Oh My Gosh

Chapter 28

The family returned home the next morning around 9 AM, and as they all trudged in, Dotty asked, "Anyone want any breakfast?"

Amanda shook her head as she went to sit on the family room couch, and Lee answered, looking at his watch, "No, thanks. I've got to get to work-"

Jamie queried, "What about school?"

Lee shrugged asking, "What about it? It's Saturday."

Dotty shook her head stating gently with a gesture towards the boys, "No, it's Tuesday, Lee, and they're late. Okay, Fellas, go get your stuff and we'll go-"

Phillip answered, "As soon as we eat, okay? We didn't get to eat at the hospital, remember? We were supposed to have dinner, but then, Mom-"

Amanda then stated quietly, "Yes, I know, Honey. It was my fault everything got screwed up, and-"

Lee sighed, as he went to join Amanda on the couch, and kissing her temple, as he held her, answered softly, "Sweetie, the doctor did say this happens sometimes...This Braxton-Whatever you call it-"

Dotty remarked, "Hicks, Lee...Braxton Hicks, but he did say we shouldn't worry about it too much. In any case, we should go, Boys."

Lee, getting up from the couch, answered, "No, it's okay, Dotty, I'll take them. Let's go, Fellas-"

Jamie queried, "Lee? Our breakfast?"

Lee, with a groan, went to the cupboard, and pulling out two granola bars, tossed one to each boy, and said, moving towards the front door, "Okay, grab your gear and let's go, already!"

Phillip nudged Jamie, whispering, "Man, and we thought Mom was grouchy-"

That comment pushed Lee to the edge as he glared at the boys, and seeing the ominous look, the boys raced upstairs to get their book bags, and then coming down, yelled goodbye to Amanda and Dotty and headed out the door quickly!

Dotty shook her head wearliy, and joining Amanda on the couch, asked, "Okay, Darling. What would you like to do today?"

Amanda commented lightly, "Oh, I dunno. Go to work, run a marathon, have a baby..."

Dotty kissed her cheek, answering softly, "You will, Darling. As soon as it wants to come, it will come, alright?"

Amanda asked, "What were you doing when I was coming?"

Dotty smiled, remembering, "I was alone at home-your daddy was working late- and I had decided to hang some pictures in your room, when all of a sudden, you let me know you were on the way by my water break-"

Amanda remarked, "Oh, no! Did you call Daddy?"

Dotty shook her head, replying, "Yes, but there was no answer, so I had called for a cab, but it was late, and I had a neighbor drive me, and told them to call your daddy to let him know where I was. Fourteen hours later, you entered the world, picture perfect-all ten fingers and toes intact...Now, can I fix my perfect girl some breakfast?"

But Amanda shook her head saying, "No, thank you, Mother. I could go for some pretzels and chip dip, though-"

Astonished, Dotty put a hand on Amanda's forehead, replying with a shake to her head, "No, you aren't running a fever-"

Amanda giggled, pushing her mother's hand away, stating, "No, but that's what I want...Please?"

Dotty then smiled, and getting up from the couch, kissed Amanda's forehead, answering gently, "Alright, Precious...Pretzels it will be."

But after a few minutes of hearing Dotty rummaging around the cupboards, Amanda called to her, "You can't find the Bavarian pretzels?"

Dotty, surprised, asked, "Bavarian? I thought you meant just regular pretzels?"

Amanda shrugged replying as she patted her belly, "Apparently, that what he or she in here wants, okay?"

Dotty, shutting the last cupboard, sighed, remarking, "Well, I guess a trip to the store is in the cards- there are no pretzels to be seen, and-wait just a moment, while I check the fridge..."

Going to the fridge, she opened it, and scanning the contents with another sigh, commented briskly shutting the door immediately, "Wonderful! No dip, and we're out of milk, and does anyone write it on our list? No!"

Amanda shrugged, and carefully getting up, stated, "Okay, so we'll head to the store...Good thing Lee thought to get us a mini van when he would need the Wagoneer, huh?"

Dotty nodded, answering as she got their purses and keys, and grabbing their coats as they headed for the front door, "Yes, although I'm still trying to navigate the darn thing. It doesn't like me for some reason..."

-SMK-

As they at last got to the grocery store, Dotty found a parking spot, and they unbuckled, and Amanda had to wait for Dotty to come around and help her out of the passenger side.

When Dotty got her out, Amanda, grabbing a nearby cart, raced off to the door, with Dotty yelling, "Amanda! Wait for me!"

Watching her go, Dotty, locking the car, shook her head and sighed, stating, "That girl! I swear!"

Going inside the store, she looked around, and not finding her, got out the grocery list from her purse, and then the PA announcement came..."Clean up in Aisle 20, Clean up in Aisle 20!"

Dotty felt a sense of dread as she looked at the grocery list, realizing that pretzels were in the aisle that was about to be cleaned up!

Hurrying along, she arrived in time to see Amanda munching on one of the Bavarian pretzels she had been searching for, but the side display had been knocked over, with three employees cleaning up the mess!

The store manager came to Dotty's side, asking with a gesture, "Is she going to purchase that container?"

Amanda nodded happily, and swallowing, answered, "Yes, I am, but do you know you're out of Ho Hos and Ding Dongs?"

Dotty embarrassed, stated in a no nonsense manner, "Amanda Jean! Get over here now!"

Amanda carefully walked over and queried calmly, "What is it, Mother?"

Dotty apologizing to the manager, and employees, said to Amanda, "We're done in this aisle..."

-SMK-

Later towards the afternoon, Dotty and Amanda arrived home, and Dotty remarked tiredly, helping her out of the car, "You go in right now and sit down. I will bring in the groceries, and then make us some lunch...Unless of course, you aren't hungry, given what you already ate at the store-"

Amanda sighed, and commented with a wave, "Oh, Mother. I didn't eat all that much-"

Dotty replied, "Oh, no? Half a container of Bavarian pretzels, three apples, and when one of the employees brought out a new shipment of Cheese Doodles, you went to town on one whole bag! It's a wonder we didn't run out of money there..."

Amanda waved it away, responding as she went to open the back door, through the garage, "Alright...I'm going, I'm going."

When Lee arrived home close to six, the boys were watching TV, and he asked, "Hey Guys...Where are your mom and grandma?"

Phillip, switching off the TV, and following Jamie into the kitchen, stated, "They're upstairs...Grandma left you a note, though."

Lee shook his head and muttered, picking up the slip of paper to read, "This family and notes...Let's see here..."

He read aloud:

"Lee,

Please take the boys anywhere you want for dinner. Amanda has eaten enough for lunch and dinner today, and I have a migraine. Would you be a dear and pick up some more ibuprofen for me, since I forgot to pick it up at the store? Thank you. Dotty

Lee, with a tired sigh, stated, grabbing the Wagoneer keys, "Okay, Fellas...Let's go get some dinner..."

TBC