Unforeseen Path

Chapter 17

Dotty got back late from her day out with friends for lunch and shopping. Coming in the front door she met Phillip who was coming down the stairs. "Hi, Grandma. What's wrong with Mom? We just got home and went up to see her and she kinda barked at us to leave her alone. Did we do something? "

Dotty shook her head. "No, darling. And neither did I. Look, why don't you and your brother go to the park for a while but be back before dinner, okay? Were there any messages for me on the phone?"

Jamie came down the stairs. "Yeah. From IFF. They want you to call back soon. Let's go, Phillip. "

They both went toward the door and Dotty said, "Hey...don't I get hugs? "

The boys went back and gave her hugs and kisses and said, "See ya later, Grandma."

Dotty said, "Bye. Have fun. "

They left and Dotty sighed as she looked up the stairs and then put her packages down and went to the answering machine and listened. It was from a Billy Melrose who identified himself as Amanda's boss and he'd be at work a while longer if she could call back.

Dotty sat on the couch with the phone and dialed the IFF number from the fridge. A voice answered, "IFF? "

Dotty said, "Yes, this is Dotty West calling for Billy Melrose? I'm Amanda King's mother. "

The voice said, "One moment please. I'll connect you. "

A moment later there was a click and then Billy said, "William Melrose here, Mrs. West. How are you? "

Dotty said, "Confused, Mr. Melrose. My daughter's been upset lately due to her friend Emily Farnsworth's death and then someone at work was injured so she was at the hospital all night and since she's been home she's absolutely insufferable and my daughter isn't usually that way! Now, did this other person die as well? "

Billy shook his head and said, "No, no, Mrs. West. It's just that we've been worried about him and he isn't a very good hospital patient and took a lot of anger and frustration out on her this morning. Please tell her we're sorry and we'll talk to him and believe me he will apologize for his behavior! Could I speak to her please? I'd like to see how she is-."

Dotty shook her head. "Uh no, that won't be possible. She's still upstairs and told her children a little while ago to leave her alone. She adores those boys of hers so that man must have really been unbearable! I'd like to give that man a piece of my mind myself! Anyway, I'll give her a couple of days and maybe then she'll want to talk to you. Thank you for your time, Mr. Melrose. Have a good evening. "

Billy said, "You as well, Mrs. West. And again, I'm deeply sorry. "

They hung up and Billy got up from his desk and grabbed his jacket and came out of his office towards the bullpen and said to Francine, "How are you and Fielder coming with that microfilm that Lee brought back from Portugal with? "

Francine said, "Almost finished. I'm doing the report now. Are you going to see him? "

Billy said, "Yes, but I prefer to go alone now. If Jeannie calls please tell her I'll be late."

Francine grinned, "C'mon, Billy! I've heard you yell at Lee before. It's kinda fun to watch, you know? "

Billy stared her down and said, "This talk will be different. This talk will be one that a father and son have. Particularly when the son is being a complete bonehead about a woman he's in love with! "

With that, he stormed off towards the elevator with a dumbfounded Francine staring after him, her jaw nearly hitting the ground! Did he say...in LOVE with?!

When he reached the hospital, he got to Lee's room and saw the glum look on the young man's face and thought, "You deserve whatever the hell is happening here! " He said out loud to the nurse there in the room, "I need to talk to him. Are you done checking his vitals? It's important."

The nurse said, "Yes sir, but visiting hours are almost over and I-. "

Billy flashed his badge and said, "See this? It gives me permission to stay as long as I like. Now please leave. Don't worry. The doctor knows I'm here. "

The nurse nodded and left quickly in tears and Lee said, "Geez Billy, that was a little harsh! But at least I won't have any more bloodwork. Probably drained every last drop from me anyway-."

Billy glared at him and sat in the chair near his bed and said, "Shut up, Scarecrow!"

Lee was incredulous! "Wh-What?! "

Billy pounded the bed with his fist and said, "You heard me! Were you absent the day the Colonel sat you down and explained how to treat women?! "

Lee groaned. "Are you going to lecture me about this morning with Amanda? All I said to her was-."

Billy roared, "Silence!" Calming down he said quietly, "My boy, we are going to go over what your uncle explained to you because obviously you need a refresher course in respecting a woman and then we're going to decide how you're going to apologize to her but not until you start admitting how you feel about her!"

Continuing he said, " Now I know she still has a lot of training to do before she can become an effective agent but so far she's managed to keep up with you despite your disgusting behavior towards her. She's a human being with feelings. A concept that you don't seem to grasp yet. Nod your pea-brained skull if you're following what I'm saying!"

Lee wordlessly nodded wondering what got into him all of a sudden? His head started hurting again as he leaned back in bed and bore the brunt of Billy's tirade against him! Looking up at the ceiling he thought, "Colonel, you planned all this, didn't you? Okay, okay! I've been a complete boob to Amanda! I get it! Could you turn Billy's voice off now?! "

TBC