Cars And Sons
Chapter 8
Amanda pulled into the driveway around 4 PM, and parking, shut off the motor, and Jamie, getting out, asked, "Mom? Can I help you guys with Phillip?"
Amanda nodded as she saw Phillip still asleep in the back seat and said giving Jamie the house key, "Yes, Honey... Would you go on in, and get the pullout couch in the den ready, and then go upstairs to the linen closet, and get the sheets and extra pillows for Phillip to use tonight, alright? Thank you..."
So as Jamie went into the house, Dotty and Amanda roused Phillip, and Amanda stated softly with a gesture,"Sweetheart? We're home, and we'll set you up in the den tonight, okay? Jamie's getting the sheets and pillows you'll need for the couch," And as Phillip nodded, mumbling, Okay, Mom," Amanda commented, "Alright, Phillip, take it slow now as we go into the house-"
Dotty remarked as they got Phillip out of the car, "Amanda, let's walk him around to the back so he doesn't have the porch steps to climb, huh?"
Amanda nodded answering, "Good idea, Mother."
They got around to the back and Jamie, seeing them, let them all in, with Dotty responding, "Thank you, Jamie... Can you help me set up the bed?"
Jamie stated, "Sure, Grandma."
The two headed for the den, as Amanda helped Phillip to the family room couch, propping him up with the throw pillows and commenting, "This is just until the den is ready, Honey. Now, can I get you anything?"
Phillip shook his head as he yawned, stating, "No thanks, Mom...I-I'm really sorry for all this-"
Amanda cupped his chin replying gently, "Stop, Sweetie...You're gonna be just fine, okay? Now just relax for a while, huh?"
Amanda, then going to put her purse down on the kitchen counter, went to make tea for herself and her mother, thinking with a sigh, Lee...If you're where I think you are, I sure hope you're feeling better by now...
Meanwhile, Lee was finishing up the first session with Dr. Tenner, who asked him, " So, do you think you'll be back here? I only ask because some people have been known to feel that they can handle whatever comes next without further visits...But I have to be honest, Lee. After everything we've discussed so far today, I don't think you're there quite yet. However, it is ultimately your choice whether or not to return, alright?"
As Lee stood there, he shrugged lightly, answering, " Well, I understand, Doc, and I thank you for taking time out of your schedule today, but I'll have to think about it, okay?"
They shook hands and Dr. Tenner took one of his office cards and scribbling down hours, answered as he gave Lee the card, " Fine. And in case you decide to call, here are my hours...Take care, Lee."
-SMK-
It was close to 6 as Lee came home, and hanging up his jacket in the hall closet, called out, "I'm home..."
Amanda came from the family room, and greeting him with a kiss, asked, "Are you alright?"
Lee chuckled softly asking with a shrug and a half smile, "Define alright?"
And then looking around, asked, "Where is everyone?"
Amanda stated quietly,"Mother and Jamie are upstairs, and Phillip is in here-"
Taking Lee's hand, she led him to the den, where Phillip was sound asleep, and whispered to Lee, "We can't have him going up and down stairs a lot just yet, so he'll be in here for a while...Also, the doctor said warm baths are best instead of showers, and he has breathing exercises to help him during his recovery."
Lee nodding, led her out to the kitchen, asking concernedly, "What about a recliner? I mean, that pullout's okay for sleeping, but-"
Amanda remarked, "Honey, we don't have one, and also, there's no room in there-"
Lee commented, "I have my old one in the storage place. I'll have it brought over tomorrow, and we'll set it up in the family room here, huh?"
Amanda nodded, answering, "Oh, alright...So, are you hungry at all? I have the leftover chili I was going to heat up for dinner tonight, unless you'd like something else?"
Lee sighed, and taking Amanda's hand, led her to the family room couch and sitting her down next to him, replied, "Sweetie, I know I've been an absolute bear lately, and once again, I apologize, but you and the rest of this family do not have to walk on egg shells around me, okay? Whatever you want to fix is fine, or if you'd like, I can also fix something...We're a team, right? And knowing our boys, they'll eat anything if they're hungry enough, huh?"
Bewildered, Amanda placed her hand on Lee's forehead for a moment, and shaking her head stated, "Well, you don't feel warm-"
Lee, chuckling once more, answered as he brought her hand down, and kissed it, "Will you stop, please? I'm fine...Really. But since Phillip had that accident, I've been feeling way out of sorts mentally, and so, not being able to talk to any of you for my own stupid reasons, or figure it out for myself, decided to take yours and your mother's advice and go see a shrink-"
Amanda tentatively asked, "Oh. So, you did go see Dr. Tenner? Can I ask what happened?"
Lee shrugged commenting, " Yeah...I'm not miraculously cured, but after sharing some of my history, past and present, including the most recent event with Phillip, the doctor told me no man is an island, meaning there's no shame in sharing my feelings if I need to with my family. That leaning on each other is not a bad thing. Trouble is, I've been relying on myself for too long, according to the doctor, who wants to help me move forward...Naturally, I told him I had to think about it."
Amanda nodded, stating, "Well, Sweetheart, I told Mother the best thing to do is just let you be, and you'd come to us to talk when you were ready."
Lee kissed her soundly and replied, "Thanks, Honey...Now, there is one thing I have to do, but it has to be between Phillip and myself...I-I can't mentally move forward without dealing with it head on. I'll have a talk with him after dinner-"
Then, Dotty came down, and overhearing Lee's statement, said, "Excuse me, Lee. I couldn't help overhearing what you just said regarding Phillip. I think before you do anything, we need to discuss it first, alright? I had a talk with Jamie in the car, Amanda, while we were at the fast food place for lunch, and he shared some things with me that we just weren't aware of..."
Lee and Amanda shared a pensive look with one another as they both thought, Uh-oh...
TBC
