Truth Be Told

Chapter 6

Lee woke up slowly, smelling coffee. He reached over to the end table near him as he sat up from the couch, and checking his watch, found it was 7:30 A.M.

Yawning, he stood up to stretch, and wandered into the kitchen where he found Amanda pouring two cups of coffee.

As he kissed her cheek and stated warmly, "Good morning," Amanda smiled faintly, and handing him his cream laden cup answered softly, "Morning...Lee, about last night, I-"

But Lee shook his head, and taking her hand replied, "Get your coffee, and we'll talk out here, hmm? We have to be at work soon."

She nodded and following him out, joined him at the dining room table and commented, "Well, here we are."

Lee nodded. "Yeah. Look, before you say anything, I want to apologize first. I was a Class A jerk here last night. I had no right to-"

Amanda sighed. "Yes, but I was far worse at the time. I mean, Mother's never been that upset with me about anything before, and-"

But Lee, putting up a hand to stop her, responded, "Yes, I realize that, and I know I've said this countless times, but if it wasn't for me and this whole damn business, you and your whole family would be fine, Amanda. I've been thinking a lot about this whole thing, and I think the best thing for you to do is to leave the Agency-"

Amanda queried incredulously, "Wh-Why? How is that going to solve anything?"

Lee sighed replying, "Well, you'd all be safer and better off-"

Amanda asked, "Are you forgetting already that we told my family the truth because we want to be together? Unless...You've changed your mind on that score?"

Lee kissed her hand and squeezing it stated softly, "Of course not, Honey, but I don't see an alternative-"

Amanda shrugged. "Fine. Then we break up, and you break in a new partner-"

Lee shook his head remarking, "No way! I'm not gonna be saddled with Francine or Fielder-"

Amanda cut him off answering, "You know Francine, and you're friends-"

Lee nodded as he caressed her cheek, "Yes, and she's an excellent agent, but she's not you. No one there has the unique mind set you do. I wasn't lying to your mom about that."

Just then, the phone rang, and looking at the time, Lee winced. "Damn! We're gonna be late. Billy's probably having a cow."

Answering the phone, Lee remarked, "Stetson."

It was Phillip. "Hi, Lee. Can I talk to Mom, please?"

Lee nodded. "Sure. Hold on."

Handing the receiver to Amanda, he stated, "Phillip."

Amanda puzzled, commented, "Phillip? I thought you boys left for school already! Is Grandma there?"

Nodding to Lee, Amanda replied, "Fine. Put her on, please, and then you and Jamie go outside and wait for me. I will take you to school."

Amanda sighed as she listened, "Yes, I love you, too. No, I promise we'll be okay. Now, both of you get your things together and I'll be there shortly."

Then Dotty got on answering firmly, "Good morning, Amanda. I'm sorry. I didn't know Jamie had called you last night, or that Phillip had called you this morning. They're obviously worried about us. Would you like to settle this?"

Swallowing as she gripped Lee's hand, she answered, "Y-Yes, Mother, I would. Let me get the boys to school and then I'll be back to talk. See you soon."

Hanging up, Amanda gulped to Lee. "W-Well, Mother wants to talk. But since the boys are late, I have to swing by...Shoot! I forgot I don't have my car! Well, I'll catch a cab home and then take them to school and then I'll see Mother. Would you let Mr. Melrose know?"

The phone rang again and Lee sighed. " Yeah. that's probably him calling now."

Answering, Lee replied, "Stetson."

It was Francine. "You're lucky Billy had an early meeting with Smyth. You and Amanda better high tail it in here soon before-"

Just then, it was Billy's voice Lee heard as he responded curtly, "Smyth wants you and Mrs. King in my office ASAP. And it's not a suggestion, it's an order!"

Lee then held the receiver away as Billy loudly hung up!

Amanda, seeing Lee's concerned face asked, "What's the matter?"

Lee swallowed and commented, "I really don't know...Smyth must have a hornet's nest in his butt this morning! Okay, let me call a cab. You head home, take the kids to school, and I'll see you at work."

Amanda nodded, "Right," as she took their coffee cups to the kitchen.

Lee shook his head. "No, forget all that, please? just get your stuff and go. I'll handle the rest here..."

As Amanda kissed him and left quickly with her things, Lee called the cab company, giving the apartment complex address, and then called Dotty.

When she answered, Lee stated, "Hi, Mrs. West, it's Lee. Amanda is on her way, but I'm afraid she's needed at work after she takes the boys to school."

Sighing, Lee remarked, "Why? Because our department head wants a meeting with Amanda and me as soon as she gets to work-"

Lee shook his head as Dotty went on about interruptions and schedules and cut in answering abruptly, "Mrs. West, please! I don't have time right now to discuss this, but I promise that I will have Amanda call you at the first opportunity! Goodbye!"

Hanging up, Lee went to rinse out the coffee cups and turned off the machine muttering to himself, "Amanda, I love you, but your mother is a piece of work," as he went to grab his tie and jacket and keys quickly and headed out his front door that morning...

TBC