Chapter Six: You'd Be Surprised

The next afternoon, Aaron, Jason, Becky and Roxie were walking down the sidewalk together, when they were met by a very unexpected visitor.

"Hey there."They all came to a halt as Samuel Coffin stepped up before them. Roxie who had been spinning around on her toes, nearly fell over. They all paused, exchanging glances.

"Um...hi,"Becky replied awkwardly.

"My name is Samuel Coffin,"the boy introduced. "I just wanted to, you know, formally meet you guys. I've only seen you a few times, but it looks like my father and I are going to be spending a lot more time around here, so I just wanted to try and get to know some kids in the area. And, well, our parents are friends and all..."

"You mean were friends, before your dad turned on them,"Jason grumbled.

"Jason..."Aaron said wearyingly. He turned to Sam. "Well, it's nice to finally meet you, Samuel. Do you prefer Sam?"

"Yeah, that's what my friends call me,"Sam replied.

"Well, I'll see you around Samuel,"Jason growled. And he stormed off down the street. Sam looked after him sadly.

"Okay, I can mark him off my list of potential friends..."he remarked.

"Look man, I'm sorry about Jason. He's Roger's son. Your dad and his don't exactly have the best of relationships, you know. So...he's gonna take it out on you,"Aaron sighed.

"I'm not my father,"Sam declared.

"We know you're not. But Jason doesn't think logically like that. He's very loyal to his father. And sometimes he puts loyalty before reason,"Aaron explained.

"I just don't want him to hate me for no reason,"Sam said.

"Well, I wouldn't press it too much. Just let him come to you,"Becky stepped in suddenly.

"Right. I will,"Sam assured her. "So, er...I'm sorry but I'm not exactly clear on your names yet."

"Aaron Collins,"Aaron introduced, holding out his large hand for Sam to shake. "Tom Collins is my adoptive father,"

"Nice to meet you, Aaron,"Sam said, shaking Aaron's hand.

"I'm Becky Cohen, Mark's daughter,"Becky explained, carefully holding out her hand as well. Sam shook it kindly.

"Becky...short for Rebecca?"he guessed. Becky sighed, nodding.

"Yeah, but...I don't go by that name,"she said. She refused to be called Rebecca because that was the name her mother had given her, and she wanted no connection to Kate at all.

"Okay, that's cool,"Sam said, nodding. Roxie was last, eyeing Sam suspiciously, and not holding out her hand.

"I'm Roxie Johnson-Jefferson. Maureen and Joanne are my mothers, yes, my biological mothers, I'm from a clinic, they wanted to have me so here I am! Go ahead, laugh,"Roxie snapped quickly. Sam grinned, laughing a little, though not in a teasing way.

"Hey, I'm all for the new millennium!"he insisted. "I don't care if you have one dad or two moms. I just want to get to know you guys."Roxie was able to offer a small smile.

"Okay then. That's cool,"she decided.

"How old are you, Sam?"Aaron asked.

"Just turned fifteen two months ago,"Sam replied.

"I'm almost fifteen!"Roxie cried out excitedly.

"Oh, do you go to the high school?"Sam asked.

"Yeah,"Roxie replied.

"Well, if dad and I stick around, I might be in some of your classes,"Sam replied. Roxie grinned.

"Cool,"she said. Aaron and Becky exchanged glances. They could tell that Roxie liked Sam already.

"So, if I may ask, why the sudden move for you and your dad?"Aaron asked. Sam sighed.

"Okay, I'm not really supposed to tell anyone this, my dad didn't want anyone to know yet, but...my parents are filing for a divorce,"he replied.

"Oh no, I'm sorry,"Becky said sympathetically. Sam shrugged.

"It happens,"he replied. "I still get to see both of them. But I'm going to be living with my dad."

"He got custody?"Becky guessed.

"Yeah, uh...my mom didn't want custody,"Sam admitted.

"Oh man,"Roxie sighed.

"Hey, man, her loss,"Aaron assured him, wrapping his arm around Sam's shoulders. Sam nodded, though not able to offer more than a tiny grin.

"Yeah, well, she still wanted visitation rights, so I guess she didn't want to get rid of me completely,"he joked.

"She doesn't want to get rid of you. She's probably just scared that she can't raise you herself,"Roxie insisted.

"Parents shouldn't be afraid to raise their own kids,"Sam insisted.

"Tell me about it,"Becky agreed. She and Sam caught each others eyes, and exchanged understanding grins.

"Well, it looks like we might have a lot in common after all."