Chapter 11

Diana

"Hey Sam, can I…I talk to you for a second?" I asked, after stepping into the house. "Sure," Sam said, across the house, thinking I needed help. I let him believe that. Of course that wasn't what I needed to voice.

When he walked in the room, I was trying to pull of my boot. I had absolutely no success. Sam bent down to pull it off. It was weird – having him so close. "So, you needed tell me something?" he asked. "Yes, I- " I began. But the phone's rings interrupted me. Sam got up to answer it. "Hello?" he asked. "Oh! Hi - " but he stopped short. His face began fall from what he heard. His eyes then flashed to my face. I was worried, but so was he. I needed to comfort him, so I acted casual.

I somehow managed to get all of my snow clothes off within a few minutes of concentration. I smiled at my small achievement. However, this was simply a distraction. I sighed, and looked at Sam one more time.

I gasped. His face was full of anger, and of grief. I couldn't believe what I saw. Sam slammed the phone shut.

"Sam! What's wrong?" I questioned, bewildered yet petrified of his behavior. He simply looked away. "Sam!" I shrieked. "Tell me what is wrong! You can't just … just sit there, dazed! It really depends what it is… but…but still! You HAVE to tell me what the heck is wrong!" I screamed in frustration. I went on ranting, unable to control the emotions burning inside me.

I was about to explode when Sam caught my wrist and pulled me in for a hug. He meant to comfort me, but the tension in the hug did not make me feel better. "Diana. I don't want to hurt you. But I know that … it will hurt you … badly. It'll be a scar that was cut before, and cut again, never to be healed. Do you understand?" he quietly asked.

I nodded, not sure where our conversation was going.

"Your father … was elected president of his work. Some men didn't like him… most were racist. They broke into his house. They then put some tar on him while he slept, so he was stuck to his bed. A little later they lit the house … on fire. He was killed. I'm sorry."

But I didn't hear his next words. I slipped into blackness.