Chapter four

It was Saturday morning and Robert Clayton was seated at the breakfast table, coffee, eggs and toast in front of him. He was dressed in the outfit he arrived in the night before, but you wouldn't know it to look at it. Hanging up his uniform and running hot water in the shower did wonders, and the uniform was still looking pretty damn good if Robert were to say so himself. Taking another bite of food, he turned towards the bedroom where Lee was still sleeping off last night's events of too much alcohol.

Robert thought about waking Lee up, but he felt rather sorry for him after seeing him in such anguish. As Robert savored each bite, he thought about what he should do next. Glancing at the clock, he could see that he was more than on time; he was used to getting up early and his meeting wasn't for a while yet.

Perhaps the best thing to do was to let Lee sleep it off a little longer. If he had to, he'd cancel his meeting. It was the least he could do if the boy needed him, and for once, Lee might let Robert help him though he doubted it. There was only one way to find out and there was always a first time for everything.

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Amanda awakened to the sounds of the boys calling her name from the hallway, her mother's voice chiming in. "Hmm! What is it?" Amanda mumbled, sitting up quickly, momentarily disorientated as she looked around the room. Then as recognition hit her, she let out a loud, "Oh my gosh!"

"Yes, oh my gosh indeed, Amanda!" Dotty said as she opened Amanda's door. "I'm sorry to intrude, Dear, but I have been calling you from outside your door and you didn't answer so I knocked and still nothing, so I came in.

"It's okay, Mother! I guess I overslept."

"I would say so! You get dressed. The boys and I are ready. I made you some coffee; I can drive while you eat the toast I fixed you. You can bring the coffee with you. Now hurry."

"Thanks, Mother!"

"You must've gotten in rather late," Dotty commented as she and Amanda left the bedroom. "I went to bed early; I had a migraine."

"No, I came in early actually but had a difficult time of it, sleeping last night."

"Oh? Is anything wrong? Didn't you have a good time with Dieter?"

"No, I came home early so I could, ironically enough, get up to help get the boys up."

"Oh, that's good. I mean that there wasn't a problem with your date, that is."

"No, Mother, everything was—" Amanda began but paused at the sight of the boys coming out of their rooms. "Morning, boys!"

"Good morning!" Jamie and Philip said in unison.

"You can tell me all about it later. We'll meet you in the car."

"Okay."

After splashing cold water on her face, Amanda quickly dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, snatched up her coffee and toast and met them in the car.

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Tell her Mother all about things? There was a refreshing thought. It had been some time since she could confide in her mother like she used to, but what in the world would she say to her? As Amanda gave the question some thought, she remained quiet during the ride to the game.

"Amanda, you were awfully quiet during the ride," Dotty said as they reached the baseball field. "Everything okay?"

"Oh yes, just thinking," Amanda replied.

"Thinking about what? Do you need to go home? The boys and I would understand if you are sick."

"Mother, I am fine and I am not sick."

Dotty shrugged her shoulders. "Okay, if you say so." They got out of the car and headed towards the baseball field.

"Thanks for being worried about me, though."

"Of course, Dear. I'm supposed to worry; you are my daughter, my only daughter at that."

Amanda smiled as she and the boys headed towards the little league dugout.

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Lee awakened and slowly opened his eyes as he fought against the pain coursing up his neck's spine to the top of his head. He peered towards the closed bedroom door that he never shut unless he had an overnight guest, and even then, he left a crack so he could hear more quickly if someone were attempting to get in his apartment. As he became a little more awake, Lee could swear he could smell eggs, bacon, and coffee. Coffee, yes! He could certainly use some coffee, but who in God's name would be in his apartment? And how did the door get closed? Who was he with last night? Lee crept up slowly, listening for familiar sounds as he did so, trying to figure out who the woman was as he went. Reaching for his revolver in the nightstand, Lee groaned as another pain hit him. Leaning forward with the gun just behind him, Lee opened the door a crack. Ah, shit! Lee hissed quietly, seeing his uncle crossing the living room floor. What in the hell was he doing there? And who was he with last—Suddenly, he remembered, Mindi! But why was the colonel— Oh, damn!

"Lee, my boy, are you up?"

"Yes, I'm up," Lee grumbled, putting his gun away and began to get up, but the realization that he only had on his underwear and his shirt, Lee reclosed the door and frantically looked around for clothes to put on.

"Come out and join me for some breakfast. I finished mine, but I can sit with you and have some more coffee."

"I'm coming! I'm getting dressed," Lee grumbled as he got dressed and then stumbled towards the kitchen, placing his hand on his head to avoid the brightness of the lights as he sat down.

"Morning, Lee! Glad to see you're finally up."

"Good morning, Sir! What are you doing here? I mean—"

"I know exactly what you mean. I brought you home after, but I bet you don't remember much about last night."

As Lee sat down, he searched his mind some more. "Did I get a drink thrown in my face?"

"Yes, yes you did."

"I don't remember why, though, she was upset about something."

Lee poured himself some coffee and reluctantly took a bite of the toast. He knew arguing with his uncle that he didn't eat breakfast was a moot point. Just like he can never get it into a certain brunette's head, that breakfast just wasn't his thing. Brunette! Lee nearly spit out the toast he'd just managed to swallow down.

"What's wrong with you?" Robert asked, trying not to smirk. From the look on Lee's face, he remembered something.

"Yes, everything is fine."

"Well, let me enlighten you with the little bit I know. From where I was sitting, you and the young woman, a pretty little thing, were having a difference of opinion. She wasn't happy with you at all; that much was certain. You had a few words; then she threw a drink in your face. Shortly after that, she left."

"Why were you at the restaurant?" Lee asked, running a hand through his hair. Lee tried to listen as his uncle explained how he was in town for a meeting and how he had attempted reaching him. He also told Lee how intoxicated he was and thought it best to bring them home in a cab.

"Then where is my—"

"Already taken care of for you. Lee, I know how much you love your car. I happen to know someone, one of my men that was here for the meeting as well and he picked it up for you and brought it back just a few minutes ago."

"Thank you," Lee knew better than to argue the point any further. Besides the fact that his head was hurting like hell, his car was already at his apartment. There wasn't anything he could do about it now; Lee just hoped that it was in one piece, with no scratches or dents.

"Now that we've discussed what happened last night, I have a more pressing matter to discuss with you."

What could be as pressing as his car? Lee thought to himself but asked instead, "Sir, what is it?"

"Lee, is there trouble between you and Amanda?" Robert asked, scooting his chair closer towards Lee's as though they were about to share military secrets or something.

"Well, about that, Sir!" Lee's shirt was beginning to feel hot; sweat was perspiring on his forehead. "Sir, I need to tell you something."

"Yes."

"Well, the fact is that Amanda and I aren't dating exactly; she is just someone from my work. I asked her to do me a favor; wait…what's so funny?" Lee asked as he looked up to find his uncle laughing like he'd never seen him laugh before. Hell, he didn't even know that he could laugh.

"Don't you think I know that? Didn't I live with you for most of your life?"

"Then I'm confused. What do you mean?"

"Well, I have eyes in my head, don't I? It Looked to me that night that there could be something between you. She seemed like a wonderful woman and someone that well; that would be good for you. And I tell you this; I think you would do her a world of good too."

"I—ugh, well—"

Robert glanced down at his watch. "Unless you want me to stay, I have a meeting to go to."

"That won't be necessary."

"I am supposed to leave tonight, but I'd love to come back and have dinner with you since I missed having it with you last night."

Lee opened his mouth to say no, but said instead, "Sure." He remembered the last time he was there, how Amanda had talked to them about spending more time together. And so far, they'd not done that.

Gulping down some more coffee, Lee's uncle left, leaving Lee perplexed by his uncle's statement. Now why in the world would he ask Lee if there was trouble, especially since he knew they weren't dating?

"Oh, Lee, I forgot my wallet," Robert said, poking his head back in the door. "Just tell Amanda already that you're in love with her."

"What?" Lee asked, placing his hand to his pounding head, standing up. Damn, where are those aspirins!?

"I'll see you later tonight," And with that, his uncle was out the door.

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More to come!

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