Chapter 7

After everything was unpacked and the foursome settled into their hotel room, Amanda announced, "Okay, fellas, I need to go check in with your coach to let him know we're here. When I get back, I'll call your grandmother and let her know we made it, and then we can find someplace to eat. I think there were a few places within walking distance."

"Mom, we can call Grandma while you go check in with the coach. That will save us some time because I'm starving," Philip suggested.

Lee added, "I can help them call your mom. Besides, I'm kind of hungry as well."

Amanda just shook her head as she lovingly gazed at all three of the men in her life. All of them were exhibiting identical pouty faces. "Alright, tell Mother hi for me. I'll be back as quickly as I can."

Amanda left as Lee walked to the phone. Once he dialed the number, he handed the phone to Philip. He went to sit on the couch as he listened to the one-sided call.

"Hi, Grandma, we made it. No, Mom's checking in with the coach. Yes, we did. Operation Topeka was a success. No, he had some really good answers. Mom was crying at one point. I don't think she wanted us to see that, but we did. Yes, we did ask that question. No, I can't tell you the answer because I promised not to tell. No, Grandma, he can't tell you either." Lee knew exactly what Dotty was asking, so he got up, walked over to where Philip was and put his hand on his shoulder. "Hold on, Grandma." Philip lowered the phone to his chest.

"If you think your Grandma can keep the secret as well, you can tell her," Lee stated.

"Are you kidding me, Lee? Grandma can't keep a secret."

Through the muffled phone, they heard. "Philip King, I can too keep a secret! Now you tell me right this instant, young man!"

Philip looked at Lee, then to Jamie. Both nodded yes.

Philip raised the phone. "Okay, Grandma. The answer is yes." Philip held the phone away from his ear to avoid the screams of joy coming from it. "Grandma, we even saw the ring. Yes, he's already bought one." He held the phone up to Lee. "She wants to talk to you."

Lee chuckled and took the phone. "Why don't you go get ready for supper. Hello, Dotty. Yes, Philip is telling you the truth. And, Dotty, you can't say a word. I don't know when I'm going to ask her, so you can't say anything until you see the ring on her hand. No. This weekend is the boys' weekend. It more than likely won't happen this weekend. I want it to be perfect." Suddenly the door opened, and in walked Amanda. "Well, I've got to let you go, Dotty. The boys are about to start eating the furniture. Okay, see you on Sunday."

Amanda headed over to the boys and inquired, "Who's ready to eat?"

All she heard was a resounding, "Meeee!"

"Man, I'm stuffed," Philip announced as they made their way back into the room.

"You should be. I don't think I've seen anyone put that much food away," Lee joked as he ruffled Philip's hair.

Amanda broke up their horseplay. "Alright. It's time for bed, fellas. Your coach will be here in the morning at eight-thirty sharp. Not very many families came down tonight, so he wants the ones here to head over to the field together. You'll meet the rest of the team at the field. That means an early start, so we'll have time to eat breakfast before the game. You two can use the bathroom first. And don't forget to brush your teeth."

The boys gathered their pj's and headed into the bathroom. Amanda went over to the boys' bed, turned down the covers for them, and then did the same to their bed. Lee sat down on the couch to check out the local news until the boys were ready for bed. A few minutes later, the boys exited the bathroom and made a beeline for their bed. Lee shut off the TV and stated, "Looks like it's going to be a hot one tomorrow. Hopefully, there is some shade we can get under between games."

Amanda gave the boys hugs and added, "Which means you will have to make sure you drink plenty of fluids as well. Goodnight fellas. I love you."

"Love you too, Mom," Both boys answered.

Amanda motioned to the bathroom. "I'll just be a minute, then the bathroom's all yours, Lee."

As soon as Amanda disappeared behind the door, the boys rolled over in bed, and Jamie whispered to Lee, "You know, just because it's our weekend doesn't mean you can't propose to Mom. I'm sure there will be some time we can make it happen."

Lee smiled at them and leaned in so Amanda couldn't hear. "That's nice of you to say, but are you two sure you're okay with this? I mean, we don't know each other very well yet."

Jamie glanced at Philip and answered, "That's true, but we also see the way you two look at each other. We just want Mom to be happy, and we have never seen her this happy. We know you love each other. Plus, you're not so bad."

Lee gawked at them with shock until he saw the smiles on their faces knowing they were just messing with him. "Thank you, guys. That means a lot to me. We'll just have to see how the weekend goes. I want everything to be perfect, whenever it happens." Well, a little privacy afterwards would be nice too. "Now, get to sleep."

Amanda strolled out of the bathroom and saw the boys rolling back over in their beds. "What's going on out here? You two are supposed to be going to sleep."

Lee interrupted, "It's nothing. Just a little guy talk. You know."

Amanda raised her eyebrows in disbelief, "Hm-mmm. I bet." She jerked her head over her shoulder. "The bathroom is all yours."

Ten minutes later, Lee crawled into bed next to Amanda. They were both lying on their sides facing each other. Both were speaking softly, so they didn't wake the boys. "Amanda, what time do we need the alarm set for?"

"I already set it. Lee, I'm sorry the boys bombarded you earlier with questions. I didn't have any idea they were going to ask you all of those questions."

"It's okay. I enjoyed talking to them. It made me happy to know they really care about their mother and had the guts to ask."

"Well, I have to admit, I did enjoy some of the questions, especially your answers."

"Every single word was the truth..." Lee hesitated then continued, "Amanda, this feels weird."

"What do you mean?"

"Me, you, in bed, with your boys in the bed beside us."

Amanda snickered, "Yeah, this is a little weird. You just control yourself, and we'll be okay."

Lee raised his eyebrow. "I can control myself." Amanda gave him a dubious look. "However, remember I told you I have no control over what my body may do naturally while sleeping next to you all night." He leaned in and kissed her. His arm instantly drew her body closer to him. All too soon, he pulled back and locked onto her eyes. "See! Control."

They both laughed and said their goodnights. Amanda rolled over to spoon with Lee as they both drifted off to sleep.