Images 3

Chapter 3
*See Chapter 1 for disclaimer.

Amanda, who was standing at the kitchen counter making a salad for dinner, heard the three men of the house coming down the stairs, and yelled out. It's about time you three got down here. The pizza will be here any minute, and I thought I was going to have to eat it myself. She turned around just in time to see her husband, and her sons deposit their discovery on the kitchen island.

Hey, mom, look what we found, Phillip burst out.

What in the world, Amanda walked over to examine their find, as Phillip, Jamie, and Lee stood back looking very pleased with themselves.

Lee's smile grew wider as he watched Amanda examine the contents of the boxes, and saw recognition dawn on her face. He walked over and put his arm around her shoulders, and the boys joined them at the island, each grinning as big as Lee.

Oh, my gosh, where did you find these? I had completely forgotten about these, Amanda continued to dig through the box of films.

They were way in the back, mom, Jamie announced, It was the last thing we cleaned out.

Do you know what these are? she questioned again, with a shocked smile on her face.

Yeah, they're films, Phillip said knowingly.

Amanda gave him a smile. That's right sweetheart, these are my father's old 8mm films. I thought they were lost a long time ago. I thought I'd never see them again.

Well, we found everything we need to watch them, Lee said, So tonight, I guess it'll be pizza, and a movie. They all laughed.

Thank you, Amanda smiled up at Lee, and rewarded him with a kiss. Thank you all, she walked over and hugged the boys, Oh, I've got the three best men in the world living right here in my house.

Can we watch them tonight, mom? Jamie asked.

Of course we can, sweetheart, she hugged him again. Oh, mother will want to see these, Amanda walked over to the stairs, and called up, Mother, can you come down here for a minute?

A few seconds passed, and Dotty could be heard coming down the steps. Is Kurt here? she asked, Oh, he's early, he said six o'clock.

No, mother, Captain Kurt isn't here yet. I just want to show you something. Look what Lee and the boys found in the attic. Amanda guided her mother into the kitchen.

It took a few minutes for Dotty to recognize what she was looking at, but when she finally did she had the same reaction as Amanda had. Oh, my gosh, she began. I had forgotten about these.

Grandma, are you sure you don't want to stay here tonight? Phillip questioned. We're going to watch them.

Dotty reached out and hugged Phillip. Oh dear, Dotty's voice changed. I wish you could, but we can't watch these anymore.

What, why not, mother? Amanda asked, surprise written all over face.

Sweetheart, the last time your Daddy and I watched these, the bulb in the projector burned out. Carl looked, and called all over, but nobody carried that type anymore. So I put those away, and then we he died they just kind of got shoved out of the way, I guess. I'm sorry, baby, Dotty reached out, and hugged Amanda, as Lee watched his wife's happiness dissolve into disappointment.

Oh...Oh well, was all Amanda could say, and Lee wanted so badly to do something, that would cheer her up. He knew she was looking forward to watching her old memories again.

Dotty let go of Amanda, as the sound of knocking was heard from the front door. There's Kurt, Dotty announced, giving Amanda a motherly look. With a kiss goodbye, Dotty again said, I'm sorry.

That's Ok, mother, you couldn't help it. Have a good time tonight, Amanda tried to hide her disappointment, but Lee was not fooled.

The foursome watched as Dotty left for her evening. Lee could feel the down hearted mood in the room. They had all been looking forward to watching those movies. He knew the boys wanted to see their family before they joined it, and he was looking forward to seeing a younger Amanda. Sure, he'd seen pictures, but actual moving images were altogether different.

Lee walked over and hugged Amanda. I'm sorry, I wish there was something I could do. I know you all wanted to see those. Hey..., Lee said, trying to cheer everyone up. How about after the pizza, we go out to the movies. I know it's not home movies, but I'm sure we can find something to watch,

Amanda looked up at her husband. Sounds great, she forced a smile. Boy's, you go wash up. The pizza will be here any minute, she turned to Lee, as the boys ran up stairs. And besides, I've got a movie date with my husband, and my boys that I don't want to be late for. She smiled up at him, and kissed him again, and was rewarded by the same in return.

*********

Lee couldn't get the sad image of his beautiful wife out of his mind all night. Not on the drive to the theater, not as he stood proudly in the ticket line with his family, and not as they watched Tom Hanks grow from a boy to a man after making a wish.

During the movie Lee and Philip went out to the concession stand for the third time. It amazed him how much two boys could eat. As they stood in line, Lee trying to decide whether $4 for popcorn was a national conspiracy, and Phillip trying to look cool for the blond working behind the counter, Lee overheard the conversation that the theater owner was having with another patron.

Oh, man it doesn't matter. This thing'll be out on video in a few months anyway. Those video stores are killing my business. I tell you...

Video,' Lee thought to himself. Of course, how stupid am I. Great intelligence work, Stetson.' Lee knew how he could again surprise Amanda, and this time she wouldn't be disappointed.

Lee sat back down next to Amanda in the theater, and placed a kiss on her cheek.

What are you so happy about? she asked, glancing at her husband with a smile.

Oh, you'll find out, he gave her a sly grin.

Care to fill me in on it? she questioned.

No, not really. Just watch the movie. What did I miss? He smiled at her, grabbed her hand, and then suddenly became very interested in the bigger than life piano on the movie screen.

Amanda's mind was working over time, but she knew she'd eventually find out what he was up to. She intended to try to get it out of him when they got home, one way or another.