Chapter 36
Sam changed into her shorts and tee shirt for PE, trying to block out the conversations swirling around her.
"Matt ODed and so did Emily…and then she went crazy and killed some guy at the hospital."
"That's not how I heard it…I heard she killed Matt because he called her a slut and her family covered it up…they killed the doctor later as a diversion."
"Oh please like Emily could kill anyone…she's afraid of her own shadow."
Sam was grateful when the coach poked her head in to ask what was taking them so long. Sam finished tying her left sneaker. When she and Emily had Gym earlier this week, these same girls acted like Emily was so cool. Now they were tearing her to shreds, when she wasn't there to defend herself.
She caught up with the rest of the class and started stretching. She liked PE the best, because it didn't matter that she'd missed school in this class. She was a fast runner, agile, and completely unafraid to break a nail. The coach called for 25 sit ups, push ups and chin ups each. Within minutes girls were complaining about aches and being out of breath. The coach ignored them for a bit then when it got louder she added another set of everything. Sam wondered when they'd clue in. They didn't.
"Okay, we've been over the skills." Coach Miller announced. "Let's have a game." She handed out red and blue tags and set the girls up to play basketball. "McCall, can I have a word?"
Sam nodded and walked to the sidelines to the coach.
"Samantha, you are on the nurse's list."
"Huh?"
"You have a doctor's excuse, you should be sitting this out."
"But…I don't want to." The coach smiled.
"I figured that out already, but until your doctor clears you, you aren't supposed to participate. Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
"I'm fine…" Sam bit into her lower lip. "I guess she did say something about that, but I forgot."
"She wants you to gain another five pounds before you're off the list."
Sam nodded and moved to the bleachers dejectedly.
"I tell you what. You can play for a few minutes, but as soon as you break a sweat I'm pulling you out for the rest of the period."
"Thanks!"
Shortly before lunch the school called an assembly to put an end to the rumors about Matt and Emily. Matt had died of an accidental overdose and Emily was ill, but at home with her family…the two were incidents were completely unrelated. Sam decided the principal was a really bad liar. She needed to hone her skills. They announced councilors were available for students who wanted to talk about Matt's unexpected death, but that the rumors were to cease.
Then, oh so subtly, they transitioned into drug use and abuse and just saying no and how this was a no tolerance school. And the kids nodded solomnly and went off to lunch abuzz with brand new versions of the rumors.
Sam joined Lucky and Sly at their table. They were in the midst of a deep discussion and didn't acknowledge her at first. She was debating about giving them some privacy when Lucky looked up.
"Hey…"
"Hi."
"Hungry?" Sly asked looking at Sam's tray.
She blushed. "I need to gain some weight."
"That's not something girls say often." Sly said thoughtfully. "Can you eat all that?"
Sam sighed. She had gone overboard. She'd taken two sandwiches, two bowls of potato salad, an apple, two milks and a chocolate milk. They were all on her diet, but no, she couldn't eat this much. "No."
"We're here to help." Lucky smiled and grabbed half of a sandwich, and Sly took one of her milks.
"Have you talked to Emily?"
"No…did Alexis say anything to you?"
"Alexis?" Sam tilted her head to one side. "About what?"
Lucky and Sly exchanged a quick look. "Nothing."
Sam glared at them. "Why would Alexis say anything?"
Lucky cleared his throat. "It's just…the Doctor that died. Alexis beat him in court last month. He had accused Dr. Quartermaine of Sexual Harassment. Alexis wiped the floor with him."
"And her cousin…Mr. Cassadine…owns the hospital…so we thought she'd know something…"
This was all news to Sam.
"How can you own a hospital?"
"The Cassadines would own oxygen if they wanted. They have more money than god."
Sam knew they were rich…she'd been to their house…on their island…but she'd never heard of anyone owning a hospital. "I don't think Alexis talks to him very much."
"Really? They used to be together all the time. She half raised my so called brother."
Now Sam was completely confused. "Why would Alexis …"
"Lucas Spenser and Sylvester Eckert to the office….Lucas Spenser and Sylvester Eckert to the office please."
"God, why do they have to use Sylvester?" Sly groaned pushing himself away from the table. "Com'on Lucas, let's see what were in trouble for this time."
Sam climbed into the truck and pulled her seatbelt on.
"Good afternoon to you too, Sunshine." Alice greeted her as she turned the engine.
"Hi."
"Ms. Davis asked me to pick you up because it's so cold."
"Is she working again?"
"No…she's been home most of the day."
"Does she know about Emily?"
"You'd have to ask her…"
"What about the guy that was killed? Does she know about that?" Before Alice could respond, Sam continued. "Did you know that her cousin owns the hospital…She never told me that…why didn't she ever tell me?"
"I don't know, I suggest you talk to her about it. It could be that she didn't think it was any of your business."
"Well…I know, I mean it's not my business…but everyone at school knows her better than me and that's weird."
"Everyone?"
"Lucky and Sly."
"Ah that everyone." Alice nodded solemnly. "When Ms. Davis hired me she ran a background check. To make sure I wasn't a criminal or a lunatic. I can't say I did the same."
"Oh…"
The truck pulled into the parking garage and Sam took off her seatbelt and hurried to open the door.
"Sam…she isn't herself today…don't…"
Sam stopped and looked curiously. "Don't what?"
"Don't worry." Alice said, but that wasn't what she was going to say. It had exactly the opposite effect. Sam felt a chill down her spine and her stomach clenched. She turned and ran to the lobby. Alice reached her before the elevator door opened.
"What's wrong?" She cried to the older woman as she caught her breath. "Why did you say that?"
"I shouldn't have, I'm sorry. Let's just get started on your homework, alright?"
"You don't want me to bug her."
"I think…I think it would be best to give her some privacy."
Sam nodded.
"You aren't concentrating."
"Sorry."
"It's getting late, I'll go and start dinner and we can work on this later." Alice stood. "Why don't you look through the magazines for your current event article?"
"Okay…Alice I need extra dessert tonight, I want to gain five pounds."
"You do? We've been trying to get you to do that for weeks, why now?"
Sam smiled. "The coach wants me to try out for the basketball team next week, but I need to get off the nurse's list first."
"Basketball, aren't you a little…"
"I'm short, but I'm quick." Sam answered confidently.
"Well, five pounds in a week is a tall order, but I'll do my part." Alice laughed as she disappeared into the kitchen.
Sam flipped through the magazines, not paying any attention to the articles. Alexis hadn't come down to say hello, and Sam had been home for almost two hours now. She had so much to tell her, so much to ask her. Maybe she could help her find an article, it would only take a minute and Sam would be right out of her hair.
Sam was only half way up the steps when she heard the cry. Her heart pounded heavily and she forced herself to move forward. Alexis had nightmares. Sam had witnessed a few, but something about this one seemed different. She knocked gently on the door, but pushed in when there was no response. Alexis was tangled in her sheets, rocking side to side, sweating.
"Alexis…Alexis…it's me Sam. Wake up Alexis." Sam put a tentative hand on her shoulder and Alexis' eyes burst open.
"Wake up! Mama, Wake up!" Alexis screamed at Sam. "Don't leave me Mama, please!"
Sam backed away, but Alexis grabbed her arm. "Please…please Mama, wake up…"
"Alexis…I'm…I'm not…" Sam was shaking. "Alexis it hurts. Alexis you're hurting me."
Suddenly there was another hand on Sam.
"Baby, I'm here now. You're safe."
"Mama?" Alexis whimpered.
"You can let go now…go back to sleep."
Sam felt the grip on her arm relax. She turned into Alice's embrace and let her guide her out of the room.
"I'm sorry Sam." Alice said gently rubbing her arms, brushing the hair out of her eyes. Sam couldn't stop shaking. "She didn't mean to hurt you…"
"I know…" Sam sniffed. "What's wrong with her Alice?"
"I don't know…but she's been like this all day. I guess she'll tell us when she's ready."