…the forest for the trees…
Chapter 2
This traffic sucks, and it sure looks like it's going to rain like hell anytime now. Oh well, life in Seattle… You know, the Seattle rain festival, hard to miss it. It starts New Years Day and runs through New Years Eve. But these clouds are dark, not gray, nearly black. Gonna be a big storm, huge.
What are all these people doing out driving on Christmas Eve? You'd think they would be home! You have to wonder how many of these folks are doing what I'm doing. On the way to pick up their kid from the ex. Hard to say, but I bet more than you would imagine.
I guess Sam and I had a pretty good run in these modern times. We were together five and a half years before we got married, then nearly six more years before we split up. Yep, from halfway through our Junior year in High School. This coming January will be three years since we were divorced. Time sure flies… Suzi will be four in March.
I've sure missed Suzi! I haven't seen her since early September! Sam had her vacation for a month, and then I was gone on business for nearly eight weeks. I'll bet she's grown like a weed! She's going to be so thrilled for Christmas! I just picked up a nice tree on the way here. Her presents are in the back, under the camper shell. Along with a 52 inch television I'd got for my own gift to me. Galaxy Wars videos will be HUGE on that TV!
Around this corner and there it is! Our old house. I'm really pleased it worked out that Sam could stay there. I have to help her with the house payment every so often, but I really don't mind since it gives Suzi more stability. I just wish Sam's boyfriend would kick in his part every so often. That slime ball doesn't deserve Sam. Heh, he should be with my ex girlfriend, they deserve each other. Hmmm, I wonder why Sam didn't have the wonderful Tony put up the Christmas lights this year. Tony's truck isn't in the driveway. I think I'll back in, so I can load Suzi's stuff into the back of my pickup from the garage. It's going to pour any moment now, no sense getting drenched loading her toys and clothes and stuff. I've only got her for a week, but Sam will have everything but the kitchen sink packed up for her to bring to my apartment.
OK, trucks parked right in front of the garage door, just roll it up to load stuff, good. It's really cold! I'll bet it has dropped fifteen degrees since I got the Christmas tree! There's Suzi jumping up and down like a jack-in-the-box! At least somebody is glad to see me! Standing right behind Suzi is Sam. Man, Sam still is a looker. Can't deny it, too bad it didn't work out for us.
"Hi Suzi! How's daddy's princess?" I picked her up and gave her a big hug and kiss. I sure have missed her. Suzi is indeed the best thing that's ever happened to me. While still holding Suzi, I turned to Sam "Merry Christmas! Do you and Tony have plans for the holiday?"
Sam had no sooner started to respond when there was a tremendous flash followed by a thunder clap that shook the walls! Suzi was scared, she grabbed me around my neck and nearly strangled me! Sam had always had a thing about thunder. She did a minor wilt and held onto my arm. We almost looked domestic, but I had an idea that Tony was the jealous type. I didn't want to make a scene if he turned up, so I quickly moved away from her. Sam looked a bit startled and embarrassed. She mouthed a weak 'sorry' to me. I just shrugged.
"No problem, Sam. I just didn't want to stir up the pot with Tony on Christmas Eve."
Again, just as she was about to reply, there was more lightning and thunder. This time it was followed by a deluge. Rain was coming down in sheets. Hell, it wasn't just sheets; it was the whole damn bed! It was really pouring. The roof gutters on the house were overflowing already. The street gutters were filling up at an alarming rate. Right about now is when I was really pleased Sam and I bought this house. One of the reasons I liked it is that it's high on the lot, about ten or so feet above the sidewalk. Hard to flood a place this high.
"Sam, what do you think if I leave Suzi and just go before Tony gets home. I'll come back and pick her up as soon as it stops raining. I really don't want to take Suzi out in this kind of weather. The streets look dangerous. I don't want to be here and piss off Tony either. That's no way too start Christmas for you guys. Do you mind if I just go then? Is that ok with you?"
"I've been trying to tell you Fred, Tony and I aren't together. He doesn't live here now."
"Oh, I'm sorry Sam."
"Well, I'm sure not." She said.
I was a little startled at that comment I guess. Before I could say anything else, the power goes off. It's only about four, but it's very dark because of the storm. I'm still in the doorway, so I step in to try to save what warm air is in the house. I close the door the rest of the way, and look out the window into the front yard and street. It's started to hale. Great, just great. Worst storm in decades, and it's on Christmas Eve.
"Sam, do you mind if I stay for a bit, until this blows over?"
"Fred, you're not getting out of here until I say you are. You can just call your lovely Karen and tell her that, if the phones are working."
"Well, no need for that. I thought you knew. We're not together anymore either. And don't say your sorry, Sam. Best thing I've done this year is to get away from her."
Suzi pointed out the window; "Look daddy, snow!"
Damn… Snow.
