Chapter 9: Getting to know You (edited)
MERCEDES and SAM
How long I was asleep, asked Mercedes yawning? Oh sorry, I guess I didn't sleep well last night. I'm sorry to have fallen asleep on you like that.
"It's no problem. I didn't mind at all lil lady, I'll do just about anything to help a pretty lady such as yourself Ms. Jones. Sam using his southern drawl."
"Mercedes walking to the bathroom turned with a huge grin and played along. She placed her hand on her chest and batted her eyes, and fell right into script well I do believe I shall have to thank you properly. Oh I just couldn't stand to see you off without offering a big strong man as yourself a tiny morsel. It just wouldn't be right."
This time Sam grinned. Alright, I accept but only if you would be so kind as to graciously accept my invitation to the Southern Charity Ball. Why I would be the talk of the town with a bell as pretty as you on my arm.
"Oh no sir, tis I who would be the envy of every woman and girl. I shall accept your invitation kind Sir that is if daddy says I can. I'm off to change we wouldn't want nosy neighbors getting the wrong idea and spreading nasty rumors before we even step foot."
"Oh hell, let'em talk. Why they ain't nothing but some old hens yackity yackin on everything they see. How can they miss anything sittin out on that porch?"
"MR. EVAN's! Mercedes exaggerated, language Sir, I thank you not to use such language in the presence of a lady and I am a lady."
They burst out laughing. Sam bit his lip smiling all the while and Mercedes laughed until she realized they were staring at each other again.
"Mercedes said, My ugh father's mother loved the Duke. She would watch those old westerns for hours. A lot of times I would watch with her. It's one of the things I miss most about her. I could tell her anything about my life. She always wanted to know how I was doing. Grandma Walker-Jones. That was fun. What's your reason?"
"Well Sam began I'm a natural born Southerner. It's just in me."
"I love your accent said Mercedes I notice you hide it a lot."
"Yeah, well you are the first person to love it he laughed.
When I first arrived people thought that because I was a Southerner I was a pushover and stupid. Men wanted to fight me over their girls. Girls tried to take advantage of me I guess they thought I would do anything for them, buy anything for them, and let them say anything to me. Nah, I'm just Sam. Sam I am, I don't start trouble I don't bother nobody."
"Mercedes laughed you also don't like green eggs and ham Sam I am she winked."
"OH NO! Sam smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand, no, no you remember that. I was such a dork Santana was right. He laughed with her."
"It was ok, I thought you were really cute said Mercedes suddenly finding her feet quite interesting."
"Oh really he said giving her the lopsided, half smirk. So did you have plans for the day I'd like to take you somewhere if you will go with me?"
"Umm I have the set this evening at Bone Fish, it's only one set though. You should come.
"If that is an invitation I most certainly will. They were staring and smiling again."
"Great, well let me pick out something to wear and we can go."
Sam took Mercedes to a park. It had Lilly pads and beautiful flowers. There was an owl sitting high in a tree, a white owl. Lots of nature trails with bamboo all around. There were benches placed in certain areas with those green trash cans attached to certain trees. You could hear bull frogs, birds chirping and the buzz of Dragon flies. Mercedes loved all of it. It was serene and there weren't many people. A family here or there. A couple walking a path holding hands. People with binoculars looking up in the trees. It was perfect. It was here that Sam decided to tell Mercedes about his plan.
"Mercedes, hmm she said sitting on a picnic table leaning back on both of her arms."
"Mercedes how much has Britney told you about our family?"
"Hmm not a whole lot you and her are first cousins. She is an only child who lived with her mom your Aunt in New York. Her mom and Dad divorced. Sam raised an eyebrow. Mercedes caught it and said what?"
"Nothing Sam said, go on."
"Umm you have twin siblings. Your parents do a lot of missionary work. Like a lot, and you and your siblings have even gotten involved, oh and her of course. That's what she said you guys do every July. You like spend the whole month on missions. It really sounds exciting traveling the world, helping people like that. It takes a generous soul to give so much of themselves and here your whole family does it."
"Sam chuckled, thank you but it wasn't always exciting. I couldn't bring my best bud Joe on our missions and it felt like a duty. Not something that would benefit or help others. I didn't feel I had a choice with my life. I wanted to do anything different. I ran away from home."
Mercedes sat up straight.
"Yup he said, I ran away. I came here under the pretense that I was going to be here for Britt and I was but I didn't come for school. I came to escape. I came for freedom. My decision to strip was a result of those choices. I met some real shady characters. Learned the way of the street fast I will tell you that. I'm not proud, I just want you to know me. I was immature and selfish. Like the Prodigal son."
"Is that a bible reference Mr. Evans, Mercedes teased. I'm not judging you Sam. I would never, she touched his arm gently. I'm sorry she said and moved her hand."
"Sam grabbed her hand and told her it's ok Mercy I like when you touch me. He gave her one of those lop sided smiles again."
"Ok, she whispered bashfully, ok she smiled."
"Sam sat up straight. Mercedes there are some things you need to know, some things I need to share with you and it may change the way you see me. But I'm willing to tell you because of the greater good. I just ask for the sake of my family and those involved that you never, ever tell anyone. Can you do that for me Mercedes?"
"She shook her head slowly before saying yes. Sam she whispered, are you going to tell me your family is the Mafia?"
"Sam burst out laughing so loud the birds in the pond flew away. No he said when he was able to settle down."
"Wheeew Mercedes let out a breath she had no idea she was holding. Ok, well I'm ready."
More to come with Sam and Mercedes
I wonder what the secret is
What's the deal with Britney
How about Sam running from home
