Unfinished Business, Unresolved Feelings chapter 29
When Dotty had initially confronted Lee and then Amanda she hadn't intended to back down until she had received the answers that she sought. Although she still wanted her questions answered Dotty was beginning to think that pushing Lee and Amanda further at this point might do more harm than good. Amanda had grown silent after hearing about the conversation her mother had had with Lee. Dotty was certain that Amanda was mulling over her how she had treated Lee recently.
Dotty looked on as Amanda turned around upon hearing the backdoor open. Lee looked at the two women and started walking towards them as a look of relief and then trepidation crossed his face.
"Amanda, I'm so glad that you're back. I just woke up and checked the time; you've been gone for a long time. Are you okay", Lee asked.
"I'm better now", Amanda replied awkwardly. Dotty decided to give the couple a chance to talk in private so she cleared her throat and walked closer to Lee.
"If you two will excuse me I'm going to go inside and get lunch started. Lee, will you join us for lunch", Dotty inquired.
"Mrs. West, thank you for taking such good care of me earlier. I really appreciate it. I should be going now; I'm sure I've already overstayed my welcome", Lee replied sadly and began to walk towards the back gate. Amanda quickly reached out and put her hand on his arm to stop him.
"Lee, if you don't have other plans, we'd both like you to stay", Amanda said and Lee could tell by the smile on her face that she really meant it.
"I'd like to stay; what can I do to help", he answered happily.
"I have everything under control", Dotty responded quickly, "you two stay out here and talk. I'll let you know when lunch is ready." Dotty walked away leaving Lee and Amanda looking at each other in awkward silence.
"I'm sorry", they both blurted out at the same time.
"What do you have to be sorry for? I'm sorry about this", Lee gestured in a way that suggested that he was apologizing for getting caught by Dotty. "I've eluded the best that the Soviets and the Chinese have thrown at us but I got caught out here by your mother." Lee looked so contrite and embarrassed that Amanda couldn't help laughing." "What's so funny? I thought you were going to be furious with me. I've been screwing things up since I told you that I love you. I'm sorry", Lee concluded as he looked down at the grass.
"You're sorry that you love me", Amanda asked quietly. Lee's head shot up and he looked at her as though he couldn't believe what she'd asked him.
"No, I'll never be sorry that I fell in love with you. You've made me so happy but we both know that I don't belong here. How many times have you told me that I'm not 'normal'? Look at this past week; all I wanted to do was-"
"Amanda", Dotty shouted from the backdoor interrupting what she could tell was a serious conversation. "Joe is on the phone. He says it's urgent that he talk to you." Amanda stood still; torn between continuing her conversation with Lee and finding out what Joe wanted.
"Go talk to Joe, the boys are with him, they have to come first", Lee urged. Amanda hesitated for a moment and then walked back to the house leaving Lee and Dotty in the yard. Amanda came back out a couple of minutes later with a puzzled expression on her face.
"That was quick. What did Joe want", Dotty asked.
"When I got to the phone he'd already hung up. I called his place and he didn't answer. I hope the boys are alright", Amanda said as she twisted the chain around her neck.
"I'm sure they're fine. The first thing that I asked Joe when I heard his voice was whether or not the boys were okay. He said they were fine", Dotty reassured Amanda. "Why don't you and Lee come inside and we'll wait to see if Joe calls back."
The three adults walked back to the house lost in their own thoughts. The phone began to ring as soon as they entered the kitchen and Amanda rushed to answer it.
"Joe? Phillip? Phillip, calm down, what's wrong? Is Jamie alright", Amanda asked anxiously and then listened to Phillip's reply. "Your father did what? How long ago?" Dotty and Lee could tell from Amanda's change in tone that she had gone from worried to angry. "No, you don't have to stay there by yourselves. I'll be there soon. I don't know about that; we'll talk about that when I get there. Bye."
"Amanda, what happened", Dotty asked as soon as Amanda hung up the phone, "why did Joe hang up before"
"He was in a hurry to get to his office", Amanda answered angrily.
"He took the boys to work with him", Lee asked.
"No, he left them alone at his place. Someone had called from his office to ask if he could come in and deal with an urgent matter. Joe had promised to take the boys to a ballgame so he left the tickets with them and told them that he'd try to get home in time to go to the game. Joe told the boys that he was sure that if he couldn't make it that I wouldn't mind taking them in his place."
"I can't believe that man. I know they aren't little anymore but he had no business walking out on them like that", Dotty said with undisguised hostility.
"Lee, I'm sorry, I need to go get them. I'll bring them back here and then we can talk."
"Go get the boys, but don't bring them home, take them to the game. They shouldn't miss out because their father doesn't know how lucky he is to have them", Lee urged.
"Okay, I'll take them to the game but we aren't done talking", Amanda replied as she gave him a quick kiss in front of her mother. Amanda headed out to get the boys leaving Lee and Dotty alone again.