Dotty's Five W's And An H

Chapter 3

When Amanda went to Lee's a half hour later and he let her inside he saw how upset she seemed and asked, "Want a drink?"

Amanda shook her head as she put down her purse and sat on the sofa.

Lee then joined her. "Okay. So, what happened?"

Amanda swallowed hard. "Mother and I had a talk. Well, she mostly talked while I listened to her. I wasn't expecting the subject matter she came up with, however."

Lee furrowed his brow. "Oh? Which was?"

Amanda deeply sighed as she looked at him. "You. She wanted to know who you were. Where and when we met, what our relationship is, why I never brought you up before in conversation."

Lee noticed her eyes well up and he took her hand. "Hey...What is it?"

Amanda gulped and answered softly, "She also asked how could I ever have left the family for a total stranger? I mean, you aren't to me but to them-"

Lee half smiled and nodded. "I-I get it. So, what did you tell her?"

Amanda shrugged. "I didn't say anything. I was too shocked. I didn't really know what to say, anyway."

Lee shook his head lightly as he chuckled. "Wow. That's a switch. Amanda King rendered speechless-"

Amanda looking hurt commented, "I'm glad this whole thing amuses you, Lee. You don't have to live with her and constantly lie about your job-"

Lee interjected. "Ho-Hold on! You don't think I'd like to just go home with you now and introduce myself to her if I could?"

Amanda asked, "Why not? She already knows I took off with you-"

Lee put up a hand. "Wait! You know perfectly well why not! I won't put your family in jeopardy just to satisfy your mother's unique brand of curiosity."

Amanda nodded slowly realizing something finally and replied,"Ohh, I see now."

Lee baffled remarked, "See what?"

Amanda stood up from the sofa and walking over to the living room window to look out commented, "Now I know what Mother really wanted to know. I mean, other than who you were...Hmph."

Lee stood up then as well and sighed answering, "Ok, Honey. Could you fill in the blanks, please? I'm a bit confused as to where this is going."

Amanda then asked slowly, "Lee, what made you decide to tell me you loved me? Was it that we were in danger and we might not have seen each other again?"

Lee flustered suddenly, "Yea-No! I was going to tell you anyway. I told you that I just wasn't ready to tell you when I first realized it."

Amanda nodded. "Which was when exactly?"

Lee groaned. "Oh, for the love of-! Can we talk about that later and get back to why you think your mother asked those questions about me? What was she really wondering?"

Amanda shrugged uneasily. "Well, we were gone a while and it was just the two of us. I guess Mother might have thought that things may have happened..."

Lee was taken aback as he stared at Amanda realizing what she was getting at! "Oh, my God! When would we have had time for that?! We were essentially running for our lives, trying to clear our names."

Amanda cocked her head at him."We did have a place to rest, you know? We weren't always running."

Going over to her slowly Lee swallowed and took her hand. "I know. I guess we do have a lot to talk about. But look. This whole thing is new for both of us, huh? I mean now that things are calming down we can set aside some time soon and really talk about things. With no pressure from either side, okay?"

Amanda nodded. "Right."

Looking at her watch she went to get her purse."I'd better get going."

Lee walked her to the door and as they kissed goodnight he asked, "So, what are you going to tell your mother?"

Amanda sighed and with a light smile answered, "The truth. At least our own brand of it. Goodnight."

She left and Lee getting ready for bed wondered how much things were actually going to change for them in the near future and was he ready for it?

TBC