Oh My Gosh

Chapter 23

Lee had taken Phillip and Jamie for an errand in order to surprise Amanda with something by first getting his late mother's antique engagement/wedding band set, and afterwards, going to a photography studio.

As the three got out of the Wagoneer, Jamie asked, "Why are we here? Are we dressed alright?"

Lee, patting Jamie's shoulder, stated with a nod, 'You look great, Guys. Besides, they have jackets in there for us to change into if we need...C'mon..."

As they walked in, Lee smiled at the woman behind the desk, answering, "Well, we made it, Josie."

Josie, a fair haired woman in her forties, about 5'6'', came out to hug Lee, stating, "Just barely, though! I was about to close...Been a long time, Lee."

Returning the hug and stepping back to smile once more at her, Lee remarked, "Yeah, it has...Hey, I really do appreciate you doing this for me on such short notice."

Josie, glancing at the boys replied, "She must be worth it for you to go through all this...Never thought I'd see the day Lee Stetson appears with kids? Just how long has it been since we saw each other?"

Lee chuckling, put up a hand, answering with a gesture, "Not-Not that long! These are Amanda's kids...Phillip and Jamie King...Guys, this is Josie Baker, an old friend of mine who used to work at IFF..."

Phillip and Jamie politely nodded, saying,"Hello", and Lee then asked, looking around, "Okay, so where do we set up here?"

-SMK-

Sometime later, as the three were heading home, Jamie answered, "Boy, Lee, that was great! That was a neat studio! I still think Grandma should've been with us, though."

Phillip, with a deep sigh, commented to Lee, "He's such a dweeb!"

Then looking at Jamie, Phillip explained, "Look, Bone Head! For the last time, Grandma didn't come because she had to keep Mom busy so she wouldn't suspect anything! Got it now?"

Jamie blinked at Phillip and tilting his head, remarked tiredly, "Yeah, I got it, Doofus! What I meant was that Grandma should be with us in some pictures anyway-"

As Phillip began to respond angrily, Lee put up his hand saying firmly, "C'mon, Guys! Knock it off! Jamie, I promise your grandmother will be in plenty of pictures with us from now on. In fact, it was your grandmother's idea to do this as a special gift for your mom, okay?"

Phillip queried, "So, when do you think it'll be ready?"

Lee, glancing at his watch, shrugged answering as they headed into Arlington, "Don't know, Phillip. She had some orders ahead of us...Maybe in a couple of weeks, but she said she'd call me as soon as they were ready to be picked up...So, what's on the menu for our dinner?"

Jamie sighed replying, "Well, we were going to have chili, but then Mom wanted tuna noodle casserole-"

Phillip shook his head stating, "But by the time you came to get us earlier, she was deciding between steaks or pizza! It's so messed up, Lee."

Jamie piped up, "Yeah it is! How about we just have cereal for dinner?"

Lee chuckled as he finally pulled into the driveway answering as he parked the car, "Hey, give your mom a break, okay? She's having cravings as well as her ever changing mood swings, alright?"

As the three got out of the Wagoneer, Phillip groaned,responding with a gesture, "Okay! That's it! I'm not getting married, either! That seems like a hassle."

Lee, smiling, came over to Phillip as they all headed for the door, and putting an arm around each boy's shoulder, commented, "Sure you will, someday. You wanna know why?"

Jamie asked, "Why?"

Lee stated, "Because you boys will find that special someone who knocks you clear off your feet, like I did, and you'll realize that it's all worth it in the end...C'mon, let's head in."

When the three headed in and closed the front door, Dotty met them in the foyer whispering, "Hi! How did everything go?"

Lee answered softly, "Great! Why are we whispering?"

Dotty smirked, remarking with a gesture, "Well, Amanda went into the den to look for something, and promptly fell asleep on the couch in there about a half hour ago."

Phillip stated, "Aw, man! I'm starving!"

Dotty put up a hand replying, "I-I know, Dear...That's why I called out for pizza...And Quickie Chickie...And even Marvelous Marvin's tonight-"

Lee sighed commenting, "Dotty!"

Dotty answered, "It was Amanda's choice, Lee! You should have seen her on the phone with all those places...It was insane! Anyway, the first delivery should be arriving just about...Now."

The doorbell rang on cue, and Lee, pulling out his wallet, commented, " I got this, Dotty...Alright, Fellas...Go wash up, and then help your grandma set the table, please? It's gonna be a long night..."

The boys nodded, and heading up, Phillip responded to Jamie, "I don't care what Lee told us! I'm still not getting married! It's too much work!"

Jamie commented, "I know what you mean! Wonder how Dad put up with it when we were coming..."

Phillip just shook his head as the two went upstairs...

TBC