Amanda began to wake. She felt happy and safe enveloped in Lee's arms. His deep, rhythmic breathing put her at ease as she slowly let her senses rouse.
It then began to occur to her that Lee was in her bed, and that her mother and boys were in the house. Her eyes flung open, and she looked at the clock. 5:23am!
Amanda quickly sat up in bed.
"Lee! Lee, wake-up! We fell asleep! You have to go! It's morning! Mother and the boys will be up in a half-hour."
Lee stirred making a grunting sound as he stretched.
"SSHH! They'll hear you! Get up!"
Amanda jumped out of bed and began tossing Lee his clothes. Realizing she also needed something to cover up with, she once again put on the Georgetown shirt.
"Amanda, what's the matter" he said as he began to wake up.
"We fell asleep! It's morning! You have to go!" she said with growing panic in her voice.
"What do you mean it's morning?"
Suddenly, Lee bolted upright. "It's morning! Oh, Amanda! I've got to get out of here!"
"That's what I've been trying to tell you!"
"What time is it?" Lee said as he began to get dressed.
"Almost 5:30!"
Lee looked at Amanda once again wearing his shirt.
"Hey, my shirt!"
"You'll have to come back for it!" she said as she helped him on with his dress shirt.
"Oh, is that an invitation?" he said playfully.
"Not now, Lee! Mother is an early riser! She may already be up!"
"You know we didn't do anything wrong. I am your husband, after all."
"I know that! But Mother and the boys don't!"
Lee leaned in to kiss Amanda and reached for the door.
"NO! Wait!" she said in a loud whisper. "Let me make sure the coast is clear!"
Amanda opened the bedroom door and looked out into the hallway. There was no sign of anyone being awake yet.
"Ok, come on….let's go" she whispered.
Lee and Amanda silently walked down the hall past Philip and Jamie's room and the bathroom. Thankfully they didn't have to pass Dotty's room. Lee and Amanda tiptoed down the stairs. A moment later, the bathroom door opened, and out walked Dotty. She saw something move out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head just in time to see a glimpse of Amanda dressed in nothing but a t-shirt leading Lee Stetson down the stairs and into the kitchen.
"Well, would you look at that!" Dotty said.