Hey, a short chappie. It's amazing.
Chapter 10-December 26
Samuel rolled over in bed to look as the digital clock changed to 12:01. His eyes traveled around the dark room. The door was ajar and he could hear Robert Palmer playing on the radio.
Riptide, lost in a riptide
Torn between 2 loves, the old and the new
Riptide caught in a riptide
Where will it take me? What shall I do?
My heart is tossed on a sea of emotion
One love offers romance, the other devotion
A new love is calling; the old love is pleading
I'm caught in a riptide
What shall I do?
"Sing it Rob." Samuel turned his eyes to look at the moonlight filtering through the window.
Rose, I need your help. You were always the decisive one. What should I do? Give me a sign.
He smiled slightly into the darkness. " Well, I suppose it's my own fault. You were always telling me I shouldn't start something if I couldn't finish it."
Samuel slipped off to sleep and had a strange dream that ended with him being pulled in two different directions.
!ELDERSHIPPING!
The next morning Samuel wordlessly helped Delia and Mimie haul their things back to her house. They stood silent in the doorway for a moment. Samuel, finding the silence agonizing, tried to fill it.
"Uh, Dee…I, um…"
She gently placed her hand over his mouth. "Don't say anything, Sam. It'll just make this worse. But if you'll let me…"
He nodded silently seeing as she hadn't removed her hand. She did so then, knowing he wouldn't interrupt her.
"I'm beginning to wonder if we weren't meant to be something more than just friends. My heart tells me yes but you…you send me mixed signals. Just…(sigh)…don't start something unless you intend to finish it."
He silently nodded. What else could he do? "I'll see you at the New Year's Eve party at the preserve then?"
"Of course, we wouldn't miss it."
"Make sure Ash brings his friends with him. I think they'll be in for a surprise."
"I'm sure they will."
Samuel turned to leave and then called back over his shoulder. "And take care of that cold."
Finding nothing else to say he bid her farewell and she silently closed the door behind him as he slowly descended the porch steps. He ran his fingers through his hair, befuddled and not sure why. Then it dawned on him.
Just…(sigh)…don't start something unless you intend to finish it.
Samuel hung his head in despair. Rose had given him the sign he needed; he just realized it too late. He needed to get back to the lab, Tracy would be back soon and he needed to start planning for the party. Samuel stopped for a second and a small smile appeared on his face. Maybe there was hope.
