Chapter 3
*See part 1 for disclaimer
Amanda yelled upstairs. I'm leaving.
Hey, mom, Jamie yelled from the top of the landing where he was joined by his brother. Can we go out and shovel snow to make some money?
Phillip joined in. He owes me a bundle. They both ran down the steps to await their mother's answer.
Oh, I don't see why not. she answered to cheers of and We're gonna be rich. Just make sure you stay warm, she added.
And don't ask Mrs. Wyrick for fifty dollars like you did the last time, Dotty appeared in the doorway of the family room.
Amanda chuckled, Oh yeah, let's limit the price to..., she thought for a minute, Three dollars a drive way. How about that? she questioned.
Three dollars, Phillip whined. Aww mom, that's nothing.
Phillip, the driveways around here aren't that big. Three dollars or I say no, Amanda looked sternly into the eyes of her older son.
Oh, Alright, Phillip sounded disgusted.
Good, now that's settled give me hug, both of you, she said holding her arms open.
Jamie gladly walked over to embrace his mother. Bye mom, have a good day, be careful.
Phillip was more reluctant. Bye mom. Yeah, have a good day.
Amanda knew that her oldest son thought he was getting too old for hugs, so she sadly reached out with her free arm and rustled his hair. Awww, mom, was his reply.
To old for that too, I guess,' Amanda sighed to herself, thinking back to the time, not so long ago, when both boys would run down the stairs when she left to make sure she had a big enough hug to last the whole day.
You boys be careful shoveling driveways, she yelled as they ran into the family room to get their coats and hats, and disappeared out the back door.
Phillip stuck his head back inside. Hey, mom. Don't forget to remind Lee that he owes me five dollars.
Oh, I won't. I don't think he's forgotten, she yelled back, as Phillip once again disappeared out the back door.
Dotty began, looking worridly out the front door. I wish you wouldn't go in today. Those streets are bad.
Mother, we live on a side street. You know we're always the last to get plowed out. I'm sure the main streets are fine, Amanda tried to ease her concern.
Why don't you call Lee back and tell him you won't be in today, Dotty looked back at her daughter who was buttoning her coat.
Amanda looked up curiously, Call him back? she questioned, raising her eyebrows.
Yes dear, Dotty answered. He was the one on the phone at 6:30 this morning wasn't he?
Amanda didn't answer, but her shy smile told all.
I thought so, Dotty laughed. I'm sure he'll understand.
Yes, he would, mother. He told me to stay home today, Amanda returned looking over he shoulder as she headed for the door.
Well, there you go, Dotty looked relieved.
But, I have a lot of work to finish at IFF, so I told him I'd be in, Amanda said.
Dotty began.
Mother, I'll be fine. I'll see you tonight, Amanda reassured her mother with a loving hug, and with that she was out the door, pulling her scarf closer around her neck to keep out the cold.
Amanda maneuvered her Jeep out of the driveway and slowly down the unplowed expanse of Maplewood Drive, and the side streets of her neighborhood. She turned onto Symms Ave. only to find that it wasn't much better. Well,' she thought to herself, after the drive that only took fifteen minutes began to take much longer, The turn off for the George Washington Parkway isn't far away. It's got to be better up there. I'm sure it'll be fine over in D.C.' With that Amanda tightened her grip on the steering wheel and continued slowly on her journey to work, and to her husband.
****TBC****