TJM17

After a great practice, Tommy joined Sam & Jeff, who were becoming fast friends. The trio went to a lovely Italian restaurant for dinner. Jeff noticed that Sam didn't have the normal hang-ups about eating in front of men that some women had. That was refreshing to him, since his wonderful Ginger never had a problem eating in front of anyone either. He was enjoying Florida & seeing his son but he was missing
his wife & couldn't wait to return home the next evening. Jeff knew that Ginger would grill him about Samantha. When it came to getting information out of someone, Ginger could give the finest interrogators a run for their money. Over a wonderful meal of pasta, salad & bread, Jeff told Sam stories about Tommy as a little boy. Sam was listening intenetly as Jeff recounted the tale of Tommy's almost kidnapping. As Jeff explained in great detail the horror he felt as he heard Tommy cry for him from the backyard, Sam slid her hand in Tommy's, giving him a squeeze. After dinner, Jeff & Tommy took Sam to her hotel. She claimed she was tired, so Tommy could spend Jeff's last evening there with his dad alone.

Sam gave Tommy a kiss & hug goodbye, telling him that she would count the hours till they met for breakfast. She walked up to Jeff with her hand extended for a handshake. "It was really great, getting to meet you today, Mr Metcalf sorry I mean, Jeff! It was really a dream come true for me."

Jeff shook Sam's hand. "The pleasure was all mine, Miss Bradshaw sorry I mean, Sam!" Jeff had the biggest grin on his face as he gave her a hug. "I am counting on you to make sure my son is taken care of after I go back to River Run. His mother would skin me alive if I didn't make sure you would."

"You can tell Mrs. Metcalf that I won't let him out of my site." Sam winked at Tommy. "Goodnight, gentlemen!!" She disappeared into the lobby of her hotel.

Jeff & Tommy started the walk back to Jeff's hotel which was just a few blocks away.

"Tom, I really like that girl, you have found yourself a real gem in that one." Jeff wanted to ask Tommy a question but wasn't sure how to broach the subject.

Tommy was pleased his Dad liked Sam. "Thanks Dad, I really love her. I hope Mom likes her."

"I wouldn't worry about that, Son." After a few moments of silence, Jeff decided to jump in with both feet. "Tom, I noticed something earlier that concerned me but didn't want to make Sam uncomfortable by asking."

Tommy was curious at Jeff's inquiry. "Oh come on, Dad, you have never been shy before. Just ask."

"When Sam looked at the billboard earlier with that golfer on it, her face went completely pale. I admit I am not the most observant person in the world, but there was something wrong back there."

Tommy told his dad that the golfer was Sam's ex boyfriend & that it didn't end on the best of terms. But he explained that he couldn't offer anymore information without betraying Sam's confidence. "I swear to god, Dad, if that man EVER crosses my path, he will regret it."

Jeff saw something he had never seen on Tommy's face before & it was pure hatred for someone. With that Jeff had his suspicions confirmed. Derrick McKinley had been physically violent to Sam. That was something he tolerated in no man.