Author's Notes: This is a variation of Michelle's challenge to write chapters based on song verse. Each part is like a short story. Some fit as `missing scenes' for specific episodes, others fit in between episodes, and the last one is a possible future scene. I didn't try to make the song lines fit perfectly with the scenes, but used them as a general outline for the atmosphere I wanted to create in the corresponding section. Its kinda… like abstract art- it takes some personal interpretation by the reader.
"Lee?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you hungry?"
Lee put down his binoculars, cocking his head to one side as if thinking about it. "Yes," he said finally.
Amanda smiled and twisted around awkwardly trying to reach behind her seat. "Hmmm… er- Lee?"
"Yeah Amanda?" He had lifted his binoculars to his eyes again.
"What'd you do with the little bag I brought with me?" She turned all the way around, kneeling on the seat, searching the tight dark space.
"Your purse?"
Amanda rolled her eyes, "Noooo, my purse is on the floor, I brought a bag- a canvas bag. With sandwiches and - what's this case?"
"Case?"
"Yes, case, this big black heavy case on the floor here in the back." She grunted as she tried to reach under the case. "Uh oh."
Lee put the binoculars down again and looked at her sharply, "What?"
"Um- the case… you put the case right on top of my bag." Lee just looked at her. " Our dinner was in the bag. The bag is under the case…. Our dinner is under the case."
"Oh," Lee looked back at the case. "Hmm, yeah, I get your point." Lee assessed the situation. Amanda was still facing the wrong way leaning over the headrest of her seat, watching him impatiently. "Ok, well, you pull up," He mimed his plan,"- no, no, take hold of both those handles and I'll grab the bag out from underneath."
"All right, ready? One, two, three!" Amanda heaved with all her might. "Oh m'gosh!"
Lee started convulsing with laughter at the strained expression on her face and forgot to grab the bag.
Amanda dropped the handles and glared at Lee, "Lee! This is heavy! Are you going to help or not?" She struggled to keep a straight face.
"Yeah, yeah, wait a second." He wiped the grin off his face. "Ok, I'm ready… go!" Amanda resumed her position and Lee snatched the bag out from underneath the case.
Amanda turned and sat back down with a sigh, holding out her hands to take the bag as Lee offered it. Amanda reached into the bag, looking as if she feared the worst. She pulled out a large plate covered in plastic. Two very flat sandwiches lay pathetically with their innards spilling out. Red un-identifiable goo was smothered all over one side of the plate, creeping towards the chicken salad sandwiches.
"Oh my gosh!" Horrified, Amanda looked up at Lee who quickly covered his smile with his hand. She narrowed her eyes at him.
Obediently, he clucked sympathetically, "Oh, that's just terrible." Amanda carefully pulled back the goo covered plastic.
Lee stared at it, "Uh, what was the uh- red- stuff?"
Amanda was gingerly trying to extricate a sandwich without setting the oozing plate down. She grabbed a napkin from her purse with one hand and expertly tossed it open onto Lee's thigh. "Uh, pie…" In one deft movement she transferred the sandwich to the napkin, "strawberry pie."
Lee steadied the sandwich with one hand and with his other dipped his index finger into the mashed strawberry paste and tasted it.
"Hmm!" Amanda swatted at his hand as he reached for more. "It's very good." Amanda reached down to extract another napkin while Lee moved in for another finger full of pie, smiling.
"Would you stop that? Eat you sandwich." Amanda put the napkin down on the back seat and carefully placed the plate on top of it. "There, that should do it. No more mess."
Gingerly balancing her sandwich on her lap, she tried to keep the bedraggled insides from falling out. Lee raised his eyebrows at her but did not comment, concentrating on pushing his own dinner back together.
They ate in silence, watching the dark house.