In Limbo

Chapter 51

Amanda got off the elevator at the Bullpen floor a short time after seeing Dr. Kelford, but on her way to Billy's office, got stopped by Francine, who asked, "Is it true? Did Lee actually get custody of your kids?"

Amanda shook her head, answering, "Wow, nothing gets by anyone around here! Why do you care, Francine?"

Pulling her aside from a few Steno women that were trying to get an earful, Francine quietly remarked to Amanda, "Because you can't throw a live grenade like that at an unprepared target like Lee!"

Amanda sighed, commenting, "First of all, not that this is any of your business, but he and I were both surprised at Joe's request! Second of all, nothing's been settled, and we have to talk to the boys about it anyway-"

Billy's office door opened, and Lee, seeing Amanda, remarked, "Ah, there you are! Come on in and let's get this over with, huh?"

Francine chuckled to Amanda, "Oh, yeah! He's thrilled beyond belief!"

Lee scowled, "Knock it off, Francine!"

As Amanda came into Billy's office, and Lee closed the door she greeted Billy, and he stated with a gesture, "You remember Jake Tompkins, don't you?"

Amanda nodded, answering as she greeted the man, "Hello, Jake. Nice to see you again."

The group moved over to the couch area, where Lee and Amanda sat, while Jake and Billy sat in the chairs across from them.

Amanda, opening her purse answered, "Let me give you my divorce lawyer's custody document that was sent to me this morning, with written detail of the amended custody change...Now this was done the day before Lee got his note from Joe! I-I guess the change really threw Joe, but I just can't understand why he decided to do this-"

Then looking at Lee, Amanda sighed, commenting softly, "Not that you wouldn't be great with Phillip and Jamie, but this seemed like a total turn around, you know?"

As Lee nodded, Amanda, giving the two papers to Jake, added, handing them over , "Also, Joe's information...Look, before Lee and I sign anything, we have to discuss this with the boys...Can you give us time to do that?"

Jake looking over the papers, nodded to Amanda, commenting, "Of course...And I'm sorry for the loss, Amanda...When is Mr. King's funeral?"

Amanda swallowed, saying, "Next week...And we'll talk to the boys tonight, because they're going to stay with his parents for a week afterwards..."

Jake nodding, replied as he placed the paperwork in his briefcase, "Okay...I'll look these over, and make the necessary arrangements, and we'll meet again the following week..."

They all stood up, and Lee and Amanda thanked him, and he left.

-SMK-

Amanda sat once more on the couch, and Lee, noting her expression, sat down as well, asking with concern, "You all right?"

Amanda shrugged, commenting, "I dunno. Seems like it's one thing after another with this situation."

Billy queried, "What do you mean, Amanda?"

Amanda responded quietly, "I just mean that...Well... Maybe if I had thought about it a bit more back then-"

Lee, knowing what Amanda was going to say, shook his head vehemently at her, stating firmly, "Amanda, no! You made the absolute right decision years ago when you ended it with him! You and Dotty became the boys' anchors! Sure, they missed him, but that was because they were too young to understand then how selfish the guy was being! He didn't take into account what a toll it took on you to shoulder the responsibility of raising those two all these years-"

Billy, seeing Amanda's hurt expression, cut in protesting, trying to stop Lee from talking, "Scarecrow! That's enough!"

Amanda, with tears coming to her eyes, asked angrily then, "Are you finished with my personal life history lesson, Lee? Because if I were to rewrite it now, you wouldn't be in any of it! And I don't have to be reminded of the sacrifices I made to raise my children!"

Rising from the couch, she grabbed her purse, and remarked to Billy, "I'm heading home...I've had enough crap for today!"

Turning to Lee, who sat on the couch with a stunned look, she replied carefully, "If you decide to come for dinner tonight, we will have to discuss any and all future plans, because I can see how much of a problem this has turned out to be for you! You wanna blame Joe? Go ahead! But not at the boys' expense! They've already lost enough here without you wanting to add to their grief!"

When Amanda stormed out, Lee asked Billy bewilderedly, "Why is she upset with me?! I-I was on her side-"

Billy, shaking his head, answered curtly, "Maybe you should also head home and reassess your head space! Look, like it or not, you also have a responsibility now to the King boys! Stop your belly aching, and man up for God sake! Amanda needs you! She didn't ask Joe to pawn those kids off on you! She's right, however, in saying that you should blame Joe! Too bad he can't fight back with you, though!"

As Lee made no attempt to get up from the couch, Billy barked, "Get out of my sight for a while...We're through talking!"

Unexpectedly thrown by Billy's outburst, Lee go up and left the office quietly without a word.

Watching Lee go, he thought sadly, There are now two selfish people in this situation, but Amanda King is not one of them, Scarecrow! Remember that...

TBC