Don't worry, the Seddie is coming.
Chapter 7 Trouble for Sam
Sam and Melanie talked frequently after Sam's loss. Mel's knew from her training that this was a bad situation for a woman to be in and combined with John's drinking, Mel made it a point to contact her sister every day, even if it was just to say a few words or at the very least to send an email to make sure things hadn't become ugly. The young Mrs. Benson worried not only for her sister's fragile state, but that one day things would take a turn for the worse and Sam would end up on the receiving end of John's aggression.
"So how's everything going today?" Melanie asked when Sam answered her video chat request.
"Aw, Christ, Mel. He got fired from his job at the dock this morning. The manager said he couldn't let him drive a forklift if he was under the influence." Sam shook her head. "And I'm not even sure what he was under the influence of because he sure didn't smell like alcohol."
"Oh, Sammy, can't he see he needs some help? Is there any way he can get into one of those programs like Mom was in the other year?"
"We tried that, Sis. I even went with him to the meetings for a while to be supportive, but I went to the bathroom one time and when I came out he was gone. He finally showed up the next afternoon, that's when he got canned from the job as a road crew flagman. He almost left a guy drive off the end of a bridge that was closed for repairs."
"I think you need to give him an ultimatum, Sam. Either the booze goes or you do. You don't deserve this. You can certainly do better." Mel judged, worried about her twin.
Sam knew she could do better. She damn near had. "I guess." She sighed. "Maybe it's true what they say about girls growing up and finding a guy just like dear old dad." Sam remembered what a loser their father was. As soon as the words came out, she regretted saying them to Melanie.
"Excuse me! Freddie's nothing like Dad and you know it!" Mel snipped and glared at the image of her twin's face on her laptop. "I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have a man like him. Why would you say shit like that?" Melanie's hormones had her a little edgy and more aggressive. Ironically, Sam had become more passive and quiet, more like her sister since her miscarriage. "Just because our dad was a deadbeat loser and your guy can't even hold down a decent job, doesn't mean my husband is a jerk."
"Alright, take it easy ol' girl, I take it back for you guys. You're right, Freddie's a good guy and you're lucky to be with someone like him that loves you and works so hard. You're the exception to the rule."
"Alright then." Mel quickly forgave Sam with a smirk. "Damn right we're the exception."
Sam had to make a confession to her sister. "It's just, honestly, I wish I had never left him go. As always, you're the smarter one of us. I should have just moved back home when you did. I could be the one married to Freddie and happy instead of shacked up with some drunken, asshole loser."
As much as she wished her sister was away from the situation she was in, Mel was glad there was so much distance between her sister and her husband. She knew that since becoming pregnant, their love life had become almost nonexistent, and testing her husband's fidelity with the only other woman he had been intimate with wasn't something she was interested in.
Deep down, she knew Freddie would never cheat on her, but she also knew that he, as well as Sam, harbored feelings for one another. He admitted so years ago and there was no reason to think anything had changed. Mel doubted that either would ever act on those feelings, but they existed nonetheless.
Several weeks later the twins were on another video chat. At first, Melanie thought Sam and her guy were finally getting things back in order, but soon found otherwise.
"I can't talk long, Mel. I've gotta get ready for work." Sam said as she applied some eye makeup, using her laptop's camera as a mirror.
"I thought you'd have the day off because its Saturday." Melanie questioned.
"I have a day off from the school, but I'm working late shift at the diner. I need to pick up all the extra time I can get, the car insurance is due and we're still about a hundred bucks short on rent for this month. Saturdays are a good tip day, too."
Mel knew Sam was a little on edge about money for some time now. "Sammy, I can . . . "
Sam cut her off. "I've already told you no, Mels. I don't need a handout from you and Fredward, this is something I need to take care of myself. We'll get caught up, you'll see. I just need to make sure we get back on track with the rent before we end up living in a cardboard box that's all."
"What about John's job at the car wash?"
"I guess I forgot to tell you the other day, um, that really didn't work out."
"Oh, no. Don't tell me." Mel gasped. "He got fired again."
"At least he wasn't drunk this time, he just got into an argument with some old guy about a scratch on the bumper of his stupid, gawdy BMW. I actually don't think it was John's fault at all. Even the manager said it looked like a shopping cart hit it in a parking lot or something. But he didn't have to pick up the old dude by his suspenders and shove him into the trunk of his car like a sack of groceries. That's actually what got him fired."
"Geez, Sam. How is he not in jail for chiz like that? That's assault. This is what, the sixth job in a couple of months for him? He's just drifting from one crappy job to another and letting you pay everything. How are you guys even buying groceries? "
"They're called credit cards, Mel. And actually, it's his seventh job. He didn't even last a day at the tire store. That time he was shit faced drunk. He even admitted to taking a wazz behind their dumpster when he thought no one was looking. The manager saw him on the security camera, though. He was just lucky some little kid from that day care across the street didn't see him or they could have arrested him on exposing himself."
"Aw, Sam. I wish there was something I could do for you." Mel pitied her sister and the situation she was in but Sam was too proud to ask for help. "Just let me send you a check."
"Not necessary, sis. Like I said, we'll get back on track. John promised me he'd quit drinking and go to the meetings. He hasn't missed one all week. Everything will be better this time. He's actually looking for another job right now."
Melanie was still worried about her sister. "It sounds like he's got a pretty hot temper, he isn't rough with you is he, Sam?"
"No. Never. He'd better not pull anything either or I'll break out the butter sock. I don't care if he is a foot and a half taller than me. I've taken down bigger guys than him."
"I know you can take care of yourself, but if you ever need to get away, you know we're here for you, right. I don't want to see you get into a situation like Mom was in with that bus driver when we were in third grade. I still remember her black eye and the way he had her shoulder dislocated."
"Well, Uncle Carmine took care of him, didn't he?" Sam remembered the incident, too.
"Yeah, and then he spent five months in jail for going to the guy's house, breaking his leg and setting his car on fire. All I'm saying is, if you need to get away, I want you to call me, alright. You can't do everything alone. You have family and friends that care about you, Sammy."
"I know Mel, I know."
Sam knew her boyfriend was not getting any better, no matter how much she wished he was or he promised he would. He'd quit drinking for a few days or a week and then fall off the wagon and be worse than ever. Of late, he had seemed to lash out violently at others, even when he was sober. There was the car wash incident and that time last week in the grocery store parking lot with the woman in the mini-van. He followed her into the store and threatened to slash her tires for cutting him off at a stop light because she was on her phone. Not to mention that time with Sam's boss from the diner. John called and cursed her out for making Sam work a double shift when one of the other waitresses called in sick.
Their relationship wasn't the healthiest but she convinced herself that she still had a future with him so she stuck it out. He had given her a promise ring when she found out she was pregnant, but never made good on the promise to make a commitment to her, instead he kept stalling saying he needed to get his life cleaned up before they took their relationship any further. In reality, he had no intention of settling down and he had only given her the ring to shut her up. Somehow, deep down inside she seemed to know that, but she wouldn't admit it, even to herself.
A few weeks later, John fell off the wagon and went missing for almost two days and Sam was worried sick. She almost thought he had simply up and left her. When he finally returned home, Sam was mostly relieved to see him but still angry for his disappearance and needed answers. She had almost made up her mind to leave herself, but decided better of it. That was, until things suddenly took a turn for the worse and she quickly changed her mind.
"So where have you been? Your boss called here four times yesterday. The last time, he said I was to tell you not to bother coming in if you weren't there by seven this morning. And I'm guessing you weren't since its not even noon and you're home. Jesus! You smell like a brewery, too." She tried to be calm, but it was difficult.
"Awh, I'm sick of that scrawny little ass hat." John barked at her, and flopped down on the sofa. "And what right does he have calling here looking for me and harassing you? Fuck him and his gay little hybrid car."
"Well, congratulations then. You've screwed up another job." Sam threw her hands in the air, standing in front of him. "We need both of us working to pay the bills, you do know that right? The rent's due in two weeks and the credit union keeps calling about your car loan. They're coming to pick it up if you don't make a payment by Friday. Where's that money coming from? I made the last two payments for you and I have nothing until I get paid next week. The credit cards are maxed out and we can't even afford cable any more."
"You know what, Sam. I'm sick of this shit!" He jumped up, grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. "I don't need you riding me about money constantly. I know we're broke. What the hell do you want me to do rob a goddamn bank? I have considered it, you know."
Sam was beyond fed up with it all and shoved him back away from her. "Of course I don't want you to rob a suckin' bank. I want you to get a freakin' job and keep it! I'm working two jobs and supporting your dumb ass. I'm not the one that's been fired too many times to even count. Get over your shit, lay off the booze, grow up and be a man. Life sucks, fasten your seat belt."
Before she knew what was happening, he slapped her hard across the face. "Bitch!"
Not being a girl to take physical abuse from anyone, Sam shoved him back hard, out of her space, and he fell right onto his butt. "Do that again and I'll stomp cut your goddamn nuts flat. I will not be your punching bag! You know what, you can just pack your shit and get out! Asshole!" She held her bruised cheek and glared at him.
I PROMISE, Sam and Freddie will have contact the next chapter.
