…Her smile would have lit up the night sky.
Back In Seattle
14. Family
The time was flying by; it was already Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. Bill and Freddie had rekindled their friendship immediately. Melanie's husband, Trevor was a little stand offish at first. He and Freddie had completely different backgrounds. Trevor had been a high school and college jock, mostly football. Freddie of course was a complete geek. Things suddenly changed between them when Freddie mentioned Fantasy Football. Trev had heard of it, but wasn't sure how it worked. Freddie had dabbled in it while living in Spokane and ended up being in charge of the northwest section of a large, international Fantasy Football network. He hadn't done that in years, but of course knew all the ins and outs. Within an hour the two were like long lost brothers and nearly inseparable.
Freddie had gone out early in the morning to check on water and fences with Bill and Trevor. The three women were alternately playing with Mel's children and preparing pie crusts and brining the turkey. That afternoon, Sam and Mel put the children down for a nap and then helped their mother clean up the kitchen. Soon, Sam, Melanie and their mother were sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee and chatting. Mel asked:
"…so just how did you two get back together, sis?"
Sam smiled, "Well, it all started when I hit him over the head with a beer bottle…"
Sam recounted the story, ending where she moved in with him. Their mother got up to refill their coffee, and said:
"Well Samantha, I guess it was just meant to be… I'm not sure I would buy into his reasons for marrying Carly, but if you're happy…"
"Yes, you know Sam that just doesn't make any sense. But then I've known Carly as long as you have, and what she did, marrying him, doesn't make any sense either." Melanie said.
"I know, I've thought about it allot, and I've never known Freddie to lie, ever. He just doesn't do that. I asked him on the drive here, if he ever had thoughts about Carly. He scared me to death when he said yes, he did think about her on occasion, but then he explained that his thoughts about her weren't in any way anything that would come between us. He said that we three were friends for so long… you know all that. He said it's like Carly is the sister that he never had. He does miss Lyle though. He got a Christmas card and a birthday card from the boy last year with school pictures in both. He showed them to me. Nice looking kid. Besides, truth being told, Carly and I were best friends for so long, I think of her every now and again myself. Nothing against you Mel, but she was like a sister to me too." Sam said.
"I know Sam. Well, all's well that ends well, which brings me to my next question: So when are you two getting married?" Mel asked.
"Melanie…" Their mother scolded.
"Oh, it's okay mom. Well Mel, he hasn't asked yet. So…" Sam replied.
"So, what happens when he does? Will you?" Mel continued.
"Well, how do you know he even will ask, Mel? We've never even discussed that, or kids for that matter." Sam said.
"Oh, c'mon Sam, the way he looks at you and dotes on you? Yeah, he'll ask. I know it. So, will you say yes?" Melanie replied.
"I don't know... probably. With Bill, it just wasn't right, you know. This is right though, I can feel it…" Sam replied.
"Well Samantha, Carly just might have done the both of you a favor in the long run. You were a little wild…" Their mother said.
"Who, me?" Sam grinned.
"Yes you daughter. And it might not have worked out if you two had gotten together then. Just saying…"
"I've had those same thoughts, mom. I don't know, but we're together now, and that's what matters."
"Yeah Sis, that is what matters, and Mom and I are both really happy for you…" Melanie said.
"Good, I'm happy for me too. Now, let me tell you about his crazy mother. She came by a couple days ago…"
Sam told them the details of Mrs. Benson's visit. Just as she finished, they heard some laughing and giggling from down the hall.
Any further conversation on the subject was cut off as the twins had woken up from their nap and were calling for their Auntie Sammie.
That Thanksgiving was one of the busiest and happiest that had been experienced by any of them. They had a full house with Trevor's parents and little sister and her boyfriend in attendance. Towards evening, Sam had told Freddie they should go for a walk. It had been a brisk day, and a chill was coming on, so they bundled up and walked out to a large knoll about a mile from the house. Sitting at the crest, they watched the sunset while holding hands and snuggling, Sam leaning on Freddie. They didn't say a word or make a sound. They didn't have too.
Friday came and went, filled with leftovers, conversation, and goodbyes. Freddie and Sam were leaving the next morning at the familiar four in the morning. They packed their car that evening, and tried to pack all the food Sam's mother was pushing on them into the cooler. Coffee was readied to brew in the morning. Trevor and Melanie rounded up their kids and made their way home, with promises to visit the couple in Seattle. Four O'clock came early, and the return trip was pretty much the same as the trip there. Freddie drove most of the way, with Sam finishing. They arrived back at their house around four in the afternoon. Sam wanted to check at the bar, and Freddie was busily unloading the car. After he finished with the unloading he went to his office and checked his email. He was still answering a note or two when his cell rang. It was Sam. She wanted him to come down to the club for dinner, and she told him she had a little surprise for him. Freddie splashed some water on his face and took the short walk to the bar. It was kind of quiet, but it was to be expected on the Saturday after the holiday. They ate, and chatted with some regular customers and Arnie, who was still there. Soon Sam took Freddie's hand and led him outside to the sidewalk.
"So, what's the surprise, Sam?"
"Well, you need to meet someone, the other man in my life here in Seattle."
"Um…" Freddie said while looking at her incredulously.
Sam laughed "Well not like that, you dork! It's Luke, Bill's dad."
"Oh… don't you think he, you know, might not want to know about me?" Freddie asked.
"He already knows all about you, I told him at first, and then he's heard about you from Arnold and Tiny. Maybe Irish also, although he's been off someplace doing whatever it is Irish does."
"I see, okay, well I heard that Mr. Nolan has had some health issues, strokes, and isn't well." Freddie said.
"Yeah, he did have some strokes, and he doesn't talk all that well. He keeps a notepad handy and writes stuff. But he's able to get around. He can't drive, or ride anymore, but between me, his friends or the other three get him where he needs to be."
They began walking toward home, chatting along the way. Sam explained that Bill, Arnold, Tiny and Irish were all close friends. Those are the other three. They were all some kind of biker mini club and Bill's father was the ersatz leader. Out of the group, Arnold married first, and after Bill's death, Arnie's wife put her foot down and made him choose, her or the bike. Tiny and Irish still came and went as they pleased.
"Anyway, he's been visiting with friends in Longview and around Portland for the last six weeks. Arnold told me he returned yesterday… So, you need to meet him." Sam said.
As she finished, they walked up the walk to the house where Freddie had originally become reacquainted with Sam. He looked out to the street and shuddered. Sam noticed and smiled…
"Listen Mr. Benson: you had that coming, and I'm not going to apologize for it. You just remember that the next time you see some other gal wagging her rear at you…"
Freddie chuckled and lightly pinched Sam's butt. "Your rear is the only one I want to watch wag, don't worry. And, you have such a lovely rear, besides."
Sam punched him lightly on the shoulder and smiled. "You just remember that." She said as she took out her cell phone. As they were going up the walk, she dialed and waited a moment.
"Luke, its Sam, we're coming in." She said into the phone.
She took out her keys and opened the door. Closing it behind them, they were greeted by an older man, with long grey hair and a well trimmed beard. He didn't say anything, but his eyes did. He moved over to Sam, quickly for someone using a walker, and gave her a hug. Sam hugged him back and made introductions. He held out his hand to shake hands. Freddie noticed he had a strong grip, but that his left hand and arm seemed a little withered. The three 'talked' for about an hour, with Mr. Nolan passing notes to either Freddie or Sam, depending on the comment or question. Freddie could tell it was getting time to go, as the older fellow seemed to be growing tired. Sam caught it also. She and Freddie got up to leave, said their goodbyes and were nearly out the door when Luke called Sam back with a grunt and some almost frantic writing on his notepad. Sam took the note, read it and stuffed it in her pocket and with a shake of her head, said no.
She turned, took Freddie's hand and left without looking back. Freddie asked:
"What was that? Did he need something?"
"No, he just asked about some stuff at the bar, about the patio…" She answered.
"Oh." Freddie replied as they walked back toward their house.
They were both really tired, it was almost nine. Their day had started at four that morning about six hundred miles from there. They went home and got ready for bed.
The next few days were spent getting back into their routine of Sam working at the bar, Freddie working at the house and splitting the house work, at least Sam claimed they were splitting the house work. Freddie didn't really mind, he did the house cleaning, laundry, cooking and yard work. They didn't eat at home very often; mostly Freddie would head down to the bar around lunch time. He would do the host duties if Louise was in school or not available; eat lunch with Sam and go back home to work. Around dinner time he would go back to the club and help wherever he was needed. He and Sam would have their dinner and chat or argue with each other while they both did the daily bookkeeping. Around nine or ten Freddie would head back home unless it was a weekend and a band was playing that he enjoyed. Sam normally stayed until closing time. Just before she was ready to leave, she would call Freddie and he would go down to the club and walk her to their home. Interspersed in their routine were Freddie's visits to his mother, at her apartment, and three or four visits a week with Sam's former father in law, Luke.
One afternoon, not long after they had returned from California, Freddie was doing the laundry. Sam always left 'things' in her pockets, so Freddie always had to check them. He normally found loose change, fat cake wrappers, jerky wrappers and the odd bit of chicken bone. Today, he found a wadded up piece of paper. He recognized Luke's scrawl. The note said 'is he going to marry you'. He remembered Sam had said 'no'.
Okee dokee!
There is chapter 14!
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