Chapter 5
*See chapter 1 for disclaimer
Two hours, three cups of coffee, and two aspirins later Lee was once again back in the Q Bureau, and there was still no sign of Amanda. He tried yet a third time to get through to her house. This time he was rewarded by the phone ringing.
Dotty's cheerful voice eased his worry, but only slightly.
Dotty, is Amanda there? Lee asked, trying to say the words in his calmest, cheeriest voice.
Dotty's voice sounded questioning. No, she left for work over two hours ago. Isn't she there? Lee could hear the worry start to rise in her voice, and it matched his own.
He took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. Uh, no she hasn't shown up yet. At least I haven't seen her.
Lee, she should be there by now, Dotty breathed into the phone.
Yeah, I know, he answered back, and stood on the phone in silence.
Lee continued, trying to ease his mother in law's worry, even though his was increasing. Don't worry, the traffic is moving pretty slow, and you know what that bridge is like even in the rain. She'll probably be here any minute. I'll have Amanda call you when she gets here.
Please do that. I told her not to go out in this, but of course my daughter never listens. She's just like her father that way...
Lee laughed, and he knew if he didn't break into Dotty's speech he'd still be on the phone next winter.
....Even you tried to tell her not to go out this morning, Dotty continued, taking Lee by surprise.
He sounded surprised.
This morning when you called. That was you on the phone wasn't it? She asked, knowing full well what the answer was.
Oh, yeah, he said shyly.
I will never understand the two of you, Dotty said sternly. You've been dating each other for over a year now, and you're still embarrassed to get caught talking on the phone...
Lee didn't know what to say to that, all he could do was shake his head, and try to steer the conversation back to Amanda. Dotty, I'd better get off the line in case she's trying to call either one of us. If she shows up there could you have her call me? Lee asked, knowing that if she went home, he would be the first person she called.
I sure will. Oh, I hope she's OK, the worry returned to Dotty's voice.
Listen, don't worry. I'm sure she's fine, Lee knew she could hear the same worry in his voice. I'd better get off the line.
OK, bye, Lee, Dotty let the receiver click back into place.
Lee replaced the receiver on his end, and stared at the phone willing it to ring, trying to remain calm.
When it didn't ring Lee began to pace back and forth from the window to the door. Looking out the window to watch the snow fall, and stopping at the door to listen for his wife's footsteps on the wooden floor outside, but he never heard a sound.
Of course. Why didn't I think of this before, Lee said knowingly to himself. He walked over to the phone on Amanda's desk and dialed the number to his apartment. The phone rang once. Give her time to pick up, Stetson,' he laughed at himself. The phone rang again, and he let out a long breath. On the third ring he had to swallow hard when he heard. Hi, this is Lee leave a message. His own voice greeted him, not the voice of his wife; the one he had hoped to hear. He slammed the phone back down.
Come on Amanda, where are you, he said out loud. You can be the most exasperating woman sometimes. One thing, just one thing, that's all I asked you to do, just one thing, and you can't do that. You can't even stay home on the worst day of the year, even when I ask you to, Lee was immediately sorry for saying those things about the woman he loved. Even sorrier for thinking them. He knew she hadn't left home in the snow because she wanted to come to work. She had left because she wanted to see him, and he didn't protest more because he wanted to see her too.
Lee reached over and flipped on the radio to get the weather report, and to calm his nerves. The endless commercials did little to sooth his mood, and in fact only made it worse. he said, still pacing, as the voice on the radio began to announce the weather.
Wow, this snow is still falling and looks like there's no end in site, the annoying, bodiless voice boomed into Q Bureau. That and the sound of Lee pacing back and forth were the only sounds that could be heard. Lee rolled his eyes at the news.
Look for temperatures to continue to fall, throughout the day and night. These slushy road may turn to ice yet, folks. As for the snow, we expect even more tomorrow.
Lee hit the corner of Amanda's desk with his fist.
the announcer continued. Let's go to Beth Abrams in the traffic center for a look at road conditions around the area...Beth, it sounds like it's mess over in Arlington.
Lee's pacing slowed, but his breathing quickened, as he ran his hand through his hair.
It sure is, Charlie, the voice of Beth Abrams now filled the room. If you take the George Washington Parkway out of Arlington into D.C., you'll have to find a different route.
Lee's pacing stopped and he stood frozen still. He knew very well the way Amanda came to work, and she almost always took the GWP.
Police have the Parkway shut down in both directions as they clear away a massive accident, Beth Abrams continued.
Lee turned his head to stare at the dial of the radio, his eyes widened with fear.
Arlington police tell us that at least three tractor trailers, and ten cars were involved in this accident that happened earlier this morning during what would ordinarily be rush hour. They have been unable to clear away the wreckage for dealing with the injured. They have also told us that there are three confirmed fatalities from this terrible crash. So, avoid this area of Arlington if at all possible. In fact, if you do not need to be out, stay home today and tomorrow.
Lee stood in the Q Bureau in a daze listening to the meaningless words now coming from the small black box atop the book shelf. All he kept hearing over and over were the words , , and , as the face of his beautiful wife flashed through his mind over and over again.
Oh my God, Amanda, Lee whispered when he was finally able to form words. He couldn't move, his feet were like lead weights, and his heart beat frantically in his chest.
His legs began to move on their own. His mind sure wasn't telling them what to do. All of his thoughts were on Amanda. Was she in that accident? Was she hurt? Was she...no, she couldn't be. I'd know that, right? People always say they know when that happens.' Lee mechanically grabbed his jacket, and raced out of the Q Bureau, down the stairs, and past Mrs. Marsten. He barely heard her yell after him as he headed for the door.
she hollered.
He turned around, annoyed that she would bother him when he had much more important things to take care of right now. he hollered back.
Your ID, she walked over to him, holding out her hand.
it hadn't registered in Lee's frantic mind, but then he understood, and was even madder than before. Oh, here, he ripped the badge off of his shirt, and tossed it at her as he left, slamming the door, leaving Mrs. Marsten staring behind him.
***TBC****