In Limbo

Chapter 43

Joe King slowly opened his eyes as a bright sunrise of the following morning entered the room he was in!

Groaning, he slowly put an arm over both eyes, as he heard water running, and then shut off.

Then, trying to get his bearings, he slowly got himself to sit up, realizing he was on a couch, but didn't recognize it.

Out loud, he mumbled, "Wh Where the hell am I?"

He heard a door opening behind him, and as he looked in that direction, he saw a dressed, clean shaven Lee Stetson, who stated with a smile, "Ahh! Great! You're awake...Morning, Joe. How are you doing?"

Joe was clearly confused, and queried, " St-Stetson? What's going on? Is Amanda here...Hey, Amanda! What's going on?"

Whistling, Lee, going to the kitchen, answered, "No, Pal. Amanda's at home. It's just you and me. So, get up, and I'll get coffee started...Oh, and how do you like your eggs?"

But Joe shook his head, saying slowly as he attempted to rise from the couch, "I-I'm not hungry...I'm just gonna go..."

But reaching into his pockets, he found them empty, and replied, "H-Hey! Somebody stole my wallet and keys! I-I gotta call the police, and-"

Joe went to the phone, but Lee quickly stopped him, answering firmly, as he turned Joe towards the bedroom, "No! What you're going to do right now is get your hung over ass to the shower, clean up, and then come back and have some protein...So, be a good boy and go do that-"

Joe then lifted his arm to push Lee away, growling, "Who the hell are you to tell me-"

But Lee was quicker, and putting Joe's arms behind him, answered tersely as he walked Joe to the bathroom, "I'm your worst nightmare, Joe King! You've had nightmares before, but nothing will compare to today! A nice cold shower will help...Clean clothes are on the bed...Get going!"

-SMK-

Lee closed the bathroom door, and shaking his head, walked back to the kitchen as the phone rang.

He answered, "Morning, Amanda."

Amanda queried, "How did you-"

Lee chuckled, asking, "Really? I know you."

Amanda questioned, " Right...So, how is Joe?"

Lee sighed replying, "He's already combative, but he'll live."

Amanda commented, " Well, I-I wanted to thank you again for helping me get Joe to the car, and for what you're doing for him now...I'm still upset with him, but I didn't want anything bad to happen to him, you know? Anyway, I was kind of surprised that you agreed to help. Most men wouldn't take that on-"

Lee said gently, "Most men aren't in love with you..."

Amanda sighed answering, "Thank you, Sweetheart...So, what happens after you sober him up?"

Lee remarked glancing at the bedroom door, "That's totally up to him, Honey. Anyway, I think I hear the shower shutting off. I gotta go. I love you."

Amanda replied, "I love you, too. Talk to you later...Bye, bye."

They hung up, and Lee remembered the hangover drink he was going to make to go with Joe's eggs, and getting out the ingredients, pulled out his blender from the bottom cabinet near the stove.

-SMK-

Joe came out slowly from the bedroom, dressed, and as he heard the blender go on, he moaned as he touched his head, "What the hell?!"

Going to the kitchen, he yelled at Lee, "Hey! Shut that off! It's too loud!"

Lee yelled back, "What? Sorry, I can't hear you!"

Joe, in frustration, went over to the counter, and pushing Lee aside, shut the blender off, and with a groan, stated as he made a face, "I can't believe you're trying to liquor me up after what I've been through! I'm not drinking whatever that is-"

Lee, chuckling slightly, answered with a gesture, " Oh, but you will. Go have a seat in the dining room, huh? I'll bring it out to you."

As Joe headed for the dining room , he asked, "Why are you doing this anyway? Trying to score points with my wife?"

Lee sighed, as he finished cooking the eggs, and turning off the stove, replied calmly, "Uh, I believe the term is ex-wife, Joe, and no, I don't need any help winning Amanda over. See, we work extremely well together and-"

Joe scoffed, "I'm sure you do, but what about the kids? They'd see your well rehearsed garbage with them a mile away-"

Lee, bringing out Joe's plate to him, and a glass, and putting it down in front of him, seethed, "Yeah, they're pretty smart kids who've had a front row seat to your crap for years! Dig in!"

-SMK-

Joe sighed, and reaching for the glass first, took a whiff, and blanched, asking, "What is this, anyway?"

Lee sat across the table from him with his own cup of coffee, responding somberly with a gesture, "That's guaranteed to get rid of the " hair of the dog" that you ingested last night. And trust me, it tastes like crap, but you will feel a bit more like yourself later today. And the eggs are the protein that I mentioned earlier."

Joe, looking over at Lee, queried, "What, no breakfast for you?"

Lee said, "I don't have anything but coffee usually."

Joe drank some of the concoction, and swallowing, stated while trying to clear his throat, "O-Okay, I'll ask again...Why did you help me last night?"

Lee sighed deeply, answering slowly, " Well, as long as Amanda has even an ounce of feeling left for you, I'll help her out because that's how much I care about her and the rest of her family...Now, go on and eat before your eggs get cold, will ya?"

And the rest of their time at the table was silent, to Lee's relief...

TBC