Cars And Sons
Chapter 2
It took a while for Lee to fall asleep after 2 AM in the hotel room. First off, Amanda wasn't there as she usually was, nestled against him in the crook of his arm, and secondly, he was still pissed about the Corvette being totaled!
After talking to the police at 12:30 while the family was at the hospital, and giving them information about Phillip and Suzanne, Lee had the tow truck bring him and the car to IFF, telling them that his mechanic was close by, and he'd take care of it in the morning.
When he told Leatherneck about the police report concerning the accident, and showed him what was left of the car, Leatherneck was stunned as he stared at the Corvette in it's mangled form, and giving a low whistle, answered, "You've gotta be kidding, Ace! What am I, a miracle worker? I can't put this tuna can back together! I just can't-"
Lee, feeling overwhelmed suddenly, turned from him, and swallowing hard, asked, "Please? I'm begging you as a colleague and good fr-friend! Call anyone you have to, but I need help on this one, okay? Please?!"
Billy had shown up when Leatherneck called him commenting, "I've seen him out of it , like when his first partner died, but this..."
Billy nodded, answering, "I recall when he lost his Porsche. He didn't have nearly the same reaction. Check out any newer models of the Corvettes while I talk to him. Something's definitely off here..."
But after trying for over an hour to get Lee to open up about what was bothering him, and Lee wouldn't talk, Billy sighed and stated to Leatherneck, "Do your damndest to fix this, while I send him back to his family. It's probably the shock of almost losing his stepson..."
Lee sighed as he rolled over once more, trying to get comfortable, when there was a light tap on the adjoining door of his hotel room.
Getting up, he asked softly, "Jamie? Are you okay, Pal?"
Dotty answered in a hushed tone, "It isn't Jamie, Lee...Would you like to talk? I certainly would, since I can't sleep anyway."
Lee sighed once more, and going to the adjoining door, opened it, and gestured, commenting quietly, "C'mon in..."
Dotty came in and they sat in the chairs near the bed, and looking at one another chimed together, "I'm sorry..."
Sharing a chuckle, they then clasped hands as Lee answered, "I don't know who that maniac was at the hospital, but he needs a good talking to, doesn't he?"
Dotty shrugged responding lightly, "Oh, I dunno...I think the overly dramatic woman who was there also could use a sound thrashing, hmm?"
Lee swallowed hard and queried, "Do you...Do you remember what happened tonight? Where were you and Jamie?"
Dotty stated, "At the movies. Phillip bowed out, saying that Suzanne was supposed to call or come over, I don't know. So we went, and when the movie let out, we were going towards my car, when a policeman came and told us we needed to go with him because you and Amanda were on your way to the University Hospital, that there had been an accident...That's all I remember...Do you think Phillip will be alright?"
Lee squeezed her hand gently, answering with a gesture, "Hey...Who told me after Amanda's accident that she would be just fine? And you were right! So, there's no reason to think otherwise about Phillip, huh?"
Dotty sighed and nodding, got up from the chair, commenting as they hugged warmly, "You're right about that...Well, I think we should try and get some sleep...Unless there's something else you'd like to talk over?"
Giving Dotty a light kiss on the cheek, Lee stated, clearing his throat, "Maybe someday...It's- It's just something I have to work out for myself, you know? But I know I have a mountain of apologizing to do to my family and assorted friends out there first, so...I'm truly sorry for my behavior earlier tonight...You didn't deserve any of that, okay?"
Returning a kiss to Lee, Dotty answered with a gesture, "Apology accepted...But you're going to have to jump through all kinds of hoops to get my daughter to forgive you, Young Man...Goodnight...Or is it Good morning, now?"
Lee chuckled once more, stating lightly, "Morning, I guess..." as Dotty went back to her room, and Lee, closing the adjoining door, went back to bed...
-SMK-
It was 7:30 later that morning when Lee, Dotty, and Jamie entered the hospital, and went up to the floor where Phillip was.
Lee said to Dotty in the waiting area, "I'm gonna say hello to my wife, and then you three are going to head down to the cafeteria for some food, because if I know Amanda, she hasn't left Phillip all night."
Dotty nodded as she led Jamie into the waiting area, and they sat on the couch to look at some magazines.
As Lee entered Phillip's room, he saw Amanda, seated in the chair, but her head down on the pillow beside Phillip's still form.
Lee swallowed hard, seeing Phillip's pale features, and the equipment he was attached to! Damn, he thought. Hope you're alright soon, Pal!
Then, going towards Amanda, he bent down, and giving her a tender kiss on her temple, whispered, "Good morning, Sweetie..."
Amanda moaned softly, stirred, and slowly opening her eyes, found Lee beside her, and answered quietly as she stood finally, "Is it? Are you feeling a little better?"
Lee nodded, and putting a hand up, stated gently, "Yes, and I'm sorry I got so bent out of shape last night, okay?"
Amanda shook her head answering, "That's putting it mildly...It was just something I hadn't seen in a while from you...Lee, it's just a car. You can get another one, you know?"
Lee nodded, and remarked slowly, "I-I know. But something hit me when I heard the car had been totaled. I-I can't really explain it, but-"
Suddenly, Amanda felt a light tug on her hand, and a moan, and she turned towards Phillip, who opened his eyes slowly, saying in a croak, "M-Mom?"
Amanda and Lee smiled, and as Lee went out the door to get a doctor, Amanda kissed Phillip's cheek and responded happily, "Ohh, Sweetheart! I'm so glad you're awake! Grandma and Jamie are outside, and Lee went to get the doctor, alright?"
Phillip nodded, but said, "Th-Thirsty..."
Amanda remarked quickly, "Oh, of course, Honey..."
Pouring a cup of water, she brought it to his lips and answered, "Sip slowly, Sweetie, huh?"
Phillip took a few sips and Amanda then took the cup, putting it back on the table, as Lee and Dr. Randall came in.
Dr. Randall commented, "Well, I see you're awake...How do you feel, Young Man?"
Phillip shrugged answering, "K-Kinda zonked, and my head hurts..."
Then, as Phillip looked at Lee, tears filled his eyes as he gulped, saying, "I'm-I'm s-sorry about the car, L-Lee! It was an accident-"
Lee, clearing his throat, patted Phillip's hand, commenting, "Hey, shh! Don't-Don't worry about it, Chief...The important thing is for you to get better, alright?"
Dr. Randall then answered, "Well, I need to check Phillip over now. Would you both mind waiting outside for a little while?"
Lee and Amanda nodded, and Amanda remarked to Phillip, "Be back soon, Honey."
She squeezed his hand, and as Lee winked at him and turned towards the door, Phillip answered, "Lee, wait..."
Amanda nodded to Lee, saying with a gesture, "I'll just be out here, Sweetheart."
She left, and Lee queried gently, "What is it, Son?"
Phillip stated, "I'll-I'll pay for repairs for the "Vette. Even if it takes the rest of my life, okay?"
Lee shook his head, blown away at the enormity of the boy's offer, saying, "I-I appreciate it, but I have insurance to cover some of it, and...You know what? Don't give it another thought, alright? Besides, you have college tuition to think about..."
Going back to Phillip, he cupped the boy's chin commenting softly, "We-We can talk about this later, okay, Pal? Right now, focus on getting out of here soon, huh?"
With that he turned and left the hospital room, and Amanda, seeing him come into the waiting area, came over, asking him, "Honey? What did Phillip want?"
Lee swallowed hard and responded, "I-I have to head out for a bit...I need some air...I'll be back later."
Kissing Amanda, he turned and headed for the elevator, as Amanda, Dotty and Jamie stared after his retreating form!
Dotty, puzzled, asked Amanda, "What in the world did the child say to him?"
Amanda shrugged and commented, " I dunno, but something's really bothering him...I have a feeling that it's not just about the car or Phillip, either, Mother. And until he opens up to me, I don't think I can help him with it. I'll have to let him be for now."
Getting down to the main floor, he saw the pay phone nearby, and dropping change into it, dialed a number and waited.
The voice that answered stated firmly, "Colonel Robert Clayton speaking..."
Lee gulped, replying, "Um, Colonel, it's-it's Lee...Do you have time to talk? It's important..."
TBC
