Unforeseen Path

Chapter 25

Lee rang Amanda's front doorbell at 12:30 and then adjusted his tie for the third time that day. "Why the hell am I so nervous? " he thought as he waited for someone to answer. Then he thought, "Well, you know her, but you don't know her family and if it wasn't for that program, none of this would be happening!"

He stood there shaking his head as he then thought, " C'mon! You knew in the back of your mind that someday this might have been possible- the two of you coming together? "

He then straightened up as he realized that one of her sons was standing there! He smiled and said, "Hi. I'm Lee Stetson. I work with your mom? "

The boy said sticking out his hand, "Hi. I'm Phillip King. C'mon in. Everyone's out back..."

Lee took the young boy's hand and shook it and proceded to follow him through the family room to the patio. "Uh, out back? "

Phillip looked at him as they came out through the kitchen door. "Yeah. Mom's barbequing. She makes the meanest burgers ever! You might wanna lose the tie though. You don't wanna get it messed up. "

He came out and Amanda greeted him warmly and took his tie off. "It's too nice for a barbeque. I'll just put it inside... go ahead and sit down. Do you want a beer? "

Lee was stammering suddenly. "Uh, n-no. J-Just iced t-tea, thanks. "

Amanda suddenly took him by the hand when her mother wasn't looking and led him inside and closed the door and kissed him saying, "You look very handsome and why are you so nervous? "

Lee licked his lips and cleared his throat saying, "Well because this is my very first meeting with them and also, why didn't you tell me about a barbeque? I would've worn something a little less conspicuous here? "

Amanda smiled slightly and said, "You'll do fine and just roll up your sleeves like this..." She went about the procedure and then when finished she pointed to her mouth and said, "A kiss for good luck always helps too, you know? "

They kissed and he pulled away sharply and Amanda gasped, "What is it now? "

Lee said, "We can't do that here and now! What's the matter with you ?! "

Amanda shook her head and groaning softly said, "Okay, okay! Geez! Let's go already."

They went out and sat down and Amanda said, "Mother, Jamie. This is Lee Stetson. I work with him at IFF. Lee, my mother, Dotty West and my son Jamie. "

Lee nodded, "Hi. Nice to meet you. It looks great out here but you shouldn't have gone to so much trouble..."

Dotty teased, "Well, I was prepared to get the silver and china out, but Amanda thought it would be easier to do burgers, You like burgers, I take it? "

Lee took a sip of iced tea and said, "Sure. It's fine, thank you. "

Soon, The burgers were off the grill and everyone dug in enjoying the feast. At a midway point, Dotty took a sip of her drink and swallowed saying, "Amanda tells us you wanted to talk to us, Mr. Stetson? "

Lee nodded as he took a bite of burger and chewed and then swallowed saying, "Uh, Lee please Mrs. West. Yes. Boys, what exactly did your friends at school say about that radio program? "

Jamie spoke up. "It was in my class, Mr. Stetson. They just said it sounded like Mom on the show and asked Phillip and me later about it whether we heard it or not. "

Lee nodded and looked at Amanda who said, " Okay, guys. Here it is. It was both of us on there and Mr. Stetson wants to explain why. "

Taking a sip of his drink and swallowing Lee said, " All right. First off, everyone can call me Lee here okay? Second, there are times when people who work together have issues and need to talk about them. Although I did it in a way I never thought I would. "

Dotty said, "You're not one for sharing your feelings? Well, as I've told Amanda it's often very painful to admit your true feelings and-."

Amanda gave her a look and Dotty said clearing her throat, "Ah please continue, Lee. "

Lee wiped his mouth finishing his burger and said, " I was in the hospital because I got hurt on the job and your mom here fellas, came to see me and I wasn't that pleasant to her. She was worried about me and I was rude to her when all she was doing was trying to help. "

Dotty said, "Amanda told us you said something to upset her and that you'd stopped talking to one another for a while. Now, was it something that my grandchildren shouldn't hear? Cursing, perhaps? "

Lee shook his head vehemently! "N-No, no! Not at all, believe me. she just happens to have a certain habit that I'm not used to yet-."

Amanda took a sip of her drink and swallowed and chuckled, ""Habit." Right..."

Dotty looked at their expressions and said realizing what it was, "Ohh, you mean her "gift for gab."? Her grandmother had that. Drove us crazy-."

Amanda chimed in, "Mother! Anyway, Lee was rather surly that day being hurt and all but I was just concerned that he'd try to leave the hospital before they allowed it. He doesn't like hospitals or people telling him what to do. So when I tried to voice my concerns he said-. "

Lee swallowed hard. " I just asked her to get my bag out of the closet and when it looked like she was trying to argue about it, I lost my patience with her and asked her to please, uh, shut up and do what I asked..."

Everyone was quiet as Lee waited for the proverbial bomb to drop!

Then Dotty absorbing all that said quietly, "I see. Well young man, I don't know what environment you were raised in but here in this house no one tells anyone here to shut up! We say please be quiet or we wait for the person to calm themselves down so that we can talk about it rationally later. My grandsons are still in the learning stages of how to be civil. Isn't that right, fellas? "

Phillip and Jamie sheepishly nodded and Phillip said, "We say sorry a lot! "

Lee nodded and said, "Well, that was the general point of my being here today. To tell you about the situation and to assure you that I have apologized to your mom and to tell you that it won't happen again. I also want to apologize to you all for that behavior. I was rude but I'm working on improving my bad habits. "

Amanda nodded adding, "And while he's doing that, we're working on getting to know one another better so that there won't be any more misunderstandings. You wouldn't mind if Lee came around from time to time, right ? "

Dotty looked at Lee and said, "Well actually, the boys could use a good strong male influence around here, dear. I say, why not? "

Amanda shook her head. She expected no less from her mother and then looked at her boys. " Would you guys be okay about Lee being here? "

Phillip looked Lee up and down and said, "You like camping and sports ? I mean Mom and Grandma are great with some stuff but we'd like to go see movies where they're not grossed out and sometimes go shopping for stuff that we like instead of clothes-. "

Amanda said sternly, "Phillip Thomas King! That was very rude! You don't ask someone you've just met to do things like that! How could you?! "

Jamie said meekly, "Well, he's right Mom. Anyway, about the clothes ? Phillip just meant that...well, we kinda don't want you guys with us when we try on clothes any more. It's weird in the dressing room, you know? I mean, there's stuff and it's humiliating. "

Seeing her youngest son's face turn red Amanda chuckled softly, "Oh, sweetheart! I know all about your "stuff". I was there when I gave birth to both to you and I've seen it all! There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Really! "

Lee got up wanting to change the subject and said, "Can I help you clear, Mrs. West? "

Dotty smiled noting the red on Lee's face as well and nodded saying, " It's Dotty and of course. We're all going to clean up here. C'mon, fellas! "

With five people the cleanup took hardly any time at all and the boys said goodbye to Lee and took off for the park.

Amanda walked Lee out to the car and said, "I'm really sorry about Phillip. I didn't know the conversation would take that turn-. "

Lee squeezed her hands saying, 'Hey. It's fine, really. So, what are your plans tonight? "

Amanda shrugged. "I dunno. What did you have in mind? "

Lee sighed. "Well, I thought you and I could have dinner alone at my place. You know, work on improving our relationship? "

Amanda smiled going into his arms and said, "I see. So, any particular attire required? "

Lee huskily said as he kissed her, "It's optional..."

Amanda blushed furiously! "I-I see! With or without, huh? Okay, well, maybe Dory would have some insights on what I should do, hmm? "

Lee growled low and said, "I-I was kidding here, okay? Besides, I would now like your solemn promise that we don't bring up Dory or that program ever again! Please? "

Amanda kissed him lightly and said, "All right. Boy, you're sure easy to tease! Now you'd better go before the neighbors get more of a show than they've gotten already..."

Lee looked around and noticed the people deliberately taking their time working on their lawns!

Getting into his car he shook his head. He wondered what made him think he could handle the surburbs of all places at this point in his life?

But the answer was right at the car door. The woman standing there holding his hand. Reassuring him that he'd conquered all his fears and that the future was indeed bright and whatever happened from here on out that they'd face it together.

Lee started the car and Amanda bent down to kiss him goodbye and he said, "See ya later. "

As he pulled out of the driveway and left Amanda waved and sighed happily saying, "Oh, you'd better believe it pal. You'd better believe it! "

The End