Reflections

Chapter 3

They arrived at Lee's Georgetown apartment complex about twenty minutes later and as Lee pulled into his parking space and parked he stated to Amanda who had just awakened, "Here we are. Now, just stay put for a minute while I get the doorman to help me..."

He opened the car door but Amanda shook her head protesting, "L-Lee. It's okay. I can walk, you know."

Lee chuckled answering, "He's not going to carry you up. He's taking the soup. I'm carrying you up-"

But Amanda shook her head once more firmly remarking, "Oh, no you're not! I told you I can walk and I will!"

Stubbornly getting herself out of the car she only made it a few feet holding the soup pot when she began to feel dizzy and leaned back towards the car putting the pot on the hood!

Lee grumbled and commented frustratedly, "Aw, geez! Here we go again with her not listening to me!"

Looking toward the apartment entrance he spotted the doorman letting someone in and whistled to him stating, "I-I need your help here! Get something to keep that door open!"

But the doorman shook his head answering, "I-I'm sorry, Mr. Stetson. I can't leave my post-"

Lee sighed and went to scoop up Amanda bringing her to the door and placing her on the chair nearby replied to the doorman, "Please! There's a bonus in it for you if you just keep an eye on my friend Mrs. King for a minute while I get her things! I'll be right back!"

Before the doorman could protest, Lee tore back to his car and grabbed Amanda's bag out of the trunk and shut it and going to the driver's side shut the door locking it and then went around to the other side of the hood to grab the soup pot and went back to the entrance of the building stating to the doorman, "Thanks. I know it's against the rules here but if you could just follow me upstairs to my place with her bag and the soup, I'd really appreciate it."

The doorman replied with a sigh, "Very well, Sir. It's highly irregular, but it might help if you took your keys out of your car door first..."

Lee looked at the man questioningly and then checked a pocket with first one hand while maneuvering the soup carefully, and then the other coming up empty handed!

Chagrined suddenly as he realized what had happened again Lee shrugged putting the soup and the bag down and mumbled, "Be right back..."

Going back to the car Lee shook his head dismayed thinking, Good job, Stetson! Way to be on the ball here!

Finally making sure everything was locked up and that he had his keys safely in his pocket he came back in the building responding to the doorman, "Okay. Ready to go?"

The doorman looked anxiously at Amanda and queried to Lee, "Should I take Mrs. King?"

Lee shook his head quickly and answered, "N-No. I'll do that. You just take the soup and her bag if you could, please. Thanks..."

As he scooped up Amanda she murmured feverishly, "L-Lee? Wh-Where are we? I can help..."

Lee whispered, "It-It's okay, Amanda. I got you. You'll be all right soon. Just relax, huh?"

A few minutes later the three made it up to Lee's place by the elevator and Lee opened the door leading them in commenting to the doorman, "Just put the soup on the counter in the kitchen and the bag on the chair here. I've gotta get Mrs. King settled. Thanks a lot..."

Taking Amanda back to his bedroom he laid her down on the bed and taking her coat and shoes off put a blanket over her responding, "I'll be back..."

He came out and the doorman asked, "Anything else, Sir? I really do need to get back now."

Lee nodded and pulling out his wallet gave him a wad of bills stating, "I appreciate your help. Really. Thank you."

The doorman remarked, "I hope Mrs. King will be better soon, Sir."

Lee sighed deeply looking toward the bedroom and nodded commenting, "That makes two of us."

Letting the doorman out he shut the door and then taking Amanda's bag back to the bedroom he thought carefully, I can't leave her in those clothes. She wouldn't be comfortable...But she'd have a fit if I...

Shaking his head finally he thought, Screw it! I'll just think of it like a job. I'll be professional about it.

He opened her bag he found her nightgown and pulled it out commenting softly, "I can do this. No sweat."

He pulled her up to a sitting position and replied as she murmured, "L-Lee? What're you doing?"

Lee gently answered, "Getting you ready for bed. But I'm gonna need your help. Raise your arms if you can, okay?"

Amanda slowly brought both arms up and sighed commenting slowly, "Really tired..."

Lee got her sweat shirt off and responded softly, "I know. You still have a bit of a fever and that's why you're here."

Getting her nightgown over her head he got her sleeves set and then answered, "Okay, I'm gonna help you stand up and you get your sweat pants down, okay?"

Suddenly Amanda became a little more alert as she shook her head answering slowly gesturing toward the door, "Oh no you don't, Buster! I'll do this myself. Why don't you leave now?"

Lee sighed commenting, "I-I promise I won't-"

But Amanda cut him off stating, "Darn right you won't! I can finish here. Please go..."

Lee shrugged putting up his hands responding, "Fine! I'll just go put the soup away."

Amanda clearing her throat replied, "Yeah...Why don't you do that? I'll call you when I'm done."

As Lee reached the door Amanda commented, "And Lee?"

Without turning around he queried, "Yeah?"

Amanda answered with a deep sigh, "Thank you again. I know you're just trying to help. It-It would be different if we um, had a relationship. But we don't. At-At least not uh, that way, you know?"

Lee nodded as he softly chuckled remarking, "Yeah, I-I know. But believe me, I wouldn't take advantage. My uncle taught me how to respect a woman and to be considerate of her feelings. In other words no assignations here, all right? Just a friend helping a friend who's sick. That's all."

Clearing his throat, he left the room closing the door.

As he headed to the kitchen to put the soup away he thought, Well, that could've gone a lot better!

Shaking his head he then thought, What was she so afraid of? Did she honestly believe I would do what she was thinking I'd do?

Meanwhile in the bedroom, Amanda's mind raced as she finished getting ready for bed.

She had decided to leave her sweatpants on under her nightgown.

She knew she was being silly, but she couldn't help it.

She felt she was right. She and Lee weren't involved and she felt anxious enough staying under his roof, even if it was for just tonight.

She went to brush her teeth and take her medicine and then called out, "Lee? I'm all set..."

Lee knocked as he came in a few minutes later and asked, "You need anything?"

Amanda getting into bed replied, "Well, I do like the window open just a bit for fresh air. Would it be all right?"

Lee winced slightly answering, "You have a temperature still. I don't think that's such a good idea, do you?"

Amanda pondered it and then remarked, "Okay. Well... I think I'll turn in then. Thanks again for your help tonight."

Lee half smiled and nodded stating, "You're welcome. Get a good rest now."

Amanda responded, "Goodnight, Lee. "

Lee commented, "Goodnight, Amanda."

He closed the door and went out to grab a pillow and blanket from the hall closet forgetting to retreive his night clothes.

He thought shrugging, I can go one night without them...

Taking off his tie and jacket and shoes he settled on the couch and fell right to sleep.

TBC