In Limbo
Chapter 19
Getting back to his hotel room, Lee sat down on the bed, and taking out the piece of paper from his jacket pocket that Burt Daniels from the Trentonian gave him, he sighed deeply, thinking as he stared at the name and phone number, How do I start?
Getting up from the bed, he began to pace and said aloud, "Alright...Just listen to her without criticism, and get her to at least meet you halfway...Let's see...Um, Mrs. Thompson, I never meant to imply that you were interfering. I can't begin to understand the relationship you have with your daughter, so please forgive me for overstepping here. I think we all as human beings, through our own individual experiences, find it hard to give advice as well as receive it, don't you think?"
Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Lee swallowed, and going to the phone, commented, "Okay...That just might do it...I'll wing it after that...Here it goes..."
Dialing the number, he waited, and on the second and then third ring, looking at the time, thought, It's almost lunch time...I should try later.
Suddenly, he heard a click, and then a voice he never expected to hear, stated, "Hello?"
Shock waves went through Lee, as he struggled to speak as he recognized the voice, but only managed to utter, "Oh...Oh my God!"
The voice then queried carefully, "What? Who is this? Are you some kind of trouble? Because if you are, then tell me where you are and I'll phone the police-"
Lee gasped, answering quickly, "N-No! I-I'm okay! But is this Audrey Thompson by any chance?"
Dotty West commented, "Y-Yes, but please tell me who you are? You're making me very nervous, and maybe you've dialed the wrong number-"
Lee gulped, and trying to compose himself again, answered, "I-I'm sorry...Um, my name is Charles Castle, and I'm from the Chicago Tribune...I run the Ask Penny column there, and I'm here in town...Mrs. Thompson, is there any chance you'd care to meet with me to discuss the letter you wrote and my response? I'd like to try to explain-er, rather redeem myself, and-"
Dotty asked simply then,"Have you eaten?"
Lee replied carefully, "N-No, I don't normally eat breakfast, Mrs, Thompson-"
Dotty answered, "Lunch, Mr. Castle...I meant that it's almost lunch and if you'd care to resolve our issue, there's Pat's Diner on Broad Street-"
Lee, without thinking, responded, "Y-Yes, that's fine...Um, what time shall I meet you?"
Dotty commented, "How about twelve thirty? "
Lee remarked slowly, "That's-That's fine, Mrs. Thompson...Thank you...Goodbye."
Dotty answered, "Goodbye, Mr. Castle."
As they hung up, Lee excitedly whooped for joy!
If this turned out well, he would finally be reunited with Amanda!
Looking up, he stated, "God, I dunno what I did to deserve this luck, but thanks!"
Then, looking at his watch, he gulped and went to go get ready as it was almost time to leave for this meeting!
TBC