In Limbo

Chapter 16

Later that same afternoon, the boys came into the house, yelling, "Hi Grandma!"

But seeing Amanda in the kitchen, Phillip asked, "Hey, Mom...What are you doing home?"

To both boys, she pointed to her cheeks, stating, "Well, hello to you both as well... How was your day?"

As each boy greeted her with a kiss, Phillip replied sheepishly, "Gee, Mom, I didn't mean it like that...It's just that Grandma's usually here instead."

Jamie nodded, adding, "Yeah, you're usually not home until almost dinner. What's wrong?"

Amanda shook her head answering, as she held up a piece of paper, "Grandma had plans for lunch today, and I'm home early because our computer system went down, so I can't do anything until it's fixed. So, why don't you guys go change, and then start your homework-"

The sound of the front door opening stopped Amanda, as Dotty called out, "I'm home, and I could use some help, please..."

The boys ran to the front hall and greeting Dotty, chimed, "Hi, Grandma..."

Amanda came out to the front hall, and seeing all the bags, quipped, "Gee, Mother...Is there anything left in the stores?"

Taking off her jacket, she went to hug Amanda, answering with a giggle, "Oh, you!", and then saying to the boys, "Please take those to my room, alright? I'll be up in a minute..."

The boys nodded stating together, as they headed up the stairs with the bags, "Sure, Grandma."

Amanda called to them, "And don't forget you have homework..."

-SMK-

Amanda asked, "Would you like some tea, Mother?"

Dotty, following Amanda into the kitchen, answered, "Yes, Dear, that would be nice. Thank you. You're home a bit early. Anything wrong?"

Amanda stated, "No, just a computer glitch. We can't do anything until it's fixed, which hopefully will be by tomorrow."

After fixing the tea, Amanda brought their cups over to the family room, and as they both sat on the couch, Amanda queried, "Well, how was the mall and lunch today?"

Dotty, taking a sip of her tea and swallowing, said with gestures, "The mall was fine. We went into some clothes stores that were a bit on the pricey side...Oh, but in one store, I did find this wonderful skirt that would go so well with the tan jacket I have, and a tweed skirt that would look great with the gray jacket you wear to work sometimes, but don't worry...They were both on sale...You should have been with me...Oh, well, whenever you have time off, Dear...They will have other sales, of course. Oh, and the restaurant we went to was nice, too. We sat outside since it was such a lovely day."

Amanda asked after taking a sip of her tea and swallowing, "Did Carol Lumbly join you?"

Dotty replied, "As a matter of fact, she did. She was very helpful recommending the bistro downtown where we went, and we all had Reubens and side salads."

Amanda answered, "Sounds wonderful, Mother. I'm glad you had a good time."

Just then, Jamie came downstairs to query, "Mom? Do we still have any newspapers from last week? I have to look at a current event article and write about it for Social Studies class."

Amanda gesturing, responded, "Sure, Sweetheart...Anything but Friday's-"

While Jamie was busy looking through the magazine rack, Dotty looked at Amanda asking curiously,"Why Friday's?"

Amanda explained quickly, "I haven't had a chance to look at it yet."

Dotty stated quietly, "Oh...", shrugged. and getting up from the couch, took her tea cup and saucer to the kitchen to rinse them out, commenting, "Well, I'm going up to change and put my things away. Any thoughts on dinner, Darling?"

Amanda replied, "I have some leftover chili we can have with the cornbread you got at the market the other day."

Dotty smiled, answering, "That's perfect, Honey...Be down in a bit."

But Amanda remarked, "No rush, Mother...I'm going to call work about the computer situation anyway, and see if I need to be in tomorrow."

Dotty, heading for the stairs, answered, "Alright. Good luck, Dear."

And Jamie, holding a newspaper, replied, "Mom, I got last Tuesday's. Is that good?"

Amanda smiled at him, commenting, "Great, Sweetie. I'm sure you'll find something to write about."

Jamie grinned answering, "Hope so.", as he headed upstairs as well...

-SMK-

Amanda took her own saucer and cup back to the sink to rinse them out, and putting both cups and saucers on the drying rack by the sink, dried her hands.

Then getting on the phone, she dialed the Tyler Technology work number, and the switchboard directed her to her supervisor, Grace Miller's number.

Grace answered, "Tyler Technology, this is Grace Miller speaking. How can I help you?"

Amanda queried, "Grace? Hi, it's Beth Blake...I just wanted to see if the system was back up and running, and if so, I could be there tomorrow-"

But Grace stopped her, saying, "I'm sorry, Beth...I just found out from the CEO that our system is getting a whole new overhaul- new software and all, so you won't be needed until next week, but no worries. We will all be getting a regular pay week for the inconvenience, alright? So, see you next week."

Amanda remarked slowly, "Oh, okay. Well, thanks for letting me know, Grace...Bye bye..."

As Amanda was hanging up, Dotty came down the stairs, and meeting Amanda back in the kitchen, she asked, "Any luck, Dear?"

Amanda sighed answering, "No. The company is overhauling the equipment, so it's going to be a week until it's up and running, but we'll all still get paid because it was last minute notice to us...So, were the boys still doing their homework?"

Dotty nodded commenting, "Yes, particularly Jamie with the newspaper. He's been poring through it for almost half an hour now. Should I ask if he'd like some help with it?"

Amanda shook her head replying carefully with a gesture towards the family room couch, "No, I don't think so, Mother...Besides, they come to us anyway when they're either stuck on something or finished with their homework...He'll be fine...Speaking of the newspaper, there was a phone call for you after I came home that I'd like to talk about...Let's sit down, hmm?"

Dotty thought to herself, Oh no! Is it possible she found out about the letter? I only did it out of love and concern for her...Now what do I do?

TBC