Chapter 26 – Distractions
Tuesday, June 15, 2004

As it turned out, Samantha had no difficulty in getting a week's vacation, in fact, Van Doren suggested that she take two. Samantha almost laughed as she pictured how the story of her blow-up with Jack had most likely spread throughout the division. She quickly put that thought out of her head though and prepared for her trip to Mexico.

Martin met her at the airport and surprised her with a big bear hug. Apparently he's been lonely, Samantha thought. He had booked her into the same hotel as him and helped her take her bags to her room. "I propose that we get started with the fun right away," Martin said. "Change into your sexiest bikini and we'll go see the beach and let all of the men know that you have arrived."

Samantha agreed to Martin's request, but added, "Well, I guess that means that you're going to put on your skimpiest Speedo then, huh?" She smiled in laughter and watched as Martin's face turned red. He turned to go to his own room, but Samantha reached out to his arm to stop him. Somber now, she spoke, "Martin, I ... thank you, I really need to forget, um, get away from everything in New York and you help me do that."

Martin placed his hand on Samantha's and silently nodded in acknowledgement to Samantha's thanks. "I'll meet you in the lobby in a few." He turned away from her face and vowed to provide many distractions for Samantha so she could "forget and get away" even if it was only for a week.­­­­­­­­­­­­


Samantha reached the lobby first and took the opportunity to look around. She was in the back courtyard when Martin saw her. He stopped still in his tracks and marveled at how beautiful she looked in her two piece swimsuit with a see-through cover-up. There was a slight breeze that blew her hair and the sun highlighted her blonde locks. He willed himself to move and greeted her outside.

Without even a hello, she pointed, "We have to play, I love beach volleyball and I haven't played in years." Martin saw the smile on her face and couldn't resist.

"I don't know if you want to play with me," Martin warned.

"Oh, if you don't know how I can teach you."

"No, I just know that you don't like to lose and I'm a spectacular athlete." Martin boasted. He had picked up the ball and was tossing it in the air while he grinned.

Samantha reached for the ball and said, "I accept your challenge."

They played for awhile and as they were about to call it quits another couple approached and asked if they like to play a match. Samantha shrugged and looked at Martin. He thought that it would be fun to work together with Samantha on the court and agreed. An hour later, after playing valiantly and working well as a team, they left the court.

"Water, I need water," Samantha whined at Martin with a glint in her eye. Martin left in search of water for the two of them. When he returned, Samantha intoned, "Air conditioning, I need air conditioning." Laughing the two returned to the cool air of the lobby.

"Hey I had a great idea for dinner tonight," Martin proposed, "but it's a little fancy. I don't know if you brought anything to wear."

Samantha looked at the clock on the wall and was surprised at how late it had gotten. "Fancy sounds nice, I think I have just the outfit, but I have to shower off this sand. How about I meet you back here in an hour."

"It's a plan," Martin agreed as they both moved toward their rooms.


At her room, Samantha realized that she hadn't thought about Jack or New York all afternoon. She silently thanked Martin for that and began preparing for the evening.

This time Martin was first to the lobby and eagerly watched for Samantha's descent down the formal staircase in the foyer. He was not disappointed. Samantha appeared at the head of the stairs in a simple, silver evening gown, her hair was pulled back with tendrils on either side framing her face. However, the frown evident on her face worried Martin.

Despite her mood, she fairly glided down the staircase toward Martin. He offered his arm as her escort and she took it, even smiled at Martin's gesture. Then he asked, "What happened?"

She raised her free arm and showed him her cell phone, "This happened. Jack called."

"Oh," Martin responded. "Did he have anything good to say?"

"I don't know. I never answered the phone."

"So, the frown is preemptory then, huh?" Martin stated.

"Well, not exactly. Jack called nine times in four hours, borderline obsessive I'd say," Samantha revealed.

Martin showed the shock on his face. "Did he leave messages? What did he have to say for himself?"

Samantha looked away from Martin, "I don't know, I, I couldn't listen to them. I don't want to hear his voice and listen to his excuses."

As if on cue the phone rang. Samantha glanced down and let out a groan, "It's him again. He is driving me crazy."

Martin reached for the phone and took it out of her hand. He didn't even glance at the screen as he pushed the off button. He slipped the phone into his pocket and guided Samantha toward the door. "There now we won't be bothered."

Dinner resulted in no further incidents and both seemed to enjoy themselves. After Samantha was in her room for the night, she realized that she hadn't thought about Jack during the whole of the meal. She was impressed with how deftly Martin had steered the conversation so that his name was never mentioned.

Martin returned to his room after walking Samantha to hers, he loosened his tie and slid his hand into his pocket. He pulled out the phone and stared at its blank screen. He flipped it on and waited for it to show how many missed calls there had been. To his surprise there were none. He set it down on the dresser and hoped that Jack knew Samantha was with him; that she had run away from Jack straight to Martin. He wondered what Jack would do if Martin answered the phone the next time he called.

TBC