "Oh, yeah...Jamie asked me yesterday why Joe apologized to him about me."

Amanda sipping her coffee swallowed and nodded answering, "I see. Well, Honey. Do you remember the day in the schoolyard when we found you under the bleachers?"

Jamie, thinking for a moment, answered, "A little. Didn't a bomb go off there?"

Lee shook his head and put his hand on top of Jamie's replying soothingly, "N-No, Son. See, it was just an accident in the science lab that day. But what happened I think was that you were remembering that day in Anacostia where you and I were tied up in that room and I told you to get out because I saw a bomb in there..."

Amanda reached over with her left hand to stroke Jamie's cheek and holding Lee's left hand with her right hand commented softly, "He-He saved your life that day and I'll always be grateful to him for that."

Lee gently squeezed Amanda's hand stating warmly, "Thanks. I'm glad I was there, too."

Jamie, looking at his mother and Lee, shrugged asking, "Okay, so what does that have to do with Dad?"

Amanda remarked, "Well, the school called your grandmother, and she called your dad. So, when he came and saw you with Lee, he was a bit upset."

Lee swallowed hard answering, "Yeah, you were still shaken up and didn't want me to leave you. I'm-I'm so sorry you went through all that, Pal...Anyway, your mom had to explain to your dad what happened-"

Amanda finished with, "Honey, I-I had to tell him what I really do for a living-"

In disbelief, Jamie got up from his chair and turning to his mother with a hurt expression, asked, "Mom, you mean to tell me that you told Dad before you told me?!"

Amanda, seeing the hurt in Jamie's eyes, reached out to take his hand and pleaded gently, "Jamie...Please, Sweetheart. Listen to me-"

But Jamie shook his head and turning away from her, said, " I don't believe this!" as he headed towards the living room window to look out.

Amanda watched Jamie walk away from her, then looked at Lee sadly asking, "Now what?"

TBC