Hey everybody.

Here is chapter 19

Sorry it took so long. I was at camp.

Chapter 19: Past Present

Sometimes things cannot be explained. Words cannot always be enough. Hense why diseases like cancer and Aids have yet to be cured. There are things in this world that just have happen or don't happen. When begging God or those around you fails only one thing remains. Hope. And when even hope fails you there is only acceptance; one of the hardest things that a person can truly obtain.

Over the Past two weeks a lot had happened in the Davis/Walker home. For one Tammy had made the basketball team so she was home a lot less. She still hadn't worked up the courage to talk to Alex. Alex tried to stay out of Tammy's way all together because she knew that whatever was wrong with Tammy involved her. She wished that Tammy would just talk top her but she knew it wasn't going to happen.

Sam had gotten a job and was still dating Joey who had finally met Brooke and Julian at dinner the week before. He had even helped Tammy practice for basketball since he was the captain of the guys varsity team. Sam had fallen right back into her regular routine and it was almost like she never left; almost. Sam had court in a week and she was going to have to speak in front of a full courtroom along with Tammy and Brooke.

For Brooke and Julian things were going good again. Julian had even moved back in. Sam had been thrilled and had even asked for him to adopt her so he could be her father which he had happily accepted. For Tammy, however, it had been weird. She didn't know Julian like Sam and Brooke did. She didn't really talk to him and turned down any offer by him to hang out. She didn't even call Brooke Mom anymore which had hurt Brooke but she understood.

Brooke's company was at an all time high. The release of her new line "Awesome Teen" was making sales go through the roof. Brooke was super grateful. Things were actually going pretty well in her life.

The sound of the end of the day bell rang through the hallways. Tammy got her stuff from her locker and made her way to the gym for practice. On the way she saw Sam and Joey making out in front of her locker.

"Get a room." said Tammy making a face.

Sam pulled out of her and Joey's make out session and looked at Tammy who had her arms crossed over her chest.

"No boys in the bedroom remember?" said Sam with a smirk.

Tammy simply rolled her eyes and gave Sam a small smile.

"Well that rule doesn't apply to me." returned Tammy.

Her comment got a small smile from Sam and a laugh from Joey who high fived Tammy. Sam pushed Joey playfully and he just shrugged his shoulder. Tammy had told him about her being gay when they were practicing one day. She was worried about coming out because she thought the other girls on the team would bully her. It wasn't that she couldn't take care of herself it was just that she wanted to fit in not stand out for the wrong reasons. He had been calm with her and told her that she shouldn't let anyone discourage her from playing basketball which she loved and was actually really good at. He had also said that if anyone did give her trouble that Sam would take care of them.

"Well I have to get to practice so I will see you at home Sam and see you tomorrow bright and early Joey." said Sam.

Part of Sam's training was a three to five mile run every morning. Some days they would even go farther than five miles depending on how they felt. It was something that Tammy actually looked forward too.

"Alright Squirt go kick some butt. Tomorrows your first game so I wanna see you dunk." laughed Sam.

"Cute." remarked Tammy, "I'm five foot two. I'm lucky if I can even reach the net."

Joey laughed and then pounded knuckled with her before she began heading to the gym again. She had to hurry or she would be late.

When she entered the gym doors Alex was standing next to the locker room. Tammy sighed. She wondered when Alex was going to get fed up with her avoiding her for so long. She knew that Alex deserved an explanation but she was kind of scared to tell her.

Tammy slowly walked over. Her heart was pounding faster and faster with each step. She came to a stop when she reached the door. Alex looked up at her. She gave a weak smile and that was it.

"Hey." Tammy said first.

"We need to talk." explained Alex calmly.

Tammy watched as a couple of her team mates walked past her and Alex and into the locker room. She couldn't talk right now she had to get to practice. It was the day before her first game.

"Look I get out at five so can we talk after. I will call you and I don't know we could meet up at the river court." said Tammy.

Alex merely shook her head and walked away. Tammy sighed again. She knew that Alex was mad at her but she couldn't help it. She would try her best to explain herself later when they were at the River Court. Until then she had to focus on practice; like that was actually possible.

Julian and Brooke sat on the couch. Brooke laid across Julian and they watched as the movie credits scrolled down on the TV screen but neither of them moved. They just laid there enjoying each other's presence. Julian subconsciously stroked Brooke's hair and starred off in a daze.

Brooke looked up and saw how dazed off Julian was.

"What's on your mind?" asked Brooke.

Julian snapped out of his daze.

"Wh...what?" asked Julian snapping back to reality.

"I said what's on your mind." replied Brooke for the second time.

"How did you find out about Tammy?" asked Julian.

Brooke knew that this was going to lead to a conversation about Tammy not liking Julian. It wasn't really that she didn't like him. She just didn't know him. It had gone from just her and Brooke to her Brooke, Julian and Sam in less than a month. It was a big adjustment. And after what Tammy had been through it was only right for her to be cautious around Julian. That was why she stayed out all the time.

"Julian.." said Brooke.

"I just don't understand why she won't even let me try and get to know her. I mean Sam didn't like me in the beginning but she still gave me a chance." said Julian.

"But Julian, Tammy isn't Sam. She's only 14 and she doesn't know you. That girl has been through so much. She's just being cautious. You have to give her space and let her know that you aren't those other people. You aren't going to hurt her." explained Brooke.

Julian knew that Brooke was right but he was just hurt that Tammy didn't want anything to do with him.

"Start with taking off from work tomorrow to go to her game with me and Sam. Show her that you support her no matter what." said Brooke.

Julian nodded. He knew about the drinking situation but other than that he knew nothing about the young teen. Whenever he asked questions no one would give him answers.

"So changing the subject. Do we like Sam's boyfriend?" asked Julian.

Brooke smiled. She loved how over protective Julian was with Sam. When Joey had come over to the house for dinner he had interrogated Joey with about every question ever made. Joey had answered them easily though and reassured him that he would never hurt Sam. He loved her.

"Yes we like him. He is great for Sam and even gets along with Tammy. As long he doesn't hurt my girl he is okay with me and he should be okay with you too." said Brooke.

"Don't you remember when Sam and you first met. She was so sarcastic and crazy but you got through to her. You changed her life and now she has a normal life, well somewhat normal. She will be going off to college in less than a year and a half." said Julian sadly.

"I know." said Brooke somewhat sadly, "My little girl is growing up fast. She's so mature now and responsible. And she is amazing with Tammy. She loves her so much."

"Well she is her big sister." said Julian.

Brooke nodded.

"The court date is in one week." said Brooke suddenly.

Julian rubbed Brooke's arm reassuringly.

"Hey. It is going to go fine. Rebecca can't hurt the girls anymore. She is going away for a long time and then we can truly move on." said Julian.

"I hope so."said Brooke.

Sam served the last customer in the store her coffee. The day was kind of slow so her manager said it was okay for her to take a half hour break. She decided that it would be nice to get some fresh air so she and Joey took a walk in the park.

Sam hugged her coat close to her. It was mid December so the weather was getting very chilly. She regretted complaining about the heatwave that summer at that moment. She could never be satisfied when it came to the weather.

"So I was thinking." began Joey as they came to a park bench.

Joey and Sam took a seat. Sam cuddled close to Joey so that she could stay warm. She nodded when she was ready for him to continue what he had begun to say.

"Our six month anniversary is coming up soon and I want us to go on a road trip. And by us I mean you, me , and Tammy. We could drive anywhere you and Tammy want and just have fun." explained Joey.

"A road trip huh?" asked Sam contemplating the issue in her head.

"Yeah I mean it will give us some time alone and time for you and Tammy to talk and catch up. You guys haven't seen each other for a long time and I know you guys have stuff to discuss. Plus she needs some time away from here to. I mean I am not saying that this is a bad place because its not but I think she needs time to just breathe and release everything thats bottled up."

The more Sam thought about it the more she thought it was a good idea. Of course she would have to try and convince Brooke and Julian to let her and Tammy go but she thought she could handle that. She and Tammy had always wanted to go to Disney and now would be a perfect time. They could even escape the cold for a little while.

"What about Disney?" asked Sam.

"If you want to go to Disney then Disney it is. And its on me. I don't want you spending a dime on this trip. It's my anniversary gift to you and birthday present to Tammy." said Joey.

Sam turned to face Joey and softly kissed him on the lips.

"You are amazing, you know that?" asked Sam.

"Eh I've been told once or twice." he replied.

"Oh and how did you know that Tammy's birthday was coming up?" questioned Sam.

"I asked her when we were playing ball one morning and she told me that her birthday was on December 31st."

Sam smiled. She couldn't wait to tell Tammy about the trip. She was going to be so surprised. She smiled at Joey and watched as the people walked by.

All of a sudden Sam sat up strait and narrowed in on a guy walking with a little girl about six or seven in hand. She knew who he was and her blood started to boil. She stood up.

"Hey what's wrong?" asked Joey as he stood up as well.

He's here." said Sam simply as she scanned the small crowd for him.

She saw the little girl's red hat and took off running towards her. When she reached the crowd running became impossible. She slowly worked her way through. Pushing people out of her way as she went along.

"Excuse me. Please let me through." she repeated over and over.

She tried to keep her eyes locked on the red hat but it wasn't long before it got lost in the sea of people. She stopped in her track and wiped her face. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to face Joey.

"He was there." said Sam panicking, "He had a little girl with him. We have to find her."

Sam was in a full blown panic attack. Her breathing was heavy and she kept walking in circles. Joey didn't know what was going on but tried his best to get answers out of Sam.

He grabbed onto her shoulders with both hands so she would face him.

"Who has the little girl Sam? What's going on?" asked Joey concerned.

"Him! Tammy's old foster dad. He's here." said Sam.

Sam looked around frantically trying to find him but the crowd was too dense. She had lost him and the little girl.

"Sam focus. Are you sure this was the same guy? I mean there are a lot of people here." said Joey.

Sam pushed Joey's hands off of her shoulders and stepped back. Joey looked on with a hurt expression on his face.

"I know it was him! I can't believe that you don't believe me! I know what I saw!" yelled Sam, "I have to find Tammy. He'll hurt her if he finds her."

"Sam just relax okay. I want to help you." explained Joey.

"Then stay away from me." said Sam simply before taking off running.

"SAM!" yelled Joey but his call was carried away in the wind.

Tammy walked out of the school with her duffel bag on her shoulder. She had managed to keep her thoughts straight in practice just enough to do okay. Her coach knew that she wasn't one hundred percent though. All Tammy could do was promise her that she would be fine for the game the next day. She was going to start so she had to do well.

As she walked towards the River Court she played every possible way that this could go. She tried to prepare herself for any tears or yelling that was bound to come from her and Alex talking. She didn't want to argue with Alex but she knew that if Alex yelled or cursed at her she deserved it. She wanted to tell her the truth but she was afraid of Alex's response.

As she approached the River Court she saw Alex sitting and starring at the water. She walked over and sat beside her looking over the River as well.

It was silent.

"I'm Sorry." said Tammy first.

Alex made no response. All she did was continue to stare across the river. Tammy looked down at her hands. She knew that she had messed up bad.

"Why are you sorry?" asked Alex simply.

"For avoiding you." answered Tammy.

"If you're sorry then why did you do it in the first place? I mean one day we are best friends and the next you are pulling away and drinking yourself half to death. And then when I try and help you you just plain ignore me. I don't know what I did wrong." said Alex.

Tammy sighed. Of course Alex didn't understand why she had done all those things. Sometimes not even Tammy understood it herself. She just wished that she could be normal but Alex deserved to know. She had to tell her.

"You didn't do anything wrong. Trust me." said Tammy.

"Trust you? How can I trust you if you won't even talk to me. I thought we were close but I guess I was wrong." said Alex as she got up

"Alex wait." said Tammy as she got up also.

"No Tammy. I'm done with you. If you aren't going to let me know what's going on then fine I will leave you alone okay." yelled Alex as she continued to walk.

Tammy grabbed her arm.

"What are you doing?" yelled Alex angrily.

Tammy pulled her to her and kissed her on the lips.

There you go.

I ope you liked it.

Again, sorry it took so long.

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