Page 63 of Come Apart
Chapter Ten
"So... my parents are out of town this weekend," Samantha reminds me.
We're in her hospital room, playing another game of five hundred rummy.
She's winning, as usual. Though in all honesty, I'm not paying much attention.
It's much more fun to replay last night's phone call with Alyssa.
"I was thinking of leaving Friday."
"Oh." Dread spreads across her face. She sinks back into her chair and motions for me to play my card.
I do. She stares at it like it's everything she needs.
"Is that a problem?"
She shakes her head. "No, of course not," she says quickly. "I was just thinking..." She stares at her cards like they're the most interesting things she's ever seen.
I fight a sigh. This would be much easier if Samantha would admit how much she needs someone.
I lean a little closer. "What were you thinking?"
She slides her fingers over her cards. "It would be nice to have someone around."
An ache builds in my forehead. I want to get back to Alyssa, but I can't exactly leave Samantha if she's worried about being alone. Not after what just happened.
But I can't be here for two more days than I planned.
I have to get back to my own life.
"I can't stay through the whole weekend. But I could swing Saturday," I offer.
She looks up from her cards.
"You can't do Sunday too?"
"Sam... I can't."
She nods, looking away. "Yeah, I totally get it. But you're sure you can stay Saturday?"
I nod.
She sighs in relief.
"Thanks Luke."
She plays her hand—she's won this round—and she marks the points on a notepad.
She squeezes her pencil, once again not meeting my eyes. "Do you think you could stay in the house?"
The air in here is so stale. The windows don't open and the air conditioning is utter shit.
I clear my throat. "That's not the best idea."
"Oh." The relief fades a little. "Is it because of Alyssa?"
"She wouldn't like it." I want to help Samantha, I really do, but not at Alyssa's expense.
