Chapter 7
*See chapter 1 for disclaimer
Oh, Lee, a very surprised Dotty West opened the front door. Come in here before you catch your death, Dotty greeted her daughter's boyfriend, holding out her hand to take his jacket.
Thanks, it's colder than I thought it would be, Lee sadly replied, handing Dotty his jacket, and sighing as he looked around Amanda's cozy warm house; his cozy warm house. He had prayed that she would be there, but when he pulled into the driveway, and her car was gone, that familiar fear gripped him even more tightly.
Well, I suppose that daughter of mine will be right behind you, Dotty looked out the door before closing it against the chill of winter.
Umm, Dotty, that's why I came over, Lee began. I was hoping she'd be here.
You mean she didn't show up at work? Dotty's voice was now full of concern.
No, she didn't, he paused, taking a deep breath. And when I heard what they said on the radio, I came over here, Lee finished, looking up at Dotty like a lost little boy.
The radio, what did they say on the radio? The boys have been in and out all morning, and the phone has been ringing off the wall for them. I haven't had time to listen to the radio, she informed him. What did the weather report say?
He followed her into the kitchen where she prepared to pour him a warm cup of coffee. She stopped only to switch on the radio. As Lee listened to the soft sounds of Cole Porter, Dotty's favorite, fill the kitchen, he realized she didn't know. He reached over and switched off the radio. He didn't know how to tell her what he hadn't even let himself think about.
Dotty eyed him quizzically as the music died away. Lee saw the look she gave him, and made up an excuse. Tough morning at work, too much noise, he lied.
Oh, well, you just sit down, and I'll get you some aspirin, Dotty left the room, giving him a pat on the shoulder. She was sure there was more that he wasn't telling her, but she didn't push the issue.
Lee sat in the silence of Amanda's kitchen. He was always drawn to this house; to this kitchen. Everything here was so much a part of her that he felt his heart break as he remembered the times he'd shared with his beautiful wife right here in this kitchen; looking at her through the window, comforting her after so many of their cases, standing at the sink like a real married couple, doing the dished together. He loved doing the dishes with her. He felt so...normal when they were together in this house doing things that husbands and wives do. Even if they were the only two who knew they were husband and wife. His thoughts were scattered to the four corners of the room at the sound of the back door crashing open.
Doofus, I told you not to try that with a snow shovel, Phillip's voice filled the room.
Shut up, was Jamie's only reply.
Both boys stood in the laundry room kicking off their boots, and wet jackets. Neither one knew that Lee was watching them from just a few feet away. Lee remained silent, as he watched the boys argue.
Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time, Jamie tried to make his brother see his side of the situation.
Oh, yeah, worm brain, Phillip admonished Jamie, as Lee thought of how Amanda hated to hear either of the boys put each other down. You wouldn't be thinking it was a good idea if we had to pay for that, Phillip continued.
Pay for what? Lee interrupted the warring brothers, who looked over at him with a mixture of I'm glad to see you,' and uh-oh we just got caught,' written all over their faces.
Uh, oh...it was nothing. Just another one of worm brain's brilliant ideas, Phillip gestured over to Jamie, who looked down at the floor.
You know, I'm not even going to ask, Lee began. I don't know what it was about, but I'm sure no one was hurt or killed, right? Lee eyed them forcing down a small laugh, that served to momentarily quell the anxious beating of his heart in his throat.
No, it's nothing, both boys said in unison.
Lee set his coffee down on the counter and walked over to Phillip, putting his arm around the boy's shoulder. But you shouldn't call your brother worm brain, he said feeling very much like a father at that moment.
Phillip rolled his eyes, he mumbled under his breath.
Yeah, whatever, Jamie mumbled under his, causing Lee to pass him a stern glance.
Hey, where's Mom? Phillip asked, easing over to the fridge. He opened the door and pulled out the left over cake from last night's dinner, while Jamie reached into the cookie jar and pulled out what looked like a dozen Oreos.
Boy's, don't spoil your dinner, Dotty spoke to Phillip and Jamie as she returned to the kitchen with Lee's aspirin.
Lee stood surrounded by his family, but felt so alone. They don't know. They haven't heard. How can I tell them. What if she's... no, she couldn't be. I'd know that, right? People always say they know when that happens.' Lee ran his hands through his hair. How could he tell them, he couldn't. Look at them, they're so happy.' Lee took a deep breath. He knew he had to get it over with. He was wasting time. He needed to be making calls. He needed to go back out, and look for her. He needed to be checking the hospitals. He needed...he took another deep breath.
Umm, guys, we need to talk...about, he stopped, trying to force the words out through his lips. About your mom.
Dotty again looked at Lee with concern in her eye, not wanting to hear what she was afraid might come next.
Phillip put the cake plate back into the refrigerator, and slammed the door. What about Mom? he questioned.
Yeah, what about mom? Jamie asked, with a mouth full of Oreo.
Lee was silent.
Dotty questioned.
Lee took another breath, You have to do this,' he thought to himself, and paused before starting again. I came over here looking for her. I heard on the radio that there was, he paused again.. There was an accide...
Oh, this weather. Spring can not come soon enough, a familiar voice cut through the air, as the back door banged open again.
****TBC****