Didn't you hear my heart break?

Chapter 4: Pork Chow Mein

Saturday March 5th

Seattle Washington

12:30 PM


Sam had gotten up early and had done the normal Saturday routine… laundry, dust, vacuum and some gardening. While doing her chores, she had recounted the past week: Gibby going totally bat nuts with a gal that she had kind of set him up with. Of course the Freddie thing and really getting mad at Carly for her part in that came to mind. At least Carly and Bill had taken her out to dinner as an apology for their part in that fiasco.

She was starving. She had only had a small piece of toast for breakfast before she had started her cleaning. A normal Saturday included having something delivered for lunch. 'Why change tradition' she thought to herself. Sam showered and changed into a clean pair of sweats while considering her choices for lunch. She continued thinking about the 'Freddie' incident. She really couldn't understand why Freddie hadn't confronted her or said anything to her all those years ago. She wondered why he just ran away, leaving everyone wondering just what the heck had happened to him.

'What a jerk.' She thought.

The doorbell rang; kids selling candy for some school function. Sam surprised the youngsters by giving them five dollars and telling them to donate it to their fund. She didn't want any candy. She returned to her kitchen table and a glass of iced tea for further contemplation of the stack of menus she had for places that delivered.

The doorbell rang again. Sam smiled and thought now all those kids will know she's an easy mark… but it wasn't kids, it was Freddie. Before she could think of anything to say or do, he held up his hand and said:

"Sam, before you slam the door, please hear me out. Let me get this off my chest."

Sam stood for a moment, contemplating her next move. After a moment, she said:

"Well?"

Freddie launched into a five or six minute explanation of his insanity all those years ago. He talked about how great they had been together, and how happy he had been with her. He apologized a number of times about just up and leaving… and never contacting anyone about where he was or why he had done what he did. He ended a final apology with:

"…and I know I was a total ass. I've been thinking about this stuff all week. At first I was just going to leave all this alone, but I couldn't. I needed to apologize to you. You were owed that at least. I know there is far too much water under the bridge to hope for anything, but at one time you and I were good friends, best friends. I would really like to get back there again."

Sam stared at him for a moment, and then asked "That's it? Are you done?"

"Yeah, pretty much… other than I was going to ask if you would like to go to lunch with me some day, if this went well… from the sounds of things, I don't think you're very impressed with my apology." Freddie replied.

Sam continued to stare at him, expressionless, without responding.

"Look Sam, I went to lunch with Carly and her husband, Bill yesterday. I didn't say a thing about you, but the very first thing out of Carly's mouth was that I should leave you alone… I guess she was right. I'm sorry I bothered you. I really had decided that I wasn't going to contact you, but, I found this really good Chinese take out place that's near here. I was heading there and ended up here instead. Sorry, again, just sorry…"

At this, Freddie turned and began walking back to his car. Sam continued 'the stare'. He was opening his car door when suddenly, she yelled:

"Benson! Is it Chan's? About three blocks from here? Is that where you were going?"

Freddie looked up and yelled back: "Yeah, that's the name of the place… why?"

Sam nodded her head, and seemed to think for a moment. Then she said.

"Get me the special lunch plate: pork chow mein with fried rice and sweet and sour pork. Bring it back here with whatever you want. We'll have lunch."

Then she turned, went back into her house and closed the door.

About forty minutes later Freddie was standing in front of her door, again. He contemplated putting her food on the step, ringing the doorbell and running. Suddenly, that option was removed when the door opened and Sam was standing in the doorway.

"What the hell is wrong with you? I saw you drive up a bit ago. The doorbell works you know…" Sam said.

Freddie started to stammer out a few things, stopping and starting a few times. Then he shook his head as if to clear his thoughts and shrugged.

"Well, are you coming in or not?" Sam said impatiently.

Freddie stepped over the threshold and entered. Sam had turned as he came in, and walked toward the back of the house. Freddie noticed the rooms as he passed them. Living room, with what little he remembered of the recent drama that went on in there. The media room… They all were appointed with expensive furniture and art. Most was either antique reproductions or the real item. Thick throw rugs covered the middle of hardwood floors. The place was spotless. He stopped at the entry to the media room, and gawked. The television was huge, the electronics he could see in the open cabinets was the newest, most desirable available. The art hanging on the walls of the hallways and rooms was real… no prints or reproductions… real. Along the entry were a number of large, century old glass display cabinets that lined the hallway, filled with a large collection of antique piggy banks.

Sam had gotten ahead of him while he was staring in the different rooms, and returned after she noticed he wasn't behind her. With a small smirk, she asked if he liked her house.

"Sam, this place is great! I don't remember much from when I was here last week, but… I'm honestly impressed." He said.

"Well, come on. I'll give you the tour later. The food is getting cold." Sam replied.

The kitchen was even more impressive. Sam couldn't help but grin. Freddie was gawking again. She took the food and placed it on an island counter. She set out plates and silverware, and asked what he wanted to drink.

"The iced tea you've got looks good…" he replied while opening the various cartons of Chinese food.

They served themselves and sat across the table from each other.

"So, how did you know where I lived? The last time you were here it was raining and dark… and you weren't in very good shape. How did you find the place?" Sam asked between bites.

"Easy, I got the location on the GPS on my phone as we were leaving… simple." He replied.

"You're getting sneaky, Benson." Sam chuckled.

"Maybe, but I prefer to think I'm just wiser." Freddie replied, grinning.

The meal continued with small talk for the next thirty minutes. Afterward, Freddie helped with the few dishes. When those were done, he turned to Sam and said he really needed to go, as he had a pile of work on his desk at work to catch up on. Sam thanked him for lunch, and walked him to the door.

"…look Sam, that… that was nice. Thanks for that. I appreciate it. You know where my offices are. If you're ever downtown, stop by and we'll do this again." Freddie said.

He was standing just outside the door, Sam was just inside. She took the two steps toward him, and hugged him, he hugged her back.

"Okay, yes. Lunch was nice… maybe I will stop by your office sometime." She said breaking the hug and stepping back. "Just don't get any ideas. It was only a hug." She continued.

Freddie smiled and nodded, and then turned and left. As he opened his car door, he noticed Sam was still watching him from the doorway. He smiled again, waved, got in his car and drove away. Checking his rear view mirror he noticed Sam continued to watch him until he lost sight of her after turning a corner.


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