Until The End Of Time
Sam
Sam Evans found himself in this quirky sleepy little village coincidently coinciding with some advice from a really good friend he called his Grandma, who just happened to be a fortune teller, who told him, in a letter, that the love of his life was waiting there for him to come and sweep her off her feet.
He'd spent his teenage years in an orphanage he was 14 when his Mother died, he hadn't known his Father and he hadn't been left with a penny to his name, he'd fast became acquainted with the streets and that was his life. One night when he was around 17 he'd met Nancy, this elderly black woman, in the same predicament as him sleeping on the streets, begging for food, he was unsure if he'd felt sorry for her, or she just wanted to protect him whichever way it went they became friends, she was a quirky woman who always had something to say about every bodies life being good, except hers, and loved to hear him sing, she thought he had something, and at that point in his life, that was enough for him.
One evening while she was pushing her trolley packed with her worldly belongings across a busy road, the trolley got hit by a truck, she didn't actually get hit, but the impact rocked her body to the core and left her comatosed, she never quite recovered from that collision, of course she ended up in hospital and passed on the fourth day having never come out of the coma. Sam was devastated, he'd cried more for this woman than he'd cried for his birth mother, he'd lost someone, he ran off scared and alone vowing never to become attached to anyone again, a few days later he went back to see her one last time before they disposed of her body to find she'd made a will.
He sat listening to Mr Yates; the Solicitor for a while he really didn't quite understand it all at first, but once Mr Yates sat with him and explained in baby steps that Nancy had left him as her sole benefactor meaning he got everything she owned he laughed "What did she own, we lived on the streets?" he asked
"She actually had quite a bit of money and a house" he told a shocked Sam
"A house?" his laugh fading away when he realised this man was being serious
"Yes" he smiled "She left it when her son and husband died in the accident and she never looked back, couldn't see the point in having a home with no family in it"
"She had a family?" Sam sat stunned into silence
"Yes, but there are conditions" Mr Yates told him
"Like?"
"You have to go to college and pass out before you're 25 for most of it, but the house is yours unconditionally, and she left you this letter" he smiled passing the letter to him, he looked at it and decided to read it when he was alone
"Thanks" he told Mr Yates unsure what to do next
"And these are the keys and the address of your new property" he passed them over
"So if I get the house and everything else is conditional what's everything else?" Sam asked
"And I'm your Solicitor for now, you'll have a choice at 25 about keeping me on" he smiled for the first time since they'd started talking "Anything you want to know, I'm guessing the money's going to be daunting, I can help with that"
"How much money are we talking about?" he asked again
"You'll get all the details when your 25" Mr Yates told him "Until then you'll get an allowance, school fees everything" Sam sat watching the man until his mouth stopped moving before he got up, this was all too much "I guess the first thing you'll need is a cab?" he asked giving him an envelop "That should see you through until we set up your account and everything"
Sam opened the envelop and gasped at the money in it "What's this for?"
"A taxi and then to live on until..."
"I get a bank account, yeah I heard that" he smiled
He sat in the cab watching the roads get busier, as he passed through Chinatown, Central, and Hollywood and after around a 90 minute drive they pulled up to a gated residence in Bel Air, he paid the cab and got out "Mr Sam?" a man walked towards him asking
"Yes" he looked at him not sure how to react
"My name's Walter, I'm your head of security, the cab can take you all the way in Sir" the man smiled as he walked past him, opening the cab door, before pressing a button to release the gates, Sam smiled turned around and got back in the cab
The house was magnificent, Sam couldn't believe his luck, he was sad that Nancy hadn't thought she could tell him all this, but she was a private person, so was he, he finally plucked the courage up to use the key to enter the actual building he'd been standing outside of for about ten minutes, he'd been considering what this change meant to his life. "Evening Sir" he jumped on hearing the voice as his key touched the door
"Who are you?" he asked his eyes wide with fear
"My name's Charles Sir, I'm your Butler Master Sam, Sorry to hear about Mrs Yates"
Sam smiled and nodded his head on hearing her name spoken with such respect, he looked around wowing as he walked through the house passing room after room of pure luxury, he really didn't deserve this, it was the opposite of everything he was, glass walls in the bedroom, indoor pool, steam rooms, sitting rooms, fully equip kitchen, gym, electric everything, he was lost for words "And all I have to do for this is something I've always wanted to do?" he asked himself as he wondered around "Didn't Nancy have another living relatives?" he asked Charles as he arrived back to the front door
"No Master Sam" he smiled telling him
He'd basked in the luxury for a while he was like a kid in a candy shop for about a week before he finally decided he needed to fulfil Nancy's dream and do something with his life, at least see where this singing thing could get him "The letter" he gasped as he opened the bedside cabinet to see it, wondering how he could have forgotten to open it all this time, he picked it up and opened the envelop, flopping on the bed at the sight of Nancy's writing "Sam" he said out loud releasing air fast, he missed her voice, he looked back at the letter and sat taking in her words
I want you to grow up knowing your worth, I don't think anyone has ever taken the time to tell you what that is since your Mother died, too scared I bet, with that temper of yours. I know you can be so sweet, respectful, happy and you can sing the hell out of any song. The time we spent together was so precious to me, I enjoyed every minute of it, I'm not too sure how long we got but I do know today it's been 2 years to the day since that face of yours came into my life. I know your sad reading this right now, believe I'm sad that you have to deal with yet another person leaving your life, but I have your prediction, I know you don't believe but humour me
I see a wonderful life for you, there's this particular girl waiting for you in some remote little quirky town, she'll pop into your life while your not looking and she will turn you up side down, spin you around and make you cry, I mean out loud cry, and Sam, she's the one, your going to get that life with her, grab her, fast wait for nothing. But you can't get her with nothing, go do Performing Arts, pass out and I promise this mysterious woman will take you to places you'd never dreamed existed
I hope I went some way to filling that gap in your life your Mother left because you filled that gap my son left and more, sorry I didn't tell you my story, I couldn't, you'll understand one day, enjoy life Sam and do everything you ever wanted to do on me, for us
Nancy (Grandma)
He put the letter down and cried, for this woman he'd grown to know like a proper Grandma, he really didn't mind her taking that title. The following week he signed up to college in San Francisco where he met Daniel King and Tobias Green. They spent 2 years together and became real friends, Sam was still very private about himself and they were alright with that, the first two years he'd gone back home, but at the end of the third year, because he was at the end of his study he agreed to go to them for the holidays
Thursday 5th July
"You're still coming aren't you?" Daniel asked him, the morning after their Holiday gig
"Of course" Sam smiled
"He's not as free as me so I can take you out in the evenings I guess" Tobias told him laughing at Daniel
"What's there to do?" Sam asked
"The town has the festival this weekend and there are little villages dotted around, they have parties and stuff, we'll definitely go to the Jones house" Tobias told him
"Yeah they have a good drinks cabinet" Daniel laughed
"Okay" Sam rolled his eyes, this was going to be dead boring but no worse than being in that big house alone "Holidays starts here" he smiled at Daniel, took his phone out to relay his plans to someone over the phone, grabbed his bags and following Daniel and Tobias to the waiting cab
"Is that it" Tobias asked after listening to Sam's conversation
"Yeah" he laughed
"I want your parents, can we stop at yours next time?" Daniel asked to Sam's laugh jumping in the car
They drove through towns for about 3 hours before they came to their village, Sam was finding it hard to believe anything happened so far into the wilderness, he was sitting back getting into the conversation for a while before he realised he was in that quirky town Nancy had talked about, he sat up looking for clues that would tell him that Nancy really knew what she was talking about
They dropped Tobias off before driving for another maybe five minutes through fields and trees, when they stopped outside a small two story cottage like property, Sam smiled as they got out the car, and walked towards the house, Daniel pushed he door and walked in, he followed
"Mom, Dad this is Sam, Sam Evans" Daniel told his parents as they walked into the living room "Sam you can call them Simon and Ann or Mr and Mrs King up to you"
"Mr & Mrs King thank you for opening up your home to me for the holidays" Sam stepped forward shaking their hands as he watched a dark skinned Asian woman walk towards him, and a well built black man stood behind her, the man grabbed his hand, his face kind, he was going to like it here
"I'm going to grab some of the others around town and get him a great mini holiday" Daniel told them
"Well we have the Jones party tomorrow night, you can get Michael and Mercedes involved" Ann suggested
"Yeah I will" Daniel walked away telling her "They are proper weird" he told Sam "Come on I'll show you to your room" he nodded towards the door as they moved to leave the room
"Weird?" Sam asked
"Yeah, they're twins and they do everything together, they don't look alike obviously, but I don't think they like anyone outside themselves and they look weird too, Mercy, that's what we call her, sings to herself a bit like you, but more" he laughed "And Micky's into science, you'll meet them tomorrow"
They had their meal that evening and eventually settled into sleep, Sam woke in the night having the weirdest dream, he'd walked into this house of many colours, confused as this girl walked towards him smiling "Can I get a kiss?" was asked sweat pouring from every orifice on his body, he couldn't tell who was talking, as she flashed him a smile and turned her cheek for him to kiss, he was winded, embarrassed even but he kissed her cheek and they got talking "My name's Sam" he finally told her
"My name's …."
"Sam" he heard someone call his name, it was so loud it woke him out of his sleep, he looked around the dark, unfamiliar room for a while before it came to him where he was and eventually he lay back down trying to picture this girl, hear her voice again or even see her smile, nothing came except he was in a crowded place, music was playing and she walked towards him from across the room
"Nancy" he woke up with her name on his mind that morning, and he just knew something was about to happen for him
Friday 6th July
Mercy
Mercy lived with her family, her Dad; Benji, a retired lecturer, not before time, who's Students likened him to the nutty professor because he had that many off the wall ideas, was very much the recluse of the family. While her Mom was the exact opposite she loved company, they got on because they understood each other very well and Ben let Essie get on with what she loved doing and tolerated her crowed house phases. They lived 3 miles outside a quirky little village, where the only real visitors were the postman on occasion and the local Minister, they lived very much in their own little bubble. School was traumatic on most days, what with being the school unsung diva, too shy to do anything about it, she had no real friends and tended to hang around with her twin brother Michael who could be just as diva as her when he wanted some fun, they'd learned to have a thick skin they really didn't care what people said anymore.
Their favourite pastime was water skimming with their parents on a Saturday afternoon, after they'd finished all the chores they'd have family time when they'd fly fish, read, listen to their Uncle Ken's army stories spend hours water skimming before they'd light the BBQ and Uncle Ken cooked while they watched their parents dance the evening away. Uncle Ken had lived with them ever since Mercy and Micky could remember, apparently his wife was in the navy, died in the war and he'd never got the heart to love anyone again. Once a month there'd have one of their Mom's parties and every adult from the village would be in the house while Micky and Mercy sat in their room listening to the rantings of tipsy adults
It was their twenty fifth birthday and this month they were being forced to join the party, they'd just finished college, plus it was Festival Eve it usually happened later in the month but for whatever reason it had come early this year "Come on Mercy" Micky grabbed her hand when she finally popped her head out of her room door, they wondered downstairs just before midnight
"Mercy" her cousin Monica called as she got to the bottom of the stairs "Come on your going to miss the Festival kisses"
"The what?" Mercy asked as she was dragged along
"Kisses" Monica turned to tell her "Boys?"
"What about them?" Mercy's face twisted for the thought, she hadn't allowed herself to be exposed to that part of life, not that she didn't want to be, but she'd known all the boys from school from day one and they were total toss pots to her and her brother, the guys at college wanted only one thing and Micky seemed to get even more protective there so she'd never dreamed of forging a relationship with any of them. Now college was over they were happy to be back home at least they could be themselves there, and think about what happens next
"Midnight kisses, come on girl it's your birthday"
"Micky" Mercy turned to grab her brother her head stopped as she saw him talking to Sharlene one of the not so desirable girls from the village, she had a reputation for being a bit of a prankster and a bully so she was concerned for Micky even giving her the time of day
"Boys" Monica finally stopped when they got to the front room as the crowd started the countdown
She looked around for Micky again he was still with Sharlene, she scanned the room trying to work out what she needed to do right now, all these boys looking at her, smirks on their faces, she could do without it, she turned to walk out and her eyes met with this strange boy she didn't know him, she'd never seen him before, but she managed a smile 'To the Festival' she heard the crowd roar
"Hello" she smiled "Happy Festival" she rolled her eyes for her Mom's stupid party idea
"Hello" he replied stunned for some unknown reason "Happy Festival" he frowned, she could tell he was wondering if there was such a thing too, he eventually flashed a wide smile at her
His focus on the girl walking across the room towards him 'This must be her' he thought surprised when she called his name
"Sam" Maranda shouted across the room and the next thing Mercy knew the girl was standing between them "Can I get this kiss?" she asked Mercy gasped for the cheek of the girl
"On the cheek" he smiled telling Maranda, who took it, Mercy suddenly left awkwardly standing there watching them kiss and turned her head, shocked to see Micky kissing Sharlene full on, he looked like he was enjoying it his hand running through her hair and her hands wondering safely, she actually felt happy for her brother, he was getting his first kiss
Before she knew what was happening someone grabbed her neck and her lips were pressing against someone else's, she took the kiss, enjoyed it even, their lips were shut, but it was her first kiss too. She opened her eyes and fell in love with the tall slender dark skinned boy standing in front of her "Tobias" she gasped
"Mercy" he smiled back at her before moving on to Sharlene, they shared a look and kissed before he moved on again she watched him working his way around the room, they'd connected and he'd just dissed her, she wanted to close the damn party down she was so damn mad about it, she turned and made her way back up the stairs to her room swearing she was never going to mingle with people again.
Mercy was up in her room playing her music and damning the day her Mom had suggested they were to join the party "Merc" Micky popped his head round the door startling her, nearly three hours later "I got a kiss"
"Yes I saw" she smiled at the one person in the world that got her "Pulling her hair, tongue down her throat" she laughed as Micky picked a pillow up and threw it at her
"Sharlene's nice, she's a bit of a rouge but I think that's what I like about her"
"Like?" Mercy's eyes flashed at him "You've had one kiss how are you going to like her?"
"There was more than one actually" he flickered his eyes at her "Newsflash" he laughed "I saw you with that Sam guy, he's staying with the King's for the summer I hear"
"I only said hello, I got a kiss off Tobias though" she told him excitedly
"Tobias?" Micky asked unsure "he's a bit of a gamer"
"That kiss was real" she smiled
"Smitten?" Micky smiled jumping on her bed, her eyes telling him he was right "Happy birthday my favourite girl" he kissed her cheek saying
"Happy birthday the only man in my life, except Dad" she laughed giving him his kiss back
"Mom wants you by the way"
"What for at this time of night?"
"If I know that she wouldn't want you, would she?"
"I guess" she laughed getting up off the bed to go downstairs to see her Mom
She walked downstairs again relieved that people were leaving, smiling for the first time that night as she said goodnight to some very drunk neighbours "Mercy" she heard spinning around to look in the direction of the kitchen, seeing her Mom standing there "In the study" she ordered, Mercy didn't ask questions she made her way across the hall
"Mom" she said sitting in the familiar couch addressing her Mom walking in the room "Is everything alright?"
"You're 25 now and I think you need to know something about yourself" she turned shutting the door rather abruptly
"Myself?" Mercy sat up asking, intrigued
"There's no easy way of saying this, so I guess I'll just say it" she sat on the desk in front of Mercy telling her "We can travel back through time, it started for me when I was 25 it missed the men in the family and I thought you should know just in case you caught it"
"Caught it?" Mercy gasped laughing "Mom can you hear yourself?"
"Can you hear me?"
"Yeah I can hear you" she laughed "Does Dad know he's living with a mad woman?"
"Your Dad or your brother can't know anything about this, it never happens for the males in the family"
"So seriously you want me to believe I can go back in time?"
"I don't know that you can yet, but I just need you to know it's possible, just in case it caught you"
"Mom" she looked at her seriously "No disrespect but do you know how stupid this sounds?"
"Just humour me, if it doesn't work for you then I'd see it as a blessing"
"Okay" Mercy rolled her eyes unable to believe she was going to go on this journey with her Mom "So what do I need to do?" she laughed inside at her Mom's crazy suggestion
"I don't actually know what's going to work for you, for me it was books for my Mom it was knitting, it's random"
"Okay" Mercy belly laughed out loud "So I've got these inherited powers that I might not have but you don't know the trigger for them, so I'm going to have to find that out myself?" she chuckled
"Mercedes" her Mom looked at her irritated "Do you really think I'd be having this ridiculous conversation with you if it wasn't true?"
"Don't get mad Mom even you must admit it sounds..."
"If you think crazy again" her Mom pointed her finger at her, and at that Mercy knew she was serious "Find your thing because this could get rough before it gets better" she warned her, Mercy didn't want to wait for one of her Mom's rare blow outs she jumped up and left thinking about their conversation, finding her room
"What did Mom want?" Micky's head popping round the door asking
"Woman's stuff, periods and stuff again" she replied without even looking at him, feeling awkward for actually having a secret she couldn't share with her brother
"That's a lie, what did she want?" he snapped at her
"I can't even talk to you about it Micky" her eyes telling him there was no more to discuss
"Serious?" he frowned walking towards her "Whatever it is I'm here" he sat on her bed telling her "Always" he kissed her forehead before leaving her to it
"Hold up Micky, what's the name of that album I said I liked that you're always singing now a days?"
"Which one, I sing so many?"
"You're always singing it" she rolled her eyes reminding him
"I'm guessing you've got your Tobias feels on again, he's not the one Mercy"
"He is too" she threw the pillow at her brother telling him, he shut the door before it got to him
"It's called Leading Ladies Miss Lovestruck" he shouted through the door laughing
Mercy lay on her bed thinking about that kiss she'd shared with Tobias and she really didn't care what anyone said, there was something there and if she could go back she'd surely give him one of those open mouthed, sloppy wet kisses she'd been practicing on her hand surely that would make his toes curl and he'd throw himself at her, asking to be hers forever, there was more to Mercy Jones than just this naïve, prudish, closeted diva, shy girl everyone could see. She grabbed her phone to find that album, she had feelings, feelings for Tobias and all of a sudden there must be a song that said something to her, this moment was significant, she grabbed her earphones and lay listening to the words to 'Helpless' getting them imprinted on her brain
"Boy you got me helpless, look into your eyes, and the sky's the limit I'm helpless, down for the count, and I'm drowning in 'em..." she sang opening her eyes, at the sound of music she knew wasn't coming from the song "What the..." she looked shocked that she was standing in front of her mirror "I didn't get up" she looked at her image telling it, checking the bed, "I didn't get up" her ears drawn back to the music playing in the house "What the..." she looked at the door Micky was shouting her, she opened the door
"Come on Merc" he grabbed her hand when she came out of her room, they wondered downstairs just before midnight
"Mercy" her cousin Monica called as she got to the bottom of the stairs "Come on your going to miss the Festival kisses" Mercy was in a daze this had happened before
"The what?" she asked as she was dragged along
"Kisses" Monica turned to tell her "Boys?"
"What about them?" Mercy's face twisted for the thought, remembering she'd kissed Tobias earlier she smiled for the repeat up ahead, this was really happening
"Midnight kisses, come on girl it's your birthday"
"Micky" Mercy turned to see him talking to Sharlene she still wanted to tell him not to even speak to her but Monica was dragging her
"Guys" Monica finally stopped when they got to the front room as the crowd started the countdown
She looked around for Micky again he was still with Sharlene, she scanned the room trying to work out what she needed to do right now, she turned to walk out and her eyes met with that Sam's again she managed a smile "Hello" she smiled "Happy Festival" she rolled her eyes at him, telling him without words how ridiculous she thought it all was
"Hello" he smiled "Happy Festival" he laughed at the event, flashing that bright smile at her, she was drawn to his genuine smile
"Sam" Maranda shouted across the room again, the next thing she knew, Maranda's standing between them "Can I get this kiss?" she asked Mercy just rolled her eyes at the desperation in the girls voice
"On the cheek" Sam smiled telling Maranda, Mercy turned she knew Tobias was close, she smiled as he grabbed her neck, her lips already ready it was her first kiss again and she was going to enjoy it this time, grinning when she opened her eyes and fell in love again "Tobias" she gasped, wanting the chance to go back in just so she could open her mouth this time
"Happy Festival" he smiled back at her before moving on to someone else, she stood watching as Sharlene and he sharing that look again before they kissed and he moved on, she decided to stand and watch him working his way around the room, he finally got back to Sharlene and looked longingly into her eyes before Mercy witnessed him give her a full on kiss, bursting her bubble but giving Micky all the more reason not to get involved with the woman
"Mercy" she heard just as she'd turned to make her way back up the stairs to her room swearing she was never going to test fate again.
"Tobias" she rolled her eyes in reply turning to see Sharlene and him standing there with linked fingers, wondering how they got from in front of her to behind her "This is Sam Evans, he's staying with the Kings for a couple of days, I said we'd show him around and stuff, is that alright?"
What was she supposed to say in front of the boys face, 'No I've got my eye on you Tobias and he'd just be an unwanted distraction, although you're standing in front of me with some other girl on your arm?' "That's fine" she smiled politely
"Great" Tobias smiled looking back at Sam
"Thank you Mercy is it?" Sam looked at Tobias uncertain "It can't be easy having someone gate crash your holidays like this" he smiled at her, his voice so genuine it made her want to stand and listen to what he had to say, and moreover it made her feel guilty for thinking what she had a minute ago, she wanted to know more about him, her feelings she didn't quite understand
"No problem, hopefully we can be friends" she surprised herself telling him
"She needs some of those" Tobias butted in, Mercy had almost forgotten they were standing there, her smile matching Sam's as they exchanged looks 'Would he have offered me his cheek if I'd have asked?' she asked herself, suddenly getting the urge to go back and try again, this time Sam would be the focus, she realised she didn't even know the rules, was she actually starting to believe in this second chance stuff her Mom had fed her
"Excuse me" she looked over his shoulder before she stepped off "I need to just go do something, I'll be back in a while" she stepped off to go speak to her brother "Micky" she grabbed his arm as she spoke "I need a word" she pulled him away from the unhealthy group of guys he was standing with
"They were just telling me Sharlene was playing hard to get" he laughed
"She's not, she's with Tobias" Mercy spat
"Merc" he snapped at her
"I saw them Micky, stay away from girls like her" she rolled her eyes warning her brother, turning to look at Sam again before she made her way back upstairs, she needed to talk to her Mom, she jumped on her bed, put her eyephones in, closed her eyes and sung out loud what she heard coming through it "I have never been the type to try and grab the spotlight, we were at a revel with some rebels on a hot night"
It seemed like seconds later she opened her eyes and was unsure as to whether all that had just happened or if she'd dreamt it based on the stuff her Mom had just told her, she got up to rush downstairs to talk to her Mom "Mom" she burst through the kitchen door loud whispering "I think I travelled" she looked round the room telling her "I went back to make something right but then something else happened and I..."
"So you believe me now?" her Mom laughed
"I guess I do" she giggled "And I can make my life anything I want"
"No, you can't" her Mom told her "You can't force anyone to feel something they don't and if you go back in time and change anything there are consequences"
"So what's the point?" she rolled her eyes asking
"What's your trigger?" her Mom laughed asking
"Singing I guess" she flopped down on the chair at the table "So if I can't do what I want, what's the point?"
"I guess you get to do things wrong and go back and make them right"
"So how far back can I go?"
"I've only been able to go as far back as 12, mainly to look, but I remember Grandma saying she went back to 10 once"
"I wanted to make Tobias love me instead of Sharlene" a giggle bubbled out her mouth as she spoke "I guess I need to rethink" she sat on the chair telling her Mom "I met this other guy tonight and I think he might be interesting to get to know" she played with the table mat telling her Mom "His name's Sam and they say he's staying with the King's in town, I told Tobias I'd hang out with them for the holidays, Micky and I that is"
"What as a friend or have you suddenly developed an interest in the male sex?" Her Mom turned from the sink to ask surprise in her voice
"I really don't know, what would you think if I said maybe more than a friend?"
"I'd think you were a healthy woman, who knew about contraceptives, commitment and love not necessarily in that order" she laughed
"I do" she looked at the table shyly "Micky might have something else to say about it though"
"What you're going to tell your protective brother about wanting to date someone, do you want a life?" she laughed
"I don't know how to keep a secret from him"
"Now you know what you're capable of, I know you're going to get real good a keeping secrets, get used to it"
"It's 4am I need to get some sleep, I'll see you in the morning" she jumped up, kissed her Mom and walked out the kitchen to find her bedroom
Saturday 7th July
Their birthday was much like any other all about Micky and Mercy as their parents showered the 25 year olds with extravagant presents and made the day all about them, they sunk quietly into a relaxing evening when Mercy decided she was going to try at getting a kiss on the lips from that Sam guy finding her room for privacy "Laughing at my sister as she's dazzling the room, then you walked in and my heart went boom!" she sang not surprised when she was standing at the bottom of the stairs breaking free of Monica's grip, Micky was still moping over Sharlene but she really didn't have time to deal with that just now, she'd get back to it
Monica was looking back at her saying something but she was focused she was looking for Sam "Hello" she smiled when she finally got to him with seconds to waste "I'm Mercy"
"Hello I'm Sam" he smiled back
"Can I get this kiss?"
"I was..." he looked past her at someone else "Sorry yes why not" he smiled "On the cheek, I have a girlfriend"
"Oh" Mercy smiled falsely, she hadn't even thought about that "Cheek it is" she smiled giving him a peck on the cheek before she realised it wasn't even time yet "Sorry" she blushed before taking her leave and returning to her room, flashing Tobias off in the process "Damn" she slammed the door hissing "Damn fool" she sat on her bed telling herself "I hate that damn song" she told herself knowing that she'd have to sing it to get back to her now "Trying to catch your eye from the side of the ballroom everybody's dancing and the band's top volume" "Stupid" she opened her eyes before rolling over to cry herself to sleep
Sam had stood the whole night waiting for this magical girl to walk towards him, he'd gasped when he walked into the multi-coloured house just as it was in his dream, he hadn't actually remembered that fact until he'd seen it. The party mood was there and he'd spotted a girl on the opposite wall from him, she kept looking, for him she wasn't all that, there was no stomach flops, but Nancy had said she'd walk towards him so he stood waiting to say those words to her "Hello" he heard distracting him "I'm Mercy"
He'd replied, and was about to have a conversation with who he knew what the host's daughter when the girl he'd been watching all evening across the way made a move towards him 'This is it' he lifted himself off the wall bracing himself, looked down at the girl standing in front of him she was talking but his attention was else where, "I was.." he glanced at the voice coming at him "Yes why not" then he heard himself say "I have a girlfriend" 'No you don't' he looked across the room at the girl coming towards him, he felt Mercy give him a peck on the cheek, and looked at her for a second to acknowledge it 'But you will' he smiled as the girl got to him "Can I..."
"Can I get this kiss?" she asked moving in to take it before he'd replied
'Shit it's not her' "On the cheek" he replied taking the kiss, as he turned his face to receive the kiss he saw Mercy walking up the stairs, something wouldn't let his eyes move away from her, she looked upset, he stood wondering if he'd done something to contribute to that
"Mercy" Tobias called, she waved him off and carried on upstairs "That was the host's daughter I was going to introduce you" he told Sam, who was still watching the stairs, something had just gone so wrong for him
Sunday 8th July
Mercy wasn't in at good mood when she woke up, nothing was going right for her in one night she'd managed to kiss and lose Tobias and Sam's affections, she wasn't even lovable "Morning" she walked into the kitchen where her family was "This is not a good day for me people I need time" she announced as she sat at the table
"Me neither" Micky added "I've decided to wait for Sharlene until she's ready and I can see that being a long time"
"Good luck with that, but you know how I feel about her" Mercy warned him again
"Daniel spoke to me last night apparently this new guy Sam, is here and we've been roped into taking him out, I don't even know how we came on his radar"
"Yeah" Mercy just about got out "Where's he from?" she asked finally looking at Micky as she spoke
"Apparently he's staying with the Kings, he went to college with Daniel, they came up Thursday and I guess they roped us in because they wanted to look good" he laughed
"We make people look good?" Mercy laughed
"You do" Essie laughed "Everyone wants to be a member of the Jones family"
"I think someone needs to remind them of that fact" Mercy said still laughing
"I guess" Essie said looking at Mercy, she had a plan, her daughter was pinning and she could do something about that "I just remembered" she picked a book up and left the kitchen
Essie
Flashback
She'd gone back to 2.15pm on Thursday 13th June, she'd visited Ann, she was stood waiting at the door to be let in "Ann" she smiled when she finally came to the door "I'm on the beg again"
"Strawberries?" Ann asked
"You got it, they make the most beautiful cocktails" she laughed
"Come get a drink, lets catch up, it's going to be mad tomorrow"
"Okay" she smiled getting all the gossip about what was happening in town
"Daniel's bringing his friend Sam over for a few days this holidays, he met him at College apparently, he's a quiet guy"
"Michael and Mercedes might want to hang out too, it would be good for them now they're back" Essie smiled
"I'll tell Daniel to get them involved" Ann told her, they sat talking sipping their drinks, while Essie dug for more information
End of Flashback
Now Mercy had actually shown an interest in the boy she needed to find out more, she needed to go further back, she'd dived into her book it was at an art now, she needed very few words to get where she needed to be. She was walking down the corridors looking for Sam she needed to find out his story, eventually she found him sitting reading something, she stood across from the dorm room watching him, eventually he put the note away and left the dorm. Essie opened her book, placing herself in the dorm and started looking around, she needed to at least find out about him. As a last resort she opened the box holding the note he'd been reading took it out of it's worn envelop and started reading it "He's an orphan" she gasped as she read what this person had written to him "He thought of her as his Grandma" she sat on the chair at his desk feeling sad for this boys plight
I see a wonderful life for you, there's a girl waiting for you in some remote little quirky town, she'll pop into your life while your not looking and she will turn you up side down, spin you around and make you cry, I mean out loud, and Sam, she's the one, your going to get that life with her, grab her, fast wait for nothing . But you can't get her with nothing, go to college pass out and I promise this mysterious woman will take you to places you'd never dreamed existed
"That's my Mercy" she smiled before she frowned because the message told her Mercy was going to tell him about her gift, and her fate was going to be exactly what her sisters had said so many years ago, she took her book out and started reading again, seconds later she was walking back into the kitchen where her family sat eating breakfast
8th July
"Daniel's bringing his friend Sam over for the holidays..." she heard Micky telling everyone as she sat down and repeated her conversation, except this time she stayed put, getting used to the fact that her daughter was leaving soon and she needed to prepare the family for that
"I gave Daniel my number to call us when he's ready" Micky told everyone, looking at Mercy as he spoke
That afternoon Daniel called and Micky and Mercy left to make the trip into town to meet up with everyone for the picnic in the park, the guys playing volleyball "Mercy" Sam called as he walked across the pitch when he saw her come through the gates, running over to her when he saw her smile "I'm totally sorry about yesterday I was…. actually I'm going to tell the truth, I was caught up in some old wives tale about the love of my life being across the room from me, totally read the signs wrong and binned you before I even listened to what you were saying, sorry, I was rude" his eyes begged for forgiveness
"Seeing as I didn't even know any of that I guess I can forgive you" she smiled
"I'd like to start with a clean slate" he held his hand out telling her "My name's Sam, Sam Evans"
"I literally thought you were gong to say James, James Bond then, you totally cracked that impression" she laughed, walking towards the crowd and smiling when he followed, she watched him playing volleyball, he watched her helping the women preparing the picnic, eventually they sat on the same dinner table, sharing looks, smiles and thoughts as the noise went on around them
"Merc" Micky interrupted her thoughts shouting like he knew what she was up to "We're going to the festival for a while, is that alright?" he asked across the table, she knew his voice was telling rather than asking
"Yeah fine" her eyes flashed across at Sam as she spoke a smile on his face because he knew she'd already made that decision, the picnic food was nearing the end when everyone decided to make a move, some to the movies, some to the lake and the rest to the festival
"Anyone want a ride?" Maranda shouted across the table looking at Sam
"We'll grab one" Micky replied, smiling at Mercy rolling her eyes, this girl was so the opposite of his sister, loud, obnoxious, trashy and uninhibited "Mercy and I" he pointed at his sister telling her
"And me" Sam told her, smirking at the smile that appeared on Maranda's face "Dan" he turned to his host "I'll see you there"
"Take your time, chill, kiss" Daniel teased
"Yeah" Sam laughed getting up to follow Mercy and the others going to Maranda's car 'Kissing might happen' he thought looking at Mercy walk
"Pardon?" Mercy turned to ask
"Sorry did I say that out loud?"
"I'm not sure" she smiled "I think it was a thought" her face puzzled as to how she knew that
They got in the car and Maranda didn't stop talking, Micky sat up front with her while Sam and Mercy sat in the back throwing looks at the funny things Maranda was saying, making faces at her inappropriate conversation and holding in giggles "We're here" Maranda told everyone like they didn't have eyes, pulling the car to a halt "We should stay together"
"Not me I'm going to hang with Tobias" Micky announced, backing away as he spoke, Mercy smiled at him she knew he was hanging on for Sharlene, she wasn't of the mind to address that just now
"Just coming to find you guys" Daniel bumped into Micky's back saying as a large group walked behind him
"We were just going to stretch our legs" Sam told his friend nodding at Mercy to walk with him, she smiled and walked backwards away from the crowd
"I'll come with you guys" Maranda locked her car telling them, again she started talking as they walked off and after 7 minutes of walking she was still on it, Sam and Mercy exchanging looks at her comments she was really trying to be the life and soul "Are you a virgin?" she asked
Mercy nearly chocked on her own spit, her eyes bulging at this girl being totally inappropriate, she was so embarrassed and horrified she made her excuses and left the two of them standing there, she had to pull this back Maranda was spoiling everything "Grind to the rhythm as we wine and dine grab my sister and whisper, yo, this one's mine..." (Ooh) she sang near the portable toilets, and suddenly she was walking back towards them
"I'm back" she smiled walking up behind the talking couple
"Oh Good" Sam smiled, he seemed happy to see her, she frowned at his wide eyes wondering if she'd gone back far enough "Maranda was just taking an interest in my favourite sex position" he grinned his tone and look telling her he really couldn't believe the girl, as he fought to hold the giggle trying to come out at the look on Mercy's face "Lucky for us we're not prudes"
"And you said?" Mercy cocked her head asking, she really didn't feel shy about talking like this with him, Maranda stood watching them puzzled
"I haven't answered her yet"
"Let him answer, we were actually having a conversation before you came back" Maranda cut her eye at Mercy saying, Sam didn't like that move, he was angry already
Mercy looked up at Sam's face, mischievous written all over it, she chuckled before covering her mouth waiting for Sam's response "Okay" he smiled looking at Maranda "There are so many to choose from, I really can't say" he looked at Mercy smiling his eyes telling her to wait for this punch line "I guess first I'd have to say it depends on the girl" he looked at Maranda
"Say it was me" she looked into his eyes smiling, looking like the cat that was just about to hear it was real cream, waiting for her chest to be stroked
"With you I'd say... in the dark or a very bright room where the light was blinding" he looked in her face telling her I mean I'd have to be real carful where I touch you with that filthy mouth you've got"
Mercy's banks burst she looked into Sam's eyes and laughed out loud, holding her tummy for the pain, she couldn't believe Maranda had stood there and took that shame, Sam's face broke into a smile, grin and then his shoulders started moving as he watched Mercy cracking up
"I don't get it" Maranda looked from one to the other saying, making them laugh louder "Is that a position?" she asked as tears fell faster down Mercy's face
"Stop" Mercy shouted putting her hand up for Maranda to stop, she was in pain, cramp had taken over her tummy "Please stop" she gasped for air watching as Sam bent in laughter "You are so wrong" she finally looked at Sam telling him
"I'm so wrong?" he gasped "Did you hear her questions?" he asked pointing at Maranda "That was tame to what I wanted to say because you were there" he could tell by her face she was still trying to work out what position he was talking about
Mercy stopped laughing eventually, she was having so much fun she honestly wished she could have left it like that but she'd been the butt of so many jokes and pranks at school, she knew how it felt, she couldn't stand and let that go, no one should feel that "I've laughed that much I'm wetting myself" she walked away from them saying "Back in a bit" she giggled
"Don't be long" Sam called after her looking back at Maranda
"Where's she going now?" Maranda asked him
"To the moon" he smiled, rolling his eyes as she started talking again
Mercy went off to find a quiet spot, closed her eyes and started singing again "My sister made her way across the room to you (Ooh) and I got nervous, thinking, what's she gonna do? (Ooh) she smiled she was feeling this song, she just hoped she'd timed it right this time"I'm back"she announced as she got closer to them, her skin jumping for the smile on Sam's face "And whatever that conversation is it's going to get worse before it gets better so lets leave it there"
"Maranda was just asking me..."
"I really don't want to know and no, I'm not a prude" she chuckled holding her hand up in his face telling him
"Are you sure?" he smiled asking
"I'm sure Sam" she giggled
"Killjoy" he giggled their eyes meeting mischievously, hers sparkling for what she knew he wanted to say and his for hearing the conversation in his head
"Shall we see if we can find some music?" she tilted her head asking him, she wasn't at all shy with this guy, he was fun
"Yeah" he held his arm out for her to grab, she nodded her head and grabbed it, a ping of jealousy flowing through her as she watched Maranda latch onto his other arm. They walked in silence for a while, then a few steps away from the amusement tent Sam asked "Do you want a cuddly toy?" he looked at Mercy "I've always wanted to win a girl a cuddly toy at one of these things" he looked at the target stall smiling
"I guess I've always wanted a boy to win me one" she smiled back as they veered off towards the stall, unsure who was getting more excited the closer they got
"Can I have the first one?" Maranda asked as Sam shook her hand off his forearm
"No" Sam spun round to look at her saying "Nor the second, try waiting till you're asked" he was still mad about her comment to Mercy
Nancy had been right you could tell when a girl was acting and when she was genuine, this girl hadn't let up since the damn party, he was coming to the conclusion that Dan or more than likely Tobias had set her up to bug him for the entire holiday, he cut his eye and turned to do what he'd planned to do "Sam" Mercy giggled
"What?" he looked at her puzzled
"Be nice" she touched his arm coaxing him to do it
"I'll get you the third" he turned to tell Maranda
"Thanks" she smiled
He stood getting ready for the challenge, he couldn't fail with Mercy watching him, Nancy hadn't really allowed him to get involved with females, not even so much as touching a hair on his head, the girls that he did come into contact with back then never tried anything because they thought Nancy was a witch anyway. She's always promised him that there'd be someone special waiting for him, he'd know it when he finally found it because it would be so natural, of course he'd rolled his eyes at her, she wasn't even on the planet most the time. He wasn't a virgin now, but as he stood here wanting to do the simplest things for this girl standing beside him, defend her, laugh with her; he'd found that so hard to do before now, he was praying for Nancy to show him that she was the one, somewhere inside he wanted her to be the one, he could control these feelings.
"Here goes" he rolled his eyes
"Good luck" Mercy clapped her hands cheering for him
Through College he'd gained the reputation of being a bit of a dork, a loveable one but one never the less and he was somewhat proud of that, he was quiet, spoke mainly to Daniel or Tobias and a few of the other guys but that was his social network, he didn't mix, never let anyone get in to know who he really was. His history was his story, he didn't want to share it with anyone, plus he liked being a mystery it provoked a few of the girls that approached him, he played on it because they were going to have to take him or leave him, and in most cases they left him. His mind drifted to Mercy standing beside him again as he fired the rifle aimlessly, 'I don't want to be quiet, I want more conversation I don't actually want it to stop, ever, I want to laugh, I mean hold your head laugh, she gets me' "Sam" he heard realising he was actually looking at her and not the target
"Sorry, that cuddly toy" he looked back at the target before firing his second shot
"Nearly" Mercy and Maranda screeched
"I'll get it on this one" he concentrated on the shot
"Yes" Mercy and he jumped at the same time as they watched the cuddly blue avatar fall off it's perch and land in the prize bin "That's the one I was praying for" she laughed doing her cute as she watched the man hand the toy to Sam before he smiled like he'd been out hunting and handed her the cuddly toy
"As promised"
"Thank you" she smiled taking her cuddly prize
"Now we can go find some music" he grinned looking at the tent across the field
"Yeah" Mercy replied
"Yeah" Maranda echoed as Sam and Mercy looked at each other, they'd actually forgotten she was there
They linked arms with him again one on each side, Mercy looked sideways without moving her head, there it was again that ping of jealous that had no business being there, she frowned at her thought "I know" Sam looked at her saying
"Did I say something?" she looked at him asking
"Yes and no" he looked at her smiling dropping his hand so her hand fell down his arm as he grabbed her hand "You don't need to speak" he smiled looking at her for longer than he needed to, there was something there they both understood "Oh I so like these guys" his head shot up and his steps got longer and faster "I didn't know you were going to have real celebrities" he smiled as they got closer to the mini stage pushing past people as they moved in closer, his hold getting tighter as they squeezed through tighter crowds.
They were maybe four deep by the time he decided they were as close as they were going to get, the girls stood both watching Sam rock to the music as Maroon 5 & Cardi B sang 'Girls Like You' Mercy stood watching for a minute before she caught the groove and started dancing too "Dance with me" Sam pulled her hand to him saying they stood dancing looking at each other "I need a girl like you, yeah yeah" he sung looking into her eyes, she blushed but only for the thoughts she was having "I know" he pulled her into him whispering in her ear
"I don't think you do" she giggled
"I actually play the guitar" he giggled
Mercy laughed out loud "Okay you know"
"Are you having fun?"
"I'm so having fun" Mercy threw her head back, taking in that free feeling
"What about me?" she heard checking the voice as she remembered Maranda was with them, Sam looked because of Mercy's facial expression "What about me?" she asked again
"Sorry I need the bathroom again" Mercy let his hands go "It's all that water I've been drinking today" she backed away telling them, she needed to get rid of this three way conversation thing going on, she found a quiet spot and started singing again "She grabs you by the arm, I'm thinking I'm through (Ooh) then you look back at me, and suddenly I'm... Helpless" she was walking holding onto Sam's arm
"I know" Sam looked at her saying
"Did I say something?" she looked at him asking
"Yes and no" he looked at her smiling dropping his hand so her hand fell down his arm as he grabbed her hand "You don't need to speak" he smiled looking at her for longer than he needed to, there was something there they both understood "Oh I so like these guys" his head shot up and his steps got longer and faster "I didn't know you were going to have real celebrities" he smiled as they got closer to the mini stage pushing past people as they moved in closer, his hold on Mercy getting tighter as they squeezed through tighter
"This way" Mercy jerked him towards her, he followed her keeping hold of her hand
"Sam" Maranda shouted as they got further away from her "Sam"
"I think we lost Maranda" he smiled when they finally stood to the side of the stage maybe three deep "Good spot" he smiled "Come on lets dance" he grabbed her and they danced to the song "I need a girl like you, yeah yeah" he sung looking into her eyes, she blushed but only for the thoughts she was having "I know" he pulled her into him whispering in her ear
"I don't think you do" she giggled
"I actually play the guitar" he giggled
Mercy laughed out loud "Okay you know"
"Are you having fun?"
"I'm so having fun" Mercy threw her head back, taking in that free feeling, a private smile for not hearing Maranda in the background this time
"Can I .. get this kiss" he asked shyly as the song came to an end and they stood staring at each other
"Yes, but not on the cheek" she smiled
"Definitely not on the cheek" he giggled as his head went in to take the kiss, his brain lit on fire, hers was already there as the warmth spread through their entire bodies turning to fire at the fusion of their lips. Surely after this he was going to be addicted, how was he ever going to manage without this feeling again, this feeling was torment and salvation all rolled into one, he could live on these kisses. She'd never experienced this even in her deeper fantasies, she knew she wanted to dedicate her life to being with him because of this kiss "If I let you go, I feel like I'd be losing myself" he let her lips go telling her he couldn't stop himself from telling her that one thing, right then it was the most important piece of information he had to share
"If you let me go, I feel like I'd be a shell of my former self"
"I don't want to let you go" he hugged her saying, Mercy stood being hugged and liking the feeling
"Sam?" she pushed him off her as she realised he was crying "What's up?" she looked up at his wet face asking
"Can we go somewhere?"
"Sure" she looked around trying to find a quick route out of there "This way" she grabbed his hand she was so concerned about this display of emotion from the man, everyone had baggage she knew that, she had more than most, but this one she wanted him to share. They walked for a while before they finally found a spot on the lake that couples hadn't occupied "Is here alright?" she asked watching as he sat down
"Yeah" he looked around sitting down as he spoke, Mercy sat next to him waiting for him to talk "I'm sorry about that back there"
"It's fine, everyone has stuff to deal with"
"Yeah my Grandma died a couple of years ago, they reckoned she was some sort of fortune teller" he smiled "Do you believe in that stuff?"
"Some of it yeah"
"She predicted you, for me I mean, down to the crying, turning me upside down making me be the person I've always wanted to be but was maybe just too shy to be, I've spent a day with you and I've never felt so alive" he told her "I mean I've never told anyone any of this before and somehow I feel you need to know, I don't understand this but I like it" his hand reaching for his head as he spoke
"Don't be shy" she grabbed his hand telling him
"See how did you even know I felt like that just then?"
"You told me" she looked at him puzzled
"I didn't"
"You did but you didn't" she smiled "I don't understand it either" they sat looking at each other
"Merc" Micky ran towards them saying "I've been looking everywhere for you" he stood behind them saying "It's time to go" he looked at Sam telling her "Come on" he hurried her on
"Bye Sam" she pulled herself up holding onto his shoulder to get up "I'll see you tomorrow"
"Tomorrow" he smiled at her "Bye Micky"
"Bye Sam" he replied, while Sam sat watching them walk away, he was smiling today, his questions had been answered he'd found his one