Chapter 11 - The Boys

After they returned from their vacation, Amanda kept her promise to talk to her sons.

"Fellas, can you come down here. We are going to have a family meeting."

The boys came down the stairs slowly since they knew their mom had been away and that likely something was going to change in their lives. Jamie secretly hoped that his Mom had snuck away to be with their dad and that she was going to tell them that their parents were getting back together.

"Have a seat fellas." Amanda motioned to the couch. "Now you know I went away for the past week. I want to tell you about it. I have been dating a really nice man named Dean. He loves to camp and fish and loves sports just like you Phillip. He took me fishing and we had a good time but he really wants to meet you both and become a part of your lives."

Phillip spoke first "Mom? What about Dad?"

"Now Phillip, you know that Dad and I are divorced. Dad is still in Africa helping out other people. It is time for me to move on and it is time that you both have someone in your life that is a male influence. I really think you will like Dean if you give him a chance"

Jamie had looked down at the floor during the whole conversation "What if we don't like him?"

"Oh Sweetheart, you have to give him a chance. He really wants to be your friend, he doesn't expect to take the place of your father. You already have a father. Now I was thinking of inviting him for dinner tomorrow night so you could both meet him. I'll bet he would love to shoot hoops with you both. What do you say fellas? Will you please give him a chance for me?"

"I guess so" They both answered at once. Amanda smiled and was glad it went better than she thought it might. The boys trudged upstairs to continue their homework.

Dean was just getting out of the shower when Amanda called and invited him to dinner the following night. He felt excitement and fear at the same time. Amanda assured him that everything would be fine. He told her he would be at her house promptly at 6pm. Amanda knew that Dean liked to be on time no matter what the occasion.

Dean had a busy day at the Weather Bureau but made sure he left in plenty of time to go home and take a shower and dress in a nice plaid shirt along with a relaxing pair of Jeans. He arrived at Amanda's at exactly 6pm and rang the front doorbell. Phillip ran to the door first and opened it. "Are you Dean? Mom says you know how to play basketball and that you would shoot hoops with me, is that right?"

Dean had never been around many children but he did know how to play basketball and Amanda had advised him that this was a good way for him to get to know the boys. "I sure do. Are you Phillip? I would love to shoot some hoops with you after dinner. Is your Mother home?"

"Yes, I'm Phillip and that wormbrain there is Jamie." Jamie had just come down the stairs as Phillip was talking. "Mom is in the kitchen with Grandma. Come on, I'll show you."

Phillip led Dean to the kitchen and Amanda came over and gave him a hug. "EWWWWWW" said both Jamie and Phillip at the same time. Amanda smiled and said "Oh come on fellas, it was only a hug. It isn't like we kissed or anything."

Dotty came over to give Dean a hug too but found herself shaking his hand again instead. "Nice to see you again Dean, how have you been? Is your foot all healed now?"

"It is nice to see you again too Mrs...Ummm I mean Dotty. Yes, my foot feels so much better, thanks for asking. Everything smells wonderful. Did you both do all this cooking just for me?"

"Well no, we normally cook nice meals for the boys. Phillip's appetite seems to get bigger each month. I hope you like everything."

"I'm sure I will. I brought a bottle of wine, shall I pour us a glass."

By this time, the boys had wandered back out to the livingroom and were watching TV. A new Dinosaur series had started and they couldn't wait to see it. That gave the adults a chance to talk.

Dotty asked Dean "So how is the Weather Bureau? Should we be worried about any storms in the future."

"No, everything is pretty quiet at the moment. It changes all the time which is what keeps me in business though."

Dotty smiled and said "You know I once dated a weather guy. Well he didn't work at the weather bureau or anything but he was sure he could tell the weather. He used to call me up all the time and tell me if it was going to rain or snow and what I should wear. I think he just wanted to make sure I dressed in outfits he liked to see me in but it was fun."

Dean replied "I'll bet you have some great stories Dotty. You and I will have to sit down at some point and swap stories."

"I would love that Dean"

Amanda finished mashing the potatoes and yelled out that dinner was ready. They all sat down for the meal and Dean spent some time trying to get the boys to talk. Neither of them had much to say and they picked over their food. After 15 minutes, they both asked if they could be excused so they could finish their homework. Amanda decided it was best to let them have their space but reminded them that Dean would shoot hoops with them after their food had settled in their stomachs a bit.

Amanda fixed coffee for Dean and herself while making a cup of tea for her Mother. They went back into the livingroom to relax while they drank their beverages. Dotty asked Dean if he had ever been around children and he said that he had some co-workers with kids that sometimes came into the weather bureau but overall, he didn't have any kids in his family. He had grown up an only child and his mother never brought him to even meet any of his cousins. He soon began telling her about his father and how his parents had gotten divorced when he was only 8 and he only got to see him for 2 weeks in the summer when they went to Arkansas but that they had talked on the phone all the time until he had his heart attack and died. Dotty's face turned white and she said "Your father died of a heart attack. That is so sad, Amanda's father died that way too. I'm sure you both are a comfort to each other since you share such a huge bond."

"I'm right here Mother and yes, I was able to help Dean deal with losing his father. Anyway, let's talk about more cheery things, shall we?"

The room got quiet until suddenly the boys ran downstairs and told Dean that it was time to come play with them. It didn't take long for Phillip to show Dean up as he annihilated him in shooting hoops. Jamie bored of it quickly and began riding his skateboard all around the neighborhood. Soon it became too dark to see and they had to go back inside. Dean thanked everyone for a nice evening and told the boys that he was glad he finally got to meet them and he hoped he could hang out with them again soon. They both yawned and said they were tired and needed to get to bed. Amanda shared a knowing look with her Mother and kissed her boys good night and sent them upstairs. Amanda told Dean that she would walk him out to his car. He turned to Dotty and shook her hand and told her what a wonderful meal she had made and that he enjoyed being there. She told him to come back soon. Amanda and Dean walked out to the car and she gave him a quick hug before he climbed in and told her he would call in a day or two. Then he drove off into the night. On the drive home, Dean couldn't help but ponder how things had gone with Amanda's sons. They both seemed like good kids and had been pretty well behaved considering their ages. He decided that he wouldn't mind sharing a home with them once he married Amanda.

TBC