Samantha Sanderson Off the Record

by Robin Caroll

  “Hi, Makayla. I’m so glad you were here with Sam.” She pulled Makayla into her hug.

  Baby Kitty wobbled into the hall. Meow.

  Mom’s eyes widened. “Oh. Who is this?”

  Sam scooped her up, nuzzling her. “Mom, this is Baby Kitty. I found her out in the sleet. She was practically frozen.” She held the kitten out to her mom. “Baby Kitty, this is Mom.”

  Mom took the kitten and held it close. Baby Kitty lifted her head and licked the end of Mom’s chin, making Mom giggle.

  Yeah, we are so getting to keep the kitten now.

  “I need to rest now. I’m really tired from all the excitement today.” She handed Baby Kitty back to Sam and kissed Sam’s forehead. “I’ll talk to you girls in the morning.”

  “Okay. Uh, Mom?”

  “Yes, sweet girl?”

  “You are going to take a shower, right?”

  She chuckled. “Yes, Sam, I’ll wash all the germs off me before I go to bed.” She headed to the master bedroom.

  “I’ll let Chewy out,” Makayla volunteered.

  “Okay. Thanks.” Sam went into the living room where Mrs. Willis was putting on her coat.

  “I’m going to walk Mrs. Willis home,” Dad said.

  Sam hugged their neighbor. “Thanks for being here today. And for letting me listen to the scanner.” The love your neighbor thing seemed to be a two-way street. Especially a neighbor that Sam realized she really loved.

  “You’re most welcome, dear.” She started for the garage. “And you keep that litter box for as long as you need it.”

  Dad looked Sam. “Litter box?”

  Sam smiled. “I’ll explain when you get back.”

  “I’m sure.” He followed Mrs. Willis into the garage.

  Sam went into the kitchen and let Chewy back in. Makayla stood in front of the pantry. “Okay, girl, I’m hungry. Those grilled cheese sandwiches and soup were too many hours ago. My stomach is a-rumbling.”

  “Peanut butter and jelly?”

  “And chocolate milk?” Makayla sounded hopeful.

  “Of course.”

  “Sold!”

  The girls had just finished making their spontaneous dinner when Sam’s father returned from next door. “Those look good,” he said.

  “I’ll make you a couple.” Sam hopped up and pulled out another plate.

  “Thanks.” He grabbed the milk jug and poured. “I’m sorry I couldn’t take you with me today, Sam.”

  “I understand. I didn’t like it, but I understood.” And it’d given her time to think. Time to realize what was really important in life: the people that you love.

  “Good.” He put the milk back in the refrigerator. “Pretty slick of you to get Mrs. Willis to let you listen in on the scanner.”

  “Good thing too. That’s how we found out there were no casualties.” She turned and smiled at him. “Two peanut butter and jellies, with butter, just the way you like them.”

  They sat at the table and Dad offered grace, then the three of them ate.

  “Do you think Mom would like a sandwich?” Sam asked.

  “I think your mom is very tired and just wants a hot shower and a warm bed.”

  Sam nodded. “Dad. About Captain York?”

  “Don’t worry about it, Sam. I’ll talk to him tomorrow. You tried and that’s all I could ask of you.”

  “I found out who told Aubrey about Felicia.”

  “You did? She called you back?” He took a big bite of his sandwich.

  “No, I went to ask Aubrey’s best friend, and found out she was with Aubrey when she learned about Felicia.”

  “So who told her?”

  “Doug York. Your boss’s son.”

  “What?” Dad coughed, nearly choking. He took a long drink of milk. “Are you sure?”

  “I am. And so I called Doug myself, to verify.”

  “Sam . . .”

  “No, it’s okay. He wouldn’t admit that he got the information on Felicia from his father, but he did admit that he told Aubrey and that he did it so she could scoop me. Oh, and he wants to be on the paper so Aubrey told him she’d put in a good word for him with Mrs. Pape and Mrs. Trees.”

  “Sam.”

  “I told him I was going to tell you, so I suggested he tell his father before you had a chance to talk to his dad.”

  “I’m assuming it’s your word against his, as usual?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “Do tell?”

  “I recorded it with an app and sent a copy of the recording to my computer. For backup purposes only.”

  “Well. I guess I’ll call my captain in the morning. I might need a copy of that recording.”

  Sam took the last bite of her sandwich and drank the rest of her chocolate milk to wash it down. She’d call Felicia tonight and let her know. And apologize again, because even though she didn’t tell Aubrey about Felicia’s expulsion, Aubrey was told because of her — because Doug wanted to prove Sam didn’t always know everything.

  Now the only thing left for her to figure out was who created the virus and infected their system. And why.

  But Dad apparently had something else he wanted figured out. “Now, what’s the story about that litter box?”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  I’ll call you later.” Makayla gave Sam another quick hug before following Sam’s dad into the truck the next morning.

  Sam’s dad slowly pulled out of the driveway. Sam waved one last time at her bestie before heading back into the house. She wandered into the kitchen where Mom was enjoying a cup of coffee, Baby Kitty playing at her feet.

  “I’m glad Dad’s going to let us keep her.” Sam pulled out the chair across the table and sat. “I was afraid he might not.”

  “Ah, your dad likes to come across as gruff and tough, but he’s a softie. Baby Kitty jumped up on the bed this morning and snuggled with him. He’s pretty much sold on her.” Mom smiled.

  Sam reached down and wiggled her fingers at the kitten. “She already looks stronger. You wouldn’t believe how scrawny and sickly she looked when I found her. I didn’t know if she was a big rat or a kitten until she meowed.”

  “Sam, I want to talk to you about the accident.” Mom’s tone was serious.

  Sam felt a little sick inside. “It’s okay, Mom. You’re home. You’re fine. It’s all good.”

  “No, it’s not.” Mom traced the rim of her coffee cup. “It was scary. For me. For Dad. For you.”

  Sam nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She didn’t want to ever be that scared again.

  “I appreciate you trying to be brave, but I can only imagine how scared you must have been.”

  All these crazy feelings and thoughts that Sam didn’t even realize were inside of her suddenly bubbled out. “You go on dangerous assignments all the time, a whole lot more dangerous than an airplane ride, but I’ve never been so scared you would get hurt or . . .”

  “Or die?” Mom’s voice was very soft.

  Sam nodded. She took a deep breath before she continued. “I know you told me that every day you pray for God to hold me and Dad in His hands, and you mentally picture putting us there. And I’ve done that a lot since you told me. You’re right, it does help me not worry so much because I know there’s no better place for you to be. But. Yesterday.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t hold on to the picture in my head. I kept seeing every picture or report I’ve ever seen of a plane crash. Fire and explosions.” She shuddered. “It was horrible.”

  Her mom reached across the table and took her hand. “I know. I did the same thing.”

  “You did?” Mom? Sam never thought of her mom ever being scared.

  “I did. When we started sliding, I know it happened fast, but it felt like everything was in slow motion.”

  “Did your life pass before your eyes like everyone says it does?” Sam’s eyes were wide.

  Mom gave a little laugh. “No. Mine didn’t. But I kept seeing your face and your dad’s. And then I’d imagin
e the plane catching on fire. I wanted to keep thinking of you and Dad, but the mental image of a fire kept pushing your faces out of my mind.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Sam smiled so her mother would understand.

  Her mother chuckled. “Well, it’s the truth. In those few minutes that felt like forever, I was praying and praying for God to not take me from you and your dad. I want to see you grow up. I want to grow old with your father.”

  Tears filled Sam’s eyes, and she wasn’t really sure why.

  “And while I was praying, do you know what I realized?”

  Sam shook her head, not trusting herself to speak. She was pretty sure she’d start bawling if she tried.

  Mom squeezed her hand. “One particular Scripture kept coming to my mind. Deuteronomy 31:6. ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.’ And then I realized, I’m not alone. No matter what. And neither are you or your dad. God will always be with all of us, no matter what.”

  “That’s good, Mom, but I was scared of losing you. Of never seeing you again.” Tears rolled down her face.

  Mom stood and came around the table and drew Sam into her arms. “I was scared too.” She hugged Sam so tight that Sam thought she might not be able to breathe, then released her hold. She put her fingers under Sam’s chin and lifted her face to look her in the eye. “But we will not, cannot, let fear stop us from living. Yes, we should use caution and common sense and not be reckless, but we aren’t going to shy away from life.”

  Sam nodded.

  Mom searched her face. “Do you really understand what I’m saying?”

  “I think so.”

  Baby Kitty spied Chewy drinking from her water bowl. She started running, jumping at Chewy, who was startled and took off. Baby Kitty gave chase.

  Sam smiled.

  “Just like Baby Kitty,” Mom said.

  What? Sam looked at her mom and raised her eyebrows. “I don’t follow.”

  “Baby Kitty was abandoned in a nasty mix of winter weather. Cold. Wet. Alone. She could have easily died had you not been out there at that exact time and heard her. She was facing certain death before you intervened. You saved her.”

  Sam thought about the pitiful lump of fur Baby Kitty had been when she discovered her out in the snow. Wet and looking more like a drowned rat than a fluffy kitten. “Right.” Sam nodded.

  “Now, she has every reason to be fearful of everything. Scared of any and everything. But instead, she’s pouncing on my slippers. Jumping up on the bed and kneading Dad’s chest. Chasing a dog five times her size. She’s not letting fear guide her life.”

  “Oh. I get it.”

  “I want us to be like Baby Kitty. Yes, our past should change us, but we shouldn’t live in fear.” Mom lifted her coffee cup. “I’m going to get another cup. Do you want me to make you some hot chocolate?”

  “No, thanks.”

  Mom refilled her mug.

  Sam thought about how she’d felt when faced with maybe losing her mom, and then how she’d realized how people were more important than stories or scoops.

  “Hey, Mom, can I ask you something.” Sam leaned against the bar adjacent to the counter with the coffee pot.

  “Sure.”

  “How do you figure out what you should report on and what you shouldn’t?”

  “Well, I’m normally sent on an assignment.”

  “No, I mean, what angle to take.” She wasn’t being very clear. “I mean, how do you decide if what you’re reporting, while it’s true, is worth the chance of someone getting hurt? Someone innocent.” Because people were more important. They had to be.

  “That’s always a tough call.” Mom poured a little more cream into her coffee, then added another spoon of sugar. “I try to ask myself if what I’m reporting is of greater benefit to many. If I think what I report might hurt someone innocent, I try to find another way of reporting. Sometimes, it’s just not possible and I have to get the story out there because it’s important for the public.” She took a sip of coffee. “All I can tell you is to learn to trust yourself and your judgment. Let your conscience be your guide.” She smiled. “I know that’s so lame, but it’s true. Can’t help it.”

  And Sam’s conscience happened to sound just like Makayla. All the time.

  “Well, if it isn’t Samantha Sanderson.”

  Sam didn’t even bother to turn around. She wiped her mouth and straightened in front of the water fountain. “Aubrey Damas.” Sam plastered a smile on her face and turned around. “How are you?”

  The snow had melted off a few hours ago, so it seemed everyone was out and about this Saturday morning. But of all the grocery stores in a city as big as Little Rock . . . what were the odds of being in the exact same one at the exact same time as Aubrey?

  Man, her luck stunk. If this was any indication of how her new year would be, she’d just as soon skip it.

  No, she needed to face it. Head on. No more not dealing with this.

  “I bet you think you’re really on top of the world with your latest article, don’t you?” Aubrey hissed.

  She will not get to me. I will love my neighbor. Even if this particular neighbor made her want to kill said neighbor. She would resist. “No, Aubrey. I’m just doing my job. That’s all.”

  “Uh-huh. Like I believe that.”

  Sam bit her tongue, determined not to let anger get the best of her. Not today. She swallowed and stared at the girl who she’d been friends with back in elementary school. What had happened to change all that?

  “Aubrey, I don’t know what I’ve done to offend you, and I’m not being sarcastic. I’m really not. I have no idea what I ever did to you, but I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you or anything.” Wow, amazing. She didn’t choke on her tongue.

  It was a New Year’s miracle.

  “Stop being smart, Samantha.” But Aubrey looked unsure of herself.

  “I’m not. Seriously. No teasing, no sarcasm. Whatever I did, I really am sorry.” And she was. She meant the apology.

  Aubrey stared at her. Hard. “If you don’t know, then you can’t be sorry for it.” She put her hand on her hip and did that little swaying thing of hers. And she smirked.

  Sam hated that smirk. She’d apologized and meant it, but she couldn’t make Aubrey accept it.

  “You know what, Aubrey, you’re right. I don’t know, so I can’t be sorry for something specific. But it’s obvious I’ve done something sometime that either hurt you or made you mad or offended you. I might not know what, specifically, but what I do know is I’ve never intentionally tried to hurt you or offend you.” She had, on several occasions, tried to make her mad, so Sam opted not to include that. Loving her neighbor had to be done in stages. Right now, this was the best she could do.

  “You can either accept my apology or not. You can tell me what your problem is or not. Either way, my conscience is clear and I’m all good.” She smiled at Aubrey, who for once seemed totally speechless. After a couple of seconds of silence, Sam decided to make her exit. “Have a great Saturday. I’ll see you at school on Monday.”

  Walking back to meet Mom, Sam smiled.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Dad parked the truck and turned off the engine. Sam was out in a flash. “See y’all after Sunday school,” she told her parents before running toward the youth room, iPad under her arm.

  West Little Rock Christian Church stood off Highway 10, drawing attention with its beautiful and oversized stained glass front. Sam had always been mesmerized by the depiction of Jesus in the bright yellow, gold, and alabaster pieces of stained glass.

  Sam didn’t know how old the church was, but she’d been attending since she was born. It was like a second home to her.

  Sam ran down the hallway toward the special youth room. Last year, the youth group had come together to redesign their room. They’d painted it white with stripes in green, purple, and blue. The couch cushions matched the gr
een and blue, and the bean bag chairs were purple. Sam’s favorite part of the room was the verse painted on the wall:

  Don’t let anyone think less

  of you because YOU ARE young.

  Be AN EXAMPLE to all believers

  in what you teach,

  IN THE WAY YOU LIVE, in your love,

  YOUR FAITH, and your purity.

  1 Timothy 4:12

  Sam rushed into the room, anxious to tell Makayla about her run-in with Aubrey. Sam hadn’t been able to fill Mac in because she, Mom, and Dad had played board games last night. The rule at the house was during game time phones were to be turned off.

  Stepping into the room, Sam saw that her best friend was already there, but she was with some guy Sam had never seen before.

  He was tall, probably close to six feet, but way thin. His skin was really pale but looked even paler because his hair was so blond it was almost white. It was obvious the boy didn’t stay out in the sun for very long.

  Makayla smiled as she caught sight of her. She pulled the guy along with her. “Sam, I want you to meet my friend, David. He’s in the computer research demographic group with me. David, this is my bestest friend, Sam Sanderson. Sam’s the star of our school newspaper.”

  Blushing, Sam shook David’s hand. “She’s trying to embarrass me. Nice to meet you.”

  “You too. Makayla talks about you all the time.”

  “She probably exaggerates.”

  “It’s all good,” he said with a smile. Even his teeth were eerily white.

  “Oh. Then it’s all true. Every word of it.”

  “Funny.” Makayla shook her head. “David’s regular church had some roof damage from the ice, so Mom invited his family to come to church with us.”

  “Welcome. I’m happy to finally meet someone in Mac’s group.” She leaned over to him and used a stage whisper voice. “I was beginning to think the whole group was just a figment of her imagination.”

  “Oh, you’re really funny today, aren’t you?” Makayla smiled.

  Sam, David, and Makayla went to go sit down, and Sam pulled her tablet out of her shoulder bag. As she tapped the Bible app on her iPad, she noticed David pulled a real Bible from his backpack. As he did, she saw a USB drive on the backpack’s zipper. It looked vaguely familiar. It was in the shape of a key, but had a really cool zebra head on it.