Chapter Six: An Old Enemy
Sam walked out of her room and took a seat at the kitchen table. Her father handed her a bowl of cereal and Sam started digging in.
"You're mother left earlier today. She doesn't know when she is going to get back."
Sam nods her head and swallows her food before talking.
"Dad, can I ask you a question?"
Julian turns from what he was doing and takes a seat.
"What's wrong?"
Sam shakes her head.
"If I'm not a cheerleader anymore are you and mom going to be mad?"
"Why would you think that?"
Sam shrugs her shoulders.
"It's just that you and mom did a lot of extra-curricular at school and I just I don't know if I want that anymore."
"I was only on the Math team. Your mom was president and a cheerleader. But you're mom and I only want you to be happy, if you want to quit cheerleading than that's fine."
"I wouldn't just quit cheerleading dad. There is re-election for class president and I'm not running again. I still want to be editor of the paper and I still want to play basketball, but that's all I want to do."
"Then do it. You won't make us mad sweetie."
"Okay."
"Out of curiosity, what made you come to this decision?"
Sam smiles softly.
"I've just been talking to Kelsey lately and she has her viewpoints as do I and I just realize that what I that was important, isn't important anymore."
Julian smiles and nods his head.
"Before you're mother left she told me to tell you that Haley wanted to spend some auntie and niece time so talk to Haley…Also, that you shouldn't forget that Kelsey isn't you're only friend."
"How do you think mom is doing anyway?"
Julian sighs.
"I don't know. Your mother is a brave one."
"Clearly dad, I wouldn't be here if she wasn't."
Julian doesn't respond to his daughter's comment because he knew that her statement was true.
~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~
Brooke walks into Victoria's house with her head down. She didn't want to leave Tree Hill to come to New York, not speaking to her mother never really made an impact on her life. Firing her mother never made an impact either. Victoria was all business and with her rude comments and disrespect towards Sam made it easy for Brooke to do what she did.
Victoria looks up when she sees Brooke standing in her doorway.
"Haven't seen you in seven years?"
Brooke sighs and closes the door.
"Look, I really don't want to fight right now."
Victoria sits down on a nearby chair and Brooke does the same.
"What can I do for you?"
"I know I'm going to regret what I am about to say, but I need your help."
Victoria smiles smugly.
"To be honest I am surprised you lasted seven years without my help."
Brooke rolls her eyes.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence mother."
"Your business is tanking and needs my help. Here is the deal; if I do this I want stock in said company."
"How much?"
"I want 52 percent."
Brooke shakes her head.
"No, you get 49 percent…take it or leave it."
"Fine, I'll take it, but you need to focus on the business."
"I can manage my time, but family comes first with me especially Sam. She's been through a lot."
"Brooke she's seventeen, I'm sure she can take care of herself."
"Oh I know she can, but things happen that almost caused her, her life so excuse me for being concerned about my own daughter."
Brooke looks at the expression on her mother's face and gets confused. It looked like concern.
"What happened?"
"She was dating and he turned out to be a bad guy. He hurt her, beat her, raped her and left her to die."
Victoria swallows the lump in her throat.
"I'm sure we can save the company. New eyes and better deals, but we do need a new line."
~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~
Sam walks over to the bench her aunt Haley is sitting on.
"Hey there stranger," Sam says with a smile.
Haley stands up and gives Sam a hug.
"It's so great to see you Samantha."
Sam smiles and blushes before sitting down.
"Same here Haley."
"I just want you to know that I won't bug you about what happened. I won't ask you how you are doing or if you're okay because you young lady are a Baker and a Davis and that's a pretty good combination. You'll do just fine."
"I know I've got it good. I do appreciate that you took time to come see if I'm okay."
Haley smiles and pats the hand on the table belonging to Sam.
"Family is there for each other. I'll always be there and it doesn't matter if I am in a different state, okay?"
Sam nods her head.
A/N-I apologize for the short chapter…I just got stuck and I am tired even though it's like seven o'clock at night. I've just had a horrible day, but I did want to get a chapter up so there it is.