As I stand behind the counter at Gibby's getting people's red pepper lemonade, I feel pride and happiness take over me, making me smile to myself. I still don't understand how Gibbys got so popular and crowded so quickly.
"Hey Gib," Sam yells with a smile on her face as she grabs a white apron and wraps it around her waist.
Oh yeah, now I remember, my partner Sam Puckett has been a huge help. I watch her as she comes around the counter pats me on the back, then goes to take someone's order, and realize how happy she look, Sam one of those girls who's happy when eating something or watching TV. It shocks me by how she loves Gibbys almost as much as me.
When I think about it, it's a lot of love.
The rest of the night goes by quick. I take care of everyone's drinks and asking if I could get them anything more, when Sam takes the orders and carriers them out. It's a great routine if you ask me. At the end of the night, when everyone is gone, and Sam and I are putting up the chairs on the tables we finally get to talk.
"Thanks for doing this business thing with me, I know it sounded crazy at first," I say trailing off. Sam looks up at me and smiles.
"Sure thing Gib, and it's not crazy by the way, just because Carly said it was doesn't mean it is. I don't know why everyone listens to her sometimes," Sam says, lost in thought. She's quiet and still for a moment before stacking the chairs up again.
"I know Sam, but still thanks for everything. Your hot meat sandwiches are the bomb."
"It's nothing really, just something my dad taught me when I was little," Sam says remembering something. Then she looks up as if she got caught doing something she shouldn't be doing. "You didn't hear me say that."
"It's ok if you talk about your dad. I don't mind, besides its good to talk about it sometimes," I say as she whirls past me grabbing her back pack, her blonde curls fly with her. "Sam?"
"Don't try preaching to me Gibby. You don't know anything about me," Sam sneers at me, her blue eyes blazing. The old Gibby probably would have probably apologized or ran away but I'm about two heads bigger than Sam now and I've grown up a little. I take a few steps closer to Sam.
"Your right, I don't know much about you, but that's not my fault. If maybe you didn't shut people down when they are trying to help you, then maybe,"
"Shut up Gibby! Why do you even care? You're Gibby," Sam yells back cutting me off. I shake my head and look down going to get the mop. Everyone thinks that. I thought Sam was different since we started this project together, apparently not. I know that Sam likes it when people fight back with her but I'm not going to. As I start mopping I see Sam head towards the stairs. I can tell she's hesitating, but I'm not going to stop her.
"I'm sorry Gib," Sam says softly, her back to me. I stop mopping and look at the back of her. She tries to appear strong but I can tell she's exhausted about something, before I know it I'm walking toward Sam until I'm right behind her.
"Too close." She says for the second time today.
Then just like that, she's up the stairs, running away from everyone again. I sigh as I go to finish mopping. I thought Sam had become a little different since we opened Gibby's but maybe I'm wrong. Maybe she hasn't changed her personality, but maybe she's changing who she trusts now. I've seen a side of Sam Puckett I thought never existed, one that was, passionate, helping, joyful.
It just hurts knowing that, that Sam Puckett is gone now, at least until tomorrow.