by Rose Verde
“Is that the way to say good morning? Where are your manners, Chance?”
Her attempt at humor fell flat. For the sake of Andy, Chance bit his tongue. He looked back to see his son standing by his mom’s car, a bland expression on his face. “Hey, kiddo, come here,” he encouraged.
“Andy come say hi to your mommy.”
He walked over to Sam and held onto her hand. Fear rippled through Chance. If Andy only knew that if Chance didn’t succeed in convincing Sam to reconsider, she was going to leave him too. Her words from last night flashed. Was she afraid of betraying the boy that she was ready to cut ties with quickly?
She led the boy up the porch and held out her hand, a smile on her face. “You must be Teresa. I’m Andy’s teacher, Samantha.”
Teresa looked at the outstretched hand but didn’t take it. “I didn’t know teachers went camping.”
“That’s enough, Teresa. Sam, Andy, come on in.” he went past her into the house. Andy and Sam followed. He hadn’t said hi to his mom. One part of him was happy, hoping it would make Teresa see what she did to her own son, a part of him worried that the boy was scarred by the experience. He was six.
He went to his room to drop off the things he carried and freshen up. When he returned, Sam stood beside Andy while Teresa glared at her. He didn’t want Sam caught in the middle of anything. The good thing was that he felt completely calm about the whole thing. She had a right to visit her son. “Sam, take Andy to his room.” When they left, he turned to her, “Want some coffee?”
“I didn’t think you’d ask.”
He shook his head. He wasn’t going to let her bait him. “That’s a waste of sarcasm, Teresa.” He took two mugs from the cabinet and rinsed them out. He grabbed a couple of pods and slid one in the Keurig.
All the while he could feel her gaze boring into the back of his head. He was giving her time to get to the point of why she showed after almost two years of just phone calls to her son on his birthday and Christmas. He remembered vividly the last time she was on the ranch. It was Andy’s fourth birthday and she’d shown up unannounced as usual. Her leaving was a gut wrenching moment for Andy. So, he concentrated on the sound of the machine as it spewed out the brew. The smell of his finest coffee filled the kitchen and Chance inhaled deeply.
When the brew was ready, he handed over her mug, then set sugar and cream beside her.
“Thanks. You remember how I love my coffee.”
He remembered just how she loved it alright. “I’m sure that’s not why you came.” He took a seat at the kitchen island and drank his brew. “How long are you staying?”
“I might be around for a while.”
Chance stared into his mug. “A while doesn’t say anything.” He looked up to hold her gaze. “I don’t want to see Andy hurt again, so I need you to consider him in the midst of your plan.”
“What did you tell him so that he doesn’t want to talk to me?”
Chance closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. “I told you from the start that I wasn’t going to use him as a weapon. I didn’t tell him anything, your actions the last time told him more than anything what he means to you.”
When she didn’t say anything, he continued. “I remembered that day for a long time as I struggled to clean up after you like it’s always been. It’s been two years since you came to see him. What exactly are you doing here?”
“I want to spend time with Andy.”
He contemplated her. “What changed? I don’t mind you spending time with him. He’s your son, but what’s different? You plan to make him love you again, I mean he’s a kid and will come around, but then you rip his heart out and go back to your fancy life.”
“You used to like that fancy life. Maybe if you didn’t choose the ranch over me—”
He stood and drained his mug then set it in the sink. “I’ve been down this road before and I’m not playing the blame game with you. Dad was my only surviving parent. I tried ways to reach a compromise with you, keep your job until we figured something out. For you, it was your way or no way.” She’d given him no choice, tied his hands with her ultimatum. And she thought she could just waltz in there and think what... she was the best thing to happen to the world. “Enjoy your stay while you’re here, but if you hurt my son again,” he paused before her, “I won’t forgive you.”
He turned and walked out. It was hard to say you knew someone so well until things went wrong. Teresa was his high school love. They married straight out of college and waited to start a family. For two years they just had fun, went places, while his dad who’d single handedly brought them up labored on the ranch. He’d helped his dad with money, but it wasn’t the same. He didn’t regret coming back to work for his dad. He went out of the house and headed down to the ranch yard.
I’m not sure how to handle things, Lord. But, no matter how much she pushed my buttons, help me not to give in.
If he knew how long she was staying it would’ve helped, but trust her to pull that kind of stunt. He’d moved on and he wasn’t going to let her rile him.
But, one question begged for an answer. Why was she here? He didn’t buy the “spending time with Andy” thing.
SAM HELPED ANDY GET dressed. “Why don’t you want to say hi to your mom?”
“Because she always goes away.”
“Hmm. But it’s nice to say hi.”
“I don’t want to.”
He pouted and it melted her heart. How could one woman treat her own child like that, young as he was? She squatted beside him. “Come here, buddy.”
She hugged the boy. Sam sensed someone was behind them. She turned around. “Hey,” she said.
The woman didn’t respond. Her gaze was on her son. “Andy, you want to go somewhere with me? I promise it will be fun.”
“I want to stay with Sam.”
“I bought you something. You want to go to your daddy’s room to check it out?” she smiled in encouragement.
The boy wasn’t buying it. His look was that of suspicion.
“It’s the latest Ninjago series. Go check it out. If you don’t like it or you prefer a bigger, better one, we can go out together and pick it out. I also got you a big red bicycle.”
The look on the boy’s face was still guarded, but Sam could see him softening. “Go ahead and have a look at what your mom got you.”
Andy finally moved and then went past his mom out of the room. Sam stood up.
“Chance said you teach him. Why isn’t he in a regular school?”
She wasn’t sure what they’d talked about, and she sure didn’t want to be caught in the middle of whatever they had going on. “You didn’t ask Chance?”
“I see you’re on a first name basis with him. But, I’d say an employee should know her place.”
Choosing not to let herself be baited into feeling defensive, she said, “Andy’s dyslexic and has been having problems in school. So, I’m teaching him for a few months.” That was now over.
“He didn’t tell me.”
Maybe if you were more interested in the life of your kid you’d know. Sam hung the towel on the hanger to dry.
“I don’t think we’ll need you the rest of today? I talked to Chance.”
Sam frowned. Was he upset at her over what happened in the night? Obviously, with good reasons. “Oh, okay. Why didn’t he tell me?”
Her elegant brows rose. “Does he have to do that for you to leave?”
“Of course not.” She grabbed Andy’s shirt off the floor.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Sam’s hands paused mid-folding. “I’ll just say goodbye to Andy then.”
Sam expected her to refuse but she marched off ahead of her to the room. Andy sat on the floor, the Legos all over the floor. “Hey, bud, I got to go now.”
“Why?”
“Your mom needs to spend some time with you. I’ll see you tomorrow, yes?”
He nodded. “Okay.”
It was a good thing he was
amenable. She kissed him on the head and headed to the living room to grab her bag. Chance was definitely mad at her. What other reason would he have of not telling her to go? Maybe he just couldn’t face her.
She let herself out and got into her car. The drive to her apartment was done with her mind running in all kinds of circles. She couldn’t blame him. She should’ve stayed back and talked last night instead of running like she always did.
She pulled up to her parking spot and pushed the gear in park. She opened her door and reached over to grab her bag. Her phone rang and she glanced at the screen. Chance’s name showed on the screen. She contemplated whether to answer the call or not. Not answering would be rude.
“Hey, I was wondering if you wouldn’t pick up,” he said without preamble. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you when I left. How’s Andy? Has he agreed to talk with his mom?”
“I think so.”
He was silent for a moment. “What do you mean you think so, Sam? Are you still mad at me? I’m not even sure what I did to set you off last night...”
“Your wife said she told you about me leaving.”
“She’s not my...what do you mean? You left?”
“She said she talked to you about it—”
“You should be done with that call already.”
Todd’s slurred voice caused the hairs on her head to stand on end. He was drunk at eight in the morning. Did he even go to work anymore?
He reached for her phone and she jerked it out of the way. “You’re drunk, Todd. Go away before I call the police.”
His eyes were feral and bloodshot. “I want to talk to you.” His breath reeked of alcohol and bad breath. Had he been hanging around all night? Did nobody notice him and call the police?
He staggered and held onto the door of her car. How come she hadn’t noticed him? To think she’d once been married to the man before her. She shook her head in disgust. “Two things: you’re drunk so early in the morning and I don’t want to talk to you.”
She congratulated herself for her steady voice. But sitting down and him holding her door open put her at a disadvantage. Yet, she wasn’t going to let him see her fear. Despite the cool morning, she could feel the sweat bead on her forehead.
“Sam?”
She’d forgotten she was on the phone. “I got to go.”
“Is there any problem? Is it your ex again? You should be calling the police especially if he’s drunk this early.”
“I don’t think he will make any trouble.”
“Okay, I need you to stay on the phone until he leaves.”
“Okay.” Then to Todd. “I need to get out of the car. You’re standing in my way.”
She considered her options. If he moved away enough, she could just close her door back, lock it and wait until someone came. Or she could go past him. As drunk as he looked there was just so much harm he could do.
He moved just a bit to let her squeeze through. Anyway, she’d take that, whatever put her out of his reach. Once she was out, she said, “I need to lock my door.”
The more she looked at him watch her every move with blurry eyes, the more she felt pity for him. Todd drank socially, something she found out after they were married. But this?
Reluctantly, he banged her door and she activated her lock. “You need to go get some sleep and clean yourself up.” He sported a beard that was days old, something he never did.
After the last time Chance threatened him, Sam was sure she’d seen the end of Todd.
“I want to talk to you,” he slurred.
“Go ahead. What do you have to say?”
He rested against the car to give himself support. Could he have been drinking through the night? She looked down the street and noticed his black Camry was parked there. She’d been too preoccupied to have noticed it.
For a moment, he looked confused. He frowned and then climbed on the hood of her car. He got comfortable and soon fell asleep. Compassion filled her. Despite all he’d done to her, this wasn’t the guy she fell in love with. Whatever snapped in him in the past months their divorce became final, she didn’t know. She put the phone in her ear. “Chance, I need to get off the phone so I can call his sister. He’s messed up right now.”
“Are you sure? Do you want me to come?”
“No, you have things to do. I’ll be fine.”
“Call me when you get into your house.”
“Okay. Thanks.” She ended the call and dialed his sister. Rebecca answered on the first ring.
“Hello, hello.”
“Hey, Becca. How are you doing?”
“Not bad. How about you?”
“I’m good.” She scrambled in her thoughts for the best way to say what she was about to say. “It’s Todd. He’s asleep on the top of my car.”
“Is he drunk again?”
“Yes. How long has he been having this issue?”
“Since you left. It was Dad that forced his hand in signing the divorce papers after he saw your injury. He realized he’d made a big mistake with you and he just let himself go.” She sniffled. “He can’t handle drinks as much as he’s taking now.”
It made sense to Sam now how easily he’d signed the papers when she’d been prepared to have to drag him to court and all. “Is he working still?”
She sniffled again. “It’s complicated. He doesn’t work anymore.”
For a moment, guilt filled Sam. The scar on her side contracted at that moment and realizing that if she’d stayed with him, he’d have killed her someday, caused the feeling to lift. “Have you tried to get him help?”
“He won’t hear of it. Can you please, stay with him? I’ll get my brother and we’ll come pick him up.”
It was going to take her fifteen minutes to reach her place. But there was no way she’d leave him all by himself. “Sure. One of you can drive his car home. It’s parked here.”
“Okay. Thanks so much, Sam. You’re a godsend. I don’t know how our brother could’ve been so stupid to let you slip away. See you soon,” she hurried to say.
When the call ended, she dialed Chance. If she waited until she got to her apartment, he could get worried.
“Hey, what’s up? Been waiting. Are you okay?”
“I am.” She blew a breath.
“Has he left now?”
“No.” She hugged herself and stared at Todd. His neck was bound to kink when he awoke. “He’s passed out on my car. He’s really messed up.”
Silence filtered across the line. “That bad?”
“Really bad. I can’t reconcile the person I know with this guy.”
“Do you still love him?”
She searched her heart. “No.”
She was almost sure she heard the relief in his voice as he said, “What will you do now? Did you get a hold of his sister?”
“I did. She’s on her way to get him.”
“You have a good heart, Sam and that’s one thing I love about you. Can we talk when you come tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
“I love you, Samantha Walker.”
“I love you too.” It was freeing to say it. She’d have to trust what the future held.
She slipped her phone away and waited. The time ticked by slowly. A few people drove past on their way to work, staring discreetly at them. But she wasn’t friends with anyone so no one said anything. Which was a good thing. She paced back and forth listening to Todd snore softly. He needed help.
A car pulled up behind hers and Rebecca got out of the driver’s side. Her eyes were puffy like she’d been crying.
“Hey,” She hugged Sam and they stayed that way for a moment. When she finally let go, Sam’s eyes were brimming with tears too.
“Thanks for staying with him.”
“I couldn’t leave him.”
“Samantha,” Rob, Todd’s younger brother called in greeting.
“Hey, Rob. Are you going to wake him?” she asked as he stared at his brother who slept peacefully on the hood. It must fee
l like bed to him.
“Between the two of us, we can’t carry him.” He walked over and tapped Todd on the shoulder. He grunted and continued sleeping. Guilt filled Sam again. How long since he had a good sleep? She imagined if he was this way, he probably lost his job. His father may have overlooked a lot of his choices, but he was a good man and may have had to make a tough decision in letting his son go. She sighed. All she could do was pray for Todd. She was not going to let guilt in. As far as she knew, if she had stayed back, she may be dead now.
Rob shook him hard and he startled awake. He looked around in a daze. When recognition registered in his eyes, he dragged a hand through his hair. It looked to her that the few minutes he slept, the drink was wearing off.
“Todd, we need to get you home so you can sleep properly.”
He climbed down, a little unsteadily, but not like when she first saw him.
“If Sam comes with me.” He looked at her, his eyes hopeful.
“You need to get some sleep, take a shower and get yourself in shape before she can come,” Rebecca said.
He looked like he’d protest, but after a moment, he followed them silently, his shoulders slumped.
Rebecca and Rob waved to Sam as they guided him to Rob’s car. Once they got him in, Rebecca went over to Todd’s car. She opened the door. It wasn’t locked.
Apparently, he left the key in the ignition. She climbed in and started the car. Minutes later, both cars pulled away.
Sam locked her car and walked to her house on heavy feet. She opened the door and got in. Her mom turned from what she was doing at the stove. The smell of eggs filled her nostrils, making her stomach rumble. She hadn’t even eaten when she had to leave.
“Hey, honey, is there any problem? You look sad.”
She dropped her bag on the table and set her keys on it. “I saw Todd. He was drunk. Seems like that’s all he does these days. Anyway, he passed out on my car and I had to wait for his siblings to come get him.”
Pity filled her mom’s gaze. “You both looked so good together on your wedding day. I never knew.”
It wasn’t the right time for her mom to bring that up, but Sam didn’t say so. “People change. It’s either that or I never really knew him. Where’s dad?”
