Standing Off

It was becoming more clear to Scott that Amy had drawn a deep line in the sand.

Amy wanted things her way, with no variations.

Scott begged Amy to take another shift. Amy refused. And this left them with no immediate childcare for Andy. They were unsure if or when their nanny would return and the agency would not be able to provide a replacement for a few days.

Scott tried to talk sense into Amy. He tried to reason with her indicating that he was at the mercy of the military. The hospital would allow Amy any shift that she wanted as there was a nursing shortage. Amy could pick her hours. It would settle all their daycare problems. They could place Andy into a regular daycare setting and Amy would be home each evening to care for Andy when Scott was deployed. Unfortunately this all fell on deaf ears. Amy was not about to give up her shift. She let Scott know that he needed to line up reinforcements quickly.

Out of desperation, Scott called home and talked to Terri and Bruce. It was discussed that Terri would come out and care for Andy for a few weeks. This would allow their regular nanny the time she needed with her family. Terri indicated that she could be out in two days, but no sooner. Scott understood.

When Scott got off the phone with Terri, he let Amy know about the plans. Amy immediately flew into a rage. She did not want Terri spoiling Andy and she was not keen that Terri would be spending unsupervised time with Andy.

Scott questioned Amy as to why she disliked his mother. Terri had always been very good to Amy. And both Terri and Bruce had been wonderful grandparents. They called daily and it seemed that a week didn't go by when the UPS truck didn't show up with something for Andy.

All Amy could say is that they "owed" it to them. After all their son was serving his country and she felt it was the very least they could do considering that the military paid very little.

Amy had the next day off of work. However, there would be an extra day before Terri was due to come into town. This meant that someone would need to watch Andy. Scott asked Amy if she would call and see if she could switch a day with someone or take a compensatory day off.

Amy flew into a rage. She wanted to know why Scott felt that she should automatically be the one to take off. Scott tried to reason with her, he once again indicated that he couldn't call off.

Amy suggested he call in sick. Scott stated that the military just doesn't operate that way, if he were sick, he still had to report for duty and then go to the infirmary. Scott finally told Amy enough was enough and that she would have to take the time off. Amy turned on her heel and grabbed a coffee mug from the counter. In one swipe, she threw the mug at Scott. It hit Scott on the shoulder. Scott was angry and felt it was in everyone's best interest that he sleep in the barracks that evening. He packed a duffle bag and left for the night. As he walked out the door Amy screamed at him that he was "no man" and slammed the door behind Scott.

The next day came and went, Scott worked his shift and came home. Amy seemed as if nothing had happened the night before and Scott didn't dare bring up the past. Amy asked Scott when Terri would be arriving and Scott let her know she would be in late the next evening. After dinner, Scott gave Andy his bath and put him to bed. Amy and Scott watched the news and called it a night. The next morning things seemed calm. They played with Andy and after lunch, Scott went to leave for duty. As Scott was about to leave, Amy came down the stairs dressed for work. Scott was shocked. Certainly Amy knew that Scott couldn't watch Andy. After all, they had argued about it just the other evening. Scott threw his hands in the air. Amy, I have to go. You'll just need to call off of work. With that, Scott closed the door and left.

Scott was on duty about 15 minutes when his C.O. approached him. He was letting Scott know that Amy had just dropped Andy off and left. Scott was beside himself. Scott's C.O. was less than pleased and let Scott know that this had better not happen again. Scott collected Andy and took him home, humiliated. This was just the beginning........

-S. Spade