Author note: I am sorry about the delay on the new chapter. The next chapter is going to be up as soon as possible.
Thank you: A definite thank you goes out to Kate and to everyone else who has helped me by answering a few questions. Thank you all so much.
Timeline: 1985.
*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK**SMK*SMK*
2 years later...
Lee comes into the agency and yet again he looks like he hasn't slept in days. His eyes are blood shot, his hair is all messed up, and his cloths are all wrinkly.
Billy sees him and calls him: Scarecrow!! In my office now!!
Lee reluctantly walks into Billy's office: Do you *have* to call me that?
Billy: It's your codename now. You know that.
Lee: I know, but do you have to remind me?
Billy: Lee, I know that you just lost Dorothy three weeks ago, but come on man! You have to snap out of it!
Lee: I can't. I don't know how too.
Billy: You did it before you can do it again.
Lee: Billy! I was five years old! Plus my uncle always told me, "It's in the past Lee. It happened we have to go on now."
Billy: Lee, you have to talk to someone.
Lee: There is NO way that I am going to talk to some psychiatrist.
Billy: You don't have to. Talk to one of your high school friends. There has got to be someone in your past that you feel comfortable talking to.
Lee thinks and comes up with that one person: Yes, actually there is.
Billy: Good. Take the rest of the day off, call your friend, and please snap out of it. I need you back. Heck the country needs you back.
Lee: All right Billy, I'll give her a call. (He left the office and headed home.)
Once in his apartment he went straight to his closet and took out his box of "Kate" stuff. He saved every single letter, and behind the box there laid the stuffed Scarecrow and Dorothy. A single tear escaped from his eye. He wiped it away and found Kate's number. He took the number and the Scarecrow and Dorothy and went into the other room. He sat on his couch and held the phone in his hands. He dialed the number, it being so early in the morning he didn't expect anyone to be home or up. But someone did answer.
Voice: Hello? (A not very happy voice actually.)
Lee knew it was Kate, and hung up.
At Amanda's house...
Amanda hung the phone up and tried to fall back asleep. She had one hectic night. Joe was studying for his finals so Amanda and Phillip; almost two now, went to her mother's house, which was her old house. This way Joe could have all the peace and quite that he needed. Phillip was sick, so he would not go to sleep until very very early in the morning, and kept Amanda up all night long.
Lee's place...
Lee started to pace back and fourth and called her house again.
A not so very happy Amanda: Hello!?
Lee hung up.
Amanda: This is getting me mad!
15 minutes later he tried one last time.
Amanda: Hello? (No answer, just some heavy breathing.) Hello? (Still no answer.) Look, I had a very rough night last night so I am trying to get some sleep, so please tell me who you are and what you need from me.
Lee thought for a moment and teased: So how do you like it?
Amanda: Excuse ME?!
Lee: Trying to sleep and the phone wakes you up? (He forced out a laugh.)
Amanda sat straight up in bed: Bruce?!
Lee: Hi. Long time no talk, huh?
Amanda: Yeah.
Lee: Look, I am really sorry about everything.
Amanda: It's okay.
Lee: How was the wedding?
Amanda: It was beautiful.
Lee: So how is Jack... John...
Amanda laughed: Joe.
Lee: Yeah, how is he?
Amanda: All right I guess. So what happened?
Lee: Why do you think something happened?
Amanda: When I called you the last time, something bad happened to me. Now you are calling me and something has got to be wrong with you. I have a feeling something is wrong, I have this gut feeling. What's wrong? (She said all in one breath.)
Lee: Kate slow down. You're right... something is wrong. (Lee got serious and sad.)
Amanda: Bruce, it's okay, you can tell me. Take all the time you need.
Lee: Well, let's start from the beginning.
Amanda: That's a good place to start.
Lee: It all started almost a month ago. I meet this really nice girl and...
Phillip woke up and started crying.
Amanda: I'm sorry, can you hold that thought just one minute? (Before Lee could answer she put the receiver down and went to go get Phillip. She walked around for a few minutes until he fell asleep. Lee could hear what she was saying. "Ssshh it's okay. Everything is going to be okay." She put Phillip back down and picked the phone up.) I'm sorry you were saying.
Lee: Kate, you have a child?
Amanda: Yup. Two years old, named Phil. ("That's close enough to the truth" She thought.) Okay, so what's on your mind?
Lee: So, anyways, I meet this girl and we hit it off right away.
Amanda: That's great!
Lee: Can I finish?
Amanda: Sorry.
Lee: But she uh...
(From Amanda's room.) Good morning sweetheart.
Amanda: Mother, I am on a very important telephone call.
Dotty: Oh are you talking to Joe? Is that Joe?
Amanda: No mother, it's Bruce.
Dottie: Oh Bruce? Isn't that the boy you had a crush on when you were younger?
Amanda: MOTHER!!!
Lee started laughing, for real this time.
Amanda, into the phone: What are you laughing about?
Lee: Ohhhh nothing. Tell your mother that I said, "Hi."
Amanda: Mother Bruce says, "Hi."
Dottie: He says, hi? Joe never even did that. Maybe you should of married him instead.
Lee started laughing again.
Amanda: MOTHER!!
Dottie: Oh honey, I am just teasing. (She went over to Phillip and picked him up.) I'm going to take this big boy and get him something to drink and eat.
Amanda: Bye mother.
Lee: Bye Kate's mom.
Amanda: He says bye mother.
Dottie called from down the hall: Bye!
Amanda: Sorry about that.
Lee: No problem, I haven't laughed in so long.
Amanda: So, what happened with you and this girl?
Lee totally forgot about the reason why he called. He just feels so good and is always so happy when he talks with Kate. Lee got serious again: Well... she died about three weeks ago.
Amanda: Oh my gosh. I am so sorry. What happened?
Lee: What can I say Kate. We don't live in a safe world, we were taking a walk one day when there was a drive by shooting and she got hit twice. She died almost instantly. (He figured he was close enough to the truth. By that point Lee was almost in tears. Amanda already was.)
Amanda: Bruce... (She realized that he didn't need her crying. He needed her this time. She dried her eyes and cleared her throat.) Bruce, I am so sorry. You deserve to be happy. You are a great friend who was there for me that one night that I needed a friend and this time I am here for you. I really wish I knew what to say.
Lee: Me too.
Amanda: Do me a favor.
Lee: Anything.
Amanda: Wrap your arms around yourself and squeeze. (Lee did exactly what she told him to do.) That is a hug from me because I can't be there in person. So whenever you feel hurt or lonely again just do that and think of me.
Lee smiled at the memory of that night so long ago. He said the same thing to her.
Lee: Thanks for talking with me, Kate. I feel so much better now. You got me to laugh and smile again. Thank you for being my friend.
Amanda: Anytime. Thank you for being my friend.
Lee: I have to get going. I have a few things to do and then I have to get back to work. I haven't been doing to good these past few weeks.
Amanda: Oh okay. Hey are you going to start writing to me again?
Lee: Of course. Where do I send it?
Amanda: Just send it to my old address.
Lee: Okay. Thank you.
Amanda: Anytime dear friend, anytime.
At that they hung up.
Lee went to his bedroom kicked off his shoes and climbed on top of his bed for a little nap.
He fell asleep clutching the stuff Scarecrow and Dorothy to him.
To be continued.
Thank you: A definite thank you goes out to Kate and to everyone else who has helped me by answering a few questions. Thank you all so much.
Timeline: 1985.
*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK**SMK*SMK*
2 years later...
Lee comes into the agency and yet again he looks like he hasn't slept in days. His eyes are blood shot, his hair is all messed up, and his cloths are all wrinkly.
Billy sees him and calls him: Scarecrow!! In my office now!!
Lee reluctantly walks into Billy's office: Do you *have* to call me that?
Billy: It's your codename now. You know that.
Lee: I know, but do you have to remind me?
Billy: Lee, I know that you just lost Dorothy three weeks ago, but come on man! You have to snap out of it!
Lee: I can't. I don't know how too.
Billy: You did it before you can do it again.
Lee: Billy! I was five years old! Plus my uncle always told me, "It's in the past Lee. It happened we have to go on now."
Billy: Lee, you have to talk to someone.
Lee: There is NO way that I am going to talk to some psychiatrist.
Billy: You don't have to. Talk to one of your high school friends. There has got to be someone in your past that you feel comfortable talking to.
Lee thinks and comes up with that one person: Yes, actually there is.
Billy: Good. Take the rest of the day off, call your friend, and please snap out of it. I need you back. Heck the country needs you back.
Lee: All right Billy, I'll give her a call. (He left the office and headed home.)
Once in his apartment he went straight to his closet and took out his box of "Kate" stuff. He saved every single letter, and behind the box there laid the stuffed Scarecrow and Dorothy. A single tear escaped from his eye. He wiped it away and found Kate's number. He took the number and the Scarecrow and Dorothy and went into the other room. He sat on his couch and held the phone in his hands. He dialed the number, it being so early in the morning he didn't expect anyone to be home or up. But someone did answer.
Voice: Hello? (A not very happy voice actually.)
Lee knew it was Kate, and hung up.
At Amanda's house...
Amanda hung the phone up and tried to fall back asleep. She had one hectic night. Joe was studying for his finals so Amanda and Phillip; almost two now, went to her mother's house, which was her old house. This way Joe could have all the peace and quite that he needed. Phillip was sick, so he would not go to sleep until very very early in the morning, and kept Amanda up all night long.
Lee's place...
Lee started to pace back and fourth and called her house again.
A not so very happy Amanda: Hello!?
Lee hung up.
Amanda: This is getting me mad!
15 minutes later he tried one last time.
Amanda: Hello? (No answer, just some heavy breathing.) Hello? (Still no answer.) Look, I had a very rough night last night so I am trying to get some sleep, so please tell me who you are and what you need from me.
Lee thought for a moment and teased: So how do you like it?
Amanda: Excuse ME?!
Lee: Trying to sleep and the phone wakes you up? (He forced out a laugh.)
Amanda sat straight up in bed: Bruce?!
Lee: Hi. Long time no talk, huh?
Amanda: Yeah.
Lee: Look, I am really sorry about everything.
Amanda: It's okay.
Lee: How was the wedding?
Amanda: It was beautiful.
Lee: So how is Jack... John...
Amanda laughed: Joe.
Lee: Yeah, how is he?
Amanda: All right I guess. So what happened?
Lee: Why do you think something happened?
Amanda: When I called you the last time, something bad happened to me. Now you are calling me and something has got to be wrong with you. I have a feeling something is wrong, I have this gut feeling. What's wrong? (She said all in one breath.)
Lee: Kate slow down. You're right... something is wrong. (Lee got serious and sad.)
Amanda: Bruce, it's okay, you can tell me. Take all the time you need.
Lee: Well, let's start from the beginning.
Amanda: That's a good place to start.
Lee: It all started almost a month ago. I meet this really nice girl and...
Phillip woke up and started crying.
Amanda: I'm sorry, can you hold that thought just one minute? (Before Lee could answer she put the receiver down and went to go get Phillip. She walked around for a few minutes until he fell asleep. Lee could hear what she was saying. "Ssshh it's okay. Everything is going to be okay." She put Phillip back down and picked the phone up.) I'm sorry you were saying.
Lee: Kate, you have a child?
Amanda: Yup. Two years old, named Phil. ("That's close enough to the truth" She thought.) Okay, so what's on your mind?
Lee: So, anyways, I meet this girl and we hit it off right away.
Amanda: That's great!
Lee: Can I finish?
Amanda: Sorry.
Lee: But she uh...
(From Amanda's room.) Good morning sweetheart.
Amanda: Mother, I am on a very important telephone call.
Dotty: Oh are you talking to Joe? Is that Joe?
Amanda: No mother, it's Bruce.
Dottie: Oh Bruce? Isn't that the boy you had a crush on when you were younger?
Amanda: MOTHER!!!
Lee started laughing, for real this time.
Amanda, into the phone: What are you laughing about?
Lee: Ohhhh nothing. Tell your mother that I said, "Hi."
Amanda: Mother Bruce says, "Hi."
Dottie: He says, hi? Joe never even did that. Maybe you should of married him instead.
Lee started laughing again.
Amanda: MOTHER!!
Dottie: Oh honey, I am just teasing. (She went over to Phillip and picked him up.) I'm going to take this big boy and get him something to drink and eat.
Amanda: Bye mother.
Lee: Bye Kate's mom.
Amanda: He says bye mother.
Dottie called from down the hall: Bye!
Amanda: Sorry about that.
Lee: No problem, I haven't laughed in so long.
Amanda: So, what happened with you and this girl?
Lee totally forgot about the reason why he called. He just feels so good and is always so happy when he talks with Kate. Lee got serious again: Well... she died about three weeks ago.
Amanda: Oh my gosh. I am so sorry. What happened?
Lee: What can I say Kate. We don't live in a safe world, we were taking a walk one day when there was a drive by shooting and she got hit twice. She died almost instantly. (He figured he was close enough to the truth. By that point Lee was almost in tears. Amanda already was.)
Amanda: Bruce... (She realized that he didn't need her crying. He needed her this time. She dried her eyes and cleared her throat.) Bruce, I am so sorry. You deserve to be happy. You are a great friend who was there for me that one night that I needed a friend and this time I am here for you. I really wish I knew what to say.
Lee: Me too.
Amanda: Do me a favor.
Lee: Anything.
Amanda: Wrap your arms around yourself and squeeze. (Lee did exactly what she told him to do.) That is a hug from me because I can't be there in person. So whenever you feel hurt or lonely again just do that and think of me.
Lee smiled at the memory of that night so long ago. He said the same thing to her.
Lee: Thanks for talking with me, Kate. I feel so much better now. You got me to laugh and smile again. Thank you for being my friend.
Amanda: Anytime. Thank you for being my friend.
Lee: I have to get going. I have a few things to do and then I have to get back to work. I haven't been doing to good these past few weeks.
Amanda: Oh okay. Hey are you going to start writing to me again?
Lee: Of course. Where do I send it?
Amanda: Just send it to my old address.
Lee: Okay. Thank you.
Amanda: Anytime dear friend, anytime.
At that they hung up.
Lee went to his bedroom kicked off his shoes and climbed on top of his bed for a little nap.
He fell asleep clutching the stuff Scarecrow and Dorothy to him.
To be continued.