Reflections

Chapter 5

When Lee awoke a while later he noticed his curtains closed and his room was darker than usual.

He coughed and then clearing his throat called out, "A-Amanda?"

Attempting to get up he was then dizzy and laid back down and looking around noticed the water on his night stand with a cup.

Maneuvering over he managed to pour some water in the cup and take a few sips.

Swallowing he put it down and called out again, "Hey, Amanda! Where are you?"

A few minutes later the bedroom door opened and it was of all people, Francine!

Lee growled, "What're you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work? Where's Amanda?"

Francine sighed stating, "Nice to see you too! God, your mood's ten times worse when you're sick!"

Lee shook his head mumbling, "All right. I'm-I'm sorry, okay? But where is Amanda?"

Francine rolled her eyes answering, "Your little "Suzy Homemaker" went home-"

When Francine saw the worried look on Lee's face she put up a hand commenting, "Relax! She had to get more clothes and check on her family and run to the market. She asked me to stay until she got back. So, What can I get you? You have water, ginger ale or orange juice-provided by one of your neighbors...Oh, and some bread. I can at least do toast for you. Can you handle anything right now?"

Lee sighed answering with a shrug, "Orange juice, I guess."

Francine nodded and then snapped her fingers responding, "Wait. I gotta take your temperature, first."

As she got the thermometer she went to him asking with mock innocence, "Which end?"

Lee looked alarmed as he queried, "What do you mean, which end?! You're not going where I think you're going with that thing! Get away from me!"

Francine chuckled remarking, "Calm down, Stetson! I know you take it orally! It was a joke! Geez!"

Placing it in his mouth she sighed replying, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't pick on you like this when you're sick."

Lee shook his head and garbled, "I'm not sick! Furlough, that's all."

Francine shook her head commenting, "Oh, yeah. Right."

Taking the thermometer out a few minutes later she read it and replied, "Well, you're still at 100...Sorry. Let me go get your juice."

As she left Lee shook his head thinking, Somebody up there doesn't like me. Figures...

An hour later Amanda came into the apartment with the groceries and saw Lee on the couch and worriedly asked, "How are you feeling? Why are you out here?"

Lee sighed answering, "Um, well. I had some juice earlier, but then...I'm sorry. Francine's in there trying to clean up and-"

Amanda nodded in understanding and stated, "It's all right. Things happen. Let me go see if I can help..."

She put the groceries down on the kitchen counter and went to the bedroom to help Francine and Lee heard Amanda moan, "Omigosh! You can't get that up with that! That's for bare floors only, not carpeting!"

Francine argued, "Well, he didn't have anything else! What did you want me to do?! You took your own sweet time getting back here!"

As the argument got more heated Lee thought with a groan, If I could I'd get the hell out of here right now...

Looking at the phone he grabbed it and dialed Billy's office.

Billy answered, "Melrose."

Lee swallowed and commented, "Hey, Billy. Any chance you could stop by and referee here?"

Billy questioned shaking his head, "I'm not following, Lee. And shouldn't you be in bed? From what Amanda told me earlier...Wait. What's all that yelling in the background?"

Lee sighed as his head continued to pound and he replied irritatedly, "Oh, nothing. Just World War Three starting."

Billy knew what that meant and commented, "All right. Put Desmond on the phone now. You'll get your rest..."

Lee sighed responding with relief, "Gladly! Hold on..."

Slowly Lee rose from the couch as he was in no mood or shape to yell and went back to the bedroom answering sharply, "Francine! Billy wants you on the phone right now. I believe your discharge from here has been ordered."

Francine glaring at Amanda stated hotly, "Thank God!"

She left the room to talk to Billy on the phone while Amanda finished cleaning up what she could in the bathroom.

As Amanda came out of the bathroom finally Lee was sitting on the bed and raking his hand through his hair remarked, "I'm sorry. If it wasn't for me, you'd be home taking care of your own family instead of dealing with all this crap."

Amanda sat down next to him and replied gently patting his arm, "Hey...If it wasn't for me being sick to begin with, none of this would've happened. Look at it this way. We're helping each other out and you will be better soon. I guarantee it, okay?"

Then she saw the bed and answered, "Well, at least Francine put new sheets on the bed for you. Why don't you lie down again and I'll get your aspirin, huh?"

Lee nodded and commented softly, "Thanks. Did you get any chips and dip while you were out?"

Amanda got up from the bed shaking her head and with a chuckle responded, "You're unbelievable! You will be having nothing but tea and toast until you're able to stand regular food, all right? How did the Colonel deal with you when you were sick?"

Lee shook his head as he blanched at the memory, "He didn't. The base cook Barney Dorsey, took care of me. Made me eat oatmeal and gave me ginger ale when I got the flu one time. Ecch!"

Francine knocked on the door frame and commented contritely to Amanda, "Uh, so listen... I'm-I'm sorry about earlier. I'm not that good at being a nursemaid, obviously. And Billy told me to head home now that you're back."

Glancing at Lee she remarked, "I hope you're feeling better soon, and I'm sorry about the rug..."

Lee shrugged answering, "It-It's okay. They're replacing the carpeting in all the apartments in a month, anyway. Don't worry about it."

Amanda stated to Francine, "I'll walk you out. I brought back something for you to take home..."

As they walked out Lee went to lay down again grateful that at last, quiet was on the horizon...

Amanda returned a few moments later with aspirin and as Lee sat up to take it he queried, "So, everything's all right now with you two?"

Amanda shrugged commenting, "We're getting there. Chocolate's a great peace offering."

Lee nodded after taking it and swallowing put the cup of water down on the nightstand he answered, "Thanks for putting up with me. Is your family okay with you being here?"

Amanda shook her head replying gently, "Don't you even worry about that. They don't know you, but Mother sends her best anyway and hopes you feel better, all right? Now, you get some rest while I put the groceries away and start dinner. It's homemade chicken soup..."

Lee nodded and laid back down as Amanda left thinking, What a day!

TBC