Depth
Mackenzie walked back into the room and closed the door slowly behind him. Sam looked up and smiled.
"I checked with your father. You've never committed murder."
"Do you really think i'd tell my father if i killed someone?"
Mackenzie raised his eyebrows and sat down opposite Sam. He looked at his notes and studied her. Sam became uncomfortable with the annoying airy silence.
"I was under the impression that my dad was paying you to talk to me. Not to sit in silence."
"Tell me about your mother Sam."
Mackenzie observed Sam's facial expressions. He had obviously struck a nerve. Her face was used as a canvas for the pain and sadness which had gathered in her life.
"What's there to tell? She's no longer around."
"How did she die?"
"In a road accident. My dad was late picking her up, so she decided to get a cab."
"Do you blame your father?"
Sam took time to analyse the question in her head. All these years she'd been telling herself that she didn't blame her father. She had moved on and realised that hating her father wouldn't change anything. It wouldn't bring her mom back. But, now that she was talking about it, she couldn't openly admit that she didn't blame her dad. Maybe she did blame her dad.
"I don't know. I mean blaming him wouldn't change anything."
"Why do you say that?"
"If I blamed my dad for what happened to my mom, then i'd be stuck in the past. I wouldn't have gotten on with my life."
"Do you ever fear you might forget her someday?"
The question hit Sam like an unexpected lightning bolt. What gives him the right to ask that? How is that going to help him achieve anything?
"Why are we talking about my mom? You have no right to question me about her."
"You're right but i think you're angry. I think you want answers as to why your mum was taken from you."
"I don't need answers. My mom got a cab and there was an accident. End of."
Mackenzie took a deep breath.
"Do you blame yourself?"
(Soccer Practise)
"I tried ringing her during lunch but she didn't pick up."
"Did you try her house?"
"Yeah. No one answered."
Jack sat down and placed his head in his hands. Something wasn't right. Sam barely ever missed a day of school. If she ever had a day off, she would always contact Janet to let her know why she wasn't going to be in.
"And she didn't call you this morning?"
Janet shook her head and took another bite into her health bar.
"O'neill are you planning on getting your ass into gear today?"
"Im coming coach. Later Janet."
"Bye."
(Sams Room)
Sam wept into her pillow. She couldn't believe that she was the one requesting to have another appointment with Mackenzie. She went to the appointment today with every intention of never stepping foot in that building again.
"Sam?"
Jacob slipped through the partly opened door. Sam didn't bring her head off the pillow. Jacob moved over to her bed and sat down next to her. He pressed a hand on her back.
"I'm sorry. I didn't expect today to be so tough on you. Infact i expected you to run rings around the guy."
Sam laughed.
"It's ok dad. I honestly think today helped me."
"Really?"
Sam sat up.
"Yeah. i don't like Mackenzie but i think he might help me to understand my life better. And if he is unable to help me, then it's your money you wasted."
Jacob laughed.
"Im going to start dinner. What do you fancy?"
"Im not hungry but thank you for the offer."
Jacob pushed back Sam's hair.
"Ok. Just tell me when you are."
"Thanks dad."
Sam watched as her father got off the bed and walked out of the room. She debated on whether or not to pick up the phone and ring Jack. She missed him today and she knew he'd be concerned. She looked at the round bagpuss clock on her wall. He'd be back from soccer practise by now.
Sam picked up the phone...
(Jacks House)
Jack sat at the table with his mom. He was expecting a long lecture on his attitude but she talked to him like his father did. Just small questions which you couldn't look deep into.
"How's school?"
Jack smiled. For once his parents couldn't complain about his school work. Sam made sure he dedicated some time to his studies. Not only was he in love but he was a genius in love.
"It's going really well. I think i might actually make you proud."
Elizabeth sensed some spite in his voice. His dad had always been proud of him. Mainly because acceded at sport. She was always the parent that did all the discipline which led to some resentment on Jacks part.
"Jack, i know i've always been the parent that lectures you on the importance of school and..."
"Mom, just give me the summary. You know i don't like stories."
Elizabeth smiled.
"I know that me and your dad haven't been here much due to our jobs but i plan on making up for that by working from home."
"Mum, don't you think you're 17 years too late?"
The phone in the hall began to ring. Jack took this as an excuse to escape.
"I'll get it."
Jack ran into the hall and picked up the phone.
"Helllo?"
"Hey it's me."
Jack smiled and untied the knot of tension which had formed in his stomach.
"What happened to you today?"
"My dad sent me to see a shrink."
"Poor you."
"Actually, it was quite enlightening."
Jack scrunched up his face. He sensed some hesitation in Sam's voice.
"Are you okay?"
"Not really. Can i come over?"
Jack looked at his mom.
"How about i come over yours?"
"I'd like that."
"I'll be over asap. Love you."
"I love you too."
Jack placed the phone down.
"Mom, im going out for a few hours."
"Jack."
"We can talk about anything you want when i get back."
Jack grabbed his jacket and ran out.
(Sams Bedroom)
Jack held Sam in her arms.
"It feels so good to hold you."
Jack looked at Sam's bed. Pictures of her family were spread out all over the purple striped quilt. Jack picked one of them up.
"Is this your mom?"
Sam looked at the picture Jack was holding. The woman in the picture had blonde hair which stopped just below her shoulders and the same smile which Sam flashed today.
"Yeah."
"You look like her."
"Many people say that but to be honest, i just don't see it."
Jack sat Sam down on the bed and held the picture infront of him.
"You have the same arched eyebrows. Same magical blue eyes."
Jack ran a hand through Sams hair.
"Same blonde hair and best of all, the same kissable lips."
Jack leaned into Sam and kissed her softly on the lips.
"So, how did it go with the shrink?"
"Fine. He asked me a few questions and i answered. I annoyed him at first but then he said something which made me want to have another appointment and take the sessions seriously."
"What did he say?"
"He asked me do i ever think i'll forget her someday. I avoided answering the question because honestly i think part of me had forgotten what she was like. That is why im putting all these photos into a scrap book."
"Do you need any help?"
Sam nodded.
"Yeah."
Jack smiled and kissed Sam on the cheek.
"When my granddad died, i thought i would forget about him and you know what, for a while i did."
Sam looked at Jack. His eyes stared fondly at the pictures infront of him.
"But, one day i looked at the stars whilst i was on the roof of my old house and i instantly remembered him. My granddad always used to take me up onto the roof and tell me about the stars. I know that if i ever feel im forgetting about him, all i have to do is look up into the sky and there he'll be."
Sam smiled and ran a hand down Jacks face.
"That's why you're into astrology."
Jack nodded and picked up a glue stick.
"Now, tell me what to glue."
Hope you enjoyed this. Im sorry about how long it took. My computer completely went bust over summer and i couldn't access this document to post it.
So, please R & R. Good and bad reviews accepted.
xxx