Stepparenting 101

Chapter 1

Lee and Amanda were doing their catch up paperwork one afternoon after lunch and as they worked Lee noticed Amanda looking at him and then looking away.

After about five minutes of this Lee couldn't take it any more. "Amanda? What is it? Is something wrong?"

Amanda sighed and with a shrug said, "No. Not really. It's just that I've had something on my mind all day and I can't seem to figure out the best way to-"

Lee put up a hand to stop her ramble. "I'll help you. What is it?"

Feeling embarrassed then Amanda chuckled, "Okay. Um, Mother's going on a cruise next week. She was going to go with Captain Curt, but he's going on a business trip so she asked me to go with her. Only thing is, there'd be no one to stay with the boys. Joe's in the West Indies for a few months. Aunt Lillian is with Uncle Herman. Aunt Edna and Uncle Iggy are-"

Lee groaned, "Amanda! I know your family tree. Okay, I'll do it."

Amanda stared at him surprisingly. "You? Oh, I can't ask you to-"

Lee perplexed lowered his voice."Of course me. Why not me? I'm surprised you didn't ask me to begin with. After all, we are married now."

Amanda nodded. "Well, I know. But I wasn't sure if it was possible because you and Jamie-"

Lee interjected, "Hey. We're okay now, thanks to the talk you had with him. Besides, this will give me an introduction into living with them full-time."

Amanda smiled grunting, "Heh."

Lee was bemused by her grin and asked, "What?"

Amanda shrugged. "Phillip said something along those lines to me the other night."

Lee smiled. "Really?"

Amanda nodded."Yeah. He said, "Mom, how about Lee? He's a cool guy and Jamie doesn't hate him as much any more. It'll be fun."

Lee chortled then. "A ringing endorsement if ever I heard one!"

Amanda giggled and picked up her desk phone."All right. Let me call Mother and set it up then."

So that Saturday Lee got settled in the den since Amanda and Dotty would be leaving Sunday on their trip.

He and the boys were up early helping the ladies get the luggage in Dotty's car.

While they loaded the trunk Amanda went over the list of activities and appointments that the boys couldn't miss that week.

As the last bag was placed in the trunk and Lee shut it Amanda sighed. "Gosh, I know there's more I have to tell you, but I can't remember right now. I did leave the list by the phone just in case, though."

As Lee and the boys hugged the ladies goodbye he shook his head."Honey, don't worry. We'll be fine. Right, Guys?"

The boys nodded as Amanda kissed them and Phillip shrugged. "Sure, Mom. You and Grandma just have a good time. We'll miss you and we love you."

Dotty then nodded."Dear, you know how it is. As soon as we get to the airport or the ship, you'll remember what else you needed them to know."

She then turned to Lee. "Don't forget to water the plants and the garden. The boys will help you. Particularly that area just under the kitchen window. It's always a trouble spot."

Lee nodded as he and Amanda shared a look remembering how the trouble started almost four years earlier.

The ladies then got into the car and Amanda started it saying, "There's a file for Francine in the left side desk drawer marked "Capitol". You can't miss it."

Turning off the car then she bemoaned, "Maybe we shouldn't go after all. It's a week and there's still a lot you need to know-"

Lee kissed her cheek whispering, "If I can handle Russian Intelligence and Dr. Smyth then I can handle two teenage boys, okay? I love you."

Amanda nodded kissing him back, "I love you, too. Thank you for taking this on. I know it won't be easy, so I'll call tonight to check on things."

Lee groaned and looking at the boys for an SOS signal they gestured to Amanda and Dotty, "Goodbye, already."

Amanda shook her head and starting the car once more pulled out of the driveway finally with she and Dotty waving as they went down the street.

Phillip sighed."What's with Mom anyway?"

Lee chuckled, "Nothing, Chief. It's just that we haven't spent this much time alone together before and she's concerned."

Then clapping a hand on each boy's shoulder Lee gestured, "C'mon. Let's go straighten up and then head out for a while, huh?"

But as they came back into the house the phone was ringing and Phillip beat Jamie to it."It's probably for me, Doofus."

Lee caught the glare Jamie gave Phillip and pulling him toward the kitchen said, "Breakfast dishes. I'll wash, you dry."

They were almost finished when Phillip hung up. "Hey, Lee? Is it okay if I go out with a friend of mine today? We're just going to the mall."

Jamie barbed, "Yeah. He and Chet are having a Girl's Day."

Phillip then lunged at Jamie! "Shut up, Dweeb! At least I have friends and not bookworms!"

As they began tusseling Lee broke it up immediately!"Enough! Now apologize this minute."

The boys sullenly looked at one another and mumbled their apologies.

Lee cleared his throat."Repeat that. I didn't hear it, Fellas."

Phillip and Jamie louder said, "Sorry."

Lee nodded and gestured to Jamie, "All right. You go on and finish the dishes while I talk to your brother on the couch."

As he and Phillip sat down Phillip groaned, "He's always in my face about something. He's such a nerd."

Jamie overheard retorting, "Well, if you weren't such a hot shot about everything now-"

Lee barked, "Knock it off, both of you! Jamie, please finish and put away the dishes."

Sighing Lee looked at Phillip. "Now, this friend you're hanging out with. I probably should meet him, huh? Does he live near here?"

Phillip nodded. "Yeah. His name's Chet Bradford and he lives two blocks away. He moved here a couple of weeks ago and started at our school last week. He's a tenth grader, but he's really cool. I think you'd like him. So, is it okay?"

Lee mulling it over nodded slowly, "Yeah, I guess so. I take it one of his parents will be picking you up?"

Just then there was a knock at the front door and Lee was surprised to see a tall lanky boy come to the landing and greet them."Hey, Phil. Let's go. Marty's outside."

Standing up from the couch Lee went to him."You're Chet, I take it?"

The boy looked strangely at Lee and shaking his hand said, "Right. And you're Phil's old man? Nice to meet you."

Phillip then stood up and went to Chet shaking his head. "No, Chet. My old man's in Africa. This is Lee. He hangs out with my mom."

Lee was taken aback by Phillip's remark. Old man? Hangs out? What is he picking up from this kid? Amanda and I are married. Not that Dotty and the boys knew that, of course.

He wondered if Amanda had met this boy yet, but had the distinct feeling she hadn't because he knew she wouldn't approve of this new friendship at all.

But not wanting to be rude then he looked at Chet. "Who's Marty? Is he one of your friends that's driving?"

Chet then looked at Phillip strangely and then back at Lee. "Uh no, Dude. That's my old man. My pop."

Then a car horn sounded and Chet gestured to Phillip, "We gotta go. Marty's getting hot."

As Phillip and Chet got to the front door Lee followed them out saying, "Wait, Chet. I'd like to meet your dad. Do you mind?"

Phillip rolled his eyes sighing with a hand up. "It's okay, Lee. Really. But he's just late for work. You can meet him some other time."

But Lee went outside with the boys anyway greeting the man who got out of the car in the driveway."Mr. Bradford? I'm Lee Stetson. I'm staying with Phillip and his brother while his mother and grandmother are away. Nice to meet you."

Marty Bradford shook Lee's hand while gesturing to the boys, "Hop in, Fellas. I'm late for my meeting."

Looking back at Lee Marty nodded. "Nice to meet you, Stetson. And don't worry. I'll bring the kid back in one piece. He'll be fine."

As Marty then got in and started the car Lee pulled some money out of his wallet. "Hey, Phillip? Here you go, Pal."

But Marty waved it away as he pulled out."Nah. It's fine. Today's on us. See ya."

Lee then called to Phillip, "Be back before dinner!"

Phillip nodded as the car sped away.

Lee going back into the house went to the kitchen. "Is Chet always like that?"

Jamie shrugged putting the dishtowel away. "I dunno. Only met him once outside. But Mom wouldn't like what Phillip said about Dad. He's not old. Why did he say that? He's been getting weirder since that kid moved here."

Lee nodded. "I see. I take it then that your mom and grandma haven't met him yet?"

Jamie shook his head. "No. You and Mom were out of town the other night when Mr. Bradford showed up and asked Grandma if Phillip could go out to dinner with him and Chet. She let him go after giving Mr. Bradford the third degree about it. I thought she told Mom about it, though."

Lee chuckled. "Yeah. It may have seemed like the third degree, but your grandma's supposed to ask questions about people you hang out with that she or your mom don't know. Tell you what. Let's finish cleaning up around here and then we'll head out for a while, all right?"

Jamie smiled nodding."All right."

As they continued working around the house Lee at one point looked at his watch thinking, Won't hear from Amanda until later. Maybe I should check this Bradford guy out for myself.

Then changing his mind he shook his head deciding to worry about it later.

It was six-thirty that evening when Phillip came through the front door with several bags. "I'm home."

When Lee and Jamie greeted him they were taken aback by the outfit Phillip was wearing.

Phillip grinned turning around to show them. "Pretty rad, right?"

Lee cleared his throat."Uh, yeah. But what happened to the clothes you had on earlier?"

Phillip gestured to the bag he was holding. "In here."

Then giving a nod to the front hall he said, "Oh, I got some more over there."

Going to retrieve the other bags he went to the stairs and headed up. "Well, I'm gonna put this stuff away. Call me when dinner's ready. Later."

Just then the phone rang and Lee said to Jamie, "That'll be your mom, I bet. I'll take the call in the den."

Knowing the trouble Phillip would be in he asked, "Can I help you tell her about Phillip?"

Lee shook his head."No. You finish setting the table and keep an eye on that stew on the stove, please. I'll get you guys when I'm done and you can talk to her."

As Lee took the phone into the den and closed the door Jamie chuckled thinking, Hope you like those clothes Phillip, because Mom's sure not gonna let you keep them.

TBC