Truth Be Told

Chapter 1

Now that Jamie knew of his mother's real profession, and had inadvertently met Lee because of being kidnapped with him, it was time for Lee to meet the other two members of Amanda's family.

Amanda and Lee had just come from having dinner that evening, and she led Lee inside her home calling out, "Mother? Boys? I'm home."

Dotty came out to the foyer to greet Amanda and noticing Lee, stated, "Hello, Amanda, Mr. Stetson."

Taking Dotty's hand, he shook it answering with a smile. " It's nice to see you again, Mrs. West. Please call me Lee."

Amanda queried, "Mother, where are the boys?"

Dotty shrugged. "They had words of some sort. Phillip is in the treehouse, and Jamie is watching television in the den..."

Amanda, glancing at Lee, remarked with a sigh, "Okay, well, let's head into the family room, alright? We have something to talk to you and Phillip about."

As they all walked into the kitchen, Dotty asked, " Would either of you care for a drink?"

They both replied, "No, thank you," and Lee looking at Amanda remarked, "Why don't I go talk to Jamie, and you see if Phillip will come in."

Amanda nodded responding to Dotty, "Um, Mother, we'll be just a moment here..."

As Dotty watched the two go in different directions, she shrugged thinking to herself as she went to get a serving tray and cups and saucers out, I'll make tea anyway. Sounds like it will be serious.

Lee knocked on the den door and greeted Jamie, "Hey, Ace. How are you doing?"

Jamie shrugged with a sigh turning off the TV, "Oh, hi, Lee. Okay, I guess. Except for having Phillip around-"

Lee shook his head as he joined Jamie on the couch, "Aw, c'mon! He's your brother. What's the problem?"

Jamie replied, "He doesn't want me talking about you. But he doesn't even know you! He's such a dweeb-"

Lee putting a hand up responded, "Hey, by the way, I happened to hear from your mom about your bragging to Phillip about me, and I need you to stop, ok?"

Jamie asked, "Why? It's the truth-"

Lee stated with a gesture, "Some of it is, but there's a lot of it that you just don't get, alright? Anyway, your mom and I have to talk to your brother and grandmother about the situation as it is, so we need you to cool it, huh? C'mon, let's head to the family room now..."

Meanwhile, Amanda, out in the backyard, called up to Phillip, who was in the treehouse, "Phillip? Can you come down now, please? I brought Mr. Stetson back with me and we have something to talk to you and your grandmother about, okay?"

But Phillip looked down at her and shook his head commenting sullenly, "I'm not going anywhere near the doofus-"

Amanda, clearing her throat stated firmly then, "Phillip Thomas, Jamie is your brother, and you will come into the house, and you will apologize."

Phillip answered loudly with a gesture, "Why should I? If Junior's so big on Mr. Stetson, then have him live with his hero! It's about time I had my own room, anyway!"

Amanda tiredly shook her head commenting as she pointed to the area where she was standing, " Phillip King! You get yourself down here right now, Young Man! Not another word. Is that clear?"

As Phillip begrudgingly came down the treehouse ladder remarking with a sigh shrugging, "Fine..."

He queried, "What's his deal with Mr. Stetson anyway?"

Amanda put a hand on Phillip's arm responding gently, " Look, Honey. I know you're upset with Jamie right now, but I promise it will make sense after Lee and I talk to you all inside, alright? Now, come with me, please."

As Amanda came in through the French doors with Phillip a moment later, she saw tea on the coffee table in the family room, and that Lee was seated in the wing chair, while Jamie was seated on the couch next to Dotty.

Dotty answered to Lee and Amanda, "Well, now that we're here, what's this all about?"

Amanda clearing her throat as she gestured to Phillip to sit down as well, and after Phillip seated himself on the other side of Dotty on the couch, she began with asking, "Uh, just a minute, Mother. Boys? Don't you have something to say to each other?"

Phillip and Jamie, looked at one another and quietly stated, "Sorry."

Amanda shrugged realizing that it was better than nothing at this point, and glancing at Lee and then Dotty stated, " Okay. It's about the family trip we were going to take...When Jamie got sick, I had you two go on ahead to Uncle Herman's. Remember, Mother?"

Dotty nodded. "Yes, Dear, I remember. What about it?"

Amanda swallowed and commented, "Well, it's about the night before Jamie and I were going to leave to meet you. When Jamie was feeling better..."

TBC