Passageway

Chapter 16

As Mike and the boys were finishing their talk Amanda knocked on the door stating, "Okay, Guys. It's getting late and you have school in the morning, so maybe you can talk to Mike another time-"

But they opened the door and Jamie replied, "It's fine, Mom. We're done."

Amanda nodded to Mike and commented, "I hope they didn't keep you from anything. Say goodnight, Fellas."

Phillip and Jamie shook Mike's hand and thanked him and then said goodnight to him and the others as they headed up.

Dotty noticed Mike's expression and asked, "Is something wrong, Mike?"

Mike shrugged and went into the family room and sat on the couch and then queried, "No. But could I trouble you for some water please?"

Dotty remarked quickly as she went to the kitchen, "Oh, I'm sorry. Of course. Anyone else want anything?"

Lee looking at his watch shook his head and declined answering, "Uh no, thank you. I have an early meeting in the morning."

Amanda replied, "I'll walk you out when we're finished, then."

Joe nodded in agreement commenting, "I've got an early flight myself but Mike, we all appreciate what you did for us tonight. So, what do you think? Is court really the answer?"

Mike sipped the water that Dotty brought him and swallowed stating, "Thanks. Well, I've heard everyone's thoughts concerning this and I have to commend you on how well behaved these boys are considering everything lately. And no, I don't think court is necessary here. However, they've asked me to broker a deal for them."

Lee chuckled softly and asked, "Wh-what? A deal you say? What kind of deal?"

Just then Amanda heard some movement from the stairs and silenced him stating in a whisper, "Just a minute..."

Going back to the kitchen she firmly announced, "If you boys aren't in bed by the time I count to three, you're gonna get it!"

Suddenly they all heard thunderous footsteps and a door slam!

Dotty shook her head and responded, "They'll do anything these days to prolong going to bed."

Amanda nodded to Dotty answering, "Yeah. But I've also caught them on occasion eavesdropping. Like around their birthdays or Christmas. We've had to be very inventive when it came to hiding presents."

Lee cleared his throat and remarked, "A-Amanda, please? Can we get back to Mike?"

Amanda shook her head and replied to Mike, "Sorry. You were saying?"

Mike cleared his throat and commented, "Yeah. The deal they want to present is this. They want to move in with Lee-at least temporarily- until you three can agree on a permanent solution for them..."

All of them were stunned, Lee included! Dotty exclaimed softly, "Why in the world would they want to do that? This is their home. This is where they belong."

Mike sighed and responded, "But it's also the place where you argue over them. They made it clear that they love you all and they know you love them but it's a bit too tense for their liking."

Looking at Lee he then stated, "Now you're perfectly within your rights to say no, but they asked that you please think about it and-"

Joe shook his head and responded curtly, "I say no-"

Amanda stated, "Joe, please-"

Joe cut her off answering angrily, "No, Amanda! Look, what kind of parents are we to let those boys walk all over us like that?!"

Lee put up a hand and replied, "I don't see it that way frankly, Joe. They're just asking to be heard because they're tired of the tension between the three of you."

Dotty looked at Lee and remarked crisply, "Because of me, right?"

Amanda patted her mother's arm and answered gently, "Of course not, Mother. But you already live with them here and to ask for custody after all these years is sil-"

Lee and Joe stated together in unison, "Ridiculous."

Amanda stared surprisedly at them as Dotty swallowed hard and responded shaking her head, "All right. Do whatever you like. I'm going up. Goodnight Mike, and thank you for trying to salvage the situation..."

She left and Mike commented, "Well, I'm sorry for upsetting her. Will she be okay?"

Amanda sighed stating, "Yes. In time. But I guess we all still have talking to do. I'll see you out, Mike. Thanks again."

As they got to the door and Amanda opened it Mike remarked, "I hope it works out soon for you all. Goodnight."

Amanda replied, "Goodnight, now."

She closed the door and went back to face both men asking, "Was that really necessary?"

Joe sighed and shrugged querying, "Aren't you tired of this by now? I know I am."

Lee shook his head and answered, "Anyone care for my two cents? Here it is. I say we try it for a while-"

Amanda gulped and shook her head responding, "But what about-"

Lee nodded commenting, "Yeah, I know I have a one-bedroom, but I can easily get a pullout for my living room. They stay with me during the week and weekends are either with you, or Joe when he's in town."

Seeing the hesitant looks on Joe and Amanda's faces he stated, "C'mon, let's give this a shot. If we get tired of each other, I ship them back here. No fuss, no muss. Agreed?"

Joe feeling as though he had no other option shrugged at Amanda asking, " All right. What do you think, Amanda?"

Amanda sighed and slowly nodded as she looked at Lee stating, "Okay. Just don't be surprised when your place turns into a war zone mess and you have to abort this plan."

Joe awkwardly shook Lee's hand and replied, "Thanks. Let me know how it's going."

Amanda walked Joe out responding in the driveway,"Joe, he does care about them. He's just trying to help."

Joe nodded and gave her a gentle hug answering, "I know. Doesn't mean I have to like it. I'll call in a few days, all right? Take care."

Amanda nodded in reply and commented, "You too."

He drove off and Amanda went back into the house and found Lee on the couch staring into space.

She tapped him and he jumped slightly and chuckled stating, "Sorry, I was just thinking..."

Amanda sat next to him and answered, "Me, too. It's not too late to back out, Sweetheart. I mean I love those two but they can test your limits. They do it to Mother and me all the time now. And also, are we going to tell them why Mother thinks our job is dangerous?"

Lee shook his head and got up from the couch pulling her gently with him and then into his arms remarking, "Let's hold off on that unless they ask, okay?"

They kissed tenderly and Amanda sighed and queried, "Since it's so late, why don't you stay here tonight? I don't mind at all."

Lee slowly shook his head leading her to the front door stating, "Well I do mind, only because we haven't solved our original problem yet. I want us to be free and clear of any strife before going back to being us, okay? But I still love you."

Amanda slowly nodded and responded, "All right. I love you too and I understand. We'll help the boys and then work on us."

She walked Lee out and they shared a final goodnight kiss and he was off.

Walking back into the house, Amanda hoped Lee knew what was ahead of him as she checked all the doors before she went upstairs to turn in for the night...

TBC