Chapter Text
Joe and Amanda King had been divorced for nearly two years. Dotty, Amanda's mother, had come to live with her and her small sons, Philip and Jamie. Amanda decided after the boys started to school that she would like to find work. She and Dean her boyfriend, usually went out once a week. Dean was a nice man but Amanda had become restless with both her daily routine and the weekly routine of seeing Dean. While Dotty thought Dean a good catch, Amanda's heart wasn't in the relationship and she and her mother had had lots of words over this.
Amanda didn't really know what type of work she wanted so she decided to be a volunteer at the local hospital. She could choose her own hours and be home if her mother or the boys needed her.
Some of Amanda's duties were to deliver mail and flowers to patients' rooms and serve coffee from a table in the reception area until 10:00 am to visitors. She wasn't wild about the job, but it got her out of the house and she enjoyed trying to cheer ill patients.
One morning she delivered a lady's fancy shoe filled with violets to this fellow in room 325. What an odd planter, she thought. The attached card was not in an envelope, so Amanda decided to read the note.
'Please return my shoe darling, when you are well, All my love, Trixie.'
Amanda entered the man's room. He was chewing out his nurse because she wanted to take his temperature.
She threatened him with these words, "Either this end (pointing to his mouth), or the other end. Take your choice!"
"I didn't come here to be tortured. I'm getting out of here today, or die trying."
"What kind of service would you like?" asked the smiling nurse.
"Funny, aren't you?" scoffed the man.
"I must say you are the most disgusting patient we have on this floor."
"Well, get used to it," snapped Lee.
"Pardon me," interrupted Amanda, "I have something for the man in room 325, which I guess is you sir."
"Yeah, Lee Stetson's the name. What is it?"
"It is a lady's shoe filled with flowers."
"That should help his personality--I wish something would," quipped the nurse.
Lee looked at the shoe, then at Amanda, then at the nurse. He became stone faced, but thanked Amanda. She realized he was embarrassed, so she headed for the door. The nurse, glad to see him embarrassed thought, good enough for you, you old crab.
Before she left the room, she turned and exclaimed, "That lady sure has big feet!"
Amanda and the nurse left the room laughing, with Lee burning up. They're laughing at me, he thought. Just wait until I see them again.
Lee was in the hospital to have his appendix removed. Normally, hospitalization would only be a short time, but his appendix had ruptured and the infection had to be cleared up before he could leave the hospital.
The next day Lee got more flowers. This time when Amanda delivered them to Lee, three different girls came to visit almost at the same time. Lee didn't want to see them, so he pretended to be sleeping. The ladies were heavily made up and dressed to the teeth. They didn't seem to know each other.
I wonder which one of them he really likes, thought Amanda.
One of the pretty ladies asked Amanda, "Do you think I can awaken Lee? He and I are good friends."
All three of the women looked questionably at Amanda. Amanda thought, he'll be in big trouble if he opens his eyes.
She didn't know what got in to her, but she decided to help him when she stated, "I really don't think he is ready for visitors. He just had surgery yesterday and he is still very ill."
"Well, I guess I'd better not try to talk to him yet then."
"I really don't think he should be disturbed."
As they turned and started to leave Lee's room, Lee opened one eye and looked at Amanda.
The women left and Lee opened his eyes.
"I really don't feel like talking to anyone today." After a pause, he continued, "thank you."
"I just helped you out of hot water didn't I?"
Lee, soberly looked at Amanda, then began to smile, "How did you know?"
"I wasn't born yesterday Mr. Stetson."
"Just call me Lee."
"All right Lee."
"I'm really not feeling that badly, but I couldn't deal with those three at one time in this condition. Why did you come to my rescue?"
Amanda put her hands in the deep pockets of her striped uniform and looked down. She turned around and looked out the window.
Finally she answered, "I've been asking myself that same question." When Lee didn't respond, Amanda continued, "I suppose you will have visitors every day until you leave."
"I hope not. Do you suppose I could get a No Visitors sign on my door? I really don't want to see any of my girl friends here."
"Why don't you want to see them if they are your friends?"
"I don't know. I guess I'd rather be on my feet."
"I think they embarrass you."
Lee looked at Amanda, then looked down at his hands and turned his head away.
Amanda knew she had embarrassed him, and hurriedly stated, "Listen Lee, I need to get back to work, enjoy your new flowers."
"Will I see you tomorrow? What's your name?"
"Well, I suppose I'll see you tomorrow if you get more flowers. My name is Amanda King."
"Oh, okay, see 'ya."
Amanda left the room. Wow, I could really like that man I think. He's interesting--and handsome. I don't blame all the women for visiting him. I know one thing though, by the looks of those gals, I know I'm not in their class.
The first thing Amanda did when she saw Lee's nurse was ask about the No Visitor sign.
"We have to abide by the patient's wish on the visitor thing, so yes, we can grant his wish, though I'd love to see him get his rear in a sling--well, not literally. I think he's quite the lady's man."
Amanda placed the No Visitor sign on Lee's door. He was awake and called, "Hey, thanks."
"I'll need to close your door now if you don't want visitors."
"Yeah, I guess so. I hope I'm out of here in a day or so. I'm feeling lots better."
"Do you have someone at home to care for you? Oh, I'm sorry, you probably have plenty of help."
"No, I don't have anyone. There's no one but me. I'm a loner."
"A loner? Do you like that kind of life?"
Trying to be strong, Lee replied, "It doesn't pay to count on anyone. They always end up leaving you."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry, I have lots of fun and like to be around fun people."
"Oh, that's nice, I guess. I think I'd better get going."
After Amanda left, Lee thought, why didn't I tell her how it really is. Oh heck, I don't know her. What's wrong with me? She's different though. There's something about her......I wonder..........
After two days, and no more flowers, Amanda did not go to Lee's room before he went home.
Amanda was bored again. Even with work at the hospital she felt a big letdown after Lee had gone home. Seeing him most every day had given her a good feeling. She didn't even know his address, where he worked, or anything about him.
While talking to the nurse who had cared for Lee later, the nurse mentioned that she was glad the old crab in room 325 had gone home. She also mentioned that he worked for International Federal Film (IFF), but probably wasn't able to go back to work yet.
Amanda asked nonchalantly, "I wonder where he lives? I think he's kinda' cute."
"Oh, you do? Well we can find out in a hurry, I'll check the computer."
The nurse wrote down Lee's home address and phone number from the computer file and handed it to Amanda.
"Oh, gee, I wasn't really serious, but thanks."
"You can have him kid, he's not my type," replied the nurse. She continued, "He's gonna' take some taming."
"After seeing those women who came to see him, I'm sure I'm not the kind of woman he's interested in."
The day ended and Amanda went home. She told Dotty about Lee and how she'd like to meet him, but guessed she'd give up on that. She didn't tell Dotty she had his address and phone number.
Dotty said, "I can't believe it, you actually act interested in someone. What about poor Dean? I know there's something lacking in your relationship. I've noticed that for some time. Well, don't get tied down with someone you don't love. You'll never be happy."
"Thanks mother. I wish Dean would realize it too so I wouldn't need to tell him."
"Well, there's no way to let him down easy. He loves you. By the way, we need groceries, do you have time to shop?"
"Yes mother, give me the list and I think I'll try a new store I heard about at work."
"Well, it doesn't matter to me where you shop, just so you bring us something to eat."
"Okay mother, I'm off. Don't wait dinner for me if the boys are really hungry. This is a big store I think and it might take me longer than usual to find things. You don't want to be late for the movie."
"All right, whatever," replied Dotty.
Amanda got in the station wagon, got out her city map, found out where Lee lived, and decided to look for a grocery store in the area. Luckily, she found one two blocks away from where he lived. She parked and went into the store. She was trying to get her bearings in the store, looking at the signs above each aisle, when someone tapped her on the shoulder. When she looked around, there stood Lee.
"Hi........Amanda, isn't it?" announced Lee.
"Why, yes.......er.......oh Mr. Stetson, how are you feeling?"
"Oh I'm doing fine, and the name's Lee. How you doin'?"
"All right. I was in this area and decided to shop here. It's the first time I've been in the store, so I was looking at the signs over the aisles."
"Maybe I can help you. I shop here all the time, though I must admit, I don't eat at home very much."
"Oh how awful. You have to eat out all the time? That must get old."
"Old? It's better than cooking all the time. Anyway I don't have time."
"Oh yes. I remember, you are a loner."
"That's right."
"I think I will look in each aisle. I'm in no hurry. I don't need cereal or milk until morning."
"I'll walk along with you if you don't mind."
"I'm sure you have better things to do."
"Like what?"
Amanda didn't know what to say. "Well, you have all those girl friends. I'm sure they would enjoy your company tonight. Don't any of them ever cook for you? What kind of woman wouldn't cook for their friend, at least once in awhile?"
"Most of the women I date don't know what a kitchen is for."
"I can't believe that."
"Well, believe it, it's true. That's why I learned how to cook a long time ago, even though I don't do much of it now."
After spending nearly an hour shopping, Amanda decided she had everything Dotty had listed on the note pad.
"Well, I think this is it. I'll pay for the groceries now, then drive up for them."
"I'd offer to carry them out for you but I don't suppose I'd better. I got strict orders not to lift anything over ten pounds for at least a month."
"Well, see that you do as you're told."
"Yes ma'am," replied Lee with a grin on his face..
Amanda was embarrassed and replied, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound bossy."
"You didn't sound bossy, you sounded as if you might care. I kinda' like that feeling."
"Of course, I care. Why wouldn't I?"
"Well, thank you. I appreciate that. I would like to be your friend."
"I'd like to be yours too."
"Great. Then maybe we can do some things together."
"You and me?" asked Amanda, never thinking for a minute that Lee would be interested in dating her.
They walked to Amanda's car and stopped, facing each other.
"Lee, I don't understand you. I'm not..........well, I don't think I'm anything like the women you like to date."
"I can see why you think that, but I don't think I've ever met anyone like you, and I think I could like you very much. Let's go somewhere and talk, how about that?" asked Lee.
"I must get these groceries home and put away."
"I'll follow you home, then maybe we can go out for a drink."
"Well, okay.......I guess."
Amanda drove home in an excited state. She had found him and he had asked her out. I haven't been this thrilled in years, she told herself. I suppose he'll wonder why I shop so far away from home.
Lee drove up behind her and offered to help.
"No Lee, don't you dare carry anything. Do you want to tear out your stitches or something worse?"
"All right. But I feel like a fool just watching you."
"Come on in Lee. You can hold the door open for me if you want."
"That's the least I can do I guess."
"Say, you have a nice home. Do you live here alone?"
"No, my mother and two small sons live with me. I've been divorced for some time."
"Oh, I see."
"Why don't you sit down while I put things away. Would you like a drink of something?"
"What do you have?"
"Soda, some red wine, and I think there's two cans of beer in the refrig."
"We are going out for a drink aren't we? How about a glass of water for now?" replied Lee.
"Okay. There, that's done." She looked at Lee's smiling face and returned the smile.
"It seems years ago that I lived in a family atmosphere. This really takes me back."
"Is that good, or bad?"
"I'll tell you about my childhood sometime. Where would you like to go for that drink?"
"I'm sure you know all the good places. I'm not too 'up' on drinking establishments."
"Some of us from work often go to Emilio's after work. I think I'll take you there."
"Oh, what kind of work do you do?"
"I work as sort of a detective."
Amanda looked into his eyes and replied, "That can be dangerous."
"Sometimes it is."
Lee was very attentive, helped Amanda out of the Vette, and guided her in to Emilio's with his hand on the small of her back.
Amanda thought, gosh, I could get used to this treatment very easily.
Lee was greeted by the bartender and several patrons who recognized him. Everyone was in suits, including most of the women. They all appeared to Amanda to be professional people. I should never have come here in jeans. What will Lee's friends think?
Lee guided Amanda to a table for two away from others. That did not keep some of the fellows from coming over to the table. Of course Lee had to introduce Amanda to them when they insisted on learning the name of his new friend. He thought, maybe Amanda will get the wrong impression from those guys. I should have taken her to another place I guess.
"Lee, this is a nice place, but I'm not dressed for it. Why didn't you warn me, then I would have changed clothes?"
"You are fine Amanda. Those people are dressed up only because they came here from work. You should see them on weekends. Shall I order for you?"
"Yes, please do."
The waiter came and took their order for red wine.
"Amanda, I have a question for you."
"Oh."
"Yeah, I was wondering why you did your shopping at a grocery store so far from where you live?"
"Ah, well, I said I was in the area and decided to try a new store."
"Hmmm," replied Lee. Their eyes met and both began smiling.
"Don't tell me, allow me to think you just wanted to meet me. You are a good detective. We could use you."
"What?"
"Never mind. Well, anyway I have been wanting to see you again, but didn't have the slightest idea of where you lived. How did you find me?"
"I have my ways."
"Hey, that's usually my line," replied Lee.
"I'm sure you have a good line."
"Well, it's not good enough to con you I see."
"Oh, did you try to con me?"
"No, I'm just kidding. I don't think I could con you. You are a different sort of woman than I'm used to, and I kind of like that."