Chapter 2
*See part 1 for disclaimer
Four to eight more inches of the white stuff are expected to fall on the metro area before noon, with a one hundred percent chance of snowfall in D.C., Virginia, and Maryland over night tonight. Looks like we'll be snowed in for some time, Gill.
Oh, Damn, Lee grumbled as the voice from the clock radio awoke him from a wonderful dream of his wife. He slowly opened his eyes, and ran his hands through his hair. I can't be with her, and now I can't even dream about her. Slowly the scowl turned to a smile, as he thought of how beautiful his wife was waking up next to him in the morning. He frowned again as he looked at the clock and realize that at this very minute Amanda too was waking up alone, and he knew that at this very minute she too was miserable.
Thanks, Maria. I hope everyone has plenty of salt and shovels. This one looks like a doozy. It's coming up on six thirty in the AM. We'll be right back, after these words, with the latest school closings and delays, and weather with meteorologist Dean McGuire.
Lee had to smile to himself. I wonder how old Dan is doing these days,' he thought. It doesn't matter. I'm doing much better. I've got Amanda, and he's still doing the weather.' A smile crossed over Lee's lips as he thought to himself about how Dan had never been good enough for a woman like Amanda, and about how happy the two of them were now.
Lee slowly sat up in bed, and began to toss the blankets aside. Well, nothing like a little surprise visit to your wife's house in the morning,' he thought to himself, as he threw his legs over the side of the bed, and sat in the dark listening to the Marvelous Marvin commercial play beside him.
Lee sat on the edge of his bed, yawning and stretching, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, and regretting more than ever the mystery marriage that had seemed like such a good idea just a year before. You should be here with me,' Lee thought as he glanced over to the picture of Amanda that he kept beside his bed. It was now illuminated by the soft red glow of the alarm clock. He reached over and picked up the picture, tilting it toward the clock to see his gorgeous wife better. He hadn't told her that he said good morning and good night to that picture every time they were apart. He didn't know that Amanda did the same thing with the picture of him that she kept beside her pillow.
Are all on a one hour delay... the voice from the radio chimed into his thoughts. The following schools are all on a two hour delay; Annadale Local School District is on a two hour delay, Engleside, Franconia, and Groveton City Schools on Virginia are all on a two hour delay.
Hmm, sounds bad out. Lee placed the picture back down on the nightstand and slowly crossed the room to look out the window. The ground was covered with a white blanket, much thicker than the one that had been there last night when he got home from dinner at Amanda's.
These schools are closed in Virginia. The announcer continued, as Lee turned his head toward the glowing red numbers of the clock radio.
Arlington City Schools...Closed, Arlington Exempted Schools Closed, Arlington Parochial...
Well, there will be two very happy boys in Arlington today, he laughed as he thought of what Phillip and Jamie's reactions would be as they bounded down the stairs to see that their prayers had been answered. He thought back to the night before, as the predicted snow started to fall. Phillip was positive they would get a snow day, but Jamie reminded him that they hadn't had one in two years, and every time Phillip said he was positive they would have one, he it for everybody.
Lee laughed a little louder this time, thinking of how he and Jamie both owed Phillip five dollars. He had taken Jamie's side in the debate, and it would cost him now. How does that boy do it? He wins everything?' he thought, shaking his head, and looking back out the window. His thoughts turned again to his wife, and how much he wanted to spend a morning like this snuggled under the blankets with only her to keep him warm.
Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed through his mind, and he looked at the clock to make sure he could still pull it off. He knew Amanda, and he knew she would probably push the snooze button a couple of times on a day like today. But, if he were lucky....
I may not be able to see her this morning, but maybe I can catch her before she falls back to sleep. He walked quickly over to night table, and picked up the phone. His finger flew over the buttons as he punched in the numbers that were more familiar to him than his own.
Bringggg, Bringggg...
Come, on Amanda, pick it up before it wakes up the whole house, he whispered, perched anticipatingly on the edge of his bed.
Bringggg...
the sweet sleepy sound of his wife drifted softly over the receiver. A smile crept over Lee Stetson's face as he listened to the lovely voice of his Amanda.
Good morning, beautiful, he replied into the receiver.
Good morning to you too, Amanda breathed into the phone I'm glad you called. I was feeling lonely over here.
Same here, he paused. I wanted to wake up with you in my arms this morning, but I guess I'll have to settle for just hearing your voice, Lee sounded very disappointed.
Amanda's end of the line was very quiet, but she finally broke the silence by changing the subject. So, is it bad over there?
It's always bad when you're not here, he teased knowing exactly what she was asking about.
Lee, I mean the weather, Amanda tried to sound exasperated, but wanted to laugh.
Oh, the weather. Yeah, it looks like it snowed about a foot over here, and it's still coming down, Lee answered her question. How is it over there?
I haven't been out of bed to see, it's too cold. I would have loved it if someone where here to keep to me warm, she whispered, trying to keep her voice down in case the phone call had awakened anyone in the house.
Ummm, who did you have in mind? he asked her with a smile in his voice that she could hear over the phone.
Oh, I was sort of thinking of my wonderful husband, but I don't think he's going to make it this morning, she stretched as she spoke.
Lee wished more than anything that he were there with her. He loved to tease her in the morning as she stretched by putting his cold hands on her warm, bare skin making her jump. He closed his eyes in frustration thinking of what would have happened next.
Believe me, he finally spoke again. Your husband wishes he were there just as much as his wife does.
A silence once again enveloped the distance between them, and they both sat in the darkness just listening to each other breathe over the receivers until Lee spoke again. When he did he sounded like a defeated man.
Amanda, we have to talk about this whole stupid mystery marriage, he began.
I know..., Amanda began in a low voice, only to be cut off by her husband's voice.
That was the worst idea I ever had. Why didn't you try to talk me out of it? I think I was sort of hoping that you would, he confessed.
Lee, we did it for mother and the boys. If the wrong people found out about us... well, it sounded like a good idea at the time, she knew she was saying what he wanted to hear.
And now? he questioned.
And now, I just want to wake up on a cold winter morning in a warm bed with you, instead of an extra blanket, Amanda replied, absently running her hand back and forth across the pillow that would have been on Lee's side of the bed, if he were there.
Amanda, I want everyone to know that you are my wife. Damn it, do you know what it's like to walk through the halls with you at work, and watch other men look at you, and I can't say anything... can't do anything. I want them to know that you're off limits, he raised his voice along with his anger.
Well, as a matter of fact I do. It's probably a lot like watching the women watch you walk by. You don't know how many times I've just wanted to stop right in front of the them, and give you a kiss they'd never forget. Her voice was getting louder too, but she remembered her mother and the boys sleeping just down the hall, and did her best to remain calm.
Lee hadn't noticed any of those women in a very long time. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he'd even thought of another woman besides Amanda, but he knew it was long before he had ever admitted his feeling to her. I'm sorry, I didn't realize that this secrecy was affecting you the same way at work. I only look at one woman at work, and I want to do more than look at her. But, I do see what it does to you at home. I hate it that because of me your mother and the boys can't share in our happiness. He sounded very sad.
It's not just because of you, she comforted him. I agreed to the mystery marriage, don't forget. I'm just as much to blame.
Again there was silence on the phone.
What are we going to do, Amanda. We can't go on like this for much longer. I feel like we're having an affair, not a marriage. Don't get me wrong I'm grateful for what ever time I can spend with you, but it's not enough. I want you all the time, he sighed.
I know, she sighed too. I hate it that you're not here with us. You should be.
I want to be. You are all my family, Amanda, he growled into the phone, and Amanda could here the pain in his voice.
Then things have to change, she replied, although she wasn't telling him anything he didn't already know.
Yes, they do, he almost yelled into the phone, until he remembered who he was talking to, and lowered his voice.
But how, and at what cost? Amanda put into words what Lee could not.
I don't know, he answered her honestly. But I do intent to make this a real marriage, I promise you that, Amanda Stetson.
I'm counting on it, she laughed into the phone, but Lee could not see the worry in her eyes, and once again silence reigned over the phone line.
Lee spoke first again. What are your plans for the day, now that you have two boys who have the day off?
Oh, you heard that, she chuckled into the phone.
Yeah I thought I'd listen to the school closings today. I had a lot of money riding on it, he laughed.
You lost too, Amanda laughed again.
Don't remind me, he replied. I'll never live this one down.
Well, if it's any consolation, you and Jamie are in the same boat, except poor Jamie will have to borrow the money. He's broke. He never wins a bet with his brother, Amanda sounded sad for her younger son.
Well, that's another thing we'll have in common, Lee replied, as they both laughed.
Anyway, I thought I'd come in and finish those reports, and then stop over at your place. I thought my husband might like a nice warm dinner on a cold day like today. Besides, we have a lot of things to talk about, Amanda reminded her husband.
Yeah, we do, he agreed. Hopefully we can come up with some sort of plan about his whole thing. But listen, it's too bad out. I don't want you coming all the way over here in this weather.
Lee, may I remind you that we took my car to go skiing last year. Remember it will go through anything, she stated seriously.
Yeah, well, I'd just feel better knowing your were at home, safe and warm, he sounded worried.
Oh Lee, I'll be fine. I've driven in worse than this. Besides, I'm a good driver, she reminded him.
You are? he questioned, trying to hide a laugh.
Be quiet, Amanda said seriously, It's usually the passenger who gets me into trouble.
Lee laughed at her remark, and began to protest again, but he was silenced by Amanda.
Lee, I'll be fine, and I'll drive slow. I promise, she teased, glancing over at the clock, that now said 7:30. she continued. I'll never get there if I don't get off the phone.
Lee laughed again. OK, if I have to. I'll see you in a little bit. You be careful, coming into work. I love you.
I'll be careful, she began, and she smiled as she finished, I love you too. I'll see you in a few minutes.
Lee replied, and stayed on the line until he heard her receiver click down.
Both of them sat on the edges of their beds on opposite sides of town studying the carpets, and exhaling deeply.
*****TBC*****