Not A Good Reason

by McCarthy, G. L.

  “Have a rough day, did you?” Sam knew Alex loved to have a glass of plum wine with her egg rolls.

  “You could say that. Megan gave me a Christmas present – guess what it was?” Alex knew Sam would never be able to guess correctly.

  “Your best little buddy gave you a present that has upset you. What was it?” Sam knew how much Megan loved her and couldn’t imagine what she could have done.

  “She gave me the cutest little handmade picture frame, but it had a picture of her with her mother. I nearly lost it in front of her.” Alex was starting to shake again and needed that drink.

  “Oh no. I’m sure she had no idea what it would do to you. What did you do with it?” Sam pulled back into the parking spot and turned off the engine.

  “Cyn has it for safe keeping. I would love a glass of plum wine and some comfort food. Can you meet me at the Tea House? I just feel anxious and want to be in a comfortable setting looking into your beautiful brown eyes.” Alex felt completely at home with Ping and his restaurant.

  “I’m a block away at the Mercantile. I’ll have a glass waiting for you.”

  “Thank you, Lover. And you can tell me about your day as I really need to forget about the picture.” Alex never wanted to see it again and dreaded the thought of Megan asking about it. “It will be hard enough to see Megan in class and know that she may want to know where I have it at home. How do I tell her it’s buried in a dark place never to see the light of day again?”

  “Take it one day at a time and deal with it when it happens. I’ll let you go so you can head this way. See you in a few.” Sam didn’t want Alex talking on her cell about this topic and driving – she wanted her concentrating on the road.

  “Thank you, I’ll see you in five.” Alex was already halfway to the Tea House, and was going to have that drink whether Sam had wanted to meet her or not.

  As Alex walked in she was greeted by Ping who gave her a hug and then escorted her to her favorite table, where Sam and a tall flute glass of plum wine were waiting. Sam stood and gave Alex a much needed hug and kiss. The couple was well known in town and loved by a lot of the locals. Having to hide their homosexuality wasn’t necessary here.

  “Thank you so much.” Alex closed her eyes and took a large gulp. “I really needed that.”

  “The egg rolls will be out in a few minutes. We don’t want you getting tipsy too quickly.” Sam took a tiny sip of her glass and was grateful she could follow Alex home.

  “I’ll be good. So tell me how your day went.” Alex leaned back against the padded booth seat and was ready to hear about Sam’s day.

  Sam ran through all that had happened after Alex left for work and asked about Wednesday night’s plans with Cyn. Alex was all for her getting together with TJ and working on their trucks – it sounded like a lot of fun. When Alex asked about Oliver and how he took it that she was leaving for the day Sam told her he wasn’t around when she left. So who knew what they would find when the got back home. Alex felt better after eating several egg rolls and finishing the glass of wine. She wasn’t hungry enough for dinner, but just wanted to talk. After a couple of hours and another glass of wine Alex was ready to go home. She would need to start wearing pj’s again until Oliver left, but at least could cuddle with Sam on the sofa until it was time to go to bed. Alex paid the check and gave Ping a kiss goodbye.

  Sam let Alex leave first as she wanted to follow her and make sure her driving wasn’t impaired from the wine. Alex followed the speed limit all the way home and made the turn into their driveway without a problem. Sam hung back until Alex had turned around and backed into the garage. But something in the house caught her eye – it was Oliver. He was headed for the back door and moved through it and waved as he stopped just outside the kitchen door. Sam waved back and then glanced at Alex who was now aware that their house guest was back. Alex waited until Sam had her truck backed in before getting out. She wanted her to let her know exactly where Oliver was when they all went inside.

  “Hey Oliver. What have you been up to all day?” Sam went before Alex so she wouldn’t feel awkward not knowing where he was in the room.

  “I hope you don’t mind, I watched the box in your big room. I didn’t mean to – it just came on by itself.” Oliver’s energy brought the TV to life, but didn’t change the channels.

  “Wow, that’s amazing. Did you find it interesting?” Sam walked into the living room as she could hear the TV. “Alex, Oliver was able to turn on the TV. How cool is that.”

  “As long as he only watches it during daylight hours – I think it’s very cool.” Alex remembered all the old ghost movies where the TV would come on at all hours and drive the people in the house crazy.

  “Oh, I promise Sam. I won’t be a bother.” Oliver would like to know what else he could make work around the house. “Can you please tell Alex that for me?”

  “Alex, he promises to be good and not bother us during the night.” Sam could see the twinkle in Alex’s eye as she relayed the message.

  “Thank you, Oliver. I appreciate a young man with good manners. You are welcome to stay as long as you like.” Alex spoke in the direction she thought Oliver was standing. “Now I need to get out of these clothes and into my pj’s. Sam, will you explain pj’s to Oliver.”

  Sam smiled at Alex who winked at her and went into their bedroom and closed the door.

  “Pj’s Sam?” Oliver looked at Sam who was still looking at the closed door.

  “Pj’s or pajamas are what you put on at night to sleep in. They are a form of clothing, but not as bulky as a shirt and pants.” Sam felt like she had an uninvited family member staying with them. “Let’s see what else is on. Maybe if I show you what to push you can change the channels.”

  Sam put the remote a few feet from the cable box and showed Oliver that all he needed to do was push the buttons that were above and below the “CH” written in white letters. Sam wanted to see how Alex was doing and told Oliver to try and get the channels to change and she’d be back in a few minutes to see how he was doing.

  Alex was half undressed, sitting on the bed and staring at the wall. Sam sat down next to her and pulled her close.

  “Darlin’ I don’t know how to get rid of him just yet.” Sam wasn’t thrilled to have a house guest with no place to go.

  “Oh, Oliver’s fine. I’m just thinking about the picture. I thought that whole incident was behind me, but apparently it isn’t. Maybe I need to see someone who can help me get over it.” Alex didn’t like feeling this way at all.

  “I understand. Maybe Carol knows someone she could recommend. She knows what you’ve been through so she could pick the right therapist.” Sam was happy that Carol and Alex had become better friends since the attack by Richard Greenway. Plus being Jason’s mother and having a husband who was a judge was also a perk.

  Alex agreed and would call Carol tomorrow and talk it over. Sam was helping Alex finish getting undressed when she heard a loud cheer come from the living room. Sam smiled at Alex and informed her that she thought Oliver had just mastered the remote control to the TV.

  “Having Oliver around is certainly going to be interesting. Have you thought of a way to tell him he needs to crossover or are we going to have him around forever?” Alex was beginning to think that Oliver may have found the family he never had.

  “How do I tell him and I wish you could see him too. Can you really try to see him and I’ll ask him to work on it from his side.” Sam would feel a lot better if she wasn’t the only one who could see him.

  “I’ll try. Maybe if I could dream about him tonight he may appear to me tomorrow.” Alex would like to help Sam with Oliver, and being able to see him would really be helpful.

  “Great. Are you ready for some TV and buttered popcorn?” Sam was hoping Alex felt like eating as it was always a good sign.

  “Sounds good. Do you think Oliver will be able to sit through a whole movie without changing the channels?” Alex hated channel surfing when she was int
o a good movie.

  “He’ll have too, or I’ll send him to his room.” Sam smiled at Alex and led the way out to the living room.

  When Sam opened the door Oliver was transfixed on the TV and was changing the channel every few seconds. Alex headed for the kitchen to make the popcorn and get the coffee ready for the morning.

  “Easy there, Oliver. It’s movie night so no channel changing once the movie starts. But tomorrow the TV’s all yours. Deal?” Sam was trying not to smile too much at this young boys delight in this electronic wonder.

  “Deal. What’s a movie?” Oliver was ready to watch along – he liked this new fangled invention a lot.

  “Alex, what was that movie you said was on at seven?” The early movie would be over by nine and then it was time to have quality time in their bedroom.

  “The Searchers” with John Wayne and Natalie Wood. It’s a classic cowboy and Indian movie. I think Oliver will like it. You’d better explain movies to him so he knows it’s play acting.” Alex could just image Oliver freaking out when the Indians showed up.

  “Good idea. Oliver did you hear that?” Sam wanted to slap him on the back of the head as he was ignoring her. “OLIVER!”

  “I’m sorry Sam. What did you say?” Oliver turned towards Sam and gave her his undivided attention.

  “Did you hear what Alex said about the movie being about cowboys and Indians?” Sam saw his eyes light up.

  “Cowboys and Indians really. How can they do that?” Oliver looked at the TV which was now turned to the movie channel.

  “The box is able to show stories about everything. We call them movies. You know what acting is right?” Sam now knew what parents went through with explaining things to their children for the first time.

  “Yeah. I saw a play at church about baby Jesus and the three wise men for Christmas once. Is that what you mean?” Oliver remembered it wasn’t very good.

  “Exactly. This is a story that was done a long time ago. So it’s not really happening now, it’s just a story. So just watch and don’t get upset. The actors are all fine and were just playing a part.” Sam really hoped he understood.

  “It’s starting.” Oliver sat down on the floor a few feet from the TV.

  Sam was really glad Alex couldn’t see him because he would be blocking her view when she sat down. Alex came out of the kitchen with the bowl of popcorn and sat next to Sam.

  “Are we good to go?” Alex handed Sam the bowl and smiled wide.

  “We’re good to go.” Sam took a handful of popcorn and smiled back.

  “Shhh.” Oliver was fascinated by the old black and white movie.

  Sam grinned at Oliver and pulled Alex close. It was going to be interesting having Oliver around – that was for sure.

  Chapter 11

  Alex had fallen asleep as soon as she and Sam had finished getting reacquainted, but not before she kissed her passionately good night and wished her sweet dreams. Thinking of the movie and of Oliver’s plight Alex’s mind jumped around to both subjects. As she tried to help Natalie Wood’s character escape her Indian capturers and make her way to safety, she then found herself in the middle of a battle as a Union soldier. One thing Alex had in her favor was she knew it was a dream. A dream she’d wished to have, if it would help her to see Oliver. But the sights were still very frightening as the cannon fire was landing very close to where she was standing. The screams from the men who were hit by musket shot or cannon ball was deafening. Then a quiet suddenly filled her mind as everything around her seemed to go into slow motion. Just as she turned to her left she saw the man nearest her get a volley square in the chest from one of the confederate cannons. The sight of the ball blasting through his torso then continuing on to its next victim stunned Alex. The man’s lifeless body fell to the ground as his eyes were wide open and looking directly at her. The sight sent a chill through her that brought her out of her sound sleep and had her sitting up in bed.

  Alex was glad she hadn’t wakened Sam with her sudden move. It was nice that they’d become accustomed to each other’s jerks and jumps after falling asleep. Still shaking, she felt the sweat run down her face she needed some water. Not wanting to put on her robe, because she wasn’t in her pj’s anymore, Alex still grabbed it just in case. There was a good chance Oliver could be roaming about the house and just because she couldn’t see him didn’t mean he couldn’t see her. A glass of milk sounded so much better than water and might help her get back to sleep, although the sight she had just witnessed was still fresh in her mind. She could only imagine what horrors soldiers from both sides had seen during that war, as well as every war ever fought because mankind couldn’t find a peaceful solution to their disputes. Alex was grateful for all the blood and gore she’d seen through the years from horror movies as well as more recent war films. Otherwise she’d probably not be able to get that image out of her head so she could go back to sleep. As she walked out of the kitchen she looked out the window near the front door. It was then that she saw him sitting on the porch swing. But would she actually be able to see him from now on or was this just like when she saw an outline of a figure sitting in the back of Sam’s truck. She’d wait until the morning and see if she could actually see him at breakfast.

  When the alarm chirped to life, Alex hit the snooze button since she was already awake. She felt Sam roll over and stopped staring at the ceiling to turn and look into the eyes of the woman that made every day worth living to its fullest.

  “Good morning. Did you sleep well or did I feel you get up during the night?” Sam wondered how long Alex would be dwelling about the picture; but knew Alex would work it out at her own pace.

  “Yes, that was me. I’m sorry I was dreaming about saving Natalie Wood and woke myself up. I got up to get a glass of milk – did my tossing keep you awake?” Alex would tell Sam about the dream only if it helped her to see Oliver.

  “No, just the absence of your warm body next to me. So you were saving Natalie. I see you have a thing for beautiful women with long dark hair.” Sam was trying to keep a straight face.

  “Not all, just one. But her name isn’t Natalie.” Alex rose up to give Sam her first good morning kiss when she heard the TV set come on. “It sounds like Oliver is up.”

  “Oh, that kid. I need to have a talk with him.” Sam was beginning to feel what it was like to have a teenager in the house.

  “It’s okay Sam. It’s all new to him and he’s been through so much. He’ll settle in with time, just be patient.” Alex gave Sam another soft kiss in hopes it would ease the situation.

  “You’re right. I guess I should be grateful he’s so well behaved, most of the time.” Sam would give Oliver some time as he was like a kid with a new toy and not reprimand him just yet.

  Both women took full advantage of a few more passionate kisses before the nine minutes elapsed and the alarm came back to life.

  “Did you want to take a lunch today?” Sam was ready to spring into action.

  “Yes, please. How about a peanut butter and tomato sandwich and an apple.” Alex felt the need to save money and eat up what they had in the refrigerator.

  “You do love that sandwich, almost as much as grilled cheese. I’ll have it ready as well as your breakfast. Did you like what I made yesterday?” Sam wondered as Alex didn’t say.

  “Oh, I loved yesterday’s egg sandwich. It was so good I’d wished I’d had another, but I need to cut back. My slacks are starting to feel a bit snug these days. I forgot to tell you that.” Alex realized she’d been so self absorbed about her lousy day that she forgot to tell Sam how good it was.

  “Great. Another egg sandwich coming right up.” Sam grabbed her robe as she knew where Oliver would be sitting three feet from the TV.

  After leaving the bathroom to relieve her bladder and start the shower for Alex, Sam walked into the living room. She had to smile as Oliver was transfixed on the screen. She couldn’t tell what was so interesting, but it had his complete attention.

&n
bsp; “Morning Oliver.” Sam said as she passed and wondered if he’d even heard her.

  “Mornin’.” Oliver was watching an infomercial selling vegetable choppers. He thought it was amazing how quickly and neatly it chopped everything.

  Sam poured herself a cup of coffee and would have Alex’s all ready for her when she emerged ready for work. She heard the opening and closing of doors and knew that Alex was now in the bathroom to take her shower. Sam fired up the stove and pulled out what she needed to make both breakfast and lunch for Alex. The weather outside was gloomy and looked cold, but Sam knew Alex would love it as she was always hot. It would be a miracle if she didn’t spontaneously combust when she started having hot flashes. Alex didn’t feel the need for a jacket unless it was in the fifties. Sam had one more day to wait on Alex and then starting tomorrow it was all going to change. She would need to get up a lot earlier since it was a good hour drive to where she would be taking six weeks of abbreviated academy training. She had been able to do most of the academic, human relations and law courses on the internet or with help at the Sheriff’s office, but this would be the hands on training. The fun stuff like driving, tactics, firearms and physical training. Sheriff Taylor had warned her that one of the main objectives of this training was to weed out the ones who couldn’t take the stress of the job. Those who lost their temper easily or couldn’t think in a crisis situation would be the first to go. Sam was well aware of her temper and that she needed to prepare herself for some gory situations. Remembering back to the sight of the skeletal remains near Thunder Mountain was the first time she’d come face to face with a body. Now she may have to deal with more than just some old bones. Except for the death of Richard Greenway it was extremely dull around Hastings, and the surrounding area, so hopefully it wouldn’t be a common occurrence.

  Sam didn’t hear Alex leave the bathroom, but knew by the clock that Alex should be strolling in buttoning her shirt and ready to eat. Both hot and cold sandwiches were ready to go. Just as she placed them next to Alex’s coffee she heard the door open and knew she was on her way.