Unforeseen Path

Chapter 14

Lee pulled back from the kiss unexpectantly and Amanda said, "What's wrong? "

Lee shook his head panting,"I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry."

Amanda said, "Oh, c'mon! I'm a big girl! If I didn't want you to do it, I would have stopped you from doing it."

Leading him to the couch she sat him down with her and said, "I know it wasn't planned but maybe we needed it after everything, you know. It's sort of a release-."

Lee said, "No, no. A release is having an argument or going to a gym to box out your frustrations or getting loaded, but this? No. Amanda. I respect you and I care about your feelings here. I won't use you like that."

Amanda sighed. "Okay. Then what's really bothering you? The fact that you kissed me, or that I let you? "

Lee growled as he stood up and raked his hair with one hand. "I dunno. It-It's just different with you that's all! You're not like the other women I've dated. "

Amanda nodded and shrugged, "Huh. You mean like fast and loose? Would you prefer it that way? "

Lee said, "Of course not! And what do you mean by fast-? "

Amanda got up and got her purse and went to the door. Opening the door she said , "I mean playing hard -to-get. Lee, you know me well enough by now to know that I don't play those games! If you want our relationship to move forward, then you know what to do! And if you don't, then I suggest that you take a good look at where our relationship has been these last few years and if you want a change then call me. Otherwise, we'll just keep it professional, all right? Goodnight..."

With that, Amanda closed the door and went to the elevator and got in pressing the 1st floor button. When she got downstairs she left the building and got into her car and left.

Shaking her head as she drove her car toward Arlington, she felt tears come to her eyes! What was wrong with that man?! He initiated that kiss and then he just rejects her like that? Okay, maybe it scared him that she responded to it but they both needed comforting! What the hell was wrong about that? He's so afraid of his damn feelings he closes himself off to everyone! Except when he wants a little "fun."

She said out loud, "Stop it! Lee does care. A lot. It's obviously hard for him to open up about anything judging by his reaction to the Colonel's letter. Well, maybe after a few days things will calm down."

The next week was extremely busy at the Agency. Lee was sent on a mission to Portugal and Amanda had transcribing to do on various phone taps from Soviet agents that Francine had passed onto her. Dotty and the boys got back from their trips and regaled Amanda with their adventures but Dotty could tell something was bothering her daughter.

As Amanda was straightening the kitchen after the boys went to bed, Dotty came in from the patio and said, "I'm making some tea. Would you like some, dear? "

Amanda wiped down the counter and hung the dishtowel back on the inside cabinet door below the sink and shut the door and said, "No thank you, Mother. I think I'm gonna go to bed. I'm rather tired right now. "

She kissed Dotty's cheek and turned to go toward the stairs when Dotty grabbed her arm gently. "Honey, I think we should have a talk. Go sit down on the couch, please."

Amanda sighed. "Mother, I'm fine-."

Dotty pointed to the couch. "Please? "

Amanda sighed again and went to sit down sullenly. The last thing she wanted to do was talk about anything that happened recently.

Dotty shook her head sadly. She wished she knew how to help Amanda. She finished making her cup of tea and bringing it over sat down next to her and said, " What's wrong, darling? And don't tell me it's work because I know your work mood and your monthly mood and-."

Amanda groaned. "My what? Monthly? " She realized what her mother meant then and shook her head and got up saying, "Mother, I'm sorry but I'm going up. I've had a lot to do at work and I lost a friend recently and-. "

Dotty said, " You sit down now, young lady and talk to me! What friend have you lost? Maybe if you call them you can make up from whatever argument you had."

Amanda sat down and gulping said, "I-I c-can't do that because she died."

Dotty went to hold Amanda as she cried. "Oh, honey I'm sorry! Can you talk about it? Do I know your friend? "

Amanda nodded sadly and said, "It-It was Emily Farnsworth, Mother. "

Dotty sighed as Amanda cried new tears! "Oh, sweetheart! Why didn't you call me?! When did it happen? "

Amanda got a tissue and blew her nose and wiped her eyes and said, "It was when I went to visit her the same day you and the boys went on your trips. That night at her vacation home."

Dotty sighed. "Oh, precious. You still should have called me. I would've come home."

Amanda said, "Mother, you were on a cruise. What would you have done? Have them turn the boat around? "

Dotty said, "You bet I would've. By the way, that movie is on right now if you want to watch it with me? Cary Grant always makes me feel better. "

Amanda was puzzled and then realized the reference she made about the "boat." She shook her head and got up once more saying, "Sorry, Mother. I'm gonna go up. I just don't feel like talking any more tonight, okay? "

Dotty got up and followed her to the stairs and gave her a hug. " All right, honey. But if you change your mind-? "

Amanda kissed her and patted her shoulder. "I'll make us popcorn if I do. Goodnight. "

Some time later about partway through the movie, Amanda came down and went to make popcorn and snuggled up next to Dotty on the couch holding a doll. Dotty saw it was Amanda's favorite doll and kissed the top of Amanda's head as she reached for the popcorn.

Dotty smiled. Sometimes a girl just needed her mother...

TBC