TJM31

Sam sat in total darkness in the livingroom of her new house. Tears streamed down her face. She knew that leaving the stadium without seeing Tommy was the cowards way out, but she knew she couldn't face his mother. Why does she hate me so much, Sam wondered? Maybe she found out about Derrick somehow & she doesn't think I am good enough for her son. Eventually she would have to talk to
Tommy. Maybe moving to River Run was a bad idea. She could always try to get her job back at the Toledo Times.

A knock at the door brought Sam out of her tailspin. Another knock. "Sam, I know you are in there. It's Jeff, please open the door. Tommy is really upset." Jeff knocked again. "Please, Sam, I know what Ginger said to you." Jeff saw the door start to open. Sam's face was stained with tears.

"I-I-I don't kn-know why she doesn't l-l-like me!" Sam embraced Jeff in a daughter like hug.

Jeff's hand smoothed the top of her head. "Sam, it isn't you at all or at least it isn't you 'Tommy's girlfriend'. Ginger felt threatened because she saw me helping you move in & thought you were MY girlfriend." Jeff chuckled at the thought, what was going through Ginger's head he will never know.

Sam pulled herself out of Jeff's arms; she stepped away almost embarrassed, "OH! Oh no!! I am so sorry if I got you into any kind of trouble, Jeff!"

Jeff laughed & waved off her apology, "Don't worry about it, Sweetheart. You & I did nothing wrong. Ginger just lets her imagination get the better of her sometimes. It must have something to do with being an actress. I just hope that she didn't scare you away from Tommy. He is home right now, sick with worry. He wanted to drive to Toledo to see if you were ok."

"I hope he can forgive me for running off, but I couldn't face Mrs. Metcalf. Could we go to your house so I can talk to him?" Sam started to get some color back in her face.

Jeff was anxious to get Sam over to see Tommy. "I think that is a swell idea, Sam. He still isn't aware that you moved to River Run." Jeff noticed Sam's slightly disheveled appearance. "Sam, you might want to wash your face before seeing Tom"

Sam nodded & went to freshen up.

*********

Ginger sat on the porch swing waiting for Jeff's return. She jumped up when she saw him stroll up the walk with the young lady she barked at earlier. Ginger walked up to them with her head slightly lowered. "Samantha, I am so embarrassed by my behavior earlier. I do not know if I can find the words to apologize enough."

Sam startled Ginger by hugging her. While still embracing Ginger, Sam whispered in her ear. "It's ok, Mrs. Metcalf, I would do the same thing if I thought someone was trying to make-time with Tommy." Sam used the slang term her mother had often used.

Ginger stepped back & smiled at Samantha, now that she knew Sam wasn't after Jeff Ginger could see what a lovely girl she was. "Thank you, dear for being so gracious."

Sam smiled back at her; "I also see no reason to mention our previous meeting to Tommy."

Ginger mouthed the words Thank you to her

Tommy came running out the front door, "SAM!! I have been worried sick about you. What happened to you after the game?" Tommy's face was full of questions.