Forgive me this took long. But please understand I had midterms at school, and big projects at work. Honestly, I'm feeling burnt out. Nonetheless I love this story and all of you who faithfully review! I would also like to apologize for the whole notebook controversy. I wrote in at the top of last chapter that credit goes to "Left." Although I would like to point out that I had it set up since past chapters I didn't just throw it in. But I'm sorry if I upset anyone.
This is a long one, please enjoy it!
"Dad."
"Yes?" Lucas said absentmindedly as he stared at the two different kinds of wood in his hands. It had been two weeks since the fall out between Liz and Sam, and although their friendship was on the rocks, ignoring one another was becoming rather routine, although both would be lying if they said they didn't miss one another.
But right now Sam wasn't concerned with that, rather she was concerned with the fact that she was on the verge of death by boredom.
Sam sighed as she leaned on the looming shelf in the hardware store. Her hands went straight into her pockets and her eyes glared at her father.
Brooke had sent Lucas off to buy new hardwood for the floor in the guest room that Sam had simply pointed out was different from the other rooms. But her simple observation was not exactly simple for Brooke, the ever perfectionist. And so the next day father and reluctant daughter were off after school to a trip to the hardware store near Tree Hill High. Sam would've never pointed it out had she known she'd be stuck at Home Depot staring at her confused dad who was trying to figure out the right shade of wood.
"Dad!" She tried again with a hint of frustration.
Lucas finally looked over, "Yes, what, what's up Sam?"
"As much as I enjoy staring at wood with you can I go wait outside or something?"
He held up the pieces ignoring the question momentarily, "Do these match to you?"
She rolled her eyes, "They ALL look the same to me."
Lucas chuckled, "You are no help. You know that?"
"I'm not a carpenter, how am I supposed to know the subtle difference between hardwood?"
"Why did you point it out to Brooke anyway?" He said amused by her suffering, "Technically it's your fault we're stuck in here."
Sam's eyes bulged, "I didn't know she was crazy about these things!"
Lucas put a hand on her daughter's shoulder, "Never underestimate your mother. She's a perfectionist."
"Noted." Sam mumbled.
Lucas caught an associate walking by as he looked up and called after him, "Sir!" He said loudly to Sam's chagrin. "Sir!"
The man turned around and noticed the father daughter pair. He smiled and walked over.
"Dad can I go please?" Sam asked once more as the associate came over.
"Hello sir, what can I do for you?" The man asked.
Lucas glanced over at his pouting daughter then back at the man's name tag, "Hi Jake, can you help me choose the right type of hardwood. I have an original piece, but I just need to be sure and I'm not sure which texture I'm looking for either."
"Sure thing!" Jake happily obliged.
Luke nodded and was about to follow Jake but stopped, "Gimme a sec Jake." Then turned back to Sam, "Go on Sam. Stay close alright?"
Sam's frown quickly turned to a smile, "I'm just gonna go to the Starbucks. Call me when you're done!"
He gave her a quick peck and watched her off. He smiled, happy to get to spend more time with her now that the basketball season was over.
…. … …. …
Sam sat on the lounge couches at the far end of the coffee shop. She was texting Jack enjoying the pleasure of his conversation. Jack and her had actually been gaining a bit of steam and both wondered who would take the extra step first, moving them from friends to so much more. But both were comfortable where they were at. Jack occasionally pecked her cheek, they held hands. She laid on top of him. Things were good. But things were bound to change, especially with the budding hormones and emotions that they were dealing with.
As Sam typed her last text she looked up and saw Manny walk in, "Hey, hey!" He called out gleefully, "My partner in crime!"
Sam sat up and let Manny take a seat near her, "Hey Manny." She said with a smile, "Haven't seen you in a whole two hours."
"Yeah well you know life's just had me all over the place." Manny started dramatically, "But I'll never forget the little people."
She punched his arm.
"Hey!" He cupped his arm indignantly.
"Did you reserve the classroom for Friday afterschool?" Sam asked. Their club meeting was set to be on that date.
He nodded in the affirmative, "Yes m'am. The music room is booked. Mr. Parker's excited."
Sam flashed a smiled, "I hope people come. You think people will come?" Her eyebrows furrowed as she thought the worst, "What if nobody comes?"
He looked at her with confidence, "Don't sweat it Sam. People will be there. Mr. Parker's gonna recruit in the choir classes, and we put up fliers."
Sam sighed unconvinced.
"You'll see. I'm right. I always am."
Sam scoffed at him, "Yeah sure Manny."
As they joked around Manny looked up and caught sight of Liz walking into the Starbucks. It really was just a short walk from the school and it was a hangout spot for many of the kids.
"Shit." Manny breathed out.
Sam looked up and knew exactly what he meant, "Well great." Sam spit, "I'm leaving Manny."
She was about to get up but Manny stopped her, "Wait, Sam." He put a hand on her, "Come on, we're all the way in the back. She hasn't noticed us. You're fine. We need to figure out logistics about the meeting anyway."
He really wanted the two to get over this, but he wouldn't push Sam. He missed Liz in all honesty, but his loyalty was to Sam first.
"You're still really mad at her, huh?"
Sam sighed. Was she? Or at this point, was she just being petty? She didn't really know. But every time she thought of that incident it made her blood boil, and that was a fact.
"I wonder why she's by herself." Manny asked out loud.
"What?" Sam turned a closer eye to Liz.
"Yeah." He shrugged, "Like where's her cronies? And she was wearing her cheer outfit in the morning, now she's not."
Sam stared at him blankly then blinked, "I dunno. Can we focus?" She couldn't think about Liz right now, though he was right. And she couldn't help but notice that Liz didn't look very cheerful.
"Grande Green Tea Latte for Liz." The barista called out.
Liz pushed herself off the wall she was leaning on. She grabbed the beverage and chanced a glance to her right. Low and behold there was Sam and Manny. She turned away quickly and planned on walking out. Her mom and her aunt Brooke kept telling her to give Sam space and that she'd come around but it felt like it wasn't happening. It was eating away inside of her.
But walking out was overpowered by her desire to just talk to Sam once more, to at least try. Following her gut she turned back around and headed toward the back. Manny looked up and watched Liz reach them. Sam looked up but angrily looked back at Manny's laptop.
Liz stood in front of them both, drink in hand.
"Hey." Manny said breaking the tension.
"Hi Manny." She forced a smile, then turned to Sam, "H-hi Sammy."
Sam frowned and mumbled out a hello.
Liz tentatively took a seat, "Sam?"
"Manny are we gonna finish this?" Sam said completely cutting Liz off. Manny gave Liz a sympathetic look and then turned to Sam, "Uhmm, right yeah. We can do that."
Sam hoped Liz would leave soon, or her dad would call her, or something.
Liz felt her eyes water but she willed back the tears. She had something she needed to say.
"I quit the cheer team." She spit out bluntly.
This caused both kids to look at her with shock.
"What?" Manny said his mouth agape, "But what're you gonna do now?"
"I have soccer next season, and conditioning starts now. It's not that big a deal."
Although they all knew this was a big deal. She gave up her position at the top. She was popular, but her status as potential queen bee hinged on being in cheer.
"Sammy, I, I quit." Liz repeated.
"Congratu- fucking- lations."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Sam's head popped up, "You tell me. Is your little stunt supposed to erase everything else? Do you think it makes you mother freakin' Teresa?" Sam said bitterly, "Don't make yourself out as some fucking martyr Liz. I. Don't. Care."
Okay, so maybe she was still mad. Madder than she thought.
Liz couldn't help but feel offended, "I'm not a martyr Sam and I know that. I'm not looking for you to forgive me for everything because of it. I did it because I realize that it was hurting me academically, like you said. And the girls are just mean, and I, well I don't wanna be like them...anymore. I just thought you should know because you guys are my friends. Well at least I consider you a friend." Her eyes glistened, "More than that actually Sam." There was a pause but Sam refused to look back up at her, "You're family."
Sam felt herself get emotional. Don't cry. Don't cry Sam. She chastised herself.
"I-I love you Sam, and I'm sorry. I really, truly am."
Liz got up and was set to leave when it seemed that Sam was no longer humoring her.
"We have our club meeting Friday. You should, um, come."
It was Manny who said it.
He just knew Sam wouldn't be opposed to it, no matter how hard she made herself.
Liz turned back around and looked to Sam.
"Ummm. Thanks Manny, but I don't think that-"
"It's in Mr. Parker's room after school." Sam added her gaze reaching Liz's only for a moment, "Bring who you want."
Liz couldn't help the smile that graced her lips. It was a start. "Yeah, um, yeah, okay."
Manny smiled, "See you there Lizzie."
She nodded, "Okay, Bye Manny. Bye Sam."
"See you there." Sam said with less anger in her voice. She truly was happy at Liz's decision. It was like music to her ears.
Once back at home Sam made a beeline to her room. She was not about to join her parents to further talk about boring hardwood. Lucas had set a date to redo the flooring for Saturday and Sam was glad that she'd never have to go back to the hardware store again. The place sucked all the energy from her. It was so boring!
"We're back!" Yelled Lucas to anyone who was in the house to hear it.
Sam passed the kitchen to get to the stairs, but stopped when she saw Tamara sitting down talking to her mom.
"T?"
Tamara wiped her eyes quickly turning to look at Sam. Brooke gave the girl sitting next to her a reassuring squeeze and looked to her daughter as well.
Sam's eyes darted from Tamara to Brooke.
"T, what's wrong?" She walked closer, "Are you crying? What happened?"
Tamara cleared her throat, "I, umm, I just-"
Brooke needed to finish talking with Tamara and knew the girl didn't want to tell Sam about this yet. "Sweetheart, why don't you go up and put some sheets in the guest room? Tamara's going to stay here tonight."
Tamara turned to Brooke just as surprised as Sam. "I am?"
Brooke nodded, "Yes. I'll call your foster mom."
Sam's eye furrowed, "Why can't I know what's going on?" Tamara was her best friend after all, not her mother's. "T. come on. Let's talk." She beckoned the girl.
Tamara gave Sam a weary smile. She wanted to finish talking with Brooke. She needed a mother at the moment, and Brooke was the closest she had.
"Tamara and I are talking Sam. Go up please." Brooke could see Sam was set to argue.
Luckily Lucas came over just in time. He assessed the situation quickly and read Brooke's eyes. "Champ let mom and Tamara talk. Come on."
But Sam rooted herself, "What about Tamara?"
Tamara sighed she was about to get up to go with Sam but Brooke put a hand on her and shook her head.
"Samantha I'm not asking you. I'm telling you." Brooke warned. Lucas turned his daughter's body towards the stairs, "Come on." He whispered.
Sam stalked up the stairs. She was worried about her best friend. What happened? Why did she look so defeated?
"Why isn't mom letting me stay?" She turned whispering to her dad.
Luke sighed, "I don't know. But let them talk. You can talk with Tamara afterwards. Don't work yourself up over this."
"She's my friend though, not Brooke's."
"But it looks like she wants to talk with Brooke. If it's helping her, why are you mad about it?"
"I'm not mad." Sam argued, "I just want to be there for her."
Luke pulled out some sheets from the closet and handed them to Sam, "And you will be, just not yet. Wait for your time...Now I heard your mom say something about sheets and the guest bed, get to it."
She took them from her dad, "Are you leaving now?"
Lucas had received the call from Brooke to take Sam with him to the store and had filled him in about everything. He didn't want to make Tamara feel uncomfortable, "I'm coming back tomorrow. I have to talk to the real estate agent about the house and such."
Sam gave a small frown, but nodded in understanding, "Okay."
"Alright little brat, come here." He gave her a big hug and placed a kiss on her head, "Be good. I'll see you tomorrow, and listen to your mom Sam. She's only trying to help Tamara."
"I can help her too." Sam muttered.
Lucas raised her eyebrow at her and she just sighed walking dejectedly towards the guest bedroom.
Brooke squeezed Tamara's hand, "Your foster mom said it was okay for you to stay here for the rest of the week. She wants you to be in a quiet place."
Tamara sniffled and nodded, "Thank you." She said meekly.
"He's in jail now. He can't come near you."
"What if he tries again Brooke? I...I don't know."
Brooke looked at the girl and watched her wince as she shifted. Marcus had really hurt her. She wanted nothing more than to go down to the precinct and kill that coward. Not only did he break his restraining order but he had hurt her too. Bastard! But the scared girl in front of her took precedence.
"Well if you want to press charges he can end up going to prison."
"I, I don't know if I want to do that."
"You don't have to decide now honey."
Tamara put her head down on the table.
"Hun how 'bout we get you upstairs and put the cream on your bruises and the ointment the doctor prescribed for the cut on your stomach." Brooke offered.
Tamara had no fight left in her. She had never been coddled before and felt a little embarrassed that she was about to let her guard down to this woman. But she wouldn't say no. Brooke had left work to pick her up at the hospital. Her foster parents were already made aware of the situation and they had gone to the hospital but left quickly after to pick up the rest of the children from school. And if Tamara was honest with herself she wanted to be held, and knew for a fact Brooke would do just that, so she called the woman and she came. It was that simple. She was there. She held her at the hospital, and would take care of her now too.
Tamara stood up slowly. The gash in her stomach hurt and so did her back. She never knew Marcus would actually take a knife to her. He claimed it was a mistake. It was meant to scare her, but in his haze of fury he grazed her stomach with it.
He just wanted her back, but somehow that ended up into him punching her mercilessly then grabbing a knife. It was too quick for Tamara to do anything. She was too small for him. Too vulnerable. Too young.
Brooke got up to help Tamara up the stairs.
She felt a sense of relief when the room to Sam's door was closed and the bed in the guest room was done. She was glad Sam hadn't put up a bigger fight.
She placed Tamara on the bed then went over to close the door. Glimpsing at the floor had her smile slightly. She was glad Sam noticed the different colored flooring because it gave her an excuse to keep Sam out of the house as she talked with Tamara, of course she'd never tell Sam that.
When she sat back by Tamara, the saddened and lost teen had already taken her shirt off. Brooke saw the fresh wound on her stomach and frowned deeply. The massive bruises didn't make her feel any better.
Tamara winced as she felt the ointment make contact on her exposed wound.
"I don't know what to tell Sam." She said dishearted.
"You don't have to tell her anything you don't want too."
Tamara was sure Sam would freak out. But Sam was her friend, but at the same time she wanted to protect her like a little sister.
"Brooke it burns and everything hurts." She whined tearfully.
"I know baby." Brooke cooed softly, "It'll get better the more we do it."
She met Tamara's eyes as she heard her sniffling, "I'm sorry sweetheart. I'm so sorry."
Tamara cleaned her face with her sleeve, "Why are you doing this for me?"
Brooke sighed, "Lay down for me." She spoke gently.
Tamara did as she was told and saw as Brooke squeezed some of the cream for the bruises, "I'll be gentle. I promise." Brooke assured her when she noticed the apprehension in Tamara's gaze.
The girl winced but was amazed at Brooke's touch. A mother's touch.
"I'm doing this because you're hurt. And you are also a child, and you need someone to take care of you."
"I'm not a child. Sam is." Tamara's voice was soft and if you weren't looking at her you would've thought the voice was coming from a twelve year old.
Brooke cast her a glance, "And so are you. You are only 16."
"No one's ever treated me like a child except for you." She conceded. "You don't have to do that. I get that you and Lucas baby Sam, but I don't need that."
Brooke moved to another bruise and began the process with the cream, "You think we baby her?"
"Sorta."
Brooke thought for a moment then closed the cap of the cream. "I'll be back. I'm bringing you some sweatpants and a tshirt. Your foster mom says she'll come by tomorrow to drop some clothes off for you."
"Okay."
Brooke came back with the clothes and a cup of water and the prescribed pain medicine.
"They'll make you really sleepy, but it'll help with the pain."
Tamara yelped a bit as she sat up and took the pills. Brooke helped her change out of her skinny jeans and shirt.
Tamara watched carefully as Brooke sat on the bed and leaned on the headboard. "What're you doing?" She asked her.
Brooke opened her arms, "Come here."
"Why?"
"Because I know you want comfort and I'm here to give it to you. Honey you don't need to put walls up around me. I can see right through them."
The girl ducked her head and played with her hands.
"It's okay to want to be taken care of." Brooke said softly.
Finally the girl apprehensively slid towards her and Brooke wrapped her arms around her. Tamara was tense at first, but she finally leaned into the warm arms holding her.
Brooke kissed her head.
She took a moment before speaking again, "You're right T."
"About what?"
"I do baby Sam...when she needs it. Sam's been through a lot, just like you. And craves love, just like you. She really thrives off of it. I think you know that." Brooke spoke gently, "And I think you deserve to be loved just as much as my little girl does."
Brooke's words soothed her soul, "I don't need to be held."
Brooke chuckled a bit, "Yes you do. Don't be stubborn Tamara." She whispered.
"I remember my mom holding me once. I'm scared I'm going to forget the memory." Tamara felt tears hit her cheeks, "I don't want to forget that."
"Shhh." Brooke rocked her, "Memories don't go away when they mean the world to you."
Brooke held her until she fell asleep and slowly slipped out from under. She covered her up then kissed her forehead.
She walked out closing the door quietly. She could hear music coming from Sam's room but before going in she went to change out of her work clothes into something more comfortable. She slipped some jeans on and threw on a t shirt. She checked her phone and saw a text from Lucas letting her know that he'd be back tomorrow. She smiled at his thoughtfulness towards Tamara.
Brooke turned the knob and saw her daughter's gleeful face fall when she realized it was her mother and not her best friend.
She went over to the bed where Sam was sitting with her legs crossed and sat down next to her. She saw her daughter glare at her and then look back at her homework.
"What?" Brooke said trying to stifle her smile at Sam's antics.
What about what?" Sam said.
"You seem to have something to say but don't want to say it."
"I thought you were Tamara that's all."
"She's asleep right now."
Sam's demeanor fell, "Oh. Well is she okay? What happened? Why is she staying here?"
Brooke stopped her before any more questions came, "She needs a quiet place to settle down. She'll talk to you later, but don't push her to tell you anything if she doesn't want to."
Sam slammed her book closed, "She's my friend, not yours. I don't know why you didn't let me be there for her."
Brooke leveled her with a sharp look, "She needed me to help her Samantha."
"I could've helped her!"
"Sam she called my cell asking for help. I wasn't going to turn her down."
"Why couldn't she have called me?" Sam challenged.
Brooke sighed, "Sweetheart sometimes it's more complicated than just sticking with your friends. Sometimes you need an adult. I know you know that. That's what happened with Tamara. Now, like I said, she will talk to you. It's not my business to tell, okay?"
Sam frowned and put her book back in her backpack, then took out her school notebook, "Yeah, I get it. Fine." She was upset that she was in the dark, but would wait until she talked with Tamara.
Brooke cupped Sam's chin, "Stop it." She whispered.
"Stop what?" Sam asked the fight in her previous words absent this time.
"Stop over thinking this. Tamara still loves you and trusts you just as much. You're still her best friend. I promise you that."
Sam was surprised that her mom could read her thoughts so well. She nodded in response, then tried changing the subject, "Ummm, Luke said to tell you the hardware people are coming on Saturday morning to change the flooring in the room."
Brooke let go of her chin and gave Sam a small smile, "Alright. Saturday it is then." She let the silence take over as Sam dawdled with her pen and notebook. She laid down on her side and held her head up with her hand as she watched Sam do her homework.
Brooke loved those few and far between moments during the day where she could just do nothing and watch Sam be, well, Sam.
But she was brought out of her thoughts,
"Brooke you're being weird."
"What am I doing?"
Sam stayed concentrated on her work, "You're staring."
"Well, you're cute."
"I'm not always gonna be cute, you know." Sam said rolling her eyes.
Brooke chuckled. Sam couldn't be more wrong, "You'll always be cute to me." She was her little girl after all, and that would never change.
"We'll see about that. What if I started dressing super scandalous?" She turned towards her mom, "You know like mini skirt, tight tank top and heels and stuff?"
Brooke narrowed her eyes, "I would march you back into your room and personally change you out of those clothes."
Sam gave her mother a sly smile.
"Don't you dare even think about it Sam." Brooke warned as she saw her daughter's brain churning with ideas. Her daughter would not be that girl. She had been that girl.
"I'm just messing mom. Geez."
"Well don't. It's not funny."
"I thought it was. Bet you everyone at school would think it was funny too."
She just couldn't help it. Messing with her mom was too easy.
"Do it and watch what happens you little heathen."
Sam looked at her mother curiously, "Why are you so sensitive about it?"
Brooke frowned. She bit her lip, "I wasn't the best teenager Sam. I was a bit...scandalous myself. I don't want that for you."
Sam looked at her mother with a bit of surprise, "Oh….um, okay." She turned back to her homework, trying to imagine her mom in high school. Sometimes she forgot her mom was once in high school too. Sure she saw her pictures on the walls and trophy cases at school, but she always looked so happy and well rounded.
Meanwhile Brooke tensed at the thought of what the next days would bring for them,
"You know what Thursday is, right Sam?"
Sam scooted a bit further from her mom and rolled her eyes, "Yeah, but I don't wanna go."
"It'll help you." Brooke said.
Sam bit her lip. She was going to see a therapist and it frightened her to have to be so open to anyone besides her parents. She looked at her mom. Brooke thought her eyes looked more piercing than usual, "That's what you and dad keep saying."
"Just give it a chance?"
Sam sighed, "I already said I would."
"Promise?" Brooke smirked, taking a page from her daughter.
Sam smiled, "Promise."
She then put her pencil down and slowly slid over to her mom and molded into her, placing her back against her mother's chest. She didn't care that it wasn't nighttime yet. Her mom was in her bed and she wanted to feel safe and not think about her appointment with the therapist.
Brooke smiled because she had a feeling Sam would've done so. She wrapped her arms around her daughter, "Don't you have homework to work on?"
Sam snuggled in closer, "It'll get done at some point."
Brooke chuckled content to snuggle with her daughter, regardless of the fact that it was only 6:00 in the evening. She heard Sam's evened breaths, music to her ears.
"Mom?" Sam whispered.
"Yeah?"
Sam bit her lip and played with Brooke's hand, "I talked to Liz today. She said she quit the cheer team."
This shocked Brooke to no end but tried to sound steady, "Why'd she do that?" Brooke asked just as gently.
She felt Sam shrug in her arms, "She said she didn't like that they were mean and that she didn't want to turn into one of them and that she wanted to focus on school, but she's starting soccer soon anyways. But I don't know, I think she did it because she felt bad and, well I don't know if that's a good reason to quit."
Brooke sighed, "You're not happy she quit then?"
Sam stayed quiet for a moment and took the ring off her mom's finger and put it on her own hand, "No. I-I am. Does that, you don't think, um, does that make me a bad person?"
Brooke kissed the top of her daughter's head, "Not at all buddy. You're a good girl Sam. I hate that you always question yourself like this."
She had noticed Sam always asking that question, 'Does that make me bad?' If only Sam could see in herself what Brooke and Lucas saw.
The teen stayed quiet not wanting to talk about her insecurities. She took the ring off and put it back on her mama's finger.
"Are you upset that I'm ignoring Liz?"
"I know you need time. I'm not upset."
"I don't know how I feel. I just, I'm confused about it I guess. But I invited her to our meeting on Friday."
Brooke was glad Sam wasn't staring at her because she broke into a smile, "That's a pretty big step."
"I guess so." Sam said with a sigh.
"My little peanut." Brooke said softly and kissed her head once more.
…. …. …. ….
Sam sat next to Tamara in the waiting room of the therapist's office. The older girl had offered to come to be there for Sam, and Brooke and Lucas couldn't say no. She was still sore, but not as much as yesterday. After telling Sam a very abridged version of what Marcus did to her Sam had wanted to stick with her and not leave her side anyway. This worried Brooke a little, but she tried not to show it.
The parents sat together across from the two girls occasionally looking over at them both.
"Samantha Walker?" The receptionist said, "Ms. Lopez is ready for you. Go on ahead into the room whenever you're ready."
Sam's head that was leaning on Tamara's shoulder shot up. She glanced at her friend then at her parents.
Brooke and Lucas sat up from their chairs.
"Go on champ." Lucas coaxed, "Want one of us to walk in with you?"
Sam blushed. No, she wanted to show them she was strong enough to do this on her own. She shook her head and felt Tamara give her hand a squeeze, "Go kick some therapist ass Sam."
Sam just laughed at the joke.
Brooke and Lucas watched her walk in with apprehension. She turned to look at them and Brooke flashed her a smile. So with that, in Sam went.
Sam looked at the room around her. She could tell it was for kids because there were toys and animals painted in one half of the room, but the transition to the other half was gradient like. She stood by the door and saw a slender woman with Latina features and beautiful black hair smile at her as she went to sit down. She was probably in her early forties.
"You must be Samantha."
Sam didn't move from the door. The woman extended her hand, "I'm Mrs. Lopez, but you can call me Sarah."
Sam met her eyes and slowly gave her a handshake, "Can I just call you Lopez?"
She was a stranger. There was no trust. She didn't know her. She was the enemy. Sam just knew it.
But Sam didn't know that Mrs. Lopez understood what she was thinking.
"Sure." The therapist said easily, "Let's take a seat?"
Sam eyed her carefully as she sat on the edge of the couch that was across from where Mrs. Lopez sat. She wished her mom or dad were sitting next to her right now.
"Can you tell me a little about yourself Sam?"
"I'm 14." Sam said. That was easy enough to say, "I go to Tree Hill High." Another fact. She was determined to keep it casual and light. Just enough to please her parents for going to therapy but never delving into the nitty gritty. She'd deal with that all her own.
"How do you like it there? I hear Tree Hill is a great school."
Sam shrugged, "It's fine. I get good grades. I'm starting a club with my friend. It's almost like a glee club, I guess."
"So you sing?"
Mrs. Lopez was a professional and she could unpack a person's life starting with the simplest of comments. The moment Sam walked in she knew she'd be a hard one. A shy one. A scared one. But she was prepared to help her. Her eyes told a whole story. Her piercing blue eyes.
Sam looked at the clock.
50 more minutes.
"I play piano more. But I've been getting better at singing 'cause my friend Manny sings all the time and I go along with him."
"That's great Sam. How long have you played piano?"
"A while." Sam said ending it there with narrowed eyes. No they would not be going down that road.
"Okay." Mrs. Lopez nodded, "I'm sure you're great at it. How about your grades how are those?"
"Good. I'm good at school."
Mrs. Lopez smiled warmly at her, "Straight A's?"
Sam nodded, "Yeah, actually."
"Congratulations." Mrs. Lopez said with so much sincerity that it struck Sam as odd.
45 more minutes.
Sam furrowed her eyebrows and frowned, "What?"
"That's a big deal."
"They're just grades. They're obviously not a big deal."
Mrs. Lopez nodded and tried to be casual. That's what Sam wanted for now...casual. She could just tell.
"Some people really don't put in the work. Straight A's deserve to be celebrated at least with a congratulations Sam."
Sam scoffed at her. This lady was weird. She had never been congratulated for something so trivial. She didn't really even talk about her grades with her parents and they never asked.
"They're just grades. I don't know. No one makes a big deal out of them."
"Mom and dad aren't proud of you because of it?"
Sam looked at the clock again.
40 minutes.
"I don't really talk to them about it. I guess they are." She then realized that maybe if she said the wrong thing they'd take her away from her parents. Her eyes widened with panic, "No, stop!" She said forcefully, "My parents are good. Just because they don't really ask me about my grades doesn't mean that they're unfit or something. I didn't mean it like that! It's just that-"
"Whoah. Whoah. Samantha, I'm not trying to criminalize your parents."
Sam crossed her arms across her chest, "I don't want to talk anymore."
Mrs. Lopez hid her frown. "We won't talk about your parents if you don't want too."
"Fine." Sam whispered.
"What's on your mind?" She asked gently.
"The time." Sam said.
The therapist laughed, "Well since the time isn't much of a conversation starter I can tell you a little bit about myself, if you'd like."
Sam looked at her slightly interested and she took that as the go ahead.
"Well you know my name already...let's see, ah yes, I'm married. It's been eighteen years. I have a twelve year old daughter who goes to Francis Middle school and a sixteen year old boy who goes to Xavier."
Sam pulled her legs up onto the couch feeling more comfortable talking about someone else.
"What are their names?" She asked softly.
Mrs. Lopez smiled as she thought of her children, "My girl's name is Joana, Joey for short, and my boy's name is Jonathan."
Sam smiled at the thought of a perfect family. She then thought about the girl, Joana, she was twelve. 12. She hated that number. That year of her life. Just as much as eleven.
In a moment of pure impulse she looked back up at Lopez, "What's it like being 12? Well, for you I guess it's having a 12 year old. What's it like?"
'She's projecting.' Mrs. Lopez thought. Had she been anyone else it would've caught her by surprise for a teen to ask such a question, but her professional ear knew something had happened to this girl at 12 years of age.
"Well Joey's in seventh grade and at the cusp of adolescence." She spoke very lightly. Sam would take control of this conversation whether the teen realized it or not.
"And you're sure she's happy?" Sam asked with such an intensity, "You have to make sure she's happy. Sometimes it's hard to be happy when you're at that stage. You just gotta make sure, ya know?"
Mrs. Lopez nodded, "I can assure you I try my best to make sure my children are happy."
Sam nodded as she thought back to her twelve year old self. That girl didn't have anyone. She had been kicked out of her foster home and sent back to the group home. She was hurt after a year of abuse. Of touching and petting and kissing. Of beltings and punches and kicks. Of a loss of trust...love. She felt herself shuddering at the memories. Had her parents read those parts of her notebook yet? Her mind was distracted by another question.
"Do you have any other things you want to know about my daughter?"
One more glance at the clock.
25 minutes.
"Your husband…" She trailed off.
"What about him?"
"He's nice to her? He takes care of her when she's sick, and doesn't scream and hurt her when he's mad? Sometimes people hide that side of them."
"He's the sweetest father." She assured Sam.
"oh." Sam said with a nod, "Okay good."
Mrs. Lopez gave Sam such a compassionate look, that it almost mirrored Brooke's...almost. "You seemed very protective of my daughter even though you don't know her."
Sam looked at her with resolve, "Kids need to be protected. They're just kids. Parents are supposed to protect them, not hurt them. You're not allowed to hurt them."
Lopez had hit a nerve.
"Who, parents?"
Sam looked up at her again meeting her eyes, "Yes, parents! You're not supposed to. You're just not. But people do. Parents do hurt their kids. They beat them. And touch them. And just do bad things. They do whatever they want with them! Like fucking rag dolls."
Oh, she had hit that nerve hard.
Sam's eyes poured tears but she wiped at them. She didn't want to be sitting there anymore.
10 minutes.
Mrs. Lopez got up and sat next to the girl and handed her tissues, "Here Sam." She said softly, "Can I call you Sam?"
The girl took the tissues and wiped her eyes, "Yes." She muttered.
"What was it like when you were twelve?" Mrs. Lopez asked after five minutes of silence.
Sam's face darkened, "It sucked. Is that what you want to know? It sucked."
5 minutes.
"Are we done?" Samantha asked. How did the conversation go south so fast? Damn it.
Lopez knew the girl had given her enough for the first meeting. She was able to gauge what Sam was like. Her parents had already filled her in about her past, but she would let Sam work up to that. For now "12 sucks" was good enough for her.
"Okay Sam. We have five minutes and I like to do this thing with some of the other kids where they can ask me any question about anything and I'll answer as long as it's not breaking any type of rule. You wanna try that?"
Sam had already asked plenty of questions, but this ritual established a baseline of trust with her kids. Anything in the world they could think of and she'd answer, no questions asked.
Sam undid her crossed legs and sat up, "Can you tell me one thing you're scared of?"
Mrs. Lopez smiled. Her fear was on the forefront of her mind that day.
Mrs. Lopez was driving her children to school. Her baby bear to the middle school and her son to the high school. Her daughter was in the passenger seat rushing to finish up a worksheet.
"Joey why didn't you finish your homework last night?" She gently chastised. She didn't like this pattern she'd been noticing.
Her daughter shrugged her shoulders, "I was talking to Tricia."
"I want you to finish your homework the night before from now on." Mrs. Lopez said her eyes still on the road, "I don't want to see you doing this again."
She gave her daughter a quick glance and only saw an eye roll. Her daughter did that a lot now too. It seemed her attitude had started just a month ago. Mrs. Lopez sighed. Her baby bear wasn't such a baby anymore.
Joana's head suddenly popped up, "Mommy-"
The mother smiled. At least there was still that last vestige of innocence.
"Can you drop me off here? I'll walk. It's not that far."
Mrs. Lopez looked at her and she heard her son scoff at her sister in the back, "No. It'll be a fifteen minute walk from here. I'd rather drop you off at school."
Joana crossed her arms around her chest, "Mommy, please!" She argued, "It's not that big a deal. Patricia walks from here. She hasn't left yet and we can both walk together."
"Not today. We can talk about it at home."
"Ugh!" Joana fell back into the seat dramatically, "That's so dumb! You always wanna talk. I'm not one of your patients !"
Mrs. Lopez gave her daughter a stern glare, "Young lady, I know you're not. Now, I said we'll talk about it and that's what we'll do."
"It's not a big deal mom! I'm just walking. I have legs for a reason."
"Shut up squirt." Jonathan called annoyed from the back. Her sister was so dramatic.
"No, you shut up!" She turned and hissed at him.
Mrs. Lopez put a hand on her daughter, "Calm down sweetheart. This isn't up for discussion. I'm sorry. I'm not saying no forever, just today."
Joana felt fury pass her, "This is so fucking lame and you know it!" She yelled at her mother.
Her face immediately filled with guilt and she shrunk back when saw her mother's stunned face. She felt her brother smack her head, "Hey!" He chastised her, "What the hell? You don't talk to mom like that."
Mrs. Lopez turned to her son. He was the easiest to raise.
"Sit back hun." She said gently then turned to her daughter with a furious glare before looking back to the road.
"Mom-"
"Not a word Joana." She spoke icily.
She gripped the wheel tighter and eased into the parking lot of the school. Her daughter looked like she wanted to cry. It broke her heart. All of it.
Joana feeling guilt bubble up in her stomach didn't feel like she deserved a kiss from her mom so she just slipped out of the car and closed the door without even a 'bye mom.'
It was the first time in 8 years of schooling that her daughter hadn't kissed her goodbye and it ached her heart watching her leave. What the hell had happened?
She came back to the present with two quick blinks, "I'm afraid that my daughter will no longer need me, and push me away." She told Sam, of course in a dignified and composed manner, regardless of the turmoil inside.
Sam gave her a small smile, "That'll never happen."
Mrs. Lopez chuckled. This fourteen year old's words were somehow comforting her. Those tables turned fast.
"I'm glad you talked to me Sam." She spoke sincerely, "You're free to go."
Sam got off the couch and grabbed the handle of the door, "Thanks for being so chill. And Lopez?"
"Yes?"
"12 sucked, it did. But I really like 14."
Mrs. Lopez lived for those moments when her kids saw that she was trustworthy. A source to confide in, no, to believe in.
"Thank you Sam."
Sam nodded and went out.
She would call Brooke and Lucas later, but it was a great session and she considered it a success.
… …. ….
Brooke sighed as she sat atop Lucas in the kitchen. Sam had not been too forthcoming about the session.
"She just said it went well. What the hell does 'well' mean?"
They peeked through the kitchen as Sam sat next to her friend on the couch. Tamara had taken a pain pill and was now half asleep. Sam was leaning on her wide awake as Judge Judy fought with a man who stole a cat from his neighbor.
Lucas kissed her, "You wanna take Tamara upstairs? Maybe Sam will talk to us then?"
"Sarah said we couldn't push her to talk about the sessions." She muttered crestfallen, "She's our daughter! I deserve to know how she feels!"
He rolled his eyes, "We deserve to know, you mean."
"Yeah, that."
"Maybe we should just trust it and let the process work. Therapy isn't a magical fix babe."
"I know." Brooke sighed, "I just want her to be all better."
He hugged her tighter, "She will be. She's got us. So let's just leave her be. If she wants to talk, she'll talk. She's gotten better at opening up to us."
Brooke kept looking at their daughter, "You're right."
She got off his lap and he quickly grabbed her and stood up, "Lucas!" She admonished in a whisper.
"Do I get you all to myself tonight?" He said with a smirk.
She let herself fall into him rather provocatively, "Depends."
"On what?" He said getting closer to her face.
She put a finger to his lips and rubbed them, "How well you can tempt me."
"Oh everyone knows Lucas Scott has Brooke Davis under his thumb."
She scoffed but gave him a deep kiss anyway, "It's the other way around Lucas Scott." She said as she slowly pulled apart from him. He gave her a sly smile as she walked out into the living room to get Tamara up to bed for a nap.
It was later that same evening that Sam found herself in the basement, in the room containing her piano. She had been replaying the therapy session and couldn't help but think of herself at twelve years old. Why couldn't she have been happy then? What was it like to be happy, actually happy in middle school? She had only recently left her hell, and she had even more recently decided to move on from it. Her trauma was so close.
'You were eleven. It was three years ago, and only two years when it stopped.' Her mind reminded her.
She shook her head as if to make the thoughts disappear and went back to the piano and played.
Some notes later she felt the weight on the bench shift and a quiet Jamie was sitting next to her. She finished the piece she was playing and then turned to him.
"James." She said formally with a smirk.
"Samantha." He repeated in the same fashion gently nudging her arm.
"I didn't know you guys were coming."
He shrugged and absently pressed a key on the piano, letting the noise reverberate across the room, "Mom and dad felt like coming. We brought food from Applebees."
He looked at her. Sam was looking at a book with music notes, "Your mom wants you to come up, so we can all eat."
She looked at him with slight apprehension, "Is Rebecca here?"
If she was here, Liz was here. And Sam wasn't really sure if she wanted Liz there or not.
"Liz isn't here Sammy." He knew she was trying to beat around the bush, "Can we go upstairs now. I'm hungry."
Sam suddenly had a realization, "Jamie you're twelve?"
He nodded, "Yup." He answered popping the p.
"Do you know a girl named Joana Lopez? Does she go to your school?"
Jamie thought hard for a moment, "Mmmmm..wait, yeah! She's in seventh grade though. I'm in sixth, remember?"
Sam put the music book back on the piano stand, "Oh, right."
"That was random."
She rolled her eyes at him, "I went to a therapist today 'cause Brooke and Lucas wanted me to. That's her daughter."
Jamie looked at Sam funny.
"What, why are you staring?"
"That's creepy. You asking about her."
Sam ducked her head a bit embarrassed. She had to consciously remind herself that, unlike Jamie and Joana, she had insecurities of childhood and questions about childhood that normal kids didn't.
But she quickly recovered, "It was just a question James. Chill."
"Well can we eat now?"
"You go. Tell them I'll be up later. I'm not that hungry anyways."
"Why don't you tell them yourself?" Came a voice from behind them.
Sam tensed, but then eased up and let a small smile grace her face, "Mrs. Scott." She said not turning to look at Haley.
"Miss Walker." Haley mimicked, "Jamie go upstairs big man."
Jamie hopped off the bench and scampered off.
Haley silently walked over and sat next to Sam, "Hey kiddo, missed you in class today."
Sam nodded, "Yeah, I wish I could've been there too." She found a loose string on her shirt and started to pull at it. "But you know, therapy calls I guess."
"Your well being comes first Sam."
Sam wouldn't try and argue with Haley. She had learned quickly that her Aunt Haley was the most stern out of the group. "What happened in class today?"
"We were talking about To Kill a Mockingbird and it turned into a conversation about justice." Haley said.
Sam scoffed dramatically at the thought of justice.
Haley smiled. This is exactly why she missed her in class. She had wanted her opinion, her input on the topic. No other kid had her experiences. She was unique in that sense.
"See I knew we missed one of your golden insights in class." Haley teased lightly.
"It's just justice is so warped and situational."Sam's mind started churning and Haley smiled at what was surely going to come out of her mouth. For someone so innocent and at times needy, her intellect certainly surpassed that.
"It's all based on time, place, society. When people think of justice they think of the law. They think of punishment and rewards. But that's not justice! Like what happened to Tom in the book. he was convicted but because of the bigoted and racist ideas of the jury. He didn't do it! But that was justice in the south during the 1930's. The conversation shouldn't have been about justice it should've been about right and wrong. Those do not mean the same thing! Like think of Southside now. All these preppy kids they totally trust the police and their parents and their schools, because they've always been on the right side of the law. They're not viewed as bad kids, so they'll always be given the benefit of the doubt. They trust society's justice because it helps them. But Tamara, Jack and all my friends from Southside, that's not the case! They're stereotyped and generalizations are made about them. That's not justice Aunt Haley. It's not!"
Haley's grin was so wide at Sam's rant. Sam finally recognized her surrounding and took a breath, "Sorry. I just get amped up sometimes."
Haley had her stand up, 'Told you. I knew we missed something." She said playfully, "Come on kiddo, your dad's gonna kill me if I don't come back with his precious champ."
"Is Tamara awake?"
"Brooke is waking her up now."
That was enough incentive for Sam, 'Alright, I guess I'm kinda hungry."
She brought the girl in for a quick hug and kissed her head, "You're a smart and kind girl Sam. You'll go far."
Sam beamed. Her Aunt Haley saw potential in her. She made a mental not to tell Mrs. Lopez that. People did care about her academics.
Once upstairs Sam saw all the seats near her friend taken, luckily one was Jamie.
"Jamie can you find another seat?" She whispered.
Jamie took a big bite of his chicken, "There's a seat over there. I'm already eating Sam!" He did not respond with the same subtlety and everyone looked up. Sam blushed.
Tamara looked at her friend, "Sammy it's okay." But she knew it wasn't. How could it be? Sam had promised her that one time and she was just sticking to that promise.
Sam shook her head, "Jamie come on, please kid. Just move somewhere else."
Jamie looked to his mother who gave him a quick glare, "Go." She mouthed.
"Fine.' He got up grumpily, "Here's your seat."
Sam sat down and she just knew Brooke and Lucas were staring at her as were the rest of the adults. Luckily Nate diverted the scene for the poor girl, "So Jamie got first place in his track competition the other day!"
Jamie blushed, "Dad! It's not that big a deal."
"Yeah it is big man!" Luke said throwing his arm around the boy.
Sam relaxed once the attention left her. She turned to her friend, "Does it hurt?"
They both whispered so as to keep the attention away from them.
"Sorta, but not that much."
"I wanna kill him."
Tamara laughed, "Calm down killer. He's in jail right now."
"But what about when he leaves jail?" Sam countered without humor.
Tamara frowned, "Thrice is taking me to see some lawyer tomorrow about moving forward and stuff. I don't know yet Sam."
Sam sighed and only picked at her food.
… …. …..
It was getting late when Lucas heard Tamara turn the shower on and knew that this was his chance to go and talk to their daughter.
"Brooke?" He called as he went in her office.
"Yeah babe?" She asked very focused on her work.
"T's in the shower. I was gonna head up and talk to Sam." He paused a moment, "You look busy."
Brooke looked away from the documents in front of her, "Sorry, yeah. I'm missing tomorrow to take care of Tamara. The doctor suggested supervision up until Friday. I'm writing up some talking points for Millie to give at my meeting."
He smiled softly, "Okay. I'll let you get to it."
"Wait. Can you tell Tamara I'll help her with her medicine in an hour or so?"
Lucas gave a small laugh.
"What's so funny?"
"Who would've thought back in high school that bitchy Brooke Davis would be so maternal?"
She threw a paper clip at him which he dodged, "Shut up papa bear. Go make sure the girls are getting ready for bed."
He laughed it off and closed her door.
Brooke went back to work when she saw her cell phone ring. She groaned at the name that popped up: 'Bitchtoria'
"What Victoria?" She asked picking up the phone.
"I thought I taught you better manners than that. You greet someone when you answer the phone Brooke Davis."
"Well if you were a human being capable of having a heart. I would've."
"You are insufferable Brooke. I just called to say I think I should come down."
Brooke's eyes widened. Oh hell no, she wasn't!
"Wrong. You're not coming down."
"It was a simple thought Brooke."
Brooke couldn't believe it. Her mother, Victoria, having a thought just because? No, this had scheming written all over it.
"Well why then?"
"Look Brooke, not that I need to justify myself to you, I just haven't seen any of the sketches for the new line. I feel like it'd be best if I went to see how you're running things."
Brooke felt heat and anger hit her, "Don't you dare! Don't you dare act like I'm not running things correctly. You will have those at your desk by the end of the month and you know this. I've told you multiple times. Leave it alone!"
"Brooke, listen to me-"
"No, I won't listen to you!" Brooke hissed, "Now if you don't mind I have some work to finish up before I go upstairs and kiss my daughter goodnight. Something that you wouldn't know much about. Since you were never the mother that I needed!"
Brooke hung up the phone brashly and took deep breaths to calm herself. Damn her mother! Damn her!
She needed to calm down. She wouldn't let this affect her. She hoped to God Victoria didn't show up unannounced. They didn't need this. Not her employees. Not her family. Not her.
….. … …..
Lucas lightly knocked on Sam's door and waited for her voice.
"Come in."
"Hey champ." He sat down on Sam's bed, "I want you to start getting ready for bed."
Sam checked the clock it was ten. Of course it'd be Lucas to enforce her dumb bedtime!
She groaned as she got up and took out her pajamas and placed them on the bed.
"Sam I'm glad you went to therapy today. I know it was hard, but it was a very brave step you took."
Sam played with the shirt in her hands, "I, umm, I didn't think it was too bad."
Luke gave a small nod, "And if it ever feels like it's pushing you too hard just tell us."
"Thanks." She then looked up at him, "Umm, can I stay home and take care of Tamara tomorrow?'
Lucas scoffed, "Nice try kid. Your mom is staying with her."
"Why can't I help?"
"She needs your mom to help her dress her wounds and bruises."
Sam frowned deeply, "I need to stay with her though."
"No you don't. She needs to get better."
"And I can help! You already said I can't sleep with her because she's sore and I'll probably hurt her in her sleep, even though I'd never do that! Let me just stay home with her, please."
"Samantha." Lucas now said more concerned, "Tell me what's wrong. Why is this bothering you so much champ? She's okay. She'll be okay."
Sam wiped at the stupid tears that fell from her face, "Nothing." She mumbled angrily.
"Sam." He sighed.
They both heard Tamara open and close the bathroom door that connected to the guest room she was staying in.
"Go in and say goodnight then you're going to come back to answer my question."
"Luke I don't-"
"Go champ, then straight back."
She clenched her fists but did as she was told.
Lucas waited patiently for his kid. Thirty minutes later Sam finally came back, making it 10:30pm.
"That took long." He noted.
Sam grabbed her pajamas, "I need to change. And we were talking that's why. It's not a big deal."
He knew she was stalling and rolled his eyes at her retreating form going into the restroom.
Sam came out wearing Brooke's old Tree Hill t shirt and a pair of black sweatpants. Lucas's gaze watched as she wordlessly hopped up onto her bed and sat close, "I just want her to be okay. If I'm not with her I won't know if she's not okay."
"Do you trust Brooke?"
"Yeah, it's just I don't know how to explain it."
"Peanut did something happen before?"
Sam tensed, "I, I don't wanna talk about it."
Lucas sighed, it was late. She needed to go to bed anyways. "Whatever happened, it wasn't your fault." He said gently but purposefully,"You're not responsible for what happens to others. Please don't blame yourself champ."
Sam broke the stare.
"Come on, it's past your bedtime." He stood her up.
"Daaaadddd." She groaned.
He opened up the covers for her, "In you go kid. It's late and I don't like waking up a cranky child."
She narrowed her eyes at him as she got in.
"What? It's true." He said through a chuckle.
"You're staying tonight?" She asked settling in and feeling him place the covers over her.
"Yes m'am." He handed Sam her beloved possessions and she took them without inhibition.
She looked up at her dad and suddenly felt sad. Why couldn't he have been there for her when she was 12? He would've protected her. Sure, he would've made her go to bed before eleven and always ask if she brushed her teeth to her great annoyance. She was 14, for God's sake!...but he would've been there. He would've kept her safe.
"Goodnight champ." He placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Wait."
He stopped as he heard a silent plea in that one word.
"What's wrong?"
She shook her head, "Nothing. I just, umm, can you stay with me just for a little bit?"
"Sure thing Sam." He beamed on the inside. He went to the other side and laid down then gently pulled her into him.
"I love you Samantha." He whispered.
She closed her eyes and smiled, "I love you too."
... ... ...
Brooke went into the guest room and found Tamara in the middle of the bed just staring at the ceiling.
"You know most people watch tv, not the roof."
Tamara smirked, "Well I'm not most people and you also have a nice roof."
Brooke put down the medication and pills then sat down, "Take off your shirt T."
The girl sighed and did so then lied back down so Brooke could put on the ointment and cream for the bruises. She watched closely as gentle hands applied that dreaded ointment. She hissed at the sting.
"Brooke?"
"Yeah?"
Brooke sat her up and moved to the bruises on her back now.
"Thank you for this."
Brooke smiled tenderly and looked at her. "No need to thank me. But I do want to ask you something."
"Sure."
Brooke closed up the medicine then handed her the pain pill and water. She noticed she was still wincing some.
Tamara took the pill and swallowed it ready for it to take effect already. The pain was slowly creeping back and she'd much rather be asleep then feeling all this ache.
"So what's up?" Tamara asked.
"Why has Sam been so clingy with you? Did something happen before that caused her to act like this?"
Tamara instantly put up walls, "Why are you asking? You jealous?"
Brooke rose an eyebrow and narrowed her eyes, "No. I'm legitimately concerned Tamara."
"I don't know. I can't tell you that stuff. It's personal."
Brooke sighed, "But you're saying something did happen."
"It's none of your business!"
Brooke shook her head, "Up, come on. You're going into bed. And yes, it is my business. She's my daughter. And this sudden defensiveness you put up isn't making me feel any better about what happened."
Tamara crawled in under the covers. Damn. All this love would end after this week, but she'd soak in it until then. Well, sort of soak in it. She was still Tamara after all.
"Well deal with it." She sassed at Brooke, "I'm not telling you anything because Sam wouldn't want me too. It's really not that big a deal. She just promised me something and now she's trying her best to keep it. You know what she's like with promises."
Brooke sighed deeply. She certainly did know that to Sam a promise was everything.
"When did it happen?" Brooke asked quietly. They caught each other's eyes. Brooke standing over her made Tamara feel so small. She rolled her eyes. One admission wouldn't be so bad, right?
"Three years ago during christmas time. It's not a big deal. It's not."
"Okay Tamara." Brooke soothed, as she could tell the girl was getting tired and was working herself up, "It's fine. Go to sleep."
Tamara closed her eyes and Brooke kissed her forehead and missed the light smile that crossed Tamara's tired countenance.
She slowly walked to her daughter's room next. Three years ago during christmas time. Would Sam have written about it in her notebook? She opened the door carefully and smiled at the sight. Sam was literally on top of Luke and was holding tightly onto him and her blanket. Her head on his chest and her leg wrapped around his. Luke's arm was protectively around her back and his hand was holding Sam's bear.
'So much for our romantic night.' She thought to herself. She figured she'd leave the two alone. It was too much of a cute sight. Brooke contemplated snapping a picture but knew the flash would awaken at least one, if not both of them. And that would be an 'embarrassing mom' move. Something she was not!
She closed the door then turned off the hall light and went into her room, then pulled out Sam's notebook that was at the top of her closet.
She sat on her bed and scanned the dates, looking for the right entry. She dared not read each entry. She didn't feel like having her heart broken yet again by her baby girl's words.
But there it was.
A promise is a promise.
Right mama, daddy? You're not allowed to break those. I made a promise to Tamara yesterday. I told her I'd be by her side whenever she was hurt. I'd be there to take care of her right up until she felt better. It's my fault she got hurt. We snuck into a concert that I wanted to go too really bad. Tamara said she'd take me, so we snuck in. We got back to her brother's house because he's taking care of her right now. She didn't even know she had a brother until they found him and since he's family she went to stay with him. Well we got caught and he started hitting her right in front of me. I froze. Tamara was screaming. I was frozen. I didn't help her. He kept calling her an 'ungrateful bitch' and the belt kept hitting her. I saw him pull off her shirt and her pants and he kept hitting her. He finally let her fall down and he kicked her twice and just stormed out. I called the police. I'm taking care of her at the group home now. Thrice told her she wouldn't be going back to him. It was my fault. I begged her to come with me to that stupid concert! I shouldn't have. But now I made a promise. And I'm gonna take care of her until she feels better. She has welts and bruises. But it'll all be okay. Joan and Mike are letting me stay with her at the group home and Thrice told me it was okay. But she's not okay and it's my fault.
Brooke let out the breath she was holding as she read the entry. She wiped her face with her hands. God, why was all of this so hard? She chucked the notebook far away from her and watched it splay open into the corner.
She didn't have the heart to wake Tamara up and talk to her about it. Not like she would want to anyway. She didn't have the heart to tell Sam she read the entry and knew why she was acting this way. She couldn't. She'd have to hold it in at least until she could talk to Lucas. Her best friend. Her child's father. The man she was in love with. It brought her peace knowing he was holding their daughter, who was fast asleep. It brought her peace knowing that Tamara was tucked safely in her guestroom and wouldn't have to worry about someone hurting her. Her home was a safe haven and she'd make damn sure it'd stay that way. These girls didn't need anymore fear in their life. Her mother might not have been there for her, but she'd be there for Sam and Tamara. She'd definitely be checking in on Tamara more often.
But thank God that sleep came quickly for the tired fashion designer.
… ….. ….
Luke woke up and felt an ache in his back. He opened his eyes and realized his kid had slept right on top of him. He checked the time. Apparently they slept like this all night.
He slowly moved her off him and stood up, stretching himself and cracking in the process.
'Oh man, am I getting old.' He thought then placed the covers back on Sam and walked out. Brooke was already up changing.
"Morning sleepyhead." She told him.
"My back is killing me." He massaged it with his hands as he walked to the bathroom.
Brooke laughed as she pulled on her shirt, "Well you had almost a hundred pounds of Sam on top of you all night."
"Very true." He called back, "I'm gonna shower. Wanna come in?" He gave her an excited look.
"I already showered. Too late buster."
His face fell, "But, but." He pouted.
"Hey, don't look at me like that. I thought we were going to have something last night."
His pout fell and he went over from the restroom and pushed her back onto the bed, "We can have it now. Both girls are still asleep. I checked on Tamara."
Brooke pulled him close to her, "What about your back?"
"Screw my back." It was unintentionally ironic.
Her eyes deepened, "Make it quick."
Her sultry voice drove him mad and in one swift movement he locked the door and took off his clothes. Oh yes, this was happening.
... ... ...
Brooke looked at the time. Sam still wasn't up! She was going to make Luke late if she didn't wake up soon so Brooke strode into her room.
"Samantha! Good morning!" She said in a sing song voice.
Sam groaned and turned over putting a pillow on her head to drown out her mother's excited voice, "Brooke, leave." She grumbled.
"No, no. Come on." She grabbed the pillow from Sam. "You've got school kiddo. Up you get." She gave her bottom a swat.
"Ow! Mama!" Sam yelped and rubbed the spot that her mom had so maliciously hit.
Brooke smiled. "Sam you're dad's in the shower already. Leaving you with thirty minutes or so before he heads out."
"I can get ready in ten." Sam said with her eyes still closed, "Leave me alone."
Brooke rolled her eyes and undid the covers.
"Mom!" Sam whined feeling the cold air hit her, "It's freezing."
"Well if you get up and start getting ready it'll feel less cold. I promise you."
Sam sat up and blearily rubbed at her eyes, "You're so cruel. I hope you know that."
Brooke gave her a quick peck on the cheek, "I can live with that. I'm taking Tamara to see Thrice, you can probably catch her as she's just waking up before you leave."
Sam's eyes were now more open, "Brooke can I-"
Brooke sat down and put a hand to her cheek, "No Sam. You can't come." She thought back to the notebook. It killed her to think that Sam thought she was breaking some kind of promise.
"I've got it Sammy. She's feeling much better and you've been great help in that."
"I have?"
Brooke was glad her words helped soother her, "Yeah sweetheart, you have. You've been very attentive. it's helped a lot. But these types of things are things that dad and I need to take care of. You go to school and don't worry, okay?"
Sam started to get up off the bed, "I guess so."
"You have your club meeting after school right?"
Sam nodded, "Yeah." She said through a yawn, "I'm a little nervous."
"It'll be great, and you can tell us all about it at Ralph's for ice cream."
Sam smiled , albeit still tiredly, "Yeah that'll be fun. Tamara will be there too, right?"
"Yup. Tamara will be there."
Sam nodded, " 'kay. I'm just checking."
Brooke stood up from the bed, "Don't make Lucas late. Get ready quickly okay?"
Sam threw a shirt at Brooke, "I will geez."
Brooke threw the shirt back, "Alright troublemaker. See you downstairs in a few. Put on a coat! It's cold!"
…. ….. ….
Sam threw her coat aside and sat outside the music room. She was fuming. Her heart was racing. She told Manny to take over for a bit, and he did. But something struck her and she wanted to cry. She wanted to hurt someone. It was wise of her to leave else he would've killed that stupid kid. Beat him to a bloody fucking pulp. Her hands clenched. She stood up and kicked the lockers over and over and over again.
How could Tamara's incident with Marcus made the newspaper? Apparently it did. And some kid caught a hold of it and called them Southside trash who were nothing anyways. His friends laughed. Sam would've lunged but she felt Manny hold her back and tell her to go outside. She vaguely heard Liz and Manny kick those kids out of their meeting.
She kept kicking the locker. Tears blinded her sight.
The woman looked at the small angry teen beating the locker mercilessly from afar. She felt something tug at her emotions but she quickly cleared it up. She watched from afar.
What was wrong with her? The woman thought.
Then she saw as a slender girl with blonde hair come out and grab onto the other. It looked like the smaller girl pulled back at first, but the other girl didn't give in and pushed her into a hug.
"Sam, Sam. Listen to me. You have to calm down." Liz said soothingly, "You're gonna end up hurting someone or yourself if you don't."
"She's not trash! Fuck this place! She's not trash." Sam was beside herself.
Liz felt Sam slide down from the lockers and onto the floor, "I know Sam. I know T's not. He's an idiot."
Sam held onto her knees, Liz enveloped her. "Let me go!" She yelled weakly, "I'm mad at you!"
"I know you are. You can still be mad afterwards. But I'm not letting you go right now. You're upset."
But Sam really wasn't mad at Liz anymore. She fell into her.
"I wanna kill him."
Liz nodded, "Don't worry. He'll have something coming. I can promise you that."
Sam let go and looked at her.
"I have my ways Sam." She said with a smirk.
Sam was skeptical, "Like what?"
Liz shrugged, "Some lunchtime humiliation?"
Sam chuckled a bit though some tears still ran down, "That might work."
Liz backed off a bit just in case Sam didn't want to be around her, "Maybe you shouldn't go back in there. I can wait with you here if you want?"
But before Sam could answer, a tall, formidable woman walked up to them, with heels clicking.
"Who upset you, young lady? And why is your coat on the floor and not on you?"
Her presence surprised them both. Sam looked at her suspiciously. Her eyes still red.
"Who the hell are you?" She said wiping some tears.
"Victoria. Now put on your coat and answer my question."
Bitchtoria, dun, dun, dun! Please review and let me know what you think! Honestly you all make me so happy when I read your words, whether positive or negative. I appreciate the time you take to read the story.