Unforeseen Path
Chapter 19
Francine pulled into Lee's complex at 12:30. Even she was smart enough to know that the usual way to a man's heart was through his stomach. She'd watch her own mother over the years pull the same trick with her father and it would hopefully work again this time.
Getting off at his floor, she almost decided to turn back but then she changed her mind. No. This was her friend too and if he wasn't talking to Billy then she was the last hope here.
She got to his door and knocked and while waiting she checked her lunch purchase from Chez' Nouvelle. She smiled. Yes, Reni had done an excellent job of coming through for her.
Lee opened the door and half smiled. "C'mon in." As she walked through the entryway he watched her expression and thought, "What is she really doing here? "
As Francine went to the couch she said as he joined her, "Well, you look a lot better than the last time I saw you. You're feeling a little better? "
Lee opened the bag and pulled out his dish. "Salmon Almondine? Very impressive and of course, you just ordered a salad? "
Francine shrugged, "Hey, I don't go hog wild unless it's Chinese takeout. Dig in."
Lee getting up, "I'll get us drinks. Sparkling water okay for you? The doc wants me to lay off the booze 'til my meds are done. "
Francine got up bringing his dish into the kitchen and putting it in the microwave. "It probably needs a heat up-."
Lee pulled her gently away saying, "Allow me. I still remember the spaghetti you tried heating up. I still have specks of the sauce in the walls."
Francine said haughtily, "I didn't know it would blow up!"
Lee said chuckling, "You set the timer for 15 minutes, not seconds! "
When they were done preparing things they came out to the dining room and sat down. After a few minutes of silence while eating, Lee took a sip of his water and said, "So. What are you really doing here? And if you're going to talk about what I think you're going to talk about, there's the door. But thank you for your lunch. By the way, I would've been happy with Milo's Chili Dogs. "
Francine taking a bite of her salad swallowed and sipped her water and said, "You used to like the finer foods in life. "
Lee shot her a look. "I can't eat like this on a stakeout- no microwaves. Besides, burgers and dogs are easier to clean up."
Francine got up and put the rest of her salad in the fridge suddenly not hungry any more. She came back and sat with Lee as he was finishing. "Umm.. great stuff. Thank Reni for me when you see him."
Lee noticed her expression and said, "Hey. What is it? "
Francine said, "Well, at the risk of being thrown out I gotta ask. What exactly did she do other than be concerned about you ? "
Lee sighed heavily. "I knew as soon as you walked in something was up. Since when have you given a damn about her? "
Francine said, "I didn't- I don't- I dunno, Lee. My personal opinion of her is that she isn't a good fit for the Agency, but she's been a good friend to you and to a lot of us-."
Lee scowled, "Did you hear what she said to me that day? That she couldn't stand the sight of me?! "
Francine said, "Geez, Lee! Is this about your wounded ego? I got news for you, pal! NO woman likes to be told to shut up! "
Lee scoffed, "I've said that to her before. When we were on that Christmas Eve case in the mountains? She just keeps talking and there's no way to keep her quiet! Besides, I said please! "
Francine snorted, "Oh, big whoop! Look, you'd better rethink your attitude where women are concerned or you're not gonna have any as friends including me! "
Lee mimicked her, "Oh, big whoop!" Thanks for lunch, Gloria Steinem. Now run along! "
Francine got her purse and went to the door obviously smarting from his remark and looking back at him said softly, "You know what the trouble is here? I just figured it out. You haven't known a woman like Amanda King before and she scares you and you're afraid to admit it! You don't have to treat her with kid gloves, but you sure don't have to pummel her into the ground until she doesn't exist to you anymore either! I don't know the circumstances concerning her divorce, but it seems to me that he wasn't too good to her either. I'm sure he respected her a lot more than you do though and probably never told her to "shut up." Think about it , and start growing the hell up! "
She slammed the door and went to the elevator and got in and went down to the parking lot and got in her car and dialed Billy's extension. When he answered she said, "I'm taking the rest of the day off. I need a spa day! "
Hanging up, she pulled out of the parking lot to head for the most expensive place in D.C. to put on Billy's tab!
She hoped her talk with Lee helped but it was all up to Lee now. What is it about men and their stupid pig-headed pride? They say stupid things and make women feel bad about it. Well, most women. She herself could care less about that fool right now! What an idiot! She shook her head as she drove thinking, "If I were Amanda, I'd freeze him out too! "
TBC