Chapter 19

Surprised by Dotty's question, Lee and Amanda stood frozen like two deer caught in the headlights. Dotty, on the other hand, proud of her question, waited patiently for them to say something, anything.

After what seemed like a million minutes but in actuality was only a few seconds, Amanda took a deep breath and finally spoke up, "Mother, why don't you follow us? Then we can sit and have a little chat while the boys are swimming. They're probably going crazy waiting for us to get into the pool."

"I think that's a very good idea." Dotty raised her finger to make a point. "As long as you promise, everything you tell me will be the truth."

"Yes, Mother."

Dotty nodded and walked towards the stairs while Lee and Amanda stayed back a little. Lee grabbed Amanda's elbow. "Honey, what are we going to tell her? Don't you think we should have a plan?"

"Sweetheart, we don't need a plan. We're going to tell her the truth. I think she can handle it. Besides, I think she already knows we aren't being completely honest with all of the subtle hints she's been dropping. "

"Okay. You're right. I knew this day would come. I just wish it was a little later."

"Maybe it's better it's happening now. She can help keep the boys safe when we're away."

Lee nodded as they both headed upstairs to face the music.

As Lee held open the patio door for Amanda, they heard Dotty's raised voice. "No! You're just going to have to wait. They were both right behind me and will be here any second."

"Come on, Grandma. You're here to watch us. We don't have to wait for them, do we?" Philip whined.

Lee and Amanda just grinned at one another as they proceeded to the pool area. "That's enough bugging your grandmother. We're here," Amanda announced.

The boys cheered and ran for the pool. Amanda abruptly stopped them. "Whoa! Wait a minute, fellas. We need to go over the rules."

The boys grumbled but stopped in their tracks. "First, no running. You have to be careful because you can fall and hit your head. Second, be careful of your roughhousing. Remember, you're in water, and things can get away from you faster than you think. And last, have fun."

"Can we please get in now?" Jamie pleaded.

"Yes. We're just going to be right over there, so if you need anything, just yell."

The boys acknowledged with a nod and quickly headed for the water as the adults made their way over to the outdoor fireplace.

Amanda positioned herself to keep an eye on the boys as Lee and Dotty took their seats. No one wanted to make eye contact while everyone's hands were fidgeting, waiting for someone to take the lead.

Amanda took a cleansing breath. "Mother, Lee, and I need to talk to you about our jobs. As you know, Lee and I work for IFF."

Dotty nodded as Amanda continued, "Lee is not a film director, and I'm not his assistant. IFF does make documentary films, just not as many as you think."

Amanda stumbled for words as Lee jumped out of his chair. He began to pace back and forth while rubbing his thumb and fingers together. Dotty glanced over to see the worry on his face.

"IFF is a cover company, Mother. You see, we don't want anyone to know exactly what we do. It needs to be kept a secret. To keep everyone safe."

"Amanda, dear. What on earth are you talking about? A cover company, secrecy, and keeping who safe?" Dotty's hand covered her gasp. "Oh, please, don't tell me you're involved with the mob?"

"No, Mother. We are not in the mob." Amanda peered over Dotty's shoulder. "Philip, do not do that to your brother."

Lee reached for his chair, pulled it close to Dotty, and quickly sat down. Talking softly so the boys couldn't hear him, "Mom. I'm an intelligence operative."

Dotty laughed off his comment but soon stopped when she noticed he wasn't laughing. She eyed Amanda, and in a loud whisper, she gasped, "Are you telling me you're a spy?"

"Well, I've never cared for that word, but yes, I am. A secret one."

Dotty's eyes widened as she scanned Lee and Amanda's faces. She took some time to comprehend what she had just heard. Finally, she turned to Amanda. "Amanda, dear, are you a...a...a—."

"Yes, Mother. I'm a spy, too. Well, not actually a full-time one. Kind of a spy-in-training. But Lee is helping me along the way."

Dotty leaned back in her chair and gazed up at the sky. Lee and Amanda shared a look, wondering if she was all right. After several minutes, Amanda asked, "Mother, are you okay?"

Dotty raised her head along with an eyebrow. "You just told me you're both spies, and you're asking me if I'm okay?! No, I'm not okay. I mean, I knew you weren't being truthful with me, but I had no idea you were going to tell me you were a spy. I mean…" Dotty threw her hands up and rolled back her eyes. "Maybe in my wildest dreams. But a spy, Amanda? Are you kidding me?"

"Can we stop using the word spy? We're intelligence operatives or secret agents. Anything but spy," Lee hissed as his jaw twitched. Realizing his anger was taking over, he took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to react like that."

Amanda reached for his hand, her touch instantly calming him. She turned to Dotty. "Mother, you're awfully quiet. Can you please say something?"

"What would you like me to say, Amanda? That I'm happy you're both sp— I mean special agents. How am I supposed to react?"

Lee softly touched Dotty's shoulder and sincerely looked into her eyes. "Mom, Amanda couldn't tell you because we told her not to. She hated every minute of it, but It was for everyone's safety."

Dotty's shoulders slumped as she dropped her chin to her chest and a solitary tear spilled down her cheek.

"Mom, Pops, Grandma! Did you see that cannonball? The water went everywhere," Philip exclaimed as he hurried to where they were sitting.

Dotty, realizing she didn't want her grandson to see her this way, quickly swept the tear from her cheek and smiled. "No, Philip, I missed it. Can you do it again?"

"Absolutely! Make sure you're watching." Dotty nodded as Philip quickly walked back to the side of the pool. He glanced back towards the adults. "Are you watching?"

"Yes, dear. I can see you."

Philip plunged into the pool, and the water splashed everywhere. He popped back above the surface with a smile on his face so big, you would've thought he just won gold in the Olympics. "Whaddaya think? Wasn't that awesome?"

"Just fabulous, Philip," Dotty cheered. She slowly twisted back to Lee and Amanda. The silence was so strong you could hear a pin drop.

"Mom, I know you probably have a lot of questions, and we will answer all that we can. But why don't we table this discussion for a little while and enjoy the rest of the night we have at the new house?"

"I think that's a great idea, sweetheart. Mother, the boys are going to be starving soon. Will you come help me with supper, and Lee can stay out here with the boys and start the grill?"

"Of course, dear. I think I need a little more time to process everything anyway." Dotty took off towards the house without another word.

Amanda shrugged her shoulders and started after her. Lee quickly stopped Amanda, placed his hand on her chin to comfort her, and said, "It's all going to be alright. I promise." Lee then leaned over and lovingly placed a chaste kiss onto her lips.

Amanda strolled into the kitchen not knowing what she was walking into. Dotty was pulling items out of the fridge. "Darling, do you want baked beans with the hamburgers, or do you just want to have chips?"

"Just chips, Mother. Lee doesn't care for beans."

"How do you know he doesn't like beans? We've never had them before."

Amanda started to come up with an excuse in her head and then remembered. "Mother, I know from one of our cases. But that is all I can tell you."

Dotty responded with a bitter smile. "Well, okay. Chips it is."

The women spent the next few minutes preparing the hamburgers and gathering everything needed for their supper in silence. Each task was achieved in perfect tandem. Where one would leave off, the other would pick right up.

Dotty roughly placed the tray of glasses on the counter, causing them to rattle. Startled, Amanda quickly asked, "Mother, is there something you would like to ask me?"

Dotty closed her eyes and took a calming breath. "Amanda? Well...do you? Have you? Oh, I don't even know how to ask this. Yes, we agreed we'd discuss this later, but there is just something I have to know, or I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight."

Dotty stared Amanda directly in the eyes. "Do you carry guns? And have you ever had to shoot someone?"

Amanda's body slumped with her question but quickly recovered when she realized she needed to be brutally honest with her mother. She approached her and placed her hands on her shoulders. "Mother, Lee has been doing this job for over ten years. Yes, he carries a gun. And yes, he has had to shoot people in self-defense. Unfortunately, some of those have died."

Dotty gasped as Amanda continued, "And Lee has been shot as well. It's a dangerous job but can also be very rewarding at times. To know you had something to do with saving a lot of lives is quite satisfying."

"I thought I knew the answer to that question before I asked it, but I had to ask. Has he ever kept his gun in our house?"

"No, Mother. He has either left it at work, his apartment, or he's kept it locked up hidden in his car. The only time it was in our house was when he changed right after work, but he took it out to his car as soon as he was done."

"Well, it sounds like he's been very responsible."

"He has, Mother. His first thoughts are always of you and the boys." Amanda sweetly smiled at Dotty. "You do understand the boys are way too young to know about any of this?" Dotty nodded. "We will eventually tell them but not until they're older."

"Good. I was worried about that. But you haven't answered my question completely."

Amanda scowled as Dotty raised an eyebrow. Amanda grinned in acknowledgment. "No, Mother. I don't carry a gun, and no, I haven't shot anyone." Dotty sighed in relief. "But, Mother, they are training me, and when I become a full-time agent, I will be required to carry one."

"Good. Thank you for being honest with me. Now, we better get this out to our men before they start eating the furniture."