Changes

Chapter 5

Amanda arrived at Spencer's a few minutes before 1:00, noting that Lee wasn't there yet.

The hostess asked if she had a reservation and Amanda gave Lee's name.

She was then taken to a table in the back of the room which was more secluded than the rest of the area.

The woman queried, "Can I get you a cocktail to start?"

But Amanda shook her head commenting,"No, thank you. Just water for right now until my friend arrives."

The woman stated putting down menus, "My name is Diana. Please let me know when you're ready to order."

Amanda thanked her as the woman left.

Fifteen minutes later Lee arrived and Amanda spotting him, signaled him to the table.

But as he came toward the table he had a strange look on his face and she asked, "Hi. What's wrong?"

Sitting down he stated, "Uh, Joe...I just now saw him coming in with someone. Did you know he was in town?"

Amanda nodded slowly and commented, "Yeah. That's what I wanted to talk to you about. He-He called last night and asked if I could have lunch with him. I told him I'd have to check my sched-"

Just then she saw her ex-husband along with a woman coming toward them and thought, Maybe this is what, or rather who he wanted to talk about?

She rose giving him a hug remarking, "Hi, Joe..."

Clearing her throat she answered gesturing to Lee, "You remember Lee Stetson?"

The two men shook hands and Joe replied gesturing to the woman, "Um, this is Carrie."

Joe then gestured to Amanda responding, "This is my ex-wife Amanda..."

As she and Amanda shook hands and Carrie nodded to Lee Joe answered, "When I didn't hear back from you this morning I thought I should wait until the weekend, but then I saw you here and well..."

Amanda shook her head commenting, "I'm so sorry I didn't call back but I hadn't had a chance to check my calendar but I will soon, all right?"

Lee suddenly felt as uncomfortable as Carrie did for obvious reasons!

Carrie looking at her watch responded, "Joe, I'm gonna have to take a raincheck on lunch after all. I've gotta get back to work, okay?"

Joe was lost in thought as he looked at both Lee and Amanda and then snapping out of it replied quickly, "Oh, sure...Let me walk you out-"

But Lee answered, "Uh, wait! I've gotta get going myself. I'll walk her out on the way to my car."

Looking at Amanda he responded, "I'll see you later."

Amanda helplessly commented with a smile, "Right... Bye, bye."

Nodding to Carrie she replied, "It was nice meeting you, Carrie."

Carrie smiled back stating, "Likewise. Joe, I'll call you later."

The two left and Joe sat across from Amanda and shook his head commenting, "I'm sorry if I interrupted something here."

Amanda quickly answered, "N-No, you didn't. We were just-"

She sighed and remarked softly, "Well... I guess now is as good a time as any to talk, huh?"

Joe nodded to her and replied, "Yeah..."

As they sat there they decided to go ahead and order lunch, wondering just how much more awkwardness there could be to add to the situation!

And as Lee drove back to the Agency he thought, Why does it feel like my nightmare is coming true?

Shaking his head he muttered, "I hope you set him straight about us, Amanda. But there's gotta be another reason this guy's back other than the kids, right? Maybe it's this woman, Carrie?"

Shrugging he thought, It doesn't matter. It shouldn't. Amanda and I love each other and that's that! She'll tell me about it when she gets back from lunch.

Arriving at the bullpen he asked Francine, "Is the deli guy still here? I'm gonna need a sandwich after all..."

TBC