Passageway
Chapter 22
Amanda came home and changed before she and Dotty were to go to Lee's for dinner. She noticed a slight mood shift with her mother and asked before they left, "Mother, is something wrong?"
Dotty shrugged and stated, "I don't know, Dear. Have you talked to the boys at all today?"
Amanda sensed that things weren't okay at that moment and answered, "No, but Lee talked to Phillip who called the office today. We'll find out what's up with them when we get there."
Dotty sighed and queried, "Well, why didn't you talk to him?"
Amanda responded, "Because I was talking to Joe who talked with Jamie. Oh, this is silly! Let's just go there and get this over with and then try to have a nice dinner, okay?"
Amanda put up a finger and stated, "Just a minute. Let me find out from Lee if homework's done."
She called Lee and asked, "Are the boys set for dinner or do they still have work to do?"
Lee remarked, "No, they've just finished. Are you two on your way?"
Amanda nodded and commented, "Yes. Now, we need to have a talk with them about this morning. We'll see you soon. Bye."
Lee nodded and responded, "Okay. See you shortly. Bye."
They hung up and Dotty and Amanda left.
They arrived at Lee's twenty minutes later and hugging the boys Amanda asked, "So. What's going on, Guys? And don't say nothing because Lee and your grandmother and I know better. Let's sit down and have one of our talks, huh?"
They all sat down and the boys sat there closemouthed and Lee shook his head stating, "All right. C'mon, spill. I'm not ordering the food until we hash this out, huh? Your mother asked a question and she'd like an answer. In fact, we'd all like an answer. So give."
Phillip sighed and answered, "Fine. But we don't want to be lied to any more-"
Dotty sternly remarked, "Young Man, you watch that tone! And when have we ever lied to you?"
Jamie responded querying, "When you were arguing with Mom and Dad about his job and then you said something about how dangerous Mom and Lee's job was. But over the weekend when I asked if you and Mom made up, you said everything was fine and not to worry about it. So, is that why you wanted custody of us? Because of Mom's job with Lee? What's so bad about it? They're film people. That's not dangerous, is it?"
Amanda and Lee looked at one another realizing that some of the truth would have to come out since Dotty knew already!
They then looked at her and she stated shrugging, "It's up to you what you think they can handle at this point. I'm always going to worry, but you can see now why I was concerned about them, hmm?"
Amanda swallowed hard and nodded commenting, "Yes, we understand. Now Mother, you were acting a little strangely at the house earlier. Was there something I needed to know about?"
Dotty sighed and remarked, "Alma Dennis called earlier this afternoon. She was concerned that the boys were almost late to their classes before lunch-"
Amanda looked at Phillip responding, "That's when you were talking to Lee, right?"
Phillip nodded and answered, "I got permission to call. Anyway, I was just trying to find out about you and Grandma. Lee also said you'd made up-"
Amanda stated quizzically, "Okay then, why didn't you believe him?"
Lee put up a hand and responded to Phillip asking, "I got it. Because of the argument, right? Look, that was a while ago and your mom and grandma have talked lately and worked things out. You really have nothing to worry about here, okay?"
Jamie asked, "Then Mom, what about your job? What's so bad about it that you and Grandma and Dad had to yell?"
Dotty then got up stating, "You know what? I forgot I'm meeting Captain Curt back at the house. I'm making him dinner. I think you three have a lot to discuss. Boys, can I get a big hug from you, please?"
They got up and hugged Dotty stating, "We love you, Grandma."
Dotty kissed both of their cheeks remarking, "I love you as well."
Looking at Amanda she commented, "Dear, don't forget to tell the takeout people about the MSG."
Phillip queried, "What's wrong?"
Amanda responded getting up also,"You had a bad reaction the last time we had Chinese, remember? I won't, Mother. Here, I'll walk you out."
As she and Dotty went out to the elevator Jamie asked, "Lee, Grandma looks kind of sad. Why?"
Lee remarked slowly as Amanda came back in, "Well Ace, because what your mom and I are going to talk to you guys about made her a little upset."
He looked at Amanda and she shook her head. There was no easy way to discuss this topic. Frankly, Amanda never thought she'd have to bring it up to her own children...
TBC