Page 31 of Mile High Baby

Normally, I might've hung around the perimeter while they visited, but in order to make it look less weird and less like I was protecting her, I stayed with Victoria like we were friends hanging out. But that was still creepy, wasn't it? Henry's friend hanging out with his daughter?

If Samantha thought it was strange, she didn't say anything and instead led us to the formal living room and offered us a seat. A few moments later, Maria arrived with tea, serving us as Victoria and Samantha engaged in small talk. It was a reminder of why I had chosen a different life path. It looked excruciatingly painful to pretend to be polite when you didn't want to be. I felt bad for Victoria who clearly wanted to reconnect with her friend, but so far, Samantha didn’t seem to want the same.

12

Victoria

Alex was right in that it was rude for me to show up at Samantha's house without calling first. And it had been rude for me not to take the hint that she didn't want visitors.

I hadn't called because I wanted to help her and had the feeling that she would've refused. My not taking the hint to leave was selfish. After seeing her in the bakery the other day, I realized how much I missed our friendship. I justified my selfishness by telling myself that she needed a friend too, and I wanted to be there for her.

What I hadn't considered was how to explain Alex being with me. Saying he was my father's friend didn't make a lot of sense. Why would I be hanging out with my dad’s friend? But she didn't question it. Instead, we sat in the living room while I gave Paxton his gift, a large dump truck, and the flowers to Samantha and a bouquet for her mother too.

For a short time, as our conversation was little more than small talk, I wondered if I had forgotten an argument between us. I couldn’t figure out why she seemed so distant. She was like a different person. Was it me or had something else caused her change? It made me wonder what happened to her in Washington. Had she been in an abusive relationship? Maybe her job sucked? I knew that a life filled with negativity day after day could wear a person down. Had that happened to her?

I reminded her of the fun things that we’d done in college, and by the end of our visit, while she wasn't the woman I'd remembered, she was smiling. When it was time for me to leave, I let her know that I understood the challenge she was facing now, but anything she needed, I would help her with. She initiated the hug as I left, and it alleviated the concern I had for showing up so rudely.

During the visit, it had almost been like Alex wasn't there. He remained standing near a window but was quiet. But because he was behind Samantha, I was pretty sure she forgot that he was there until we left.

Alex escorted me to the car and helped me in before sliding in next to me. The driver pulled away from the curb and headed back toward my father's house.

“Do you think people can change?" I asked Alex.

"You mean like going to therapy?"

"I mean, can life change people? I know that extreme situations like trauma can change people, but what about everyday living?"

Alex thought for a moment. “I imagine daily life could create a bigger change than therapy."

I looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"Well, daily life is insidious, isn't it? Challenges or difficulties don't seem like a big deal, but day after day, they can have an impact. The change happens without noticing. Therapy involves a person wanting to change, but most people have difficulty changing on purpose.”

I nodded in agreement.

"I take it Samantha isn't the same person you used to know."

"She's not. She used to be outgoing and vivacious. It makes me wonder what her life was like in Washington. And now, she's having to raise her child on her own and deal with her sick mother and the fact that her father abandoned them."

“It can't be easy. But I think she got the message that you are here for her."

I looked at him as hope filled my chest. "You think so? I really hope so."

Alex's hand covered mine and gave it a squeeze. I looked at our touching hands and then up at him, surprised.

He looked at me and then down at his hand, releasing it almost as if he hadn't known he did it. He cleared his throat. "I think your visit meant a lot to her."

I was still wondering about Alex's gesture when we arrived home. He immediately went to see my father, and I headed back to the kitchen because I smelled the scent of chocolate chip cookies. I’d just snagged one that had come out of the oven while Caroline was in the pantry when Knightly appeared.

"Your father would like to meet with you."

I broke my cookie in half and handed Knightly half. "You always sound so serious, Knightly. I think you need a cookie."

He held his hands up in surrender, refusing the cookie. "When Caroline discovers a cookie is gone, I do not want chocolate on my breath to incriminate me."

I laughed and popped the other half of the cookie in my mouth. "Your loss."

I headed out of the kitchen and to my father's office. He was sitting at his desk while Alex was standing over by the window, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. This couldn't be good.

---