Chapter 8
*See chapter 1 for disclaimer
Phillip and Jamie ran to the back door. Hey, Mom, we made twenty-seven dollars, Phillip screeched, as both boys hugged Amanda hello. Both so excited about the money, they forgot about being too old for hugs.
Oh, sweetheart, that's great, Amanda said, pushing the older boy's hair away from his eyes. How about making a little more money?
Yeah, how? Jamie replied, eager to make back the money he owed to his brother, which Phillip had already taken.
Amanda continued, taking off her coat, and shaking the snow out of her hair. Why is it that you shoveled everyone else's driveway today, except ours? she gave each boy a quizzing look that only a mother has.
Phillip started. We get paid to do those.
We have to shovel this one, Jamie finished.
Amanda put a loving arm around each boy's shoulder, and started to lead them back toward the kitchen door. Alright, just this one time, she emphasized one by holding her index finger in the air, I'll pay you to shovel our driveway too.
Awww mom, we just came in. We can do without three dollars. We're tired, Jamie spoke for both boys as he started back into the kitchen for another Oreo.
Oh, Ok, Amanda dropped her arms, and turned around to walk away. I was going to offer you ten, but...if you're too tired...
Jamie and Phillip looked at each other with dollar signs in their eyes. Quickly Phillip slapped his brother's arm with the back of hand, Come on, Amanda heard him say, and when she turned around both boys were heading back out into the cold winter air, pulling their coats on as they ran out the door.
Lee stood in dumbfounded silence watching his family, too overjoyed to move. She's OK, she's standing right here in front of me, looking just like she did last night. She's OK,' he thought to himself, trying to stay calm for Dotty's benefit, when all he really wanted to do was take his beautiful wife up in his arms, and carry her upstairs where they could be alone.
Hello, mother, Amanda said with a smile and a hug, as she noticed that Lee was watching them, almost ready to burst.
Rough day, darling? Dotty questioned, as she returned Amanda's hug.
Oh, you don't know the half of it, mother, Amanda sighed. First, I got stuck on the GWP for almost two hours in the cold because of an accident. Then, when I finally did get a chance to get to an off ramp, I couldn't get over and had to go into the city, so I finally decided just to go by work and finish up. You know, give them a chance to get the accident cleared away, but when I tried to get back home they still hadn't moved it. Those poor people, that must have been really bad.
Well, Lee certainly was worried about you, Dotty whispered into her ear. Then louder she said, You two must have just missed each other.
Yeah, I think we did, Amanda agreed, as she looked over at her husband. At least that's what I heard, she replied, remembering how Mrs. Marsten had described the way Scarecrow just stormed out , and slammed the door. She'd remember to tease him about it later.
Well, I think I'd better go keep an eye on where the boys are throwing that snow. My bulbs will never come up if they pack it down on top of them, Dotty lied, but knew it would give Amanda and Lee a chance to be alone.
Lee watched as she pulled on her coat, and stepped out the back door, yelling instructions at Phillip and Jamie. He then turned his gaze to Amanda, who was giving him that look that he knew was only for him.
Before she could even speak, he crossed the room, and took her in his arms. He heard a muffled, delighted squeal as he deepened their kiss. He had been so scared that he would never kiss her again. Now, he never wanted to let her go.
Finally, reluctantly, they broke apart. He looked into her eyes. God, I love you.' he thought to himself, as he gave her that look that she knew was only for her.
Amanda finally spoke. I hear you were worried about me.
And with that Lee remembered the events of the day. Where have you been, he asked as he again pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. You have no idea what I've been going through. I heard on the radio there was an accident on the GWP, he paused, looking deeply into her eyes. Amanda, I thought you were....I thought you were, he paused again, They said people were hurt, that some were... he couldn't bring himself to say the word, and have it connected to his Amanda. He was too afraid that if he said it, he would wake up from this wonderful dream.
Amanda clung to him tighter as realization of his words formed in her mind. You thought I was dead? she asked astonished.
Lee looked at her again, but couldn't look into her eyes. he whispered his answer, as he dropped his head to look at the floor.
Amanda reached out and touched his face, tilting his chin up so that she could look into his eyes. Lee, I'm not going anywhere. I'm not going to die.
Amanda, how can you know that. You don't know that. When I thought about you dying in that accident, in the cold, it was like California all over again. I just kept seeing your face, and my life without you. It wasn't a life, Amanda. I couldn't live without you.
Amanda whispered, with tears welling up in her eyes.
Lee stopped her. When I drove past the accide...
You drove past the accident? Amanda cut him off.
I had to. I had to see if you were OK, he held her even closer. All I kept thinking was, if you died no one would know how much I love you, and how proud I am that you are my wife, mine forever.
But, I'm right here, Amanda said, brushing the hair back off of his face.
I know you're here, now, but what if you had been in that accident? God, Amanda, I'm so sorry, Lee breathed, as he rubbed his hands up and down her back.
Sorry for what? she questioned.
Sorry for all of this, for this stupid mystery marriage. It wasn't fair to you, it wasn't fair to any of us. I want the world to know that you are my wife. I don't want to hide anymore. I want to be a part of this family for more than dinners and ball games.
Amanda put her head on his chest, and breathed a long sigh. I want that too, more than anything. I want people to know I'm your wife. I want people to know how much in love with you I am. I want people to look at us, and see how happy we are. This time she paused, But you know we can't right now..., right? she looked up questioningly into his eyes.
I don't know, Amanda. This has to change, he continued, exploring her slender back with his hands, All I know is this has to change. I want to wake up with you beside me every morning, not just with the memory of how you looked the night before. I hate this, Amanda. It's not good enough for you. You deserve more. I swear I'm going to give you more, he whispered into her ear as he dropped his head onto her shoulder, and stood just enjoying the feeling of his wife holding him in her arms.
As long as I have you everything will be fine, I promise, Amanda whispered back, as they stood in the kitchen lost to the world around them, leaving Lee to wonder how he had ever been so lucky as to win the heart of this wonderful woman.
They were so lost in each other that they didn't here the back door open, or the shuffling feet of two teenage boys cross the room, and stop just far enough away for their intended purpose. Get em, Jamie yelled, bringing Lee and Amanda out of their contentedness just in time to feel the cold sting of a borage of snowballs.
Amanda yelled, as the cold wet snow melted its way quickly down the back of her blouse. She stood in shock, and watched as little blobs of white, wet snow trickled down the side of Lee's face.
Lee stood there looking from Amanda, who was looking back at him, to the boys, who were laughing out loud at the idea that they had put one over on their mom, and the cool guy she was dating. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? he finally spoke to Amanda, as he looked at her seriously.
Amanda shook her head up and down, Let's get she yelled, and before Phillip and Jamie knew it they were being chased out the back door.
****TBC****