Page 81 of Sing it, Sam

Chapter Twenty-Nine

“What’s everyone’s word tally since last meeting?” Janice asks and takes a sip of her coffee.

Crap. I was supposed keep a note of my wordcount, wasn’t I? I even acknowledged Janice’s Facebook post the other week.You bad, bad writer.

If I could blame Brandon and Ally, I would. But they’re not real people. Because I haven’t written them that way yet …

I look around the group as everyone rattles off numbers in the thousands. I can’t even remember if I made it to four digits. When all eyes turn to me, I decide to be honest. To hell with the word count. It’s not the centre of my world right now.

Samis.

“Sam’s leaving,” I spill. Air leaves my mouth with a whoosh. “I found out yesterday.”

Hannah gasps, and covers her mouth.

“Oh, girl,” Leonie whispers.

“What?” Britt asks, wide-eyed. “Where?”

“Like three hours away,” I tell them.

“How did this come about?” Janice probes. She pushes her glasses farther up her nose and focuses intently on my face.

“He’s not considered ‘high care’ now, so the government cut funding to the home. I don’t know much more, but apparently he’ll be managed by community nurses.”

“That’s good, right?” Hannah soothes, raising her eyebrows.

I grit my teeth, biting back tears. Hannah’s right. Sam is improving. I wanted it, and I’m sure in every fibre of his being, it’s what Sam’s wished for ever since he found himself paralysed in hospital.

Leonie reaches across the table and covers my hand with her ring-clad fingers. “When’s this all happening?”

“We have a week until he vacates. Next Friday.”

“Oh,” Leonie says, tightening her grip on me. “Then you know what you need to do.”

“What’s that?” I choke out.

“You make this the most memorable seven days you can, girl.”

A memorable seven days.

I close my eyes for a moment. I’m going to miss him so much.

But this is for the best. And I owe it to Sam to give him the best seven days we can have together.

“Thank you,” I say in a quiet voice and nod. “I will.”

I need to spin this into a positive. Sam is on the road to recovery. He’s getting back on his feet.Literally. He needs to be reminded of the joys of the outside world. Day by day, I’ll bring him a reminder of something. The beauty of the falls on an autumn day. A killer burger from Grease Monkeys, and one of their trademark double-choc malt milkshakes with a mountain of cream and chocolate-covered pretzels on top to wash it down. Maybe even an afternoon spent throwing the ball to Butch, or better yet, with Ed if I can swing it. I know we need to talk about what’s next for us, but that’s a conversation for later in the week. I’m not sure I—or he—can deal with it yet.

Over the next hour we sit around and talk about our current novels, encouraging one another, and having the occasional laugh about crazy character scenarios.

It makes me think of the residents, and how colourful the characters at the home are. I mean, seriously? A fiery redhead who steals glasses and teeth, a former world-renowned stunt pilot who loves to cook, a retired undertaker who’s still in love with a Mustang he used to own … you can’t make that stuff up.

At the end of our meeting, Janice rushes out the door, mumbling something about issues with her final edits. Leonie proposes that we meet up again next Saturday. Britt and Hannah can’t agree quickly enough. Their supportive smiles tell me that the catch-up will have more to do with seeing if I’m okay, rather than our writing progress. After all, it’ll be the morning after Sam leaves.

I hug the girls goodbye and thank them for having my back. I feel so blessed to have stumbled across this group.

On the drive home, I try and get my brain to focus.Can we sustain a long-distance relationship? Can I get Sam the care he needs here in Willow Creek?

I didn’t feel alone before I met him, but simply contemplating the absence of Sam has me pondering how much emptier I’ll feel after he goes.Why does everyone I care about have to leave town?

***

I drive back home, hang up a load of washing on the clothes airer beside the gas wall heater, mop the floors, shampoo Butch, and finally sit down to a cup of tea.What the hell am I doing here?

I snatch up my car keys and my iPod, and drive down to the corner store.

A short time later, armed with a bagful of high-carb, high-sodium, high-everything snacks, I walk into work, prepared to spend the rest of the day with Sam, munching, and listening to music. Just hanging out.

Because I promised myself I’d give him the best seven days possible. Regardless of how shitty I feel about him leaving, the countdown has already started.

---