In Limbo

Chapter 58

As they entered Lee's apartment, Amanda turned on the light from the entry way, and gently answered, "Go on and sit down, Sweetheart...I'm gonna go make tea."

And as Lee went to take off his jacket, he put it on the chair, and headed over to the living room couch to sit down as Amanda headed into the kitchen, and confused suddenly, Lee queried, "Wait...What? Why? I don't want tea! That's your thing!"

Amanda, coming out from the kitchen, asked shaking her head, "You don't even have tea? How can you not have tea in your house?"

Lee, irritated, replied, "I drink coffee with cream! Otherwise, it's Scotch or beer with me! You know that!"

Amanda sighed commenting with a hand up coming to the couch to sit with Lee, " Okay, c'mon! Let's not argue over a silly thing like what to drink here, huh? Let's just talk about what's upsetting you-"

But as Amanda sat down, Lee stated insistently, "Nothing is upsetting me! I just had that day flash in my mind, that's all! I didn't mean to spoil dinner-"

Amanda responded softly, "Honey, you didn't spoil anything! Mother didn't mean to upset you in asking about your parents. She doesn't know the situation-"

Lee groaned, commenting, "The situation, you referred to, is simple...I lost my folks when I was four, and went to live with my uncle when I was seven! End of story!"

Amanda remarked carefully, "Yes, but Lee, when you were telling that story, it was as if suddenly you weren't with us at the table...You told us a bit of what happened the day of the funeral, but then you kept saying no over and over again...We just couldn't bring you out of whatever you had gone through. And Honey, it's not a judgement of any kind, but you worried us, which is why Mother thought maybe you and I could talk alone about it. So, if you want, we can just talk a little bit about it, and-"

But Lee sighed, and answered after a moment, "Okay, I'm sorry. I guess what I really remember about that time is that I was basically tossed around to different relatives until I wound up with the Colonel...It's not an easy thing to talk about, which is why I don't."

Amanda nodded and asked tentatively, "Alright, but have you and the Colonel ever talked about that day in particular? Maybe it would help your relationship-"

But Lee chuckled, remarking tersely, "N-No, it definitely would not help! Amanda, I already told you that he nicknamed me "Diaper Duty" until I was in my teen years! He was basically stuck with me, and I with him! He's a military man who always did his duty, whether it fit into his plans or not! Now, let's just drop it, alright?"

Amanda sighed and leaning over to kiss his cheek gently, got up from the couch and getting her purse, went to the phone to call a cab, stating, "Fine. I'm sorry I pushed, but I meant well because I love you and I hate seeing you in pain...Get some rest, and I'll see you at the office tomorrow, alright?"

With that, Amanda gave her information over the phone to the cab company, and hanging up, left the apartment, and getting into the elevator, pressed the 1st Floor button, thinking as the elevator went down to the lobby...Well, only one option left, I guess...

-SMK-

Getting home later, Amanda headed upstairs after turning off the kitchen light, and seeing her mother's bedroom light off, went to her own room to get ready for bed.

Settling in a few minutes later, she pulled out her address book with phone numbers and realized she didn't have the one number she did need, and thought, I could call Mr. Melrose, but then, he'd just ask me questions I wouldn't have answers to...

Shaking her head, she reached for the phone, dialed the operator, and when the person came on, Amanda stated, "Yes, I need the number for a Colonel Robert Clayton of the U.S. Air Force, please..."

Getting a piece of scratch paper, she quickly jotted down the number, and thanking the person, hung up, and looking at the time, thought sadly, You can't heal if you two don't talk, Lee...

Taking a deep breath and letting it out, answered softly picking up the phone, "Once upon a time, this wouldn't have been any of my business, Lee, but we're in a relationship now, and I want to help you, and I hope you accept it because I do love you..."

Dialing the number, she waited, praying that the Colonel wouldn't hang up on her...

TBC