TJM20

The next 2 weeks flew by. It found Sam & Tommy spending as much time as possible together. They only had 3 days left in Florida, Tommy was going back to River Run, he had a week off until he was needed in Cleveland for the season opener. Sam, much to Tommy's disappointment, was returning to Toledo. Tommy had been trying to convince her to come home to River Run with him, but she was
reluctant to leave her job with the Toledo Times. It was 1980 & believe it or not most newspapers wanted stodgy old men to write the sports. Sam had started out writing under the name Sam Healey (her mother's maiden name), they had all assumed that she was a he, until Sam dropped the bombshell at a staff meeting. By then she had a following & not wanting to lose her, the Times let her little deception go. Tommy had just told her the story about his Aunt Judy & how she started off writing the same way until she married her second husband, Daniel Anderson, who owned the River Run Courier. He died a few years later leaving the paper to Judy who was now married to Tommy's Uncle Hank.

Sam hated the thought of being separated from Tommy, especially after they had gotten so close. She placed a call to Jeff asking him if he could help her get in touch with Judy about possibly doing some freelance until her paper had an opening. Jeff was more than happy to help Sam; he had just finished talking to Ginger about Sam & Tommy being apart. Their son had called Ginger, he confided in her about his insecurities with Sam going back to Toledo. He of course omitted the Derrick fear in his conversation to his mother, out of respect for Sam's privacy. Ginger then relayed Tommy's concerns adding a few of her own to Jeff. "Can I ask you for a really big favor, Jeff," Sam had asked. "Sure," Jeff replied. "I want to surprise Tommy with this so can you keep this just between you, Judy & I for now?" Jeff knew it would take many mental reservations to keep this from Ginger & Tom, but didn't want to ruin the surprise. "You can count on me, Sam!" "Could you ask Judy for me?" "No problem!"

Jeff recalled his conversation with Sam as he waited for Judy to answer her phone at the newspaper. "Judy Owen Metcalf" Judy's husky voice sounded preoccupied.

"Judy, this is Jeff" Jeff hated to bother his sister-in-law while she was working, but knew that Ginger, Judy, Linda & Gina had their girls night out tonight & didn't want Judy saying anything to Ginger about Samantha.

Judy set down the papers she was reading so she could focus on Jeff's call. "What can I do for you, Slugger? By the way, you found me a real gem in Samantha; I am reading some of her stuff right now. She has an edge, she reminds me of well, a young me!"

"That is what I am calling about," Jeff told Judy about Sam's request.

Judy's voice softened. "No problem, Slugger. I am all for surprising one of my favorite nephews."

Jeff hung up with Judy, just as Ginger was coming in with the groceries. He helped her put them all away. And breathed a sigh of relief when she left the house. That isn't so hard, Jeff thought, she doesn't suspect a thing.

Ginger walked onto the front porch. I wonder what he is up to, Ginger thought to herself. Jeff avoided eye contact & barely said a word, responding in short one-word answers. Yep, he was definitely up to something & I am going to find out what. & I am going to start first thing in the morning. Ginger left to go meet her 3 best friends for a night of gossip & fun.