Cars And Sons
Chapter 6
As the cab stopped at the Arlington Shopping Center that morning to let Lee out, he shook his head, saying to the driver, "Are you sure we're at the right address, Sir? I was looking for a medical building that has a doctor's office at 2168 Chestnut Street."
The cab driver nodded, and responded with a gesture, "Go back behind the supermarket here, and it's about a block away...People get off here because there's no parking at the medical place...Sorry."
Lee sighed heavily, and commented, handing him a small wad of bills, " Thanks...Keep the change."
He got out and as the driver left, Lee shook his head again, looking around and muttering, "No! No way Amanda and the kids had to walk that far! This is ridiculous!"
Going to the pay phone nearby, he put change in, and dialed Information, and when the voice answered, Lee stated, "Yeah, I'm looking for a Dr. Simon Tenner in Arlington. I seem to be lost because I'm at the Arlington Shopping Center right now, and I was told it was a block from here..."
As Lee listened then, he fumed, being told it was only a block from Maplewood Drive, on the north side of town!
He thanked the operator and hung up growling, "That cab company is going to hear from me later!"
As he was about to put more change in to call for another cab, he saw Mrs. Lombardo exiting the supermarket with her shopping cart and hanging up, he put the extra change back in his pocket, and greeting her answered, "Hi, Mary... Can I help you to the car with your groceries?"
Mary Lombardo nodded and stated concernedly as they began walking to her car in the lot. "Oh, thank you, Lee. By the way, I heard about Phillip's accident. Is he all right?"
Lee nodded commenting as they reached the vehicle, "He'll be home from the hospital this afternoon. It will be a few weeks before his injuries heal, but he's out of the woods according to the doctor...Um, listen, I need a small favor. I'm looking for a Dr. Tenner's office, and the cab dropped me here by mistake. Could you possibly take me there on your way home? Amanda has the Jeep, and my car is out of commission at the moment..."
Mary Lombardo smiled as Lee helped her put the bags in the trunk, and closing it afterwards, answered gesturing, "Of course. I'd be happy to. C'mon..."
As Mary drove out of the parking lot, and made her way to Chestnut Street, she asked Lee, "Is everything alright with the boys and Amanda? Did they need to see Dr. Tenner again?"
Lee, thinking quickly, replied, "Uh, no! It was a bill from Tenner's office Amanda mistakenly got last week, and I just want to fix the error for her, since she hasn't been going any more."
Mary Lombardo shook her head answering, "Oh, I hate when that happens! I had the same problem with my phone bill recently. I kept telling the company that I did pay my bill on time, and do you know they threatened to cut my service-until Dotty had a talk with the supervisor, and then went down to the office to lodge a complaint, and then..."
Lee shook his head, hoping her story would end soon, but nodded politely as she prattled on, and seeing the building as she made the turn onto Chestnut, he gestured, "Oh! Here we are!"
Mary pulled up to the curb, as Lee unbuckled himself, and getting out of the car, commented, "Thank you, Mary. I really appreciate this."
Mary stated, "It's no trouble at all, Lee...In fact, I could wait for you-"
But Lee said quickly, looking at his watch, "Oh, no! I couldn't ask you to do that. Besides, you have all your cold items that need to be put away, right?"
Mary nodded with realization and then commented, "You're right, but please call if you need me to come get you, alright?"
Lee smiled answering, "Thank you...Bye."
And as Mary pulled away, Lee sighed deeply, and turning towards the entrance of the medical building, saw a list of names on the sign, one of them being Dr. Simon Tenner.
-SMK-
Lee went inside to greet the receptionist named Diana, commenting, "Um, I don't have an appointment, but I was referred to Dr. Simon Tenner by my mother in-law, and I was hoping he had some time to see me today-"
But Diana shook her head as she looked at the appointment calendar remarking, "I'm sorry, Mr-"
Lee finished for her, "Stetson, Lee Stetson..."
Just then, the inner office door opened, as Dr. Tenner, according to his name badge, came out and remarked to Diana, "Mrs. Harris cancelled again today! If she calls back, tell her I've left town for a conference..."
He then noticed Lee, and asked, "May I help you?"
Lee answered, "I certainly hope so. I'm Lee Stetson. I was referred to you by my mother in-law, Dotty West?"
A look of trepidation crossed Dr. Tenner's face as he queried, looking around, "She's not here, is she?"
Lee, understanding the man's nervousness, stated with a chuckle, "No, you're safe! But I was wondering if I could see you for a few moments, please? I don't have an appointment, but-"
Dr. Tenner waved him in, answering as Lee came towards the door, "Since my appointment book has a sudden blank spot for the next hour, you're obviously next, Mr. Stetson...Come right in..."
Now Lee was the one who felt nervous all of a sudden as he followed Dr. Tenner in. Okay, sure, he thought. He was used to sessions with Pfaff, but this was totally alien to him. It's him, being open about real feelings and situations in his own personal life, after telling Amanda for years that he didn't get personal with anyone, outside of Billy and maybe Francine, who were his colleagues and closest friends.
But as he entered this new territory, he wondered if he was up to the challenge of a real personal one-on-one session!
Shrugging, he thought, Okay, Stetson, at least make an effort here, so you aren't disowned by your new family...
TBC
