Truth Aftermath

Chapter 39

Lee and Phillip came back to Galilee Hospital and went up to Abby's floor, but Amanda met them outside in the waiting area, near Abby's room, stating, "Dr. Evans is examining her right now, but I think we should come back tomorrow anyway, alright? It's pretty late."

Phillip answered quietly with a gesture, "Okay, but Lee and I got her stuff here, and-"

Amanda nodded, noting with concern, her son's face, and remarked slowly, "Oh, thanks, Sweetheart. I know she can't wait to wear something different, but let's see what the doctor has to say first, huh?"

When Amanda looked then questioningly at Lee, about Phillip's expression, querying, "What's wrong?", Lee shook his head, and clearing his throat responded, "Uh, not now, Sweetie. We'll talk at home, huh?"

Just then, Dr. Evans came out of Abby's room, and greeting the three, commented, "Well, Abby's certainly looking better than she did last week...Now, I understand that her father will be here for a visit soon?"

Amanda commented, "Yes, Dr. Evans...Now, Abby knows her dad is at the GW Hospital now, but is visiting this weekend...He has some things to tell her that are rather difficult, and my husband and I want to prepare her."

Dr. Evans, looking at the time answered, " I see...Well, that will have to wait, I'm afraid...Visiting hours are almost up, but Abby asked if you could see her for a moment, Mrs. Stetson?"

Amanda nodded and replied, "Of course," and then gestured to Lee and Phillip, "Why don't you both go down to the car, and I'll join you soon?"

They nodded, and Phillip handed both of Abby's bags to his mother before heading to the elevator with Lee.

Amanda then entered Abby's room with the bags and seeing Abby's morose face, remarked carefully, " Hi...Well, Lee and Phillip delivered these for you, but I'll just put them in the closet here, because we'll have to take care of your hair tomorrow. Visiting hours are up now, and-"

Abby gulped then answering, "I'm scared, Amanda. What if Jess doesn't like me?"

Amanda swallowed, and bringing a chair over to sit beside Abby, commented as she took Abby's hand in her own, "Oh, Sweetheart...I know you two haven't seen each other in a while, but Jess-your dad-loves you! Otherwise, he wouldn't have told Lee he wanted to see you."

Abby wiping at her eyes queried softly, "He-He did?"

Amanda nodded answering as she handed Abby a tissue and touched her cheek gently, "Oh, you bet, Honey. And I'll bet he's as nervous as you are about seeing each other this weekend. But don't you worry...The love you two share is still there, and the rest will just fall into place somehow, okay? Now, you just lie back now, and get some sleep."

But as Amanda got to the door to leave, Abby replied, "Wait...Before you leave...Can you get something out of my small bag, please?"

Amanda went to the closet, and reaching for the small bag, asked, "What is it I'm looking for, Honey?"

Abby sighed commenting, "If Donovan packed it, there's a small stuffed dog inside, and a picture of me and Lor in the outside pocket."

Amanda retrieved both items, and putting the bag back in the closet, brought them to Abby, who took them, responding quietly, "Thanks...Lor got me Scout when I was five, and this picture was the last...The last one of the two of us about a month ago."

Tears filled Abby's eyes as she cried then, looking at the photo, answering, "I-I don't wanna let her go! Why did she have to go, Amanda?!"

Amanda then held a weeping Abby in her arms and sighed as she kissed her temple, and replied softly, "I don't know, Sweetie, but listen to me...She's looking down on you right now, and she's glad that you're getting better, and that you and Jess still have each other, alright?"

Abby nodded responding quietly, "Y-Yeah, I guess so...Thanks."

Amanda gently hugged Abby, then settled her under the covers, answering gently, "You get a good night's sleep, and Lee and I will see you tomorrow, huh?"

Abby sighed, commenting, "Thanks, Amanda. You guys have been great...Oh, and tell Phil- I mean, Phillip, that I said thanks too, okay?"

Amanda gave Abby a gentle smile, and tweaked her nose replying, "You got it, Honey...Goodnight."

And as Amanda came out of the hospital, and joined Lee and Phillip in the car, she gulped and stated, "Um, She wanted to thank you both for everything, and..."

Amanda then fell silent as tears formed in her eyes, and Lee instinctively pulled her to him whispering, "It's alright, Honey. She's gonna be okay."

Amanda wiping her eyes, asked, "Is she?"

Phillip, from the back seat, reached out to pat his mother's shoulder, answering, "Sure, Mom. Donovan's cool, and he said he'd look after Abby if Jess couldn't."

Amanda looked back at Phillip, and smiled remarking, "Well, that certainly helps, doesn't it?"

Lee gave a deep sigh, and responded, "Okay, Gang. Enough of this sad stuff. Let's go get dinner and head home, huh?"

They arrived home, bringing Quickie Chicken, and slowly through their meal, began to talk about other things, engaging Dotty and Jamie, who told humorous anecdotes concerning happenings in the neighborhood.

Before Phillip headed upstairs for the night after Dotty and Jamie headed up, he said to Lee and Amanda, "Thanks for all the help you gave to Abby...and to me. I finally understand the meaning of thinking about others, and to be totally grateful for everything I have. I wouldn't be where I am today without you, so...Thanks, and I love you..."

He hugged them, and headed upstairs, and as Lee and Amanda went to the couch, they were a bit overwhelmed with emotion to say the least!

Amanda swallowed hard, and Lee cleared his throat, and looking at one another, they each pointed chiming together, "That's you!"

As Amanda shook her head, Lee shook his, stating, "No, Honey...He came out of your body, so you made an impression on him from day one-"

Amanda responded, "No, you've had quite a bit of interaction with him yourself lately, so the impression came from you, Sweetheart-"

Just then, Dotty came down, and overhearing the comments answered with a wave of her hand, "Oh, for heaven's sake! It's both of you Phillip and Jamie have love and admiration for! When those boys graduate from school, and leave this nest finally, they're going to remember what lessons you both taught them! Goodnight!"

She headed upstairs, leaving Amanda and Lee with a lot to think about as they locked up the doors for the night, and turned in...

-SMK-

It was Saturday morning as Lee arrived at the GW Hospital to pick up Jess Bauer for his meeting with Abby at Galilee Hospital.

They met in the cafeteria and had coffee, with Lee remarking, "Um, my wife, Amanda, is helping Abby get ready, so we have a bit of time."

Noting Jess' nervous expression, Lee stated, "You look fine, Jess. Don't worry, huh? In fact, Amanda told me that Abby was worried that you wouldn't want to see her-"

Jess shook his head answering, "What? How could she think that, unless...Geez, Lor must have really filled that kid's head with crap since we split-"

Lee replied quickly, "Hey, hold on! Do you really think Lor-Lorraine would've done that? I don't know any of you, of course, but it just sounds to me like she was trying to protect Abby from the truth-you know, your mental state at the time, and her drug problem which apparently she denied having...Oh, by the way, Donovan asked me to tell you that if you want, he'd be glad to look after Abby until you're ready to live with her again."

Jess swallowed, and nodding commented, "He's a good guy...You know, there was a time I thought that he and Lor-Well, one of our fights was about him actually, but I was wrong, and boy, did she let me have it!"

Clearing his throat, Jess shrugged at Lee and asked as he looked at his watch, "So, should we go yet?"

Lee finishing his coffee, answered as he got up from the table, "Sure."

As they made their way on the road, Lee asked Jess, "So, what kind of work did you do?"

Jess shrugged answering, "Uh, well, I worked mostly doing deliveries, driving cabs, that kind of thing. I was never sure how bad things would get with Lor, so I had Donovan keep an eye out for her and Abby."

Lee queried, "Did Lorraine work before Abby was born?"

Jess replied, "Yeah, she had a job at one of those craft stores, you know where you set up displays and help people make things...At our house, Lor made all the pillows for the couch, and a quilt for Abby after she was born. I dunno if Abby still had it, though...It's been a while since I was there."

Nodding, Lee stated, "Excuse me, Jess. We're almost there, so I wanna check with my wife and see if they're ready, okay?"

Jess said, "Sure."

Lee dialed the hospital number from the car phone, and when there was an answer, he remarked, "Yes, this is Lee Stetson. Can you connect me with Abby Bauer's room, please?"

Amanda answered, "Hello?"

Lee commented, "Hi, Honey. How is everything? Is Abby all set? We'll be there any minute now."

Amanda stated, "Yeah, she's ready, but a bit nervous if you can imagine."

Lee glanced at Jess, replying, "Yeah, Jess is feeling the same way...Okay, see you soon."

Hanging up, he looked at Jess saying, "Well, Abby's nervous as well here, but it's been a while, huh?"

Lee then pulled into the hospital parking lot, and finding a spot, parked, and shutting off the motor, answered slowly, "Look, Jess...I can't imagine the hell you went through years ago, but now, you and Abby have a chance to make a fresh start if you want it. But I want you to remember something, huh? You aren't to blame for what happened to Lorraine-"

When Jess tried to respond, Lee shook his head replying, "No! Even after you explain things to Abby, and she may in hurt or anger, start to blame you, don't let her, okay?"

Jess sighed answering, "You-You mean, if she starts knocking me down, I keep getting up anyway?"

Lee smiled and nodded responding, "Yeah...Like "Rocky". That guy didn't give up and I don't want you to, either, alright?"

Jess half smiled and shrugged commenting, "Okay...Let's get the show on the road, then..."

A few moments later, Lee and Jess were outside Abby's room, and clearing his throat, Jess gestured, asking Lee, "So, do I really look okay?"

Lee, looking at Jess' sweatsuit, joked, also gesturing, "Well, your outfit's okay, but your hair-Get-Get in there, already!"

Jess, chuckling, knocked, and he and Lee walked in, and seeing Abby, Jess gulped stating, "Hey...Monkey Puss."

Lee smirked, and mouthed to Amanda over Jess' shoulder, "Monkey Puss?"

But Amanda shook her head admonishing Lee silently, as Abby swallowed and remarked, as she saw the look on Lee's face, "Yeah, it was a name for me when I was little. Still don't know why."

Jess smiled lightly, commenting as he looked her over, "Because when you were finally crawling, you figured out how to climb, too! Gave Lor and me some real panic there for a while..."

Abby swallowing, said with a slow smile, "Well, I could never quite get up chimneys..."

As they all chuckled, finally, Amanda stated, "Well, Lee and I will leave you two alone to get reaquainted...Um, we'll be down in the cafeteria, alright?"

Lee and Amanda, on their way out, gave encouraging winks to both Abby and Jess to begin their talk...

TBC