Disclaimer: This story is based on Characters copyrighted by Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Productions. This story is meant for enjoyment purposes only and cannot be redistributed without permission from the author. I retain the rights to the plot, not the characters. No infringement is intended
A/N This is a one chapter short companion story that references some things that are mentioned in Chapter 2 of my story Hidden Betrayal. It is about Lee and Amanda's Daughter Jennifer "JJ" Stetson as a child. Lee and Amanda are asked to attend a Parent/teacher conference at preschool regarding how Jennifer is adjusting to preschool. After posting this story I realized I needed to add Mrs. Rossi's affermation of Jennifer which is a must in any parent conference.
Preschool Confessions
Amanda was just putting the finishing touches on their case report about the Helsinki /Moscow spy trade when the phone on her desk rang.
"Hello, this is Amanda Stetson."
"Mrs. Stetson, this is Mrs. Berman, the Director from the IFF Children's Center."
"Why hello, Mrs. Berman! Oh my gosh, is everything ok with the girls?" Amanda suddenly jumped into 'mother mode' and worried about what could be wrong with either JJ or Mattie.
"Oh everything is just fine. No one is hurt. Sorry to have alarmed you by my call," Mrs. Berman assured Amanda. "But I am calling to ask you if you and your husband can come in sometime this week so we can talk about Jennifer and how she is adjusting to preschool."
"How she is adjusting? Of course we would be happy to come in. Let me check my calendar" Amanda paused and got out her appointment book and then responded back. "Mrs. Berman, I can come in the day after tomorrow. I am not sure about my husband's schedule but I will make sure he clears his calendar to come with me."
"That's wonderful, Mrs. Stetson. How about we make it at 1:30 pm? The children have their naps at that time and Jennifer's teacher Mrs. Rossi will be free."
Amanda confirmed "Yes, 1:30 will be fine. We look forward to talking to you and Mrs. Rossi...uh is there anything you want to tell me now maybe?" she asked as she was starting to get nervous about what could be the matter.
Mrs. Berman replied with a very cheery voice "No, Mrs. Stetson. I prefer we talk in person. Just try not to worry. I know parents tend to do that after I have called! Have a good day."
"You too, thanks!" As she hung up the phone, Amanda began to try and think back to anything JJ might have said about school in the last few days that could have prompted this call from the director. A few minutes later Lee came through the Q Bureau door with Francine. They were discussing Francine's impending adoption of a 3-year-old boy.
"So what's the plan, Francine? Are you going to take some time off so you and Scott can get adjusted to each other?"
"Adjusted?...Well, sure, I guess I was going to take a few days off. I already have him enrolled at the Children's Center."
Amanda interjected into their conversation. "You know, Francine, the poor little guy may need more than a few days before you throw him into the Children's center!"
Francine looked astonished at Amanda's comment. "I'm not throwing him anywhere, Amanda, however I really can't afford to take too much time off since the agency will be in the middle of that trade negotiations seminar with the African block nations, and I have to work on the security details."
Lee started to look uncomfortable because Amanda and Francine had discussed the adoption in detail before and Amanda was convinced that Francine would starve the child or worse. She even had tried to convince Francine to get a puppy instead which had caused Francine to go on a tirade against housewives playing spy for 3 days with many snarky remarks.
"Ok Ok, let's not rehash all this ladies. Remember, Amanda, the adoption agency actually approved Francine."
"Excuse me, actually? How insulting!" Francine remarked.
"Uh…poor choice of words!" Lee changed the subject fast. "Anyway, Francine you wanted some files from the vault?"
"Yes I'll just go in and get them myself," she said huffily.
Lee looked at Amanda and shook his head at her like 'don't get her riled up again.'
Amanda rolled her eyes at Lee and changed the subject. "Lee, I got a call from Mrs. Berman from the Children's Center. She and Mrs. Rossi, Jennifer's teacher, want to have a conference with us the day after tomorrow, Thursday at 1:30. Do you have anything scheduled?"
"Yeah I do, but I can change it… wait...what's wrong with JJ? Did something happen?" Lee's protective father persona beat out Scarecrow the Spy.
"Mrs. Berman wouldn't say. She just said she would rather discuss it in person with us. It sounds serious...has JJ complained about anything to you about school?" Amanda worried.
Francine came out of the vault and as she walked past Amanda she coldly remarked "My my, the perfect mother may not have a perfect little girl after all...and just think, you had thrown her into the preschool this last month also!" Her heels seemed to click perfectly in unison with her speech as she walked out the door glaring at them both.
Amanda sighed. "What's wrong? Lee, this can't be good. I mean I've been back to work full time now for a month since leaving 4 years ago to have JJ and Mattie. Suppose they aren't adjusting? Mrs. Berman didn't want to discuss it on the phone with me. I can't imagine… I mean JJ hasn't seemed out of sorts...when I leave her she just is quite happy for me to leave." Amanda had begun to ramble.
"A-Mand-A slow down," Lee crossed over to Amanda quickly and gathered her in his arms.
She put her hands up on his chest and looked into his face. "Listen, it's not like she isn't used to you working. You went in a couple of days part time for a while now."
"Yes, but Mother was watching her and Mattie when I did."
"Let's not jump to conclusions! It will be ok, trust me." There was a hint of doubt in Lee's voice.
"That's hard not to...but I never worked when the boys were this small," Amanda pointed out.
"You're right. Maybe we are being hasty...do you think they are adjusting ok? Sometimes when I take them to school, JJ and Mattie cry...the teacher says it's all show for my benefit."
"They never cry when I leave them," declared Amanda.
Lee began to go through scenarios in his mind of what could be the matter with his little girls.
On Thursday Lee and Amanda went to meet Mrs. Berman and Mrs. Rossi. They all sat in a circle in Mrs. Berman's office. Lee was thankful they had adult size chairs as he didn't think he could fold himself into those preschool chairs! Amanda was holding Lee's hand and was rubbing her thumb on his hand which showed Lee that she still was quite upset. As they exchanged pleasantries, Lee realized there was another person present. Mrs. Berman introduced the school psychologist, Dr. Harrison. Amanda gasped and she was now convinced there was something terribly wrong. Lee started nervously running his hand through his hair.
Mrs. Berman, the director started the conversation with "We want to thank you for coming, Mr. and Mrs. Stetson. We appreciate your cooperation and want you to know that as a school we are here for you. Dr. Harrison is here because he is an asset to help us with the complexities of our parents' lives and their jobs as they relate to the children."
Amanda and Lee nodded. Both looked like they were the ones in trouble!
Mrs. Berman continued, "I just want to say that both Mattie and Jennifer are delightful children. Mattie is such a caring and sweet child. She makes friends with everyone. She is our little 'mother hen' and cares for all the children!"
"That's nice to hear, but you called us in about Jennifer?" Lee asked.
Mrs. Rossi interjected..Yes,you're right. Jennifer is an outgoing child and enjoys interacting with all the children . She has a quite active imagination and likes to take the lead in play situations..and just about any setting.
Both parents gave knowing smiles and nodded in agreement.
Amanda stated "That is definitely Jennifer"
Mrs Berman then took the lead and stated " We are concerned because we wanted to discuss with you and find out how much Jennifer knows about your jobs. One of the reasons Dr. Harrison is here is to advise you on how to handle those subjects."
"Mrs. Berman, JJ doesn't know anything about our jobs as agents! Is that what this is about?" asked Amanda as she looked anxiously at Lee.
Dr. Harrison interjected, "Yes. Mrs. Stetson, as you know the agency recommends not telling your children the real truth about your jobs until they have reached at least 10-12 years of age, depending on the child's emotional maturity."
"Yes, we know, and we are following those guidelines. What makes you think we aren't?" added Lee defensively.
At that time Mrs. Rossi spoke up. "Mr. and Mrs. Stetson, JJ has said some things that have alarmed me. For an example, she has told me that she is a 'Bomber Princess' and that there are lots of explosions going on around her. Do you have any idea what she means by that? I can't seem to get a clear answer from her. She says her Papa says that."
Amanda and Lee laughed, and Amanda gave a relieved sigh.
"Mrs. Rossi, it all has to do with the events of her birth. We always joke that when she was born she was an explosion. I went into labor when my two older boys were having a baseball game and their team is called 'The Bombers.' I actually gave birth in the back of my car because she was 3 weeks early and I thought I was having false labor. So Lee sometimes says she was our little surprise explosion and he calls her his Bomber Princess."
A look of understanding spread out onto the other 3 peoples' faces. "I see! That explains a lot," said Mrs. Rossi. "However, there is more."
"More?" Lee gulped and Amanda said "Ok." Both wore concerned expressions on their faces.
Mrs. Berman continued, "Yes, there is also a matter of guns. JJ says she goes with you to target practice and says that Papa shoots the bad guys into the ground. She also is very fixated on making guns out of all her play toys."
Amanda shot an anxious and irritated look at Lee, but he sat with a bemused expression on his face. Amanda gave a little kick to his ankle to get him to say something. In response, Lee elbowed Amanda and muttered "Ouch!" under his breath and continued rubbing his hair.
Dr. Harrison added "I know as agents you have to use guns frequently of course and that you probably have them at home. So we have found children of agents are in a way desensitized to seeing guns. But again we advise that you limit young children's exposure for their safety and mental health."
Lee responded back "Ah, well, I can explain that one, Dr. Harrison, Mrs. Berman and Mrs. Rossi. First, I do not take her to target practice. When she is a little older I do plan on taking both of my daughters to the range and teaching them how to shoot. But what JJ is referring to is that I take her and her sister to the arcade quite often and she loves those air guns and JJ helps me shoot those little target animals. I call it 'target practice.' The targets have recordings that say insulting kid stuff type of things. Some of the games have gophers or other animals that will disappear into a hole. So I suppose that's what she is referring to."
The three adults again nodded their heads in understanding, and Mrs. Rossi said "Thank you for your help to clarify what Jennifer has tried to share with us."
"Do you think that I should stop taking her and Mattie to the arcade? I never thought it was a bad thing. It's a special time for us together and it gives their mom a break," Lee said pointing to Amanda.
"Thanks, blame me!" Amanda said under her breath.
Dr. Harrison reassured Lee. "Oh no, Mr. Stetson. Your girls need that special bonding time with you and it sounds like they look forward to it, especially Jennifer. You just might want to reinforce that it's all in fun-that those are pretend guns and the targets are not real animals—that it's all make believe."
"Is there anything more we need to be aware of ?" Amanda questioned.
"Yes, there is one more thing," added Mrs. Rossi.
Both Lee and Amanda looked at each other and braced for more.
"JJ seems to like to pretend she is doing karate and likes to surprise the staff and the children. I've tried to talk to her, but she has been having a hard time regulating her impulse control with that."
Lee stifled a laugh as Amanda shot him a disapproving look.
"I'll take this one." Amanda pinched her nose and then stated. "First she does try to surprise us at home as well, and…ah…her father does like to watch reruns of the old tv shows like Kung Fu, the Green Hornet, and The Pink Panther movie. Also, her brothers are taking the karate classes that the Agency offers to children of Agency employees. So I believe that could be where that behavior is coming from. I think Philip and Jamie have taught her some moves...I was going to wait till she was 5 to enroll her because the teacher said that was the best time to start."
Dr. Harrison spoke up, "I think that is wise, Mrs. Stetson, to listen to the teacher, and in the meantime, maybe, Mr. Stetson, you should limit your viewing of those shows to when Jennifer is not around."
Lee nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed. Amanda patted his arm.
Mrs. Rossi then commented and smiled. "This really helps me understand JJ more in the classroom, and I appreciate this insight you have given me about her. I think we have a future agent on our hands, Mr. and Mrs. Stetson! Seems like it's in her blood so to speak."
Lee winked at Amanda and said "See, nothing to worry about! Chip off the ole block!"
"Wonderful," Amanda said dryly.
"The children are getting up from their nap now if you would like to see Jennifer," suggested Mrs. Rossi.
"Thank you for your time," Dr. Harrison and Mrs. Berman said.
"Yes, thank you too," said Amanda as Lee nodded.
They shook hands with the parents and walked out the door as Amanda and Lee then followed Mrs. Rossi to her classroom.
The children were getting up from their naps and were putting their shoes on and folding their nap blankets. Some had already done so and were sitting at the table for their snacks.
When JJ saw her parents she ran up shouting "Mommy and Papa!"
Lee caught her in his arms and held her up to kiss Amanda and then gave her a zerbet kiss on her neck as JJ giggled.
"How is my princess?"
"Bomber Princess, Daddy!" JJ corrected.
Lee looked quickly at Mrs. Rossi who smiled and just nodded.
"Yes, my Bomber Princess always!" Lee assured her, giving her a kiss on her nose.
Author's Note: This story came to me while writing Hidden Betrayal. Also as 40-years a preschool teacher, I can attest to trying to make sense to "stories" that have been told to me by my students. Always after talking to the parent, I understand the complete story! Also in case no one knows what a zerbet kiss is,it is when you place your lips on the skin and blow out making a most unusual funny sound! I also call it a "fart kiss"