Unforeseen Path
Chapter 18
It was a few days later when Lee was released from the hospital and was sent home. Billy came back with him to the apartment and putting his things down said to Lee, "Son, You know why I had that talk with you the other day, don't you? "
Lee went to get water from the kitchen and said, "Would you like anything to drink? I don't know what I have here. Of course the last time I was here Amanda had it re-stocked even though I told her it wasn't necessary."
Billy followed him into the kitchen and said quietly," Look, I know that trip wasn't easy and how much pain you're in from that beating you took but that doesn't give you the right to take it out on someone we know you care about. So, have you thought about how you're going to apologize to her? "
Lee then went to get his toiletry bag and opened it to get his meds. Getting a pill out he took it and said, "I'm sorry, Billy. I'm a little more than wiped here. You know where the door is. Thanks for getting me home, but I'll be okay..."
Turning towards his bedroom he took his water glass and went in closing the door stunning the elder agent! It was as if everything he talked to Lee about was a waste of time! Shaking his head sadly he left the apartment saying, "You don't know what you're doing son, and I can't help you any more."
Getting into his car he called Francine and said, "I'll be in shortly. I just dropped Lee off. What? No. Visiting him would not be a good idea. At least not for a while yet." Hanging up, he pulled out of the parking area and headed toward D.C.
Meanwhile in Arlington, Amanda was pouring herself coffee and Dotty came downstairs and cautiously said, "Are you feeling better dear? "
Amanda shrugged as she went over to get her toast and putting jam on it said, "I guess so. I'm sorry I've been difficult lately. Guess I've been worn out. "
As Amanda went to the table with her coffee and toast, Dotty joined her. Sitting across from her she took her hand and said quietly, "Darling, when you hurt I hurt which is why I spoke to your boss the other day-. "
Amanda sighed and said, "Oh, why did you do that? It wasn't that big a deal at all, Mother!"
Dotty was flabbergasted! "Are you trying to tell me that the woman who was belligerent and slamming her door the other day was you?! Whatever is wrong here has turned you positively inside out and it's as though I don't know my own daughter any more! Now, you've always been able to talk to me but if you feel you can't now I'll understand. But please dear, talk to someone! I will not have you talk to me or the children the way you have been, all right?
Amanda nodded and said sadly, "You're right, Mother. I'll do it today. I haven't been fair but I do want to feel better. "
Getting up from the table she got on the phone and dialed IFF and asked for Billy. He answered saying, "Good morning, Amanda. How are you?"
Amanda said, "A little better. Listen, I was gonna come by today. Could we talk? "
Billy smiled. At last. Someone was meeting the situation halfway. Now, if he could just get the other person on board they could all get back on track here! He said, "Of course, dear. Come by any time you're ready. My door's open. See you soon..."
They hung up and Francine came in putting a folder on Billy's desk and said, "Here's the file on the Portugal case. What's up? "
Billy said, "I'm getting all the sheep back to the fold. That was Amanda. She's coming in shortly to talk. "
Francine shrugged. "So? Lee's not here? "
Billy smiled at her. "Right. That's where you come in."
Francine gave him a perplexed look and then shook her head when she realized where he was headed with his idea! "Oh no, Billy! You mentioned before about the "mama bear" theory with Amanda?! Talking to Lee will be ten times worse! I won't do it!"
Billy said authoritatively," Look, Missy! I don't have a lot of options left. Lee isn't speaking to me any more since that talk we had at the hospital and when I dropped him off. Amanda's mother has been driven up the wall with her daughter's behavior and at last, Amanda is willing to talk to me about the situation. I hope. Lee isn't going to talk any time soon to me or Amanda if you don't at least try to get him to open up. Today! Are you in or out?! "
Francine chuckled. "I see what this is! Oh, my God! "
Billy said exasperatedly, "What, Desmond?!"
Francine sighed and said, "You want Joanie and Chachi back together! It's just so cute! "
Billy gave her a look and Francine said, "Uh, Joanie and Chachi? "Happy Days"? See, they were teens in love and they were getting serious when one summer they decided- well, he did that they should see other people. Anyway, they mooned about it the rest of the season and then the last season of the show, they got engaged and got married! "
Billy was still looking at her strangely and Francine shrugged embarrassingly, "Well, it was during the time after I started here and I didn't have much of a social life to speak of yet. But Billy, it has to stay here, okay? Please? "
Billy then chuckled and said, "Of course, dear. But only if you do the tiny favor I just asked of you. Otherwise, the "water cooler" talk will be a whole lot more interesting! Catch my drift? "
Francine grumbled. "Ooh, fine! I'll do it! But if you see a mangled body show up at the morgue-!"
Billy sighed, "Don't worry. I'll contact your loved ones. Look, just say that you want to see how he's feeling. He'll let you in. "
Francine went back to her desk and dialed Lee's place. When he answered she said, "Hi. It's me. How are you doing? Listen, I thought maybe you and I could have lunch. I'll bring something by from one of our ritzier places, what do you say? "
TBC