Lee raked his hand through his hair as he looked at an anxious looking Amanda.
"When you told me that you were going to introduce me to your mother soon I didn't realize that you meant now. Why didn't you warn…ah…I want to meet her…I just wasn't expecting it to be so soon."
"Believe me; I wasn't expecting it to be now either, she's supposed to be at home with the boys until Joe picks them up. The boys are spending the day with their father and I thought Mother was going to a friend's potluck plate and football watching party. I'll go out there and find out what she's doing here." Lee returned to the stove while Amanda went to find her mother. She quickly spotted Dotty despite the fact that the main room was now crowded with many more volunteers.
"Mother, what are you doing here, I thought that you were staying with the boys until Joe picked them up."
"Hello, Amanda, I'm glad to see you too." Amanda cringed internally as she realized that Lee's old habit of launching into a conversation without any salutation had rubbed off on her. She looked at her mother sheepishly and then Dotty continued, "The boys' plans with Joe fell apart. They couldn't agree on what they wanted to do and I suspect that they weren't eager to spend the whole day with him anyway."
"I guess it's just as well since this will provide them with the chance to work through some of their feelings about him before they spend more time with him. Who's with them now?"
"They're here; coming to volunteer was their idea. It is a very good cause and we all enjoyed helping out last year so they wanted to do it again," Dotty explained with grandmotherly pride. Even though Amanda was proud that her sons wanted to spend the day helping others her anxiety level rose at the prospect of having Lee meet all three of them at once.
"Where are the boys," Amanda asked. She chewed on her lower lip and scanned the large room for her sons.
"Phillip knew that his friend Tommy was coming here with his mother so I called Mrs. Martin and asked her if we could ride with them. The boys went off together to see what they could do to help."
"They could be anywhere; I have to find them." Amanda wrung her hands then began to walk away when Dotty put a hand on her arm to stop her.
"Amanda, I know you're worried about everything the boys are going through with Joe but they aren't little anymore…give them some space. You seem awfully nervous; what's bothering you? Wait a minute…he's here isn't he?"
"He who," Amanda asked reflexively not because she truly expected to avoid the inevitable introductions she'd have to make.
"Lee's here, where are you hiding him," Dotty demanded indignantly.
"I'm not hiding him." Amanda sighed deeply and then went on, "He's in the kitchen. He volunteered to help with the cooking."
"He cooks? There is so much that I want to know about him; I hardly know where to begin." While Dotty assaulted Amanda with questions, Phillip and Jamie wandered into the kitchen where Lee was still cooking alone.
"Hi, Sir, we're looking for Mrs. Morris; have you seen her," Phillip asked as Lee debated whether or not he should introduce himself to the boys.
"She was in here until a few minutes ago; I'm sure she'll be back soon," Lee responded as his internal debate continued to rage.
"We know Mrs. Morris from school so we came to see if she needed help but since you're here alone maybe we can help you? My name is Phillip and this is my brother, Jamie."
"Hi Guys, I could certainly use some help. My name is Lee." He smiled warmly at the boys as he ran a hand through his hair yet again.
"Are you my mom's Lee," a wide-eyed Jamie questioned.
"Yes, I am," Lee replied letting out the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "I'm happy to finally meet you both; your mom talks about you all the time."
"Mom didn't tell us about you until this morning but I'm beginning to think that our dad must know about you." Phillip was thinking as he spoke and as was often the case he didn't self censor what he said.
"I've met your dad; he's a good man. He may not have a particularly high opinion of me but I hope that you and your grandmother will take the time to get to know me and reach your own conclusions about me."
"That's precisely what I intend to do but I warn you that I have very high standards," advised Dotty as she entered the kitchen with Amanda on her heels.
"Moth-er," an exasperated Amanda exclaimed as she shook her head at Dotty.
"Amanda, it's okay…your mother is concerned about you and the boys; I respect her for that," Lee interjected. He then turned his attention to Dotty, "Mrs. West, I'm Lee Stetson; it's nice to finally talk to you in person."
"I'm glad to meet you as well, Mr. Stetson." Dotty looked him over from head to toe and found that he was even better looking than she had expected him to be.
"Please call me Lee." He smiled warmly at her as he wished that she wasn't looking at him so critically.
"Lee, I'm not so old that I don't remember that charm and good looks can cover up a lot."
"Mother, you're being rude and besides this isn't the time or place for this conversation. Let's go in the other room to help the other volunteers. C'mon Fellas," Amanda urged as she physically corralled her mother. Phillip and Jamie exchanged a quick glance and then Phillip turned to Amanda.
"Mom, we'd like to stay here and help Lee." Amanda eyed Lee who nodded affirmatively behind the boys.
"Okay, you can stay, please do as Lee asks you to and-"
"Don't worry; we'll be polite," Jamie reassured her. "We won't embarrass you."
"Hmmpff," Dotty huffed and strode from the kitchen. Amanda shrugged her shoulders and then followed her.