Unforeseen Path
Chapter 24
Amanda led her family into the living room for a talk that early Saturday morning. Dotty said, "I could tell you've had something on your mind, darling. What is it? "
Amanda looked at her boys and said, " Well, Jamie told me about some classmates that had mentioned hearing me on the radio the other night and asked me about it. Before I say anything about it Mother, what have you heard? "
Dotty shrugged, "I-I just thought that it was a radio interview the bridge club was talking about that you were doing for IFF. It wasn't, was it? "
Amanda shook her head as they all sat down and she said, "No. I have a friend at work- a gentleman friend- who had a head injury from a location shoot accident. Well, he and I had words when I was trying to help him at the hospital and he got impatient with me and said something that hurt my feelings. I immediately jumped at what he said and told him I couldn't stand the sight of him..."
Dotty shook her head. "Oh, boy! You-You left, I take it? "
Amanda nodded, "Yes. I needed time to cool off and I hoped he would at least apologize soon after, but he didn't. Turned out he didn't really know what to say and I didn't want to go near him. Anyway, I came out to the patio the other night to think and brought my radio out to listen to music and turned the station after a song and then heard his voice as he was using a fake name for this call-in show I heard. He mentioned our argument and called me by a fake name as well. I was on the program to try to fix it with him if I could."
Jamie said, "Mom, are you friends again? "
Amanda nodded, "Yes, we made up after the program-actually, I hung up the phone and he signed off after talking to the woman. I realized he sounded close so I went down the block a bit and there he was in his car-."
Phillip's eyes lit up! "Wow! He had a car phone? Cool! "
Dotty shook her head once more and chuckled. "Phillip, is that all you got from your mother's explanation? Dear, why are you mentioning this to us? "
Amanda said, "Because I invited him for lunch. He wanted to explain what he said and why he said it and to make sure you wouldn't hate him for it. "
Dotty nodded and said, "Uh, is it something that these two are too young to hear or say for that matter? "
Amanda shook her head quickly! "Oh no, Mother! Not at all! He was just frustrated and he's a terrible patient when he's sick, okay? I just wanted to fill you in a little bit before he gets here. "
She then pulled her sons to her and said, "You know how much I love you and try to protect you, right? "
Phillip nodded, "Sure, Mom. If you need us to do that for you today, we're here. Okay? "
Amanda ruffled his hair and sighed. "Thanks, sweetheart. But we've made up. Listen, don't let the other kids get to you about what they talk about, all right? If you're not sure about something, you talk to me or Grandma and we'll help you. Deal? "
Phillip and Jamie nodded. "Deal! "
Phillip then said, "He's coming over just for that? "
Amanda said, "No. I just wanted him to get to know you all and vice versa. So, any questions ? "
Dotty looked thoughtfully at her daughter and wondered if this was a new man in her life! " No, dear. Not now anyway..."
Amanda rolled her eyes and sighed. She knew exactly what her mother was thinking and knew the questions that she'd have for Lee! She'd better prepare Lee with a phone call. Looking at the boys once more she said, "How about you guys. Any other questions? "
They shook their heads and Jamie said, "Can we go ride our bikes for a while? "
Amanda nodded. "Sure. But be back in time for lunch, okay ? "
They nodded and ran out to the garage. Dotty said, "Coffee, dear? "
Amanda said, "Yeah sure, Mother. I'm gonna go shower and phone- I mean, change first. "
Dotty watched Amanda run up the stairs and thought to herself. "Who are you trying to fool here? I will definitely grill that young man when he arrives! "
TBC