Thank you for your continued support in these tough times.
This chapter is a continuation of the previous one, leading up to the time when Tina, Kurt and Mike went to Mercedes' apartment.
Standard disclaimer.
In the days that followed, Mercedes' two best friends along with Stacie, sometimes Mike and sometimes Puck, were at her side constantly, providing comfort and distraction, in her time of need.
But, there was one night in particular, when she seemed inconsolable and after trying everything they could, Mike said,
"Call Sam…"
"He's away on business," Kurt said.
"We know that, but we should still call and see if he's free," Tina said.
"I'm not sure what the time difference is…" Puck started, but Stacie said,
"Doesn't matter. I'll make the call, Stevie's with him…he can relay the message if Sam is busy. That way, he'll call as soon as he can."
"Makes sense. I wonder why he didn't take me with him to Vegas?" Puck voiced.
Stacie made the call and true to form, Sam was in a meeting, so she left the message with Stevie, asking Sam, to call as soon as he could.
Sam received the message, about two hours later and immediately called.
By this time, the others had managed to console Mercedes and she was fast asleep.
"What's wrong with Mercedes?" he worriedly asked.
A small smile blossomed on Stacie's face.
Sam never ceased to amaze her.
For all of the times, she's heard him mention Mercedes' name, there has always been a tenderness in his voice…and it just seemed right when he did.
Stacie was no fool, she's six years younger than Sam, but she knew exactly why he hadn't reciprocated any of the girls' advances, from school or otherwise.
He was in love with Mercedes, plain and simple.
She and Stevie used to tease him, but they stopped, when they realized he wasn't just in love, but completely head over heels in love.
As the years wore on, his feelings never diminished, but he never made a move, or declare his love for Mercedes.
She's watched him become jealous of guys hitting on her, even to the point of him secretly meeting them and threatening them to stay away from her.
How Brody got away, Stacie didn't know, but she's put it down to Sam respecting Mercedes' decision to date him, because he was the first boy she was ever interested in.
Stacie exhaled loudly and told her brother what she knew.
"I'm not entirely sure, Sam. I know it have something to do with Brody and his leaving…and by the looks of it…he's gone for good. She won't open up to any of us, but all of us knows, she sometimes does with you."
Hurt penetrated Stacie's voice and Sam swore under his breath as his hand connected with the top of the table, he was sitting at.
"Can I talk to her…or is she asleep?"
"She's asleep right now. Five of us are here. I think it's safe to say, we're all gonna stay with her tonight."
"Okay…that makes me feel a bit better."
"Sam, I know you're busy and we're sorry to disturb you, but if you can, maybe you could give her a call tomorrow."
"Listen Stace, there are few people in this world, I can truly call friends, or family. You are my only sister and I love you. I love Stevie…though he can be a pain in the rear…but yeah...and I also love the others…they are like family to me.
But Mercedes…I have loved her since I was twelve years old…and even though she's not aware of it…she's become like the air I breathe. I stood by and watched her with Brody, and it broke my heart to do so…but I respected her choice, because I wanted her to have a chance at happiness.
I can't say I'm sorry to hear he's gone…but I'm sorry for what she is going through. It doesn't matter to me how much weight she's gained, because she's still the most beautiful woman in the world to me. I just want to know she's healthy in mind and willing to move on from Brody.
Anything else can come after. I can't be there for another week…maybe a week and a half, but I will call her everyday to see how she's doing, until I get back…starting tomorrow."
Stacie was floored and tears were leaking from her eyes, as she listened to her brother pour his heart out. In a watery voice, she replied.
"That makes me so happy, Sam. Mercedes needs all the help she can get right now…and I hope, somewhere among her fading love for Brody, she finds growing love for you."
True to his word, Sam called the next morning and asked for Mercedes, who had just come awake and was laying in bed, trying to figure out where she was.
The smell of something cooking and the sound of Stacie and Tina talking, brought everything right back to her.
She looked around, and the evidence spoke for itself. Brody was gone and this time it was for good.
Hearing a knock, she sat up and saw her two friends waiting cautiously by the door. She beckoned them in and smiled wearily.
"Good morning honey, how are you?" Tina asked and Stacie moved to take her hand, gently rubbing it. In a quiet voice, Mercedes said,
"I'm fine…could be better. I know I have you guys to thank, for coming over and taking care of me…thank you…where's Kurt?"
The two girls sat on either side of her.
"There's no need to thank us, sweetheart. We all love you…" Tina started and Stacie cut in with,
"And any time you need us, we will move the earth to get to you."
"Yeah, what she said…and Kurt is in the kitchen, taking care of breakfast," Tina stated.
"Now, come, there's someone on the phone, who wants to speak to you," Stacie said smiling.
All of a sudden, Mercedes' heart missed a beat and butterflies swarmed in her stomach, as she took the phone from Stacie.
"Hello," she softly said. On the other end of the line, a smile automatically appeared on Sam's handsome face, as he heard the sound of Mercedes' voice.
"Hi Mercedes, how are you?" Mercedes immediately felt better.
"I'm fine Sam. How are you?" she asked in return. Sam smiled to himself. He's pretty sure that, Mercedes is the most genuine person he has ever met.
"Well, now that I've actually heard your voice, I'm happy. I wish I could be there for you, Mercedes…but even though I can't be at the moment, I want you to know I'm still here…if at anytime you just want to talk, or you need someone to cheer you up…remember, I do impressions."
Mercedes giggled.
"Thank you, Sam. That's very kind of you…" Sam suddenly became serious and not wanting to overwhelm her, he softly said,
"It's not just being kind…this is coming from a place of love. You do these things when you love someone…"
An audible gasp escaped Mercedes' lips, and before she could form an answer, she heard the sound of another phone going off, on his side of the line.
He cleared his throat and said, with a hint of nervousness,
"That's my business phone. I have to go, but as soon as I'm able to, I'll give you a call, if that's alright with you."
Mercedes smiled, as she pictured his sweet, handsome face.
"I'd like that Sam." Sam's face morphed into a sweet smile.
"Great! I'm not sure if you have my personal number…God knows, I've changed the number so many times…but if you don't, have Stacie give it to you. You can reach me anytime, on that one. It was so nice talking to you, Mercedes…I want you to have a terrific day."
"I will. Thank you, Sam…" She just got in, before the phone went off again.
At that, they said their goodbyes and she made her way to the bathroom, before joining the others in the kitchen.
Days later, after much persuasion, Mercedes assured her friends she was fine, and they didn't need to keep babysitting her, or rushing over to her apartment after they'd finished work.
She reminded them, that they all had their own lives to live and she wanted them to spend time with their significant others.
They reluctantly took her up, on her suggestion and things gradually fell into place.
They all remained in contact daily, even Sam, although he couldn't always chat for long, but she was always in the focus of her friends.
Over in Vegas, Sam was on edge.
Something was gnawing at him, constantly.
He just couldn't shake the feeling, that something bad was about to happen.
For the last five minutes, he's been pacing the floor in his hotel room, trying to decipher this feeling of imminent danger.
"Woah, Sam, cool it will you?" Stevie said.
"Something's bugging me Stevie…and I can't put my finger on it."
"I get that…who is the first person that comes to mind, when the feeling is at its strongest? Maybe that will shed some light."
Sam stopped pacing and dragged his hands down his face.
"Mercedes…she's never far from my mind, but…it's her, I keep seeing. And I can't do anything about it…since I'm over here."
Stevie walked towards his brother and stood before him, placing his hands on his shoulders. He wasn't quite as tall as Sam, but he was still able to meet him at eye level.
"Listen, Sam, I know you love her…you have for years and if I could, I'd handle all of the business over here, so that you could go to her…but I can't and I'm sorry. The best you could do, is keep in constant contact and see how fast you could wrap up these meetings, to get back home. I, too will keep calling and checking on her, okay?"
Sam embraced his brother and a sigh of relief escaped him.
"I'm so glad you and Stacie are back. I really missed you two and I'm extremely grateful to have you here with me. Thank you, Stevie."
"You don't have to thank me, Sam, I love you, more than you'll ever know."
Tears stung Sam's eyes. Their parents may be gone, but they still had each other.
"I love you too, man."
One Saturday, a few days before Sam was scheduled to arrive back home, Mercedes was in a happy mood, so she called her two best friends and invited them over, to have brunch and hang out.
On the spur of the moment, the three of them decided to go shopping.
For the longest time, Mercedes had wanted new furniture, and since she was feeling good about herself, she decided to use that shopping trip, as the perfect opportunity to do so.
That day, the three of them had so much fun, and after perusing a few stores, and sharing lots of laughter, they finally picked out a cream L-set sofa, ottoman included, that, according to Kurt, 'was to die for'.
They left the store that day, after the clerk promised to deliver within a week's time, and headed for the mall, with the intention of hitting up, as many clothing stores as they could.
News of Sam's business trip came, and unfortunately, he had to stay for another week, which could possibly run into two weeks, if need be.
Sam wasn't happy about it, but he had to make the sacrifice, to keep the business thriving. Stevie picked up on it and said,
"I know you're bummed…me too, man…but everything is fine back home…she's doing great. Just focus on what you have to do, so that you can get back home to her."
"You're right…I just…I want to be there, so bad…"
"I know and you will be. Soon. I know I haven't said it, but, I'm so proud of you, Sam…dad and mom would be too. You're doing a fantastic job at keeping our name out there…in a good way. And I totally respect, how you've handled your feelings for Mercedes. She's a great person…with such a pure heart and you deserve that."
"Thank you, Stevie…are you trying to make me cry?" Stevie smiled, seeing tears in his brother's eyes, even as some welled in his.
"Not really. I'm just calling it as I see it."
"Well, thank you…I miss them, a lot. I could use dad's advice right about now."
"Yeah, I miss them too…dad was great…but you've got this Sam…I know you do."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, brother. Now, let's get this show on the road and show these guys, what the Evans men are made of."
"Yeah! That's what I'm talking about."
Mercedes was at home alone, one evening, sitting in front of the television, although she wasn't watching anything.
Her mind was racing with thoughts of Sam and seeing him again.
She'd spent the last few days, arranging for someone to come and pick up her current chair set, to take to a home for orphaned kids.
During that time, she'd received a call from Sam saying, his arrival date had been pushed back, but he hoped to see her, when he came back home.
All of a sudden, panic set it.
Although she'd heard Sam, by speaking to him often, she hasn't really seen him, since he took over the company, and that was months ago.
Brody's nasty words came floating back and she had to wonder, what Sam would say or think, when he sees her.
She began to think of herself as fat, unattractive and hideous. And just like that, she gradually slid back into herself.
For the first four days, she shut herself away from everyone, including her best friends, only answering their calls and returned to her old habits of eating unhealthy foods.
Her bad habits expanded, to her leaving dirty dishes in the sink, throwing books and clothes around, even her bills.
In some instances, she refused to take a bath, and got to the point, of not caring what happened to her, or her home.
Lying came easy, as she found excuse after excuse, to stay away from her friends, or to make Sam believe she was doing okay and to satisfy her aunt Jasmine's worries about her.
By the fifth day, she had a small mental breakdown and cried for the better part of the day
By day six, she sourced some diet pills and other paraphernalia, through a former work colleague, asking her to leave it at her apartment door.
From that day, she decided to do 'something' about herself, so she started on a secret diet.
She was so into it and so confident about it, she decided to go outside and meet Tina and Mike for lunch.
The three of them had a great time, and on her way home, she gave Stacie a call and then spoke to Sam and Stevie.
For the next few days, she not only took diet pills, she started to regurgitate whatever she consumed…on purpose.
This unhealthy trend continued, as she fully cemented herself behind closed doors.
A few days before Sam was due to arrive home, those feelings he'd been having, came on in full force and every time he thought about Mercedes, his heart plummeted.
He couldn't focus as he'd like, but managed to get the results, he'd been seeking.
There was just one other meeting he had to attend, and it was scheduled to take place, the day before his arrival back home.
With that, he decided to give the object of his desire a call.
Mercedes was spiraling out of control and she didn't know it.
She began to feel, lethargic and sickly.
Everything she ate or drink, she would make herself bring back up.
Her energy level was at an all-time low and she found herself standing in front of her mirror, countless times a day, to see if the diet was working.
Depression set in, faster than a speeding bullet one night.
She had spoken to her aunt, who'd call to update her, on her property and the finances garnered from it, and after assuring aunt Jasmine she was fine, she hung up.
Her phone rang before she could put it down. It was Tina and Mike calling to check up on her.
She chatted for a few minutes and just like she did with her aunt, she assured them she was fine, and was looking forward to seeing them soon.
Just then, Stacie and Kurt called, asking if she wanted to come out and join them at the bar they were at.
She declined and told them she was in the mood for a rest.
They chatted for a short while and then they hung up.
She sat for a moment, expecting Sam to call, but he didn't. In fact, she can't recall hearing him anytime that day, so she assumed he was busy.
As she lay in bed that night, everything that happened between her and Brody surfaced.
Every nasty thing he'd said to her, filtered through her thoughts.
She pictured her friends with their partners, being happy and in love, whereas, she wasn't.
She pictured Sam with a faceless woman, with a happy smile on his face and before she knew it, a deep feeling of loneliness took root in her heart and she began to cry.
Tears spilled unchecked down the sides of her eyes and guttural sobs filled the quiet room.
Her attention was drawn to a bottle of pills, on her bedside table and dark thoughts began to swirl in her mind.
She took up the bottle and tried to open it, but the lid came off with so much force, some of the contents spilled all over the table and floor.
She started to pick them up, but frustration set in, so she put the bottle back on the table, leaving it, and what was spilled on the floor, exactly where they were.
Facing away from the table, she heard a beeping sound, she knew very well.
It meant her phone needed re-charging.
Uncaringly, she snuggled herself under the many layers of bedclothes, and cried herself to sleep
I hope these chapters are making sense. My mind is filled with concern for my fellow man across this world. Stay safe.