Page 83 of Samson

“You don’t always make it easy to smile.”

“And whose fault is that?”

Samson leaned back in his chair and rubbed his hands on his thighs. “This isn’t how I wanted this to go.”

“How did you expect it to go? This is the first time you’ve visited me in years. I’ve always had to be the one to find you.”

“And you assume it’s because of something bad.”

“If it isn’t, I’m all ears.”

“I met someone.”

Arther’s lips puckered. “Someone as in a girlfriend?”

“I wouldn’t call her that yet. She’s a friend.”

“Does she know about the various other women you?—”

“Dad, don’t. She’s not like them. And I’m not— That’s not what I want.”

“For now.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“This girl, whoever she is, is obviously different enough for you to take notice, but what happens when the effects wear off?”

“What effects?”

“When you get bored. What are you going to do?”

“It’s not like that.”

“You sure?”

Samson shook his head and stood. “I don’t know why I bother.”

“What’s her name?”

“Delilah.”

“And you’ll remember that?”

“I shouldn’t have come.”

“What is it you expect from me?”

“That you would be happy for me for once in your life.”

“What is there to be happy about? That you’ve met another woman to fill the void?”

“It’s not like that,” he said again.

“Isn’t it?”

“No. I told you. This woman is different. She brings out the best in me.”

Arthur shook his head.

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