Not so smooth jazz
11/12/16
Samantha POV: I blew out a sigh as I made my way down the slightly more crowded than usual sidewalks of town. Not that it was saying much since usually there were only a few other people. This morning there happened to be a whopping 10. It was a small town and I liked it that way. Out here everyone knew you, and there was very little trouble. The biggest scandal in 5 years was Bennie's son crashing his atv through a store window and stealing lottery tickets. He'd hit $500 on one, but never got the money since he had stolen them. I end up paying the store the cost to fix up since they would have gone out of business if not. They were one of few stores before the city, but the larger one across the street was taking away business. It was only a matter of time until it fell through but I was going to keep the owners floating as long as I could. They were already aged well beyond where they should have to work, but money troubles kept them trying. They were old fashion and stubborn. I'd tried to give them money but they refused. Gorge couldn't be nicer, but his wife May was a spit fire. She was funny when she got on him about something and they banntered back and forth. The bell rang as I stepped inside the shop and May gave me a crooked grin. "Hello Samantha. We already packed up your box for you deary." A large brown cardboard box was pushed from behind the counter and I laid several bills on the peeling sheet top counter for her to take. "Keep the change honey. How are you today?" She smiled and tucked the money into her fraying apron pocket. "I'm doing as well as an old woman can deary. That crotchity old man wouldn't get out of bed this morning so I had to run the store. How are you? You seem tired." I blew out a sigh and nodded. "Oh I am. I stayed up with Betty last night. She's not feeling well and I didn't get much sleep." May gave me a sympathetic look and patted my hand. "Then I won't hold you up my dear. Go get some rest and I'll check in on her later before my lunch break." She squeezed my hand before allowing me to pick up my box as she opened the door.
I sighed as I finally sat my box down next to my car. The young man parked next to me was just standing in front of his though. He looked courious as he waved to an older couple that gave him a put off look and hurried away. "Town isn't too friendly, is lil lady?" I glanced at him as I unlocked my door. "Its a small back water town. They still haven't left go of racism yet. We don't see many people this way that aren't white. In a way you scare them." He frowned and stepped towards me as I unlocked the door. "They don't like meh because meh skins a different color? How's that work?" I sighed and dropped the box into the seat. "You're lucky to not know that until now. Are you passing through or looking to spend the night? I doubt you'll find a place in town, but my place is plenty big enough if you'd like to rest before moving on." He looked at me for a second before grinning. "Don't need to rest, but having someone to talk to would be nice! Glad yer not like everyone here." I nodded and offered a smile as I pushed the door closed. "I've only been here 5 years, my house isn't far from here, only a few miles." He grinned as I made my way to the driver side and climbed inside. "Ah'll follow ya!" My head nodded and I started the car...
My company was still looking around as I sat a cup of coffee in front of him. "Yer house is nice." I smiled, pushing the sugar and creamer across the table. "I have a woman that cleans it every few days. She does a wonderful job and I'm too lazy to do it myself. I can do much more for others than I can for me." He picked up the cup and took a sip only to cringe away, making me laugh. "How can ya drink that?!" I was still trying to cover my giggles as I spooned in some sugar and cream for him. "I didn't think you were going to try and drink it black, though some people like coffee like that. It makes me gag though. Here, now try it." He cringed away as I pushed it closer. "It'll be much better now." He didn't look convinced but sipped at it anyhow. A sigh of relief was blown out and he took another drink. "Much better! Thanks lil lady." I nodded and fixed mine as well. "So what's your name? I'm Samantha." He sat the cup down with a contented sigh. "Am Jazz. Really glad ah met up with ya." He shifted around to rock back in the chair and I swirled my coffee. The night was really catching up with me. "Jazz. I like it. I think I'm going to go to bed though. I stayed with a friend last night and didn't get any sleep. This coffee just isn't going to cut it either." Jazz nodded. "Ah won't bother nothing." "You can watch tv. If you're hungry you're welcome to anything in the fridge, or you can cook something." His chair clicked back onto all four legs as I pushed mine out and stood up. "Sleep well."
Jazz POV: I stretched out against the garage wall. It was nice to be out of alt mode. I'd have to see about staying here. My arms stretched over my helm before I folded down as I picked up movement inside. I didn't need caught. My holoform flickered back to life and I smiled at Samantha from the couch as she came down the steps. "Hi lil lady." She offered a small wave. "Sleep well?" A nod was my answer and she plopped down onto the end of the couch. "Yeah, I'm going to get going. You're probably ready to get moving anyhow." I forced myself not to frown. "Trying to get rid of meh?" The TV clicked off and she nodded. "Sorry Jazz. I made plans with a friend of mine months ago and things kept coming up. I'm afraid I'm going to have to run you off." I sighed and nodded. Too bad, I was really hoping she would let me stay a few days. I hated not having company, being stuck here without my friends was eating at me. Then again... I fought back my smirk. "Well, since yer the only one that seems to care for meh in this town. Ahm trying to sell meh car, need to get a new one anyhow." She flicked her eyes to mine, looking confused. "This isn't the best place to get rid of it. I doubt the shop in town will sell you another one. Not to mention they have nothing as nice as your car." I shrugged. "Then ya can give meh a ride to the city if ya decide to buy." If I couldn't get her to agree I'd be right back where I had been, alone and stuck in my alt mode. Finally she blew out a sigh. "OK, how bout 20 grand?" My frame sagged against the cool floor of her garage. "Sounds good to meh! Ah was only gonna ask 15,000!" Samantha chuckled and shook her head before she stood from the couch. "We can get that done now. There's a office right next to the car dealer. I'll grab lunch while we're out. Mind if we take your car?" I grinned and nodded. "Yer car. Ah parked in the garage, ya might as well get used to driving it now!"
Samantha POV: I sighed as I finally pulled up to the mansion. I honestly thought I'd get a last minute call, but I was glad not to. The front door opened and David hurried down the steps to hug me as I stepped out. "How have you been? I'm sorry its been so long." I waved him off and returned the hug. "I understand. Trust me, I surely wouldn't want you neglecting your job!" "Come, I have supper fixed!" A short chuckle escaped as I followed him into the house. He always went out of his way when I came to visit, and his cooking was to die for...
I sighed as I slumped into the over stuffed living room chair. "I'm so full I can't even look at food! It was amazing as always, David! Thank you so much again." He smiled and sat on the couch as he clicked the tv on. "Find something you want." I flicked a glance at him before making my way to the couch with him. "What if I've already found it?" Fingers traced over my sides as he pulled me into his lap. "Not even going to cuddle first?" "I'll cuddled after wards. I haven't got laid in 6 months!" That made him laugh as the buttons on my shirt started popping free. "Maybe you'll have to move closer. We could see each other more often." "You're just trying to make me fat so no one else will want me." He barked a laugh and my shirt was tossed aside. "All part of my devious plan... All joking aside though, it would be nice to have you closer. There's a lot of cases where I really don't feel like being alone after they're over." My fingers stilled against his chest and I sighed, leaning against him. "Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to live closer to the city... Still, I have friends back in town. May and Gorge won't be able to keep their store open if I leave. That's everything to them, if it went under that would kill them." David sighed, hands falling to rub light circles over my legs. "I could buy it from them." My head shook. "No. If anything I'd have to do it. They wouldn't let a stranger take it and that still wouldn't help. Business is lacking since the big store moved in, I couldn't stop that. I could make orders and have it shipped though I guess. That's almost 200 miles though. We'll work something out. Here." I snatched up the remote and clicked through the movies until I found a comedy before curling up against his side. He obviously wasn't feeling up to sex right now, must have just gotten back from a case. A bad one by the way he acted. "You're sure you're OK with a movie?" I nodded, wrapping his arm around me as he tugged a blanket down around my shoulders. It was chilly without my shirt. "I'm sure. You need to work though your stress. Besides, I packed my bullet." That made him laugh and he pulled me closer.