In Limbo

Chapter 45

After Amanda's talk with her mother about Joe's drinking the night before, Lee then phoned, saying that Joe wanted her to do a favor for him.

Amanda warily queried, "What kind of favor?"

Lee said carefully, "He wanted to know if he could see the kids one more time before going back to Africa-"

Amanda stated quickly, "I hope you told him no!"

Lee sighed answering, "Sweetie, it wasn't my place...No matter how I feel about what he did over the years to you and the kids, or last night...I just told him I'd ask, okay?"

Amanda swallowed hard, and with a sigh, asked, "Alright...Is he right there? Can I talk to him?"

Lee, looking back at the bedroom door, which was slightly ajar, remarked, "Hang on a second, huh?"

Putting the receiver down, he walked back to the bedroom door, and listening, thought he heard crying!

Shaking his head, Lee thought somberly, Wonder if you cried at all when you first left your family years ago, Joe!

Walking back to the living room, Lee picked up the receiver once more, and responded, "No, he's-he's resting...He had a little setback after breakfast, and-"

Amanda replied quietly, "I see...Well, please tell him later I have to think about it, and of course, talk to the boys as well...I'll discuss it with them when they get home from school this afternoon, okay?"

Lee commented, "Right...So, anything special you're doing on your day off?"

Amanda answered, "Just catching up on household stuff, and going to the grocery..You know, the fun stuff...Can I get anything for you?"

Lee joked, "Two tickets to Acapulco for us, please, and spare no expense."

Amanda quipped back, " Sure, but what about Billy and Francine?"

Lee chuckled replying, "Eh, we'll just say we're retiring early..."

Amanda with a giggle, remarked gently, "I love you, and I appreciate what you're doing in any case. I'll call you after I talk to the boys, alright?"

Lee replied, "Sure...Um, any idea what you'll say to them, though?"

Amanda responded, "Nope, but if I get stuck, there's Dr. Spock to consult-"

Lee bewildered, asked, "What does a Vulcan have to do with this?"

Amanda guffawed, answering, "I meant Benjamin Spock, Silly! I have child care books of his here to look at!"

Lee chuckled, commenting, "Okay, okay, sorry. Talk to you later then, Honey...Love you."

Amanda answered, " Love you, too. Bye, bye..."

-SMK-

As Amanda hung up, Dotty asked, "So, that was Lee? How is Joe?"

Amanda shrugged, replying, "Dealing with a hangover."

Dotty, shaking her head, queried, "So what did Lee say?"

Amanda sighed responding slowly, "Well, Joe asked a favor-"

Dotty questioned sternly, "You're joking? After everything he put you and the children through up until now? What could he possibly want this time?"

Amanda commented, "He wants to see Phillip and Jamie one more time before going back to Africa."

Dotty stated, "Tell him absolutely not-"

Amanda stopped her, replying, "Mother! They're not babies any more! As much as I agree with you, I still have to think about it...Look, they're teens already. They're at the age when they can decide for themselves what to do on certain matters."

Looking at her watch, Amanda then commented, "Okay, let's get to the store, and then get the other stuff done around here before the boys get home, okay?"

Grabbing her jacket and keys, along with Amanda, Dotty thought worriedly as she followed her out of the house, I hope you know what you're doing, Dear...

TBC