Care, 20 Questions & Best Christmas Ever
Christmas Eve – Outside Wordy's Home
Turning off the ignition Wordy looked over at Sam. He had fallen asleep on the way. He hated to wake him but that was the only way to get him inside. He opened his door and pulled his jacket closer. Brrrr.
He looked at the light patches of snow then up at the heavy clouds. He smiled as he recalled the excited hoots from his girls at the first sprinkling of snow this year. If they were lucky they would have a white Christmas.
Wordy rounded the car and opened the rear passenger door and pulled out the crutches and the small bag with the pain killers and discharge papers tucked in it. There was also a copy of the police report. He closed the door and looked at his front door. He waved. Shel was waiting to open it for them.
He opened the front passenger door and put a hand on Sam's shoulder and lightly shook it. "Sam we're here. Wake up a bit so we can get inside."
Sam groggily opened his eyes. He blinked trying to figure out just where he was. Oh that's right Wordy's car. Were they already at his home? He couldn't believe he had fallen asleep deeply enough he didn't realize the car had stopped and Wordy got out of the car.
That just didn't happen; he always slept too lightly for that to happen. Sleeping deeply was too dangerous. He never let his guard down enough to that. It was not the concussion, heck with concussions he was even more vigilant. So what happened here? His silent musing was interrupted when Wordy spoke again.
"Hey sleepy head. Let's get you inside before we both start to freeze" Wordy said as he watched Sam closely. He could see Sam had been really asleep and now he was a bit disoriented. It was the first time he'd ever seen that with the rookie. Even when he catnapped on break Sam would stir and open his eyes at the slightest sound or shift in someone's position. He chalked this change up to the concussion.
With Wordy's help Sam managed to get out of the car and retain enough balance to maneuver on the crutches. Wordy stayed right next to him ready to catch him if he lost his balance. The first step up onto the porch he over compensated and Wordy grabbed him keeping him from face planting.
"Thanks" Sam said.
"Anytime" Wordy responded.
Shel opened the door and stood aside so Kevin could help Sam inside. The poor man looked to be in pain and definitely green around the gills. She knew the look from caring for Wordy's concussions. Best thing would be to get him right to bed with a small trashcan next to him. Too bad Sam would not be enjoying his Christmas Eve. She hoped he felt better in the morning.
Christmas Eve – Wordy's Home – Entryway
Shel closed the front door behind them then said "Welcome Sam. We are so glad you agreed to stay with us. I've set up the guest room. Fresh sheets and all." Wordy had given her a heads up at Sam's reluctance to accept. Shel decided she was going to do all in her power to make the young man feel welcome.
"Thank you Ma'am. Sorry to be intruding. I'll just stay in the room you won't even know I'm here." Sam said as he started to move forward. But then he realized he didn't know which room it was so he stopped.
Shel's heart broke with those few words. She schooled her features into a warm smile. "Nonsense. You are not intruding. If you are not feeling up to joining us by all means you may stay in your room but otherwise I would really like it if you would join us out here. And by the way, please call me Shel. All my good friends do."
Sam looked at Wordy's wife. He was a lucky man to have such a caring woman. "Thanks Shel" he tested the name. She smiled.
"Now let's get you situated" she stated. Shel added "Kev the girls are just out of their baths. Can you please check on them? Lilly was going to help Allie dress but she might need some help. You know how Allie can be at times." Wordy just smiled and headed up the stairs.
Shel saw the questioning look on Sam's face and explained "Allie likes to run around al natural sometimes. She can be slippery to catch and get dressed. It's a habit I'm praying she snaps out of soon." Shel lightly touched Sam's arm "Your room is this way."
Sam followed her to a downstairs bedroom just off the family room. He looked at the family room. It was decorated with tons of Christmas items. The tree was large and lit with hundreds of multi-colored lights. It was brimming with an assortment of ornaments; many looked to be hand made by children. There was a mid-sized fireplace with a fire softly flickering in the hearth. In front of the fireplace were a very large overstuffed couch and three comfy looking chairs. Warm and homey Sam thought. If a room could do such a thing it felt to Sam that if he walked into that room it would hug him.
Christmas Eve – Wordy's Home – Sam's Room
Inwardly shaking his head, because externally doing so would cause him to hurl, Sam wondered at his crazy thought. He hadn't even taken the pain killers but his thoughts were loopy. Maybe he had rattled his brain good this time. He was brought back to the present as Shel was talking to him. He turned and entered their guest room.
"… and the bathroom is just the next door down. I've put a can next to the bed in case you need it. Getting to the bathroom fast enough might be difficult with that ankle." Patting the end of the bed and drawing Sam's attention to it Shel continued "I've put a pair of Kevin's sweats and t-shirt here for you. The sweats have a drawstring so you can cinch them to fit. But you two seem close in sizes so it shouldn't be too big. I thought they would be more comfortable for you to sleep in than your jeans and button down shirt."
Shel watched as Sam looked around. She saw two quick but gone in an instant looks. The first was when he looked into the family room. It was one of longing for something he could never have. The second was one of astonishment when she told him about the clothes. It was a simple thing but she got the impression he was surprised anyone would think of his comfort.
"Uh thanks" Sam said softly not sure what to do next. But he moved towards the bed because the room was spinning and he needed to sit before he fell. He managed to sit on the edge. Luckily the room stopped spinning. He eyed the small trash can. He really hoped he didn't puke in front of Wordy's wife. That would be embarrassing.
Shel headed to the door "I'll leave you be for a few minutes so you can change. Kevin will be back to check on you once he gets the girls in their PJs.
Within thirty minutes Sam was changed, tucked into bed, his foot propped up by several folded blankets and an ice pack on his ankle. Sam had even taken the pain meds at Shel's soft urging. The house was mostly quiet but Sam knew the girls were not in bed. Wordy had brought his girls in and introduced them before shooing them out and to the family room. When Wordy left he told him he was leaving his door ajar in case Sam needed him.
Sam heard the giggles of excited, joyful little girls occasionally from the family room. He glanced at the clock in the room. It was only eight-thirty. He hadn't been in bed this early in ages. Well he hadn't had a concussion in ages either. He stared at the ceiling in the darkened room. The light sensitivity was nearly gone. He hoped the headache and the nausea would leave soon too. He was so tired. He was hungry too but he didn't dare eat, he didn't want anything making a return trip.
He drifted to sleep with the smells of hot chocolate and cinnamon and the sound of Wordy reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' to his girls. Sam's mind conjured the image of Wordy sitting on the couch in front of the fire. One daughter cuddled on each side and one in his lap as he read to them. He pictured Shel sitting in one of the chairs watching her husband care for his girls and smiling. She had a nice smile. Sam's last thought before sleep claimed him was what would it have been like to grow up with someone like Wordy as a dad?
Christmas Eve – Wordy's Home – Family Room
Wordy came into the family room and found Shel curled up on the couch with a mug of coffee watching the blinking lights on the tree. She had an odd look on her face. He sat down beside her and pulled her to him.
Shel relaxed and laid her head on his shoulder. She looked at her watch nearly one am. Shel asked "How is he?"
Wordy took the coffee mug from her hand, took a large drink and set it on the end table before answering. "As well as can be expected. Dry heaves again. Nothing in his stomach. Told me he didn't have time to eat today." He glanced at the clock on the fireplace mantle. "Well actually yesterday. Got him to take a few sips of the ginger ale you brought him but still a no go on the dry toast. He's resting again."
"Concussions are no fun. I hope the girls squealing in the morning won't be too painful for him" Shel said. Then looking up at Wordy she ventured "Now that I've met him I truly think he is lonely. I'm sorry he has a concussion but in a way I'm glad. That way he is with us and won't be alone on Christmas. Kev you should have seen the look on his face when he looked in the family room. And then again when I offered your sweats to him."
"What look?" Wordy asked.
Shel shifted to sit up facing him a look of concentration on her face. "It's hard to describe. It was only there for a moment. If I hadn't be looking at him I would have missed it. But it was like sadness, surprise and longing all rolled into one. I might be reading too much into it Kev but I get a sense he's been alone a long time. I don't know why really, it's just a feeling. I mean I don't know anything about him. But Kev, why would he be surprised someone was kind to him?"
"I'm not sure" Wordy said as his mind thought back to the hospital and his own feeling that Sam longed for something he had never had or something he used to have.
"You know you never answered me when I asked about his family. Wouldn't they want to be here and take care of him? For that matter you all have four days off. Don't they live in Ottawa? He has the time to go visit them. Why wouldn't he?" Shel fired off several questions.
Wordy looked at her "He told me not to bother calling his dad or mom. That they wouldn't come. His dad is a General and Sam said he was likely out of the country anyway."
"Likely? He didn't know?" Shel spoke her thoughts out loud.
"Not everyone has a good family life Shel. I get the impression that Sam and his father don't get along. In all the months he has been with the team he has never talked about his family. Nothing, nada, zilch. Actually he doesn't talk about his past at all. Well except for what he told Ed that day about his best friend Matt. I'm glad he said something. I hated the circumstance but it was good to get that out. It showed us how we had been treating Sam" Wordy sighed. That had been a terrible call with the boy dying in Ed's arms and an ugly but ultimately useful confrontation with Sam.
Shel reached out "Again that my dear is in the past. You are doing the right thing now. Give it time. It will work out. Sam just needs time to know you all are there for him. That you all see him as part of the team. Trust takes time to build. It's a fragile thing but once built it can be reinforced with time and actions and become rock solid."
Wordy clasped her hands "You are right. And I'm glad Sam is with us too. Why don't you head up to bed and get some sleep. I think I'll just camp out on the couch for tonight in case Sam needs anything."
Scooting close Shel kissed the tip of his nose and grinned "You're a good man Kevin. I'm kind of glad I married you."
"Just kind of?" Wordy smiled back.
Wrapping her arms around his neck she kissed him deeply for several minutes. "Kind of like I like kissing you." Shel got off the couch and picked up three parcels from the table to put them under the tree.
"What are those?" Wordy asked leaning back and kicking his feet up onto the couch.
Shel set them down and came back to the couch "Oh just a few presents for Sam the girls made him. When you were at the hospital I told them he was coming to stay with us. Allie was sad and I asked her why. She told me that Santa Claus might not know where he was because he wasn't at home. She didn't want Sam to not have any presents to open. So the girls whipped up presents for him."
"Wow, just wow. We have some special little girls. It makes my heart burst with pride at their thoughtfulness" Wordy stated.
Leaning down she kissed Wordy once more "Mine too. Merry Christmas Honey. Goodnight. See you in a few hours. If you need any help with Sam just come get me."
Wordy kissed her back "Merry Christmas Sweetheart. Sleep well."
Christmas Day – Wordy's Home – Sam's Room
Sam woke instantly. Someone was in the room with him. He maintained his breathing as he stealthily assessed his surroundings pretending to be asleep. He relaxed hearing soft light breathing near the bed.
He cracked his eyes open. Before him was a lovely little girl with eyes that sparkled. She was just staring at him. Her hair was mused up and she was in a set of candy cane flannel pajamas and was holding a stuffed bear. This one was Allie if he remembered correctly. Sam smiled at her "Hello Allie."
Allie smiled at him so brightly it lit up her eyes even more. She was gonna be a heart-breaker for sure when she grew up Sam thought. Allie tossed her bear up onto the bed then reached out and grabbed onto the sheets and pulled herself up to. She retrieved her bear from his stomach and then sat on the bed next to him.
Sam looked at the door wondering where her parents were. Everything was very quiet. He glanced at the clock, no wonder it was quiet it was only four am. Allie snuggled close to him. "Mommy says we can call you Uncle Sam."
"You may. Where are your sisters or Mommy?" Sam said quietly.
Propping her elbows on his chest and placing her chin in her hands Allie yawned. "They asleep still. Santy Taws is coming. I wanna see what he got me but I havta wait for Lilly and Holly to get up. Can I wait here?"
Sam smiled at her mispronunciation of Santa Claus it was too cute. "Sure I guess." He felt her shiver a bit. "Are you cold?"
Allie nodded yes and Sam pulled the blanket up and covered her. Allie regarded him a long time then she said "Mommy says Santy Taws will find you even if you not home. Is that true?"
Sam wasn't sure exactly what to say to Allie. He scrambled to come up with a suitable answer and finally replied "Yes he will or he'll just leave my gift at my home and I can open it when I get back home." He thought sadly this is the first Christmas without Matt. No small token to be found on his bed when he returned home.
"Are you sure?" Allie asked not believing him.
Sam realized that his sadness must have shown in his expression and made Allie not believe him. He schooled his features and tried again to alleviate the little girl's concern. "Yes. He found me a lot of different places when I was in the Army."
Allie gave him an assessing look like she still didn't believe him. Sam thought about the small tokens he and Matt always gave each other. For the past six years they were consumables, a bottle of water, a bag of nuts, or something small they could carry because he was always in the field on Christmas. On the four Christmas's he was with another unit Matt always found a way for his small gift to make it to his bunk regardless of where it was. It was waiting for him when he returned from the field. He guessed Matt could be considered Santa Claus.
Sam smiled trying to convey he was being truthful, or at least as truthful as he could be about the version of Santa Claus little kids believed in. "I promise. I haven't been home in years and Santa Claus always found me wherever I was at."
Pursing her lips together hard like she was thinking and staring into his eyes Allie finally said "Pinky promise?"
Sam wasn't sure what a pinky promise was but he said "Pinky promise." Her little hand moved and she was sticking out her little pinky finger. When he didn't move she grabbed his hand and put their pinky's together and then gave it a little shake. Ah he got it "Yes pinky promise Allie."
She smiled brightly again as she resumed her position with her chin in her hands and her elbows on his chest. "Good. Do you like cookies? We leave cookies for Santy Taws. He eats most of them but leaves some for Daddy cause Daddy likes the cookies too. Lilly won't let Daddy eat any last night. But I think Daddy snucked one. I saw the cinam … cinammammon sugar on his mouth when he read to us" Allie rambled.
"Yeah I like cookies" he answered when she was done. He thought she was trying to say cinnamon.
"What's your favorite? Mine's peanut butter chocolate chip cookies" Allie shared.
Sam grinned and recalled Bella's cookies "Mine is oatmeal raisin with walnuts."
Allie looked sad "We dinna make any of those." Then she brightened again "Mommy helped me make sugar cookies in the shape of a star with red and green sprinkles. Maybe you would like that one?"
"If you made it I'm sure I will." It was then that Sam realized he head was not really hurting, only a dull ache and he felt no nausea. "When do you get up for Christmas?" As soon as he asked he realized she was too little to be able to tell time yet. Her shrug was his answer.
For the next half hour Allie asked him all sorts of questions. His favorite color, did he like dogs or cats or horses, did want to build a snowman, did he like playing dolls, what was his favorite story, did he know how to spell his name, what was his favorite game, who his favorite princess was. It went on and on with questions only a little girl could ask. She also supplied an answer to him for each one of the questions she asked. Sam learned a lot about the little girl.
By the time Allie yawned, laid her head on his chest and said "I like you Uncle Sammy. I'm glad you came to stay with us." Allie had wiggled into a special place in Sam's heart. Sam yawned and gently laid his arm around a sleeping Allie to prevent her from falling off the bed. He smiled and yawned again then slipped back to sleep himself.
Christmas Day – Wordy's Home – Family Room
There was a bustle of activity and rambunctious, giggling girls unable to sit still as they bounced around the tree squealing at all the presents. Sam was ensconced on the couch with is leg propped up and a blanket over him at the insistence of Shel. He had a large mug of coffee in his hands courtesy of Wordy. He also had a plate of star-shaped sugar cookies with red and green sprinkles in his lap from Allie.
Sam sipped slowly on his coffee as he watched the antics. It was eight-thirty in the morning and the Wordsworth family was gearing up to open presents. Wordy finally finished sorting out all the presents. Sam watched the anticipation on the girls gleaming faces as they looked to their dad. Wordy counted down from ten then shouted "Merry Christmas." Apparently that was the signal to begin opening presents and it was followed by a snowstorm of paper pieces flying around the room.
Squeals of delight followed by tons of thanks yous and hugs given after each gift was opened, was awesome to watch. Sam couldn't remember a better Christmas morning. He liked seeing Wordy and Shel hugging and interacting with their girls. This home was filled with love and care. For the briefest moment it made him really sad. He wished he had this growing up. But he decided to push that away and just live in the moment and experience their joy.
He let his mind wander to how he woke up for the second time this morning. It had been about forty minutes ago. Shouts of Santa came, Santa came from Lilly and Holly and little feet pounding down the stairs woke him. It was followed rather quickly by Wordy telling them to be quiet that Sam was sleeping and reminding them Uncle Sam was not feeling well. It got quiet very quickly.
Wordy had popped into his room and was startled to find Allie sleeping on Sam's chest. Sam had smiled and told Wordy Allie wandered in about four am then fell asleep waiting for the others to wake up. Wordy had come close and whispered to Allie "Santa came. Do you want to see what he brought you?"
The loudest squeal of excitement was emitted from the tiniest body Sam thought. Wordy cringed and said "Oh god Sam I'm sorry your head." He had assured Wordy his head was not hurting much. Allie had scrambled off the bed quickly and raced out to the family room and the squeals and giggles of laughter resumed. Then all three girls rushed back in asking their dad to hurry up.
Wordy had shooed them out then helped him up. Wordy stayed close as he made his way to the family room because he was still a bit unstable on the crutches. They all fussed about him getting him settled onto the couch. Then Wordy started sorting presents as the girls bounded around impatiently. Shel insisted he take the pain meds saying that the decibel level would be off the charts when the girls started opening their presents. He acquiesced and swallowed two of the pills. Shel was right and now he was glad he had done as she had asked.
Allie bounded up to him "Uncle Sam thank you for the crayons and coloring books. I love to color. Thank you for the Sleeping Beauty movie too. Wanna watch it with me later?" He nodded yes then she reached out and hugged him hard.
Next Lilly ran over and hugged him "Uncle Sam how did you know. I've been really, really, really, wanting the doctor Barbie for so long. Thank you, thank you."
Not to be left out Holly skipped over holding her two new My Little Pony's "Uncle Sammy thank you. I love ponies. Shutterfly and Rainbow Dash are my all-time favorites." Holly climbed into his lap and hugged him then kissed his cheek.
As Holly climbed down and the three girls raced back to the tree and more presents Sam ducked his head. He pinched his nose between his eyes trying to hide the tears. He felt choked up with emotion. This was a loving family Christmas morning he had dream of but never had. It felt too good to be real, but it was real. It was the best Christmas ever.
Shel and Wordy exchanged worried glances. Was Sam in pain? Were the girls too loud? Wordy went to Sam and crouched down "You okay Sam? Is it too loud?"
Sam shook his head no. He kept his head down but said "No I'm fine. Give me a second and I'll be okay."
Wordy patted his shoulder as he rose and said "Okay, but you let us know if it is too loud." Sam shook his head yes. After a few moments he composed himself enough to lift his head. If someone were to look closely there were still traces of tears in his eyes. The girls finally opened all their gifts and Wordy and Shel opened theirs. Sam smiled thinking that today, being able to be part of their morning, was a precious gift.
But he was shocked when the three girls ran back over to him. Each of them had a small package in their hands and huge smiles plastered on their faces. Lilly was elected spokes girl "Uncle Sammy. We didn't know until last night you were gonna be with us today. So we didn't get to buy you anything. But we made you something."
Lilly held out her wrapped gift. Sam was stunned beyond words. He reached out and took the present. Both Allie and Holly handed him their presents. He stared at them in his lap. He was blinking rapidly trying to clear the tears that threatened. He finally found his voice "Thank you girls."
Holly was impatient and was bouncing "Open them."
Sam smiled at Holly. Out of the blue her bouncing reminded him of Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. He picked up Holly's present to open first because it looked like she would rip it open for him if he didn't hurry up. He found three popsicle sticks that had been glued on top of each other in the center so it made a snowflake. The sticks were painted white and covered in glitter. There was a loop of white ribbon attached to it. Holly had made him an ornament.
He was touched and said "Thank you it is beautiful. You made this yourself?"
Holly nodded "It's for your Christmas tree."
Sam gave her a hug and thanked her again. He didn't think it was wise to say he did not have a tree. Actually his apartment still didn't have much of anything in it. However, he had bought himself a black swivel chair as his Christmas present to himself. No more sitting on the floor.
When he released Holly from the hug Lilly said "Open mine next."
Sam complied and he found it was another ornament. This one was three popsicle sticks glued at the ends forming a triangle. They were painted green with colorful buttons glued on it. In the middle of one of the sticks a small square piece of brown paper was glued for the trunk of the tree. At the tip of the tree was glued a cutout of a yellow star and a loop of green ribbon.
"Beautiful Lilly. I'm going to love hanging this one on my tree too. Thank you." He gave her a hug.
He looked to Allie "Yours now." He unwrapped her present. There were five popsicle sticks painted yellow with glitter on them. It was apparent that she had attempted to glue them together but it had come undone. He looked up at her.
Allie was standing there with crocodile tears in her eyes and a quiver on her lips "It's broke" she cried.
Sam reached out and gathered the little girl into his lap and held her in his arms as he softly said "Just needs a little glue. How about we fix it together? Go get the glue and we can do it now." He thumbed away the tears as he tried not to cry himself at the distress on Allie's face.
Lilly said "I'll get the glue. Allie it will be okay I'll help too." Then she ran off to get it.
Holly piped in "Me too."
Sam looked up to see Wordy and Shel with their arms around each other watching. There was a glisten of unshed tears in their eyes but it was of happiness. Wordy mouthed 'thank you Sam'. In very short order the four of them, even though only one set of hands was needed, worked together to position the sticks properly and re-glue it into the shape of a star. It was carefully set on the end table so the glue could dry.
Sam pulled Allie into a hug and said "Thank you. Not only do I have a beautiful ornament from you I have a beautiful memory of working on it with you and your sisters." Allie kissed his cheek then hopped down with a huge smile on her face.
Shel gathered up the girls to go make brunch. Wordy went and got Sam and himself a fresh mug of coffee. When he returned he sat next to Sam.
They sat in silence for a while each in their own thoughts. Wordy broke the silence "So what time did you want to go to your friend's place? I can run you over and then pick you up when you are done."
Sam replied quietly "It can wait. No need to leave your family on Christmas. I can catch up with him anytime."
Wordy's heart dropped to his stomach. He was now pretty sure Sam had been lying to them. There was no friend's place. For some reason Sam must not want them to know he was going to be alone on Christmas. That's why he chose to stay in the hospital. He had to find out for sure.
So he pushed when he would normally drop it. "Sam there was no friend was there. You were lying to me. To us."
Sam immediately answered "No. No I was not lying. I wouldn't lie to the team."
Wordy turned to him with a serious look "Then who is this friend?"
"Matt" Sam said barely audible.
Confused Wordy said "Did you just say Matt?"
Sam nodded.
Wordy asked "You mean your best friend Matt. The one you told Ed about?"
Sam nodded.
Still perplexed Wordy said "You said you were going to spend time at your friend's place. Does he have a house or something?"
Sam shook his head no.
Speaking in his concerned fatherly tone; the one he used when one of his girls needed help Wordy asked "Sam I'm not following you. Just what did you mean? Where is your friend's place?"
Sam looked at Wordy. For the second time in a day he wondered what it would have been like if Wordy had been his dad or his dad had been like Wordy. It was time to come clean with him. He had opened his home to him. Wordy and Shel allowed him to share in their Christmas joy. For that he owed him an explanation.
Sam sighed then brushed at the tears that threatened again "I was going to visit Matt at his place today. His place is at Green Acres Cemetery."
Floored, utterly floored is what Wordy felt. He moved and pulled Sam into a tight hug. God damn Sam's only plan was to visit his dead best friend at the cemetery. Sam had made it seem like he was going to have a happy time with a friend. Sam must think everyone on Team One was so damned cold and uncaring.
Wordy's thoughts were interrupted when he felt Sam's arms wrap around him and return the hug. He felt a slight shake of Sam's shoulders. He could now feel wetness on his neck where Sam's face was. Sam was crying. Ah shit Sam was crying.
Poor kid. Shel was right Sam was lonely. But he had Team One now. He would show him he did not have to be alone now. He tightened his hug and he felt Sam do the same.
"Sam you don't have to be alone. You are always welcome here. My home is open to you anytime. You can call me anytime too; night or day" Wordy kindly told Sam.
After several more minutes Wordy gently pushed back a bit so he could see Sam's face. Sam kept his head down. Wordy could see the red tinge. He lifted Sam's face "Nothing to be embarrassed about Sam. Real men cry. We are human too. Real men need help too. It is not weakness to admit you need help."
Shel had been watching for a while. The girls were eating in the kitchen and she had come to get Kevin and Sam. Shel knelt down next to them. "Sam?"
Sam couldn't bring himself to look at Shel. His voice gravely with emotion he said "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to screw up your Christmas. I'll just call a cab and go home. Thank you for everything Shel, Wordy."
Shel reached up and gently turned Sam's face to hers and calmly asked "What did Kevin just say? Were you listening?"
Wordy's statements rang in his head. He wanted to believe him. But it was hard. Trust did not come easy for him. He had been hurt too many times when he trusted someone.
Both Shel and Wordy watched Sam think. They both saw the hint of fear and the confusion and longing in Sam's eyes. He has expressive eyes Shel thought. You could almost see his soul in the depth of those blue eyes. He was a lonely man with much hurt she could see.
Making a decision Shel said "For now, for today, let it go. Just be with us here. Enjoy today. The rest will come in time. We want you here with us. Our girls want you here too. Let's get you something to eat. You must be starving by now."
Sam could do that. He could commit to today. He could be here today. It could be a start.
Allie bounded to the kitchen door and yelled loudly out to the family room "Uncle Sammy come eat. Mommy makes great pancakes and we have bacon too. I won and you're gonna sit by me. You gotta come eat cause Mommy said we could make oatmeal raisin cookies with walmuts after we finish."
Sam chuckled as he said quietly so only Shel and Wordy heard "walmuts."
Shel smiled "I love being their mom; they give me little chuckles every day. You know, Allie is very taken with you. Usually she is very shy and does not talk to men. She rarely says more than one or two words to Spike, Ed, Greg or Lou and she's known them since she was born. But with you she is a Niagara Falls of words. She sees something in you she likes and trusts."
Standing up she said "I'll give you two a minute. Hot pancakes coming up."
When they were alone Wordy offered "If you would like, this afternoon when the girls are napping I can take you to visit Matt."
Sam closed his eyes and concentrated on breathing for the count of ten. He opened his eyes and looked at Wordy "It's my first Christmas without Matt. He was a trusted friend and brother to me for ten years. He kept me alive in some pretty bad situations. Thank you Wordy. I'd really like that."
... And there began a life-long friendship with trust deeper and stronger than any blood brotherhood.
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A/N: I hope you enjoyed this short story showing how Sam begins to trust Wordy and gives a basis for Sam calling out for Wordy in chapter 23 of Belonging. It also introduces how Sam became wrapped around Allie's little finger. Let me know what you thought.
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