Samantha Sanderson on the Scene

by Robin Caroll

  Nikki wrote it down. “Thanks, Sam.”

  “I’d better run.” Sam smiled, then turned and ran down the stairs. Mrs. Willis would be worried, for sure.

  Sam liked their neighbor Mrs. Willis, even if she was hard of hearing and didn’t see as well as she used to. She saw Mrs. Willis’s old car in the back row of the parking lot as usual when Sam’s dad had to work and her mom was out of town.

  “Hello, dear. How was your day?” Mrs. Willis asked as Sam slid into the front seat.

  The cracked vinyl nearly scorched Sam through her khakis. “Sorry I’m late. I got caught up at the lockers. Thank you for picking me up.”

  Mrs. Willis started the car, revving the engine like she always did. Sam suspected she needed to do that to make sure the vehicle was running. “It’s no problem. I finished reading today’s paper while I waited.”

  Sam knew Mrs. Willis was lonely. She was a widow after all. The whole way home, Sam talked about her day, cheerleading, school . . . any and everything, right up until they pulled into Mrs. Willis’s driveway next door.

  “Thank you again for the ride,” Sam shut the passenger door and slung her backpack over her shoulder. “I’m sorry I talked your ear off.”

  “Oh, dear, I loved hearing about your day. Remember, if you need anything, I’m right next door.”

  Sam jogged across the yard to her garage door. She punched in the code on the keypad by the door. The mechanical door loudly opened. She gave Mrs. Willis a wave goodbye before heading into the house.

  Chewy met her as soon as she walked inside, jumping and wagging her tail.

  Sam laughed, dropping her backpack onto the entry bench and then bending over to love on her dog. Chewy licked her face while standing on her hind legs. She was one of Sam’s bestest friends.

  Sam took off her student ID badge and shoved it inside her backpack before heading into the kitchen. After she let the dog into the backyard, she opened the freezer and pulled out a casserole randomly. Nothing sounded good, but she knew Dad wouldn’t be up to ordering pizza or grabbing something from a fast food place.

  In her bedroom, she checked her messages. She had another email from the anti-bullying group with links to various websites that talked about bullying.

  Sam thought about Tam’s story, which got her thinking about incidents Makayla had that were similar. She just hadn’t realized they were bullying.

  Sam checked her Facebook page and saw a post from Nikki. Within a few clicks, Sam was scrolling through the posts and comments on Nikki’s Facebook page but saw nothing unusual. There were a lot of recent wall posts to congratulate Nikki on her nomination. Sam took note that there were no posts from Aubrey since Friday. There were plenty before, silly ones about shopping and eating, but nothing since Aubrey found out Nikki had been nominated for homecoming court and she hadn’t been.

  Makayla would never act like that toward Sam, and Sam certainly wouldn’t treat Makayla that way.

  Ring-ring-ring!

  Sam jumped then grabbed her cell. Yeah! Mom was calling to FaceTime. Sam pushed the green button and waited for the connection.

  In less than five seconds, Mom’s beautiful face filled the cell phone screen. “Hi, my sweet girl.”

  “Hey, Mom. Where are you?”

  “Stuck at a hotel by the Atlanta airport. My flight was cancelled.”

  Sam wrinkled her nose. “They can’t get you on another flight?” She really missed Mom. Something fierce.

  Mom shook her head. “Not until morning. I know, it’s a bummer. I miss you, too.” Sometimes, she seemed to be able to read Sam’s mind.

  Her mother was one of the coolest adults ever. First there was her mom’s job — an international journalist. Her mom’s passion for her career and her stories of the adventures she’d experienced filled Sam with the burning desire to have the same type of escapades. Not only that, but her mom was really pretty. Dark hair, smooth skin that barely showed even the slightest creases in the corners of her eyes, and perfectly straight, white teeth.

  Sam wanted to be just like her when she grew up.

  “Well, at least you’ll be home tomorrow.”

  Mom smiled. “I will. So, tell me how school’s going. What are you reporting on?”

  She quickly filled her mom in on Nikki’s troubles and the research on bullying she’d been doing for the series.

  “Bullying’s very serious, Sam. I’m proud of you for getting involved. That’s not always an easy thing to do.”

  “It’s got Nikki pretty upset.”

  “I bet. Maybe you could encourage Nikki to ask her mother to call the school or at the very least, talk to the school counselor.”

  “I tried.” Sam rubbed her hands against her jeans, liking the tingly feeling in her palms when she rubbed them fast. “Nikki says her mom is more worried about if she really looks fat.”

  Her mom’s eyes about popped out. “Oh, my! That’s just not so. Mothers don’t think like that.”

  “I said the same thing to Nikki, but she said her mother told her she should wear clothes that weren’t as loose fitting. It made Nikki feel like her mom might think she is a little overweight. Nikki’s going through a lot. Her parents are separated and divorcing.”

  “That’s hard on a family. Especially a woman.”

  Sam nodded. “And her mom just had to lay off a lot of people at the Hewlett Packard plant.”

  “It sounds like she has a lot she’s dealing with. I don’t know Nikki’s mother, but I feel for her. She’s got a lot of emotional issues taking her attention at the moment. I’m sure she adores her daughter almost as much as I adore you.”

  Sam grinned. “You might be biased, you know.”

  “I am, and that’s okay.” Mom’s smile could warm the room from across the many miles between them.

  A noise sounded over the connection, like a door opening. Mom turned away from the camera for a moment, then was back, a big smile on her face. “I have to go, Sam. I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll even pick you up from school, okay?”

  “Okay, Mom. Love you. Bye.”

  “Love you, too, my sweet girl. Bye.”

  The video chat ended with a resounding beep. Sam cleared her cell phone and set it on the desk. She couldn’t wait to see her mom tomorrow.

  She ran down the stairs and let Chewy back inside, just as Dad came in. His keys jangled into the wooden bowl on the entry table. “Hi, Daddy,” she called out.

  “Hi, Sam.” As usual, he went immediately to his and Mom’s room to lock up his gun and badge.

  “You just missed Mom. We were FaceTiming.”

  “Sorry I missed her.” Dad planted a kiss on Sam’s head. “She said she missed her flight.”

  Huh? Sam tilted her head. “She told me her flight was cancelled.”

  “Oh. Yeah.” Dad sighed as he pulled the casserole out of the oven. “Right. Either way, she won’t be home until tomorrow.”

  Sam narrowed her eyes and studied him while he cut the Mexican casserole. Something wasn’t right. It was like he didn’t really care about Mom not being home tonight. “Mom said she’d pick me up from school tomorrow.”

  “That’s good, honey, but don’t be too disappointed if Mrs. Willis or I show up instead.” Dad carried the plates to the kitchen table.

  Sam lifted the glasses of milk and followed him. “Why? Mom said she’d pick me up.”

  Dad shrugged as he sat down. “Flights get cancelled. Things come up.” He took a sip of milk, then swiped the napkin over his mouth. “I just don’t want you to be disappointed if Mom can’t fly in on time again.” He cleared his throat and bowed his head, then said grace.

  Sam couldn’t even concentrate on the prayer. What was going on? Dad acted like he was preparing her for Mom not coming home tomorrow. Had Mom’s flight really gotten cancelled, or had she missed her flight? She replayed her conversation with her mom while Dad finished the prayer.

  Mom sure seemed sympathetic to Nikki’s mom about the divorce and work. And wha
t had been the interruption that Mom sure seemed happy about, then had to get off the phone so quickly? Had someone come into the room? Who?

  “So, how was your day?” Dad asked, yanking Sam from her thoughts.

  “Okay.” She shoved a bite into her mouth and chewed slowly to avoid conversation at the moment. She needed time to think. Time to process everything.

  Because something surely wasn’t right with Mom and Dad.

  Sam swallowed, a burn scorching all the way to her gut as the obvious answer slapped her in the face.

  Were Mom and Dad separating?

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  And a final reason for bullying is due to lack of attention from friends, parents, or teachers. This lack of attention can make a person bully you, just to feel popular and be seen as ‘tough’ or ‘cool’ and in charge.

  What do YOU think? I’ll be meeting with our school’s principal and counselor to discuss what we, as a school and community, can do about bullying and will report back tomorrow. Sound off, Senators. Leave a comment with your thoughts. ~ Sam Sanderson, reporting

  “I think you’re reading more into the situation than there is,” Makayla said.

  Thankfully, Makayla’s bus had been a little early to school on Tuesday morning, so Sam was able to grab her bestie and pull her into a corner in the cafeteria to talk about Mom and Dad.

  Sam shook her head. “You didn’t hear Dad. It wasn’t just what he said, or didn’t, but the tone of his voice. It was almost like he was totally disconnected.”

  “Maybe he just had a bad day at work. Or he’s stressing about a case or something.” Makayla squeezed Sam’s hand.

  “He’s had bad days before and been stressed and didn’t sound like this.” Truth be told, she’d never heard him sound like he had last night. All through dinner, he’d steered all the conversation away from anything that had to do with Mom. Once Sam started paying attention, it became blatantly clear Dad didn’t want to talk about Mom.

  “I don’t know, Sam. You should ask him.”

  Uh, no. “When I had time to think about it, Mom seemed odd, too.”

  “You said she was okay.”

  “But she seemed really to sympathize a lot with Nikki’s mom going through a divorce.”

  Makayla smiled. “That’s just your mom being nice. She’s always like that.”

  “Yeah, but what about that interruption? I’m pretty sure it was a door opening and closing, like someone coming into the room.”

  “But you didn’t see anyone, did you?”

  “No, but Mom turned away to see whoever it was, and when she came back to me, she was smiling so big. She looked happier than I’ve seen her in a long time.” How had she not noticed before how her mom hadn’t been happy in a while? Some reporter she was if she couldn’t pick up stuff like that when it was right in front of her face.

  “I think you’re jumping to conclusions. Your parents are one of the coolest couples I know. They seem happy with each other, you, and life in general.” Makayla smiled really big and wagged her eyebrows. “Except when you go off and do something that makes them crazy.”

  “I don’t do that.”

  Makayla laughed out loud. “Yes, you do, but I love you for it. And your mom and dad love you, and each other. You’re just being overdramatic. Stop seeing problems where there aren’t any.”

  Sam frowned. “Maybe you’re right.” But she wasn’t convinced. Mac didn’t see Mom’s face, didn’t hear Dad’s tone. Something was going on. Maybe not a divorce, but there was something wrong that hadn’t been there before.

  “I’m right. You’ll see.” Makayla gave Sam a quick hug, then pulled out one of those energy bars she was always chewing on. Sam thought they were gross. Period.

  But the bar reminded her of diet bars. “Oh, I forgot to tell you about Nikki yesterday.”

  “What?”

  Quickly, Sam told her best friend about the case of diet bars in Nikki’s locker.

  “That’s just cruel.” Makayla frowned. “I hope she’s going to talk to Mrs. Trees about it.”

  “She’s scared to because of her campaign for homecoming queen.”

  “That’s silly.”

  “Well, not really.” Sam explained about Nikki’s mom. “So I can understand how she feels.”

  “But she can’t just keep getting bullied. Those diet bars . . . that’s flat out mean. That goes beyond notes and texts calling her a fatty.”

  The bell rang. Everyone grabbed backpacks and books and headed toward the halls.

  “I’m meeting with Mrs. Trees and Mrs. Creegle about our anti-bullying program this morning. Maybe we can come up with something,” Sam said as she left the cafeteria, turning toward the office.

  “See you in Keyboarding,” Makayla answered, heading toward the opposite breezeway.

  A whoosh of cold air slammed into Sam’s face as she opened the office door.

  Mrs. Darrington, the school secretary, stood behind her desk. “Mrs. Trees and Mrs. Creegle will be here soon. Go ahead and have a seat.”

  “Thanks.” Sam slumped onto the bench in the front office. She glanced over the bulletin board. Flyers about clubs were posted, as was information on yearbooks going on sale and a notice about the TAG — talented and gifted — program upcoming events. Even an announcement for the Pathfinders counseling program. But not a single thing about the Bully Proofing program.

  The office door slammed, and Felicia Adams stomped inside.

  Mrs. Darrington sighed. “Why are you here this time, Felicia?”

  “Dunno. Homeroom teacher sent me. Said she’d send a referral in a few minutes.”

  “Fine. Have a seat.”

  Felicia gave Sam an up-and-down look over before dropping onto the bench. She sat on the opposite end and twisted to face Sam.

  And she stared.

  To the point where Sam had the urge to fidget, but she wouldn’t. Instead, she lifted her chin and met Felicia’s hard eyes.

  A long moment passed. Then another.

  And another.

  Finally, Felicia relaxed her posture a bit. “You’re a cheerleader, aren’t you?”

  Sam nodded.

  “And you’re on the school paper, too, right?”

  “I am.”

  “You’re a regular do-gooder, huh?”

  “Felicia, that’s enough,” Mrs. Darrington said.

  “Hey, I’m just trying to get to know her. Make friends. Fit in. All that stuff y’all keep telling me I need to do.”

  “No, you’re being condescending and rude.” Mrs. Darrington made eye contact with Sam. “Just ignore her.”

  Sam felt the burn of Felicia’s stare rather than saw it. She lifted a shoulder, hoping she looked indifferent. “She isn’t bothering me.”

  The phone rang. Mrs. Darrington pointed at Felicia. “You, behave.”

  Felicia put her hand on her chest with a dramatic flair. “Will I get a gold star if I do?”

  The school secretary shook her head and answered the ringing phone.

  Felicia chuckled under her breath. “So, do-gooder, I’m not bothering you?”

  Sam turned to her. She forced her facial muscles to remain relaxed, even though her heart raced. “Nope. Sorry, if you were trying.”

  “Oh, if I was trying to bother you, you’d know.” The roughness popped from Felicia’s voice.

  Sam shrugged again, forcing herself to stay calm. Where was Mrs. Trees?

  “You’re a cool one, do-gooder, I’ll give you that.”

  Sam remained a stony statue.

  The office door opened, and a student entered.

  “What can I do for you, Chris?” Mrs. Darrington asked.

  He held out a piece of paper to the secretary while he smirked at Felicia. “A referral from Mrs. Berry.”

  Felicia rolled her eyes.

  “Thank you.” Mrs. Darrington took the paper and scanned the information as Chris left, but not before he shot Felicia an ugly look.

  “You cussed at a tea
cher, Felicia? Are you just trying to get expelled from here, too?” Mrs. Darrington made clucking sounds with her tongue.

  “Gotta keep up my reputation,” Felicia replied.

  Mrs. Darrington just shook her head and went back to her desk.

  Sam let her gaze fall to the floor. Where was the principal? Maybe she should go on to class and come back later. Mrs. Trees might’ve forgotten. Or maybe she got caught up in something.

  “Is that shocking to you, do-gooder?”

  Sam jerked her attention to the troublemaker on the end of the bench. “What?”

  “Is it shocking to you that I cussed out a teacher?”

  “Shocking?” Sam shook her head. “Just makes me feel sorry for you.”

  The other girl’s eyes widened quite a bit. “Sorry for me?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why?”

  Sam swallowed and let out a slow breath. Where was the principal when you needed her? “Because I think it’s a little harsh to get the punishment you did for getting expelled, and I think you’re acting out to get attention.” She whispered a prayer that Felicia didn’t knock her out. Please hurry, Mrs. Trees.

  “Acting out, huh?” Felicia’s eyes narrowed into little dark slits. “What do you know about it?”

  Sam shrugged, praying she didn’t look as scared as she felt. “Nothing, but that’s just my opinion.”

  The back door to the office sounded, followed by the click-clack of heels on the floor. Down the counselor’s hallway.

  “Sam. Go on back to my office, won’t you, dear?” Mrs. Trees smiled.

  She stood and grabbed her backpack.

  “You aren’t so bad, do-gooder.”

  Sam walked off just as Mrs. Trees asked, “Felicia Adams, what are you doing in my office again?”

  “I hope you have a plan of action, Samantha.” Aubrey met her as soon as she entered last period.

  “A plan of action?” Sam set her backpack on the table next to Celeste.

  “She’s just irked that so many adults in the community have commented on your article on the school blog,” Lana said in a not-so-quiet whisper.

  Aubrey ignored Lana and crossed her arms over her chest as she looked down her pointy nose at Sam. “You reported you were meeting with Mrs. Trees and Mrs. Creegle about what we could do about bullying. People are making suggestions. I hope you know that you’ll be the one to answer their comments.”