Passageway

Chapter 9

That afternoon Lee and Amanda were summoned to Pfaff's office where they were introduced to Michael Thompson.

As they all sat down Dr. Pfaff explained that Thompson was primarily West Coast based but he had an excellent record of mediations in the intelligence community and this would be his first attempt at a family/Agency situation.

Thompson spoke stating, "Dr. Pfaff has filled me in on the case that you were both on recently that led to some trouble on the homefront. Can you expand on that so I know where to go from here, please?"

Lee cleared his throat and replied gesturing to his wife, "It has to do with her mother, Dotty West."

Amanda half smiled and responded, "Yes. Uh, you see Sir-"

Michael stopped her and remarked, "No formalities here, okay? If I may call you Lee and Amanda, you can call me Mike."

The two nodded and Amanda sighed and continued stating, "Well Mike, the issue came about after the attack during the case. We were doing our best to communicate and work out our problems but I guess we let things fester a bit too long until finally we agreed to give each other space for the time being."

Mike nodded and answered, "So you each in your own way blamed one another for the outcome of the case?"

Lee shrugged uneasily and replied," Yeah. If things had gone differently... uh anyway, Dotty didn't know why I had planned to move out. We told her it was mutual and that we weren't getting divorced but we needed time to sort through some stuff."

Amanda nodded although feeling put off by Lee's comment of "If things had gone differently" responded, "Yes, and then she insisted on knowing what led to our trouble and why he wanted to leave. So, I explained about the attack and then told her about our career. So, she's insisting on custody of the boys because of that and that my ex-husband Joe King, is primarily in Africa-he works for the EAO organization."

Thompson nodded and commented, "I've heard good things about them. They've done a lot of good around the world. Getting back to your mother though, do your sons have a good relationship with her? I mean, do you think if the option presented itself that they may want to try to live with her?"

Lee sighed and responded, "They all live with Amanda now, Mike. It was in the custody agreement that she and Joe had when they split that the boys primary residence was to be in Arlington anyway."

Mike nodded and looked at Amanda asking , "I assume you're on good terms with Joe right now?"

Amanda shrugged and answered, "Usually we are but things are a little strained naturally because of the situation lately. Look, I don't want the boys upset by any of this. Is there any chance we could keep them out of it at all?"

Mike shook his head remarking, "If this was going to court a judge would naturally want to speak to your sons. How old are they?"

Amanda replied, "Phillip's almost fifteen and Jamie's almost thirteen. What will you ask them anyway?"

Mike responded, "Generally how their relationships with you and Joe and Dotty are. There aren't any right or wrong things to say here. Would you mind if I set something in motion for tonight at your home?"

Lee and Amanda looked at one another and Amanda stated, "I don't, but could I sound Joe out about it first? My mother didn't want anyone directly involved with us. Just someone objective that wouldn't play favorites here."

Mike shrugged and remarked, "By all means, Amanda. I'm simply going to observe and listen to all parties. I'm here to help if you still want me to."

Amanda smiled warmly and commented, "Thank you, Mike. "

Looking at Dr. Pfaff she queried, "May I use your phone?"

Pfaff nodded and remarked, "Good luck."

Amanda dialed Joe's apartment number and waited.

He picked up stating, "Hello?"

Amanda responded, "Hi, Joe, it's me. Listen, Lee and I are at work and we're talking to someone here who may be able to help us with Mother. Now he doesn't work here. He's what they call a mediator and he's from the West Coast but this would be his first family situation-"

Joe asked suddenly, "Is his name Mike Thompson?"

Amanda was surprised and answered, "Yes. Why, do you know him?"

Joe nodded and chuckled, "Yeah. He helped smooth things over with the EAO when we were having trouble in Guatemala last year. Can I talk to him?"

Amanda shrugged and commented, "Sure. Now Joe, he's a referral from a counselor we have here and-"

Joe shook his head answering, "It's okay, Amanda. He doesn't know any of us really. The Prime Minister mentioned his name at the time and I didn't realize it was the same person. This may be the perfect angle we need to bring your mother to her senses. Please put him on."

Amanda nodded and gave the receiver to Mike stating, "Joe's at least heard of you through your work?"

Mike got on and responded, "Joe King? Mike Thompson. Listen, I've been talking to Amanda here and..."

Mike went on to explain all he had gone over with Lee and Amanda and after going back and forth on several points nodded and stated, "Okay. So, seven thirty at the house? All right. I'll tell her. Bye."

Hanging up he remarked to Lee and Amanda, "Well, it's all set. Joe's going to talk to Dotty but he feels that you both and he should talk to the boys beforehand to explain what's going on exactly. After all, you don't want this to go to court, correct?"

Amanda and Lee shook their heads with Amanda adding," We all love them and want what's best for them. That much we agree on."

Then Lee and Amanda stood and shook Mike's hand thanking him and left the office with Amanda stating, "I sure hope this works."

Lee squeezed her hand responding, "Hey.. positive thoughts, all right?"

Amanda nodded and sighed replying, "Yeah, you're right. Let's try to get some work done now..."

As they went to the Q Bureau, both of them pondered what would occur tonight and hoped it would help...

TBC