Chapter Seven

It was a short drive to the hospital with Mrs. Gilstrap, who insisted she didn't need to go; however, it seemed rather long, considering Mrs. Gilstrap fussed the entire time about how unnecessary the trip was. Even though Amanda was angry with Philip and Jamie, Mrs. Gilstrap wasn't. She kept saying to Amanda that it was an accident and boys would be boys and all that. Amanda thought if she had to hear that one more time, she'd scream, but still, Mrs. Gilstrap could have a worse injury than a slight bump on her elbow from hitting the edge of the coffee table and, that according to the Doctor, would only require a few stitches. Amanda was waiting to hear the final diagnosis and was grateful that Mrs. Gilstrap didn't bump her head and had a concussion instead or something worse. Amanda supposed she could not blame Philip and Jamie too much; they were excited over their win. She would have to think about what, if any, punishment they should receive.

Amanda leaned back in the chair situated next to just outside the room where the nurse and the Doctor were examining Mrs. Gilstrap. As Amanda waited, her thoughts wandered back to the telephone conversation she was having with Dieter when all "Cain" broke out. He was asking her if he couldn't come by for dinner and meet her family. The moment he asked, something in her immediately rejected the idea. Amanda had to consider why exactly she had such a response, especially for someone she was beginning to care for, someone she saw so regularly.

When she was dating Dean, he came by the house early on and things didn't last with him and she didn't want to make the same mistake. Anyway, Dieter was going back to Germany soon and why introduced him to someone that was a short-term relationship? She was having fun with him and as far she could see, why complicate things by having him come in and get involved with the boys and her Mother? Things were going well; Amanda was having some well overdue fun. Dieter was fun, caring and an absolute joy to spend time with.

As all those thoughts came to mind, another question came to mind as well; was she so sure that there wasn't another reason she was prolonging having him come over? Someone else that she'd known longer, that her family didn't even know that was constantly coming by the house, even though they never saw him? Lee was her partner and her best friend and her—

Amanda's thoughts were interrupted when the Doctor came out to let her know that Mrs. Gilstrap did require a few stitches. Several minutes later, Amanda left the emergency room and went to locate a payphone to call her Mother and give her an update.

***SMK SMK SMK***

Lee arrived at the hospital, haphazardly parking his car and he rushed inside the emergency room. Lee frantically scanned the ER until his eyes fell on the security guard that was seated just to the left of the doors, "I'm looking for a young woman that came in here not too long ago; tall, thin."

"Right over there, to the intake reception," Dan, the security guard, according to his name tag, answered, pointing to the right. As Lee stepped to the right, he heard the sliding doors open and close.

Lee mumbled a quick reply of thanks and rushed off in the direction he was instructed to go, to an oak table, divided by a partition, one person on either side of the desk.

"May I help you, Sir?" A nurse who was staffing the desk asked when Lee approached.

Lee repeated his earlier question, but before he could complete the question, he heard a familiar voice with a heavy accent ask, "Do you know what room Amanda King—"

Ah, hell! Lee thought to himself as he glanced over towards the second partition. "What are you doing here, Volkenauer?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing, Stetson!"

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So much for this being a short story! :) LOL.

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Thank you for reading; there is more to come.

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Reviews are very much appreciated!