Unforeseen Path

Chapter 6

Amanda finished half her drink at the second round that Lee had ordered but he was belting them back and going for a third when she said gently, "L-Lee, I think I should probably get you home now. It's going to be a long day tomorrow and you'll need your rest-."

Lee waved an unsteady hand at her and began slurring his words." D-Don't be sucha pooper party! W-Why don'tcha live a little?! Your mommy and kiddies aren't h-here! G-Grow the hell up for cr-cryin' out l-loud!"

Amanda was beginning to see this was not going to be an easy task. "Lee, c'mon. It's late and I'll get you some coffee when we get home. Let's go. Where are your keys? "

Lee laughed and Amanda blanched at his alcoholic scent! He said holding her close," Y-You can't d-drive MY car! Oh, no, no, no, no, no! I'M driving! ME! That's who!"

Lee got up then unsteadily from the chair, knocking it over! Swallowing the last of his drink, he slammed it down and chuckled saying, "Okay, baby! Let's burn rubber!"

Amanda took his arm as Lee weaved out of the bar and they went to the curb. Lee said looking at Amanda bleary-eyed, "W-Well, where is it? I wanna drive!"

Amanda held him as steady as she could saying, "The bartender saw how much you had and I think he called a cab for us. It's gonna be all right, Lee. We'll be home soon."

Lee sighed heavily and growled, "I can drink as much as I want, lady! Who the hell are YOU to tell me I can't, huh? "

Amanda sighed. He was becoming belligerent and that only meant he would have one hell of a hangover tomorrow! She was frightened for him as he never got to process the shock of losing his uncle and guardian. Come to think of it he probably never really got to grieve for his parents. She shook her head thinking about all the loss he's had to endure in his life!

The cab pulled up and Amanda got him in and got in herself and gave the cab driver the address in Georgetown.

When they got to Lee's place she helped him out and the doorman Norman greeted them while Amanda paid the cab driver. The driver left and Amanda said to Norman, "Would you mind helping me? He's had a bit too much to drink and I need to get him upstairs."

Norman nodded and said to Lee, "C'mon, Mr. Lee! We're gonna get you upstairs now!"

Lee chuckled as he leaned against Norman while the three walked to the elevator. Lee said, "Wh-When did y-you come to the party, Norman? Hey, 'Manda, it's Norman! Say hi to my b-buddy!"

Amanda said, "Norman is coming up with us and I know him already, Lee."

Lee leaned against the wall of the elevator and bringing Amanda close to him he kissed the top of her head."M'wah! N-Norman, th-this is my b-buddy at w-work! Th-This here is 'Manda King! Say hi, Norman!"

Norman shook his head. He'd never seen the man this bad before. He wondered what got him in this condition! "H-Hi, Mrs. King. Don't worry. We'll have him ship shape in no time!"

They got to Lee's door and Norman used his key to open the door and they helped Lee in as he swerved! He yelled, "You know my unckie then? Mr. Dudley Doo-Right! Ship Shape! Tote that barge, lift that bail! Yep! It's adios to him tomorrow!" Seeing his bar, he went over saying, "Let's have a toast to Unckie Man!"

Norman grabbed him and said to Amanda, "Where do you want him? "

Amanda said, "In his bedroom. He needs to get changed-."

Lee tried to get back to his bar area and slurred,"C'mon, 'Manda! I wanna dr-drinkie to my unkie!"

Amanda nodded and said, "Okay, Lee. But first Norman has to get you changed while I make your drink in the kitchen, all right? Go on with Norman now..."

Norman helped him back to the room while Lee was warbling out, " Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday! Who can hang a name on yoooouuu?!"

Amanda waited until Norman closed the bedroom door and then she set about making a strong pot of coffee and while it was brewing, she dialed Billy's home number. She only was to call in extreme emergency and she felt now was a real emergency!

When he answered, she said, "Sir, It's Amanda. Lee's had a bit too much to drink and I'm making him some coffee but I think it'll be too much for him to be at the service for his uncle tomorrow especially if he's hung over. What should I do? "

Billy swore and said, "Damn! I know he's hurting because of the losses, but his uncle requested this service his way and I can't let Lee embarrass himself and everyone else there because of his own foolishness! All right. I'll be over soon and I'll stay with him tonight so you can go home and rest. Are you alone there with him? "

Amanda shook her head. "No, sir. His doorman Norman helped me bring him upstairs and is getting him changed now, hopefully. Sir, I can stay if you'd like. I don't mind. I trust Lee. He won't hurt me-."

Billy shook his head. "No, dear. I can't let you be anywhere near him when he gets sick as he's likely to do tonight. Tomorrow morning will be worse than poking a bear with a stick! No, I need you to go home. Tell Norman that I'll be there soon and that I'll stay there tonight with Lee to sober him up if I can. Thank you for making the coffee. Black, hot and strong is what that boy needs right now as well as a hangover remedy with raw egg and tabasco sauce."

Amanda shuddered! "R-Raw egg and t-tabasco? Ugh!"

Billy smiled into the phone. "It smells lousy, but it works, trust me. See you tomorrow, dear. "

Amanda nodded. "All right. Thank you, sir. " Hanging up, she saw Norman coming from the bedroom and said, "How is he? "

Norman winced slightly saying, "He's out cold but he threw up before that... on the rug."

Amanda said, "Ohh no! We gotta clean that up-."

Norman stopped her and said, "I'll do that, Mrs. King. Can anyone be here soon? I gotta get back downstairs."

Amanda nodded. "Yes. Our boss from IFF is coming to stay over soon. He told me to go ahead and go home. I really hate to leave him like this though. "

Norman said, "Can I ask what happened? "

Amanda sighed and gulped. "We lost a dear friend this week and also he got word that his uncle, Colonel Robert Clayton of the U.S. Air Force has also died. It-It's a lot for him to deal with right now..."

Norman said shaking his head. "Well, I'll stay until your boss gets here and I'm sorry for his loss and yours too, ma'am."

Amanda got her purse and said, "Could you tell Mr. Melrose to let Lee know that I hope he's better soon and that if he needs me to call me, please? Thank you..."

Amanda called for a cab and went downstairs to wait in the lobby. Shaking her head sadly she thought, "Lee, please be all right..."

TBC