In Limbo

Chapter 54

While Lee and Dotty were downstairs finishing dinner preparations, Amanda was in the boys' room having her talk about their father, and Lee.

Phillip was lying on his bed, tossing the Nerf ball he had between his hands back and forth, saying, "Mom, I know now that Lee didn't mean to say what he did in a hurtful way, but think about it. Why would we be okay with him just taking over like he's doing-"

Jamie responded, "Yeah, Mom. It is kinda weird."

Amanda sighed, and getting up from the desk chair she was sitting in, reached out to take the Nerf ball from Phillip, and when he protested, she gestured, answering, "Sit up, Honey...I want to explain something to you..."

Then gesturing to Jamie, Amanda said," Jamie, you too, Sweetheart."

Jamie came over to sit at Amanda's left side, as she put the ball aside, and putting her arms around her sons, commented softly, "Fellas, I'm telling you the truth when I say that I had no idea that your dad wanted his parental rights relinquished to Lee...That must have been later, after he and I had the meeting with my lawyer about the new sole custody arrangement...But whatever his reasoning was, I believe in the end that he did always love you, and tried his best to do right by you, which is why you both grew up here in Virginia, instead of in Africa. As for Lee "taking over" as you put it, Phillip, he isn't doing anything of the kind! He's just as shocked as I am about your dad's wishes , and we're going to talk it over later...Now, this condition only means that if something were to happen to your grandmother and me, God forbid, that legally, you both would be looked after by Lee, okay?"

Jamie then asked, "So, sorta like a step parent, but not really, right?"

Amanda stroked his cheek, answering, "Right...So, listen to me...Lee and I are still in the dating stage, but we do care about each other a lot, so if anything changes on that score, I will definitely let you know, alright?"

Just then, Dotty called up to them, stating, "Dinner's ready if anyone's hungry?"

Amanda tilted her head and gestured towards the door, asking, "What do you think, Guys? Can you handle Grandma's pot roast?"

When both Phillip and Jamie slowly nodded, Amanda called back to her mother, "We'll be right there, Mother..."

But as Amanda got up from Phillip's bed, and got to the door, she noticed the boys hadn't moved from the bed at all, and sighing, she queried, looking at both her sons,, "Okay, what is it?"

Phillip shrugged, answering as he looked at Jamie and got up, "Nothing, I guess...Let's go, Jamie..."

But as both boys got to the door, Amanda stopped them, remarking, " Hold it! If you're wondering how to act around Lee now, I want you to be polite. You don't have to overdo it, but try to meet him halfway, alright? Remember, he's not the enemy here...He cares for me, so he'd like to get along with you and your grandmother as well...Please? Can you do it for me, huh?"

The boys looked at one another and nodding, Phillip replied, "Sure, Mom."

Jamie nodded as well, responding, "Okay, Mom."

Amanda hugged Phillip and Jamie, commenting, "Okay! I think I'm ready to eat! Let's go!"

-SMK-

As Amanda and the boys came into the dining room, Lee seated Amanda, as Jamie helped Dotty, and they began their meal.

Amanda then, after a few bites, said, "Oh, Boys? After your dad's funeral, your grandparents would like you to spend a few days with them in Chevy Chase before they go on their cruise...Would you like that?"

Phillip faltered for a moment, then answered with a shrug, "I-I guess so, but won't it be too sad to have us around? I mean, because Dad's gone?"

Amanda shook her head, replying, "No, Honey, because you two are the best of your dad, and having you nearby in their lives helps keep him alive in their hearts."

Jamie asked, "But do they know about Lee?"

Amanda remarked with a nod, "Yes, I introduced him to your grandparents at the hospital-"

Phillip, shaking his head, sighed commenting, "N-No, Mom. Jamie meant about the legal stuff."

Amanda, glancing at Lee, who just shrugged, stated, "No, but I will explain to them later about it, alright? Now, did you guys finish all your homework?"

The boys nodded, with Jamie commenting, "There's an extra credit composition for English class I wanted to work on, but..."

Jamie's face then clouded over, and he said sadly as he put down his fork, "Excuse me..."

As Jamie then ran upstairs without another word, Dotty, looking concerned, queried, "What in the world came over him all of a sudden?"

Phillip, clearing his throat, answered, "i know what's bugging him."

Amanda replied to Phillip, "What, Sweetheart?"

Phillip responded slowly, "It's about parents and their histories...See, Jamie wanted to write about Dad and all the work he did in Africa, but then all the bad stuff happened when you and Dad had that argument weeks ago, and now, well..."

Dotty shrugged, stating, "Well, I can always tell him about Uncle Iggy, who hung out with a wizard, and-"

Amanda shook her head in amusement, commenting, "N-No, Mother... Remember the story you told me where he thought he was a wizard or something? No, thank you, but that definitely won't work."

Phillip asked Lee, "Well, it's not the same thing, but what did your parents do for a living, Lee?"

Lee, glancing at Amanda and thinking quickly, answered as he got up from his chair,"They, um, traveled a lot... Excuse me, Dotty, may I help with cleaning up?"

So, as Dotty and Lee cleared the table and went back to the kitchen, Phillip queried to Amanda, "What's wrong with Lee?"

Amanda commented, " Well, Honey, Lee lost his parents when he was four, and doesn't remember too much about them, okay? Hey, how about you help in the kitchen while I go see Jamie, alright?"

Phillip nodded as he got up with her and said, "He'll be okay, Mom...This whole thing is weird though..."

Amanda stated softly, "I know, Sweetie...It'll take time, but we'll be okay..."

As Phillip headed into the kitchen, Amanda went upstairs to see how she could help Jamie...

TBC