Unforeseen Path
Chapter 23
Lee pulled into Rock Creek Park and got out noticing that Amanda was on the small bridge where they sometimes met to discuss a case.
He went over to her slowly and said, "What's up? I thought you'd be at work a while ago."
Amanda stared out out the creek and shrugged, "I thought so too, but I got...distracted. "
Lee teased, "Well, I wasn't with you at the school, so you couldn't have been that distracted. "
Amanda sighed shaking her head. "Lee, please stop with the jokes. I'm really not in the mood. "
Lee said shrugging, "Okay. What's wrong? "
Amanda said, "Would you consider coming to the house for dinner tonight? I know we hadn't discussed you meeting my family yet, but it's important now. "
Lee said, "Before I say yes or no, what happened at the school? "
Amanda said, "Phillip is almost 12, and Jamie is almost 9. Jamie told me before I left the school that kids from his class were asking if I was on the radio last night! Lee, what in the sam hill were kids that age doing up at that hour listening to that program?! What has happened to parental structure? I don't let the kids stay up that late and yet these kids are wondering what's going on! "
Lee took her hands and squeezed them. "Hey, hey, calm down okay? They're not your problem. You are a great mom and your kids listen to you. I wouldn't worry about the other kids-. "
Amanda interjected. "Lee, I try to be honest with my kids whenever I can. Now, if those kids are telling the boys things, then my mother is hearing the same in the neighborhood. I want to put things to rest here before it gets out of hand! Can you please try to understand that? "
Lee sighed and said, "What time do you want me there? "
Amanda went into his arms and kissed his cheek. "Seven okay with you? I figure you want to go home and change and be comfortable. "
Lee returned her kiss by brushing her lips gently and said softly. "You know when we talk to your mom she's not gonna like what I said that day? "
Amanda took his hand and led him back to their cars and nodded saying, "Probably not but when she realizes I've forgiven you she'll understand. "
Lee's car phone rang and he answered, " Hello? "
It was Francine. "Just wanted to warn you. Billy's on the warpath with you two. You'd better get back here toot sweet! "
Lee chuckled, "O-Okay, Francine! We're coming. Bye."
He hung up and Amanda said sighing, "That didn't sound good. How much trouble are we in? "
Lee waved it away. "Ahh, his bark is worse than his bite normally. You know that by now. Let's go. "
By the time they finished getting chewed out by Billy they were drained! Leaving his office, Amanda called her mother to say she'd be late and not to hold dinner.
The rest of the day was spent going through files and wire taps. Lee was sent across town with Francine to the Capitol to meet with a judiciary about missing funds from the Treasury while Amanda finished up the filing.
It was well after 10 P.M. when they were finally able to leave. Lee groaned looking at his watch. " Gee, I'm sorry about tonight. I know how important it was to talk to your family. "
Amanda yawned and shrugged. "It's okay. There's always the weekend, you know? "
Just then they saw Billy coming out to the parking lot towards them. Lee said, "Oh boy, what'd we forget to do? "
Billy came up to them and said, "Look, I realize I was a bit harsh-. "
Lee snorted. " A bit ? Try-! "
Amanda touched his arm. "Lee, please...? "
Lee gently pushed her arm away and he sighed. "We get it okay? A time and place for everything. So for your info, Amanda and I will be with her family this weekend because kids at her boys school heard the program last night and she wants to talk to them and thought I should be there because I was on there as well and they're curious about me! Her kids, not their friends! "
He kissed Amanda's temple and said, "I've gotta go. Have a good sleep. " Getting in his car, he drove away quickly.
Billy said, "Things aren't any easier sometimes are they? "
Amanda shrugged. "No, but then outside forces have a lot to do with it here sir. Goodnight. "
She got in her car and drove away as well and Billy sighed as he went to his car and thought, "I wish they could understand that I am on their side but I'm also their boss. Slippery slope and all ! "
He drove away from the Agency thinking that maybe it was easier when they weren't together. He wasn't sure about anything any more.
TBC