CHAPTER 7
SUMMARY: Sam and Mercedes deal with Abby's issues and grow as a couple
RATING: Teen
WARNING: Mention of God, mild cursing
AUTHOR'S NOTES: I'm sorry for the long wait between chapters, but my job has really been busy. Hopefully, I'll be able to get back on track with more frequent updates. Please excuse any errors and thanks for reading!
CATCH ME WHEN I FALL
Mercedes woke up with Sam's arm around her. She lay in the darkness, staring up at the ceiling. She listened to him mumble in his sleep and turned so that she faced him and kissed his cheek. She glanced at the digital clock on her nightstand and it said 4:45. Smiling to herself, she thought it would be fun to make blueberry pancakes for breakfast later that morning and even have Ryder join them. He sounded like a nice guy and since she and Sam planned on going to the wedding that summer, she was anxious to meet him. As she wondered if they had enough fresh blueberries, she heard Abby scream. Jumping out of bed, she ran out of the room, almost tripping over Sam's blue Avatar slippers, and went to Abby's room; the light was on but her bed was empty. By now Sam was awake and when she turned around she saw him standing in the doorway with tousled hair and wide eyes.
"I heard her scream," she said to him, "But she's not here."
"I think it's coming from the living room."
They raced to the living room where the window was open, and the blue lace curtains fluttered in the wind. Mercedes ran to the window and saw Abby's small brown hands clinging to the outside window ledge, she looked down into the terror-stricken face of her daughter who hung from the ledge, trying to pull herself up, to prevent herself from falling to the frozen ground below. Abby was crying and screaming; and Mercedes grabbed her hands and yanked her inside the apartment, and held her cold, frail body to her chest. Sam shut the window while Mercedes managed to walk on wobbly legs to the couch and sit down, with Abby in her arms.
"It's ok," she whispered as Abby cried into her neck.
Abby hiccupped and wrapped her skinny arms around her mother's waist. Sam sat down beside them, rubbing her back.
"Are you hurt?"
Abby didn't respond. Instead she trembled in Mercedes' arms. Sam left the room and came back with her favorite fluffy pink blanket and covered them with it, before sitting down again and helping Mercedes calm her down.
"You're safe," he said, stroking her curly Afro, "Come on now, breathe for us. Just breathe."
They sat like that for a long time, whispering soothing words into Abby's ears, and gently rubbing her back, arms, and legs until she finally calmed down. Mercedes leaned against Sam, laying her head on his shoulder and he put his arm around her.
"She was sleep walking again," he said.
Mercedes nodded, kissing the top of Abby's head.
"I don't know what to do," she said, "It's getting worse."
Abby's sleep disorder started after Shane's death. Sometimes Mercedes would wake up and find Abby in her room opening her drawers or turning on the light. What was so bizarre was that Abby looked awake. Her eyes would be wide open, but if you looked closely, you could see they were unfocused and glazed over. Sometimes she spoke about random things, seldom making sense. The only hidden blessing was that Mercedes could hear her voice during these trances; and for a little while, she had Abby again. Nothing dangerous ever happened before. They would just wake her up and send her back to bed, but now that she was opening windows and climbing out, that caused Mercedes to worry even more.
Sam thought for a moment and said:
"We can put in an alarm system. You should have one anyway."
"That's a good idea."
Abby got off Mercedes' lap and got her notepad and pen off of the coffee table.
She wrote a note and handed it to Mercedes.
I don't remember anything.
"I know, sweetie. I'm just glad you woke up before you were hurt."
Both Sam and Mercedes gave Abby a big hug before putting her back in bed. When she was tucked in, neither one of them was sleepy enough to go back to sleep, so Sam made them hot chocolate and warmed up the biscuits left over from dinner. They sat at the kitchen table and watched the sunrise while they ate the early morning snack. Mercedes reached across the table and squeezed Sam's hand.
"Thanks for everything."
"You don't have to thank me. I want to help any way I can."
"Do you think she was trying to escape?"
"From what?"
"Something bad in a dream?"
"It's hard to say."
"I want to know what's inside her."
Sam nodded and scooted his chair closer to hers. He put his arm around her and she laid her head on his shoulder. They sat like that for a long time, staring out the window, at the pink and gold sky.
ooo
Later that day, Ryder came upstairs for brunch. Mercedes made blueberry pancakes and Sam cooked western omelets and fried turkey bacon. As they ate their meal, Mercedes was surprised at how much she liked Ryder and she was even more surprised when he showed her a picture of his fiancé Unique.
"Isn't she beautiful?" Ryder said with pride in his voice, "I took this in Central Park."
Mercedes took the phone from him and stared at the full figured black woman, standing with her hand on her hip and wearing a bright red sweater and long black skirt.
"Yes, she is," Mercedes said, "How long have you been together?"
"A few years," Ryder said.
"Unique is a great person," Sam said while cutting up Abby's pancakes, "I'm really happy for you.
Ryder smiled.
"Thanks."
Mercedes figured that Sam told Ryder that Abby didn't speak because he didn't have an odd reaction to her or ask Mercedes questions the way some people did. Abby observed Ryder as she ate, her mood was subdued and Mercedes wondered if she was still shaken up about the sleepwalking incident. After she finished her pancakes, Abby tugged on Mercedes' sleeve and handed her a note.
I want to go play in my room.
"Ok, sweetie, she said."
"It was nice meeting you, Abby," Ryder said.
Abby gave a small smile and nodded before putting her plate in the sink and leaving the kitchen. Sam's eyes looked worried as he watched her walk out and Mercedes put her hand over his, giving it a gentle squeeze. He looked over at her and kissed her cheek.
"I'll check on her in a little bit," he said.
"Thanks, baby," she said and turned to Ryder, "Would you like more coffee?"
"Sure."
Mercedes made another pot of coffee and the three of them settled in the living room and talked.
"Unique wants a harpist at the wedding," Ryder said.
Mercedes raised her eyebrows.
"A harpist?"
"Yeah, it's been a thing with her for awhile… I don't know. Whatever makes her happy is fine with me."
The main front door buzzed. Sam went downstairs to answer it. A few moments later, he came back to her apartment, and upon opening the door, he said:
"I've got a surprise for you!"
As he walked through the door, Unique stepped in behind him, wearing a red pea coat and red beret. She smiled at Ryder.
"Hey, baby!"
Ryder hopped off the couch and went to her, hugging her tight.
"Une, what are you doing here?"
"You needed me."
"But you have a show tonight and – "
"You're more important."
"I can't believe you flew down here."
"Believe it, honey, we've always stood by each other and this time it's no different."
"I love you."
"I love you too and we'll get through this."
They sat down on the couch and Mercedes introduced herself.
"Hi Unique," she said reaching out her hand, "I'm –"
"No, don't tell me, you're Mercedes, Sam's woman, nice to meet you."
Mercedes laughed.
"We just finished brunch but have plenty of food left over, would you like something to eat?"
"Would I ever. All they gave me on the plane was a bag of chips. Whatever you got, give it me."
"Her pancakes are the best, so you won't be disappointed," Sam said, sitting down on the loveseat, "It's so great to see you."
"You too. I just wish the circumstances were better."
"I don't care what happens," Ryder said, putting his arm around her, "You're all I need."
"Honey, you talk a good game, but you've got a place in your heart for them. Especially Quinn. I know how hurt you are."
"They need a place in their heart for you and if they don't have one, what's the point of convincing them?" Ryder said.
"You guys can stay at my apartment," Sam said.
"Thank you," Unique said.
"Ryder has been telling us about the wedding plans," Mercedes said.
"Girl, I got a million ideas. And don't get me started on the dress I want."
"Think, Cinderella," Ryder said.
"Don't pay him any mind. I've been driving him nuts with all of the bridal magazines littering the apartment."
"When I planned my wedding, it was a disaster," Mercedes said recalling the awful memory.
"Why?" Unique asked, "Bad wedding planner?"
"I never knew what I wanted and I'm not into a lot of frills. His parents were overbearing and wanted a big church wedding and my aunt wanted us to get married in her back yard, so we went to Las Vegas and eloped. That's the best decision we made."
"Sounds good to me," Ryder said.
"Vegas, huh?" Sam said, "I'm surprised."
"I won two hundred dollars from a slot machine and an Elvis impersonator married us. It was awesome."
"That does have a certain charm to it," Unique said, "But I'm more traditional. I want the white gown, lacy veil, and a gospel choir singing Ave Maria."
"Don't forget the harp," Ryder said, kissing her cheek.
"That too."
"I'm checking on Abby," Sam said, rising from the loveseat. Mercedes got up as well and went into the kitchen and fixed a plate for Unique. As she was putting the plate in the microwave, she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist.
"Sam…"
"She fell asleep. I covered her up."
Mercedes closed her eyes and rested against him.
"Thanks for checking."
He kissed the side of her neck and while she waited for the food to warm up, they held each other.
"I want her to be ok," Mercedes said.
"We should sing to her before she goes to sleep."
"Sing?"
"It helped Stacey with her nightmares."
"I'll try it. You've been so good about all this and – "
"None of that. I love you and I'm here for both of you."
The microwave beeped. Mercedes took the plate of food out, with Sam's arms wrapped around her.
"You'll have to let go," she said, looking up at him.
Sam shook his head and held on tighter.
"Never," he said.
CUTTING FAMILY TIES
While Unique ate her meal, the two couples enjoyed each other's company in the living room. As Mercedes watched them tease and kiss each other on the couch, she realized that the Fabrays were missing out on having a great woman in their family and the thought saddened her. Sam squeezed her hand.
"You're zoning out."
"Sorry."
"Are you ok?"
"I'm fine."
"I hope we're not boring you with all this wedding talk," Unique said as she set her plate down.
"Of course not," Mercedes said.
"Good, cause I love running my mouth about it."
"Would you like seconds?"
"No, that was more than enough, thank you. Everything was delicious. But I could use cup of coffee."
"I'll get it," Ryder said.
"Thanks, honey."
When he was gone, Unique said:
"I'm worried about him."
"Me too," Sam said.
"I don't care if they never like me but he's losing his family." Just then, Ryder came back with a cup of coffee and handed it to her.
"Une, stop worrying about me."
"I can't help it."
"I can handle this."
"Maybe if all of you sat down together and talked - " Mercedes began to say.
"Trust me, we've had many discussions," Unique said.
"Let's talk about something else," Ryder said, "I'm tired of discussing my family."
They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about everything from current events to life in Bethel Rock and Mercedes enjoyed Unique's quick wit and humor, and it was heartwarming to see how Ryder was devoted to her. When Abby woke from her nap and wandered into the living room; the sight of Unique startled her and she held back a moment before Mercedes waved her into the room.
"Abby, this is Unique, Ryder's girlfriend."
Abby came into the room and shook Unique's hand, staring up at the woman who beamed down at her.
"Nice to meet you Abby," Unique said, "You're a very pretty little girl."
Abby smiled and looked down at the carpet.
"Cat got your tongue?" Unique said.
"You could say that," Mercedes said as stood up and took Abby by the hand, "I'm going to fix her a snack. We'll be back in a bit."
When they got to the kitchen, Abby wrote a note and handed it to her.
Is Unique a man or woman?
Mercedes sighed.
"It's complicated but she's a woman."
Abby shrugged and sat down to the table as Mercedes made her a peanut butter and honey sandwich.
"I'm buying you another nightlight," Mercedes said.
Abby scribbled a note.
Why?
Mercedes set the sandwich in front of her.
"Just because."
Abby took a bite of the sandwich. Mercedes kissed her forehead.
"Maybe next weekend you can go visit Lucy. You'd like that wouldn't you?
Abby smiled, nodding her head.
Rachel had invited Abby on numerous occasions to spend the weekend with them since she and Lucy bonded over Christmas. Mercedes was reluctant to let her go because she worried about her spending the night away from home, but then she realized that she couldn't shelter Abby forever; and she trusted Rachel and Finn completely. At that moment, Sam walked into the kitchen carrying an empty coffee mug.
"Everything ok in here?"
"Of course."
He leaned down and kissed her cheek.
"Ryder and Unique left. I'm going to start dinner. What would you like?"
"Kartoffelkloesse."
"Alright. I just need to make sure we have everything," he said as he sat down beside Abby giving her a side hug, "Want to help me cook?"
Abby laid her head on his arm and nodded. Mercedes watched them and saw how Sam could be a father to Abby. He was affectionate, kind, and protective just like Burt. Then she wondered if she and Sam had children what they would look like. Would they have his green eyes and her thick, kinky hair? Somehow the thought warmed her inside, the same way she felt whenever they were alone and they held each other, not speaking, only connecting through touch.
"What are you thinking about?" Sam asked her.
"Nothing."
"Hmmm."
"If you need anything, let me know, so I can go to the store… do you think Ryder and Unique will join us for dinner?"
"Probably not. They have other things to do," Sam said raising his eyebrows. Mercedes got the hint.
"I see."
Mercedes' warm feeling evaporated and was replaced with uncertainty. She knew Sam was waiting until she felt ready to have sex, but sometimes it made her feel juvenile, a woman her age, asking him to "wait awhile" like that old Janet Jackson song. True, she wasn't a virgin but still…
"Hey," Sam said, holding her hand, "What's wrong?"
Mercedes looked at him.
"Nothing."
"Cedes…"
"I'm fine."
"Stop it."
"Stop what?"
"I know something is wrong."
She wanted to tell him that no man was that patient. That somehow, what they did now wouldn't be enough, and what if, well what if…
"It's nothing," she said.
Abby handed her a note.
I'm going to work on my dollhouse.
"Ok, sweetie," Mercedes said, patting her daughter's head. Abby left the kitchen. Sam wouldn't let the discussion end.
"I thought you trusted me," he said.
"I do trust you."
"Then tell me what's wrong."
"Sam, you can't fix everything."
"I only want to understand. Not fix you."
"Is what we do enough?"
"What we do?"
"Yes."
"Oh, you mean – "
"Not having sex."
"Come here," he said, beckoning her to sit on his lap, which Mercedes did, settling on his strong thighs as he encircled her thick waist with his arms.
"How does this feel?" he asked, holding her tight.
Mercedes relaxed against him, enjoying his warm embrace and the smell of the medicated lotion he used for his dry skin, which would normally be off-putting but on Sam it smelled like home. She sighed.
"Good."
"It feels good to me too."
"Sam I – "
"I'm fine with this."
Mercedes didn't say anything. She buried her face in his neck as he stroked her back.
"Cedes?"
"Yes?"
"Stop worrying."
"I love you," she said.
"I love you too."
SWEET LULLABY
After they ate dinner, they watched The Twilight Zone while Abby continued to work on the dollhouse. Sam lay on the couch with his head in Mercedes' lap; she ran her fingers through his hair making him sigh in contentment. He dozed off and when he awoke, he didn't see Abby in the living room and asked Mercedes where she was.
"She's in the kitchen," she said.
Sam yawned and sat up, stretching his arms, as he leaned over and kissed her.
"I'm getting some juice do you want anything?
"A cup of tea."
"Coming right up," he said, kissing her once more before going to the kitchen where he found Abby drinking a bottled Starbucks caramel macchiato.
"You know better, than that," he said, scolding her, "No Starbucks this late."
Abby stared down at the floor, ashamed at being caught. She got her notepad out of her pocket and wrote something down, handing it to Sam.
I don't want to fall asleep.
Sam took the bottle from her hands, put it on the counter and pulled her into a hug.
"I know you're scared but you need your rest. Would it help if you slept with us in our room tonight?"
Abby nodded.
"I'm making your mother some tea. And I'm making you a glass warm strawberry milk."
While he made the warm milk and tea, Abby doodled on her notepad. When everything was ready, they went into the living room.
"Abby is sleeping with us tonight," Sam said as he handed Mercedes her tea, "there's a draft in her room, I'll fix the window tomorrow."
"Oh, I hadn't noticed that."
"It's going to be in the low teens tonight."
"Ok, we'll have a little slumber party."
Abby sat beside Mercedes on the couch and sipped the warm strawberry milk from her favorite pale blue Cinderella mug. Sam sat on the other side and put his arm around Mercedes, kissing her temple.
"I like this," he said.
"What?"
"This. Just being home. Together like this. It's nice."
"Yeah, it is."
The rest of the evening was rather cozy with warm drinks and a sci-fi movie marathon. Mercedes oiled Abby's hair and Sam watched with fascination as she parted each section of her thick, kinky, curly hair, and rubbed a little coconut oil on her scalp. Sam figured he would have to learn how to do that if he ended up being Abby's stepfather. used to do Stacey's hair for her when their mother got too busy.
"May I try?" Sam asked.
Mercedes chuckled.
"Sure. But be gentle. My baby is tender headed."
"I did Stacey's hair when we were kids."
"This is a little different."
Sam rolled his eyes.
"I get that," he said taking the wide tooth comb from her hands, "But I've been watching you and it doesn't look that hard."
Sam carefully parted a section of her hair, loving how soft it was, and spread a little coconut oil on her scalp, then clipped the section with a hair clip and started on another. He got into a groove and ended up oiling the rest of her head. When he was done, he French braided her hair, though it was much different from braiding Stacey's hair, he got the hang of it. When he was done, Mercedes praised his work.
"I'm impressed."
"You should be. I've got skills."
"That you do," she said, kissing him. "Thanks, my hands get tired sometimes."
"They won't be tired any more."
Abby got up from the floor and picked up the mirror off the coffee table, smiling at her reflection as she studied her braided hair.
"I think she approves," Mercedes said.
By then it was almost 10:00 and it was time to go to bed. Sam turned off the TV and took the empty mugs to the kitchen. He checked the front door and shut off the lights. He briefly wondered what Ryder and Unique were up to, and how long they would be staying in Bethel Rock. He was glad they felt safe in his apartment; they needed to be alone. He went into the spare bathroom and changed into his sweatpants and t-shirt and brushed his teeth. When he finally made it to the bedroom, Abby was snuggled against Mercedes but you could tell she was fighting sleep by the way she kept forcing her eyes open. Sam got in bed but didn't turn out the lights.
"I'm going to sing you a song to help you sleep," Sam said to Abby, who looked at him and frowned, shaking her head.
"Don't worry, I get that you're too big for lullabies but it's a nice song, and I think you'll like it.
Abby looked at him for a moment and then nodded. Sam began to sing:
"Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby
Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay
And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow
Bless you with love for the road that you go
May you sail far to the far fields of fortune
With diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet
And may you need never to banish misfortune
May you find kindness in all that you meet
Sam loved the ethereal beauty of the song; he learned it from his Grandma Fionnuala, who immigrated to the US from Ireland. He only wished that Mercedes could sing it with him and made a note to teach her the words. As he sang, he saw how Mercedes gazed at him, with nothing but pure love in her eyes, and a few tears rolled down her cheeks, Abby's eyelids drooped and after the second chorus, she was fast asleep.
"Why are you crying?" he whispered.
"Because you're beautiful," she said.
"I think you got me beat in that department," he said.
She reached over Abby and held his hand.
"I'm serious. You really are beautiful. I'm not talking about your looks. I mean your heart. The way you sang that song was so… I can't describe it."
Sam never felt so blessed. He leaned over and captured her lips in a long kiss, after a few moments, he pulled away:
"I'm beautiful because you love me."
Mercedes shook her head, gently disagreeing with him.
"No, sweetheart, that seed was planted in you long ago. I'm only lucky enough to see it everyday and love you for it."
They kissed again and he turned out the lights. They found each other's hands in the darkness, and fell asleep, holding Abby between them.
A VIRTUOUS WOMAN
The next morning they went to church and Ryder and Unique joined them. Unique was decked out in a vintage red plaid dress with a full skirt and high heeled black boots. Her face was made up and there was a sparkle in her big, dark eyes. Ryder looked so proud of her and Sam felt a tinge of sadness for how the Fabrays were treating their future daughter in law. It made no sense to him. Love was love. It didn't matter what package it came in.
He took Mercedes and Abby by the hand and led them into the church. Mercedes was as breathtaking as ever in a purple silk dress, her hair hung down her back in shiny, black curls. He loved how his big hands swallowed up her smaller ones; he wanted to protect her from everything, make her smile, wipe her tears… he squeezed her hand and she looked up at him and smiled. Abby was adorable in her pink wool skirt and a thick white sweater to keep out the winter chill. They sat in the second pew, and chatted with Ryder and Unique, until the sermon began which was about being a virtuous woman. The preacher quoted the scripture:
Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Sam's faith was never blind and he was one of those kids that always questioned the bible and still did, but he knew in his heart, that the woman beside him was everything in that scripture and then some, and to him she was priceless, no earthly gem was worth what she gave him… but the word "husband" lingered in his mind. Sure, he was acting like her husband, but she didn't have his name or a big diamond on her finger. She was a virtuous woman, no doubt, but now he needed to make her his wife. But that was rushing things and he couldn't lose her by asking for her hand in marriage too soon, not yet.
As they were filing out of the church, after the service ended, they ran into the Changs.
"Hi Mercedes!" Tina called out, waving at them, a bright pink diaper bag was slung over her shoulder, and her hair was coming loose from its bun. She gave Mercedes and Sam a hug and said, "You two look great," and then she bent down and hugged Abby, "Hi Abby, you look so pretty today." Sam smelled her citrus perfume and his nose tingled.
Mike had his hands full with their toddler daughter Charlotte, who twisted around in his arms, eager to run about. She wore a frilly blue dress with a blue bow in her curly hair to match.
"Charlie, be still," he said to her, kissing her chubby, brown cheeks.
Sam liked Mike and Tina and had been meaning to have them over for dinner; but he honestly wanted Mercedes to himself most of the time, so he had been putting off extending an invitation to them. Now he felt guilty because they were so glad to see him.
"Hey Sam, how have you been?" Mike asked.
"I'm good. Can't complain."
Sam introduced them to Unique and Ryder, and Unique couldn't stop gushing over Charlotte.
"She's a cutie pie," Unique said, touching the blue bow in Charlotte's hair, "May I hold her?"
"Please do," Mike said, handing her the baby, "She's heavy," he warned.
"Oh, I don't mind," Unique said, "Aren't you precious?" Charlotte looked up at Unique and laughed.
They stood in the church lobby laughing and talking until Ryder suggested they all go to the Silver Spring Diner for brunch and since everyone was hungry they agreed it was a good idea, so they piled into their cars and headed for the diner about 2 miles away. Sam hummed to himself as he drove. At the stoplight, he reached over, picked up Mercedes' hand and kissed it.
"That sermon was about you," he said.
Mercedes looked at him.
"Do you really think I'm like that?"
"You have a lot of those qualities."
She didn't respond and Sam feared he said something wrong.
"Is that bad?"
Mercedes shook her head and tried to smile.
"No, it's not bad, it's just… "
"Just," he said hoping she would continue.
"It's just that I'm not a saint."
"Nobody is. Besides it's not about perfection."
"I know but…" She looked away from him and gazed out the window. An awkward silence filled the car and Sam wished he knew what was going on inside her head. But this time he decided not to pry; she had to be comfortable enough to tell him and eventually she would. As they pulled up to the diner, she said:
"So this place is really good?"
"The best."
She kissed his cheek.
"I'm looking forward to it."
ooo
After the three couples were seated at a large table toward the back of the diner, Sam noticed a man with a muscular build and shaved head glance over at their table every so often. He wasn't mean or menacing, he only looked curious. Sometimes when Blaine and Kurt went out with their daughter Carrie, they were met with those merely curious stares but they did have run-ins with ignorance too which is why he and Blaine both took boxing lessons in case things got physical. When Sam made eye contact with the man, he suddenly got up from his table and left the diner.
"What are you staring at?" Mercedes asked.
"That guy was staring at us."
"What guy?"
"Don't worry. He's gone."
"Maybe he thought he knew you."
Sam didn't think the man knew him at all, but instead discussing it further, he said:
"Yeah, maybe he did. Why don't we all go see Paddington after we eat?"
The conversation turned to matinee times and if they should go to the nicer, larger theater twenty minutes outside of town so they could relax in big reclining chairs or go to the older theater a block away.
"But you have to choose your seats at the new one," Ryder said.
"So what? It's a lot better than the theater here," Unique said, lying her head on his shoulder, "Come on, it'll be fun."
"Ok, honey, we'll go to the Silver Theater."
"I like the other theater better too," Tina said, taking a sip of water, "There's no gum stuck on the back of the seats and the floors aren't sticky."
"Yeah," Mike said, "I actually want to use a bathroom with toilets that flush."
"Ooh, TMI," Mercedes said, poking his side good-naturedly, "I've never been to the Silver Theater."
"You'll like it," Sam said.
After they finished their meal of omelets and buttermilk pancakes, they went to the movies. As he drove to the theater, Sam noticed a black Sedan following them. It stayed about 5 car lengths behind him. He convinced himself that he was imagining things, and tried to talk to Mercedes about a new house he was flipping but he couldn't concentrate on the conversation.
"Sam, are you ok?"
"I'm fine."
"You're acting weird."
"Baby, I'm fine."
Mercedes didn't press the issue but Sam could tell she wasn't convinced. Once they got to the theater, he no longer saw the black Sedan, but he felt nervous for some reason. The theater wasn't as crowded as it usually was so the selection of seats available was good. They bought their tickets and a large tub of popcorn with extra butter. When the usher took their tickets, his eyes lingered on Mercedes' chest. Sam knew his woman was fine, and that she had breasts to die for, but this young punk was staring a little too hard for Sam's taste.
"Eyes up here, bro." Sam said to the young man, who was licking his lips. He had a skull earring and a buzz cut.
The guy blushed.
"Um, yeah, you're in theater 13."
Sam put a protective arm around Mercedes and clutched Abby's hand as they walked down the long red-carpeted hallway with the others trailing behind them. When they were seated inside the theater, Sam couldn't help but look over his shoulder a few times, until the lights dimmed and the movie began. Mercedes kissed his cheek and whispered:
"Whatever it is, you can tell me."
Sam turned her face toward his, lifted up her dainty chin and kissed her plump lips, tasting the buttery popcorn. Somehow it turned him on and he gently prodded his tongue past her lips and into her warm mouth, and it was so good, drinking her in like that, tasting her… he had a split second fantasy of what she looked like underneath her purple silk dress, all bare, soft skin, smooth to his touch, he imagined her breasts were confined to a fancy lace bra, like the ones he found in the laundry basket. His skin felt hot and his heartbeat fast, he pulled away from her, whispering apologies.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"
"It's ok. Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I think I need a cold shower."
Mercedes giggled, looping her arm through his and leaning against him.
"Let's cool down with Paddington."
Everyone enjoyed the movie, especially Abby, who laughed out loud several times. Charlotte on the hand was less amused and ended up falling asleep in Unique's arms. During the movie she grew fussy and Tina handed her off to Unique, after she offered to help, since Mike went back to the concession for more Swedish Fish. Sam loved seeing Abby happy and he was glad they came to the movies. The drive home was less stressful and he was thankful he didn't see the black Sedan anymore; though it still unnerved him.
ooo
That night Unique took over Mercedes' kitchen and cooked a big dinner for all of them. The Changs were invited to come, but they had to decline because they needed to get Charlotte home. She made an Indian feast with saag paneer, butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, and homemade rolls. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of coriander, cumin, curry, and jasmine rice. As she diced, chopped, stirred and baked, she laughed and joked with all of them and she and Mercedes behaved like sisters, teasing each other.
"How did you learn to cook Indian food?" Sam asked.
"I charmed the chef of my favorite Indian restaurant into teaching me."
"She charms everybody," Ryder said, hugging her from behind as she stirred a pot on the stove, "Damn, that smells good, when will it be ready?"
"In about an hour," Unique said.
Sam brewed a pot of Earl Grey tea, and as they waited for dinner, they sat around the kitchen table talking and drinking tea.
"Abby's hair looked so nice today," Unique said to Mercedes, "I loved her French braids."
"Sam did it."
"You have hidden talents."
"You could say that," Sam said.
"Well, I want you teach Ryder, cause when we have kids, I'm gonna need all the help I can get."
"Wait are you two – "
"We're adopting."
"Really?"
"Yes, we both want a lot of kids, but I've convinced the Queen, that we have to narrow it down to 4," Ryder said, "I'm glad we met the Changs today, they told us all about their experience adopting Charlotte."
"Oh, the rolls," Unique said, jumping up from the table and opening the oven, she smiled as she pulled out the silver cookie sheet filled with golden brown dinner rolls, "They're perfect."
While Sam watched Unique put the rolls on a cooling rack, he thought about how he needed to tell Mercedes about his inability to have kids, that may make her not want to marry him, and the thought crushed his soul. She was a young, vibrant woman in her childbearing years, of course she would want more children.
"You'll make great parents," Mercedes said.
"I want my kids to have a home where they can be who they are and be supported," Ryder said, his eyes clouded over, "Not like my home."
Sam changed the subject.
"What kind of wine would everyone like with dinner?"
"Do you have German Riesling?" Unique asked.
"I'm a Hummel, of course I have German Riesling. I'll go downstairs and get a few bottles. I'll be right back."
He gave Mercedes a peck on the cheek and went to his apartment. While he was there, he changed George and Gracie's litter boxes, and watered his ferns. Something about doing the mundane chores soothed him. He walked out into the freezing cold air and put the garbage in the trashcans in the front of his house, and that's when he saw a black Sedan across the street, just like the one he saw following them to the movies. Sam had had enough. He ran toward the car, and as he got closer, it sped away down the street.
"Son of a bitch!" Sam shouted.
Then dread filled him.
What the hell was going on? And why were they being followed?
END NOTES
Thanks for reading!