TJM36

Derrick had no idea how to find Sam. After returning from Florida, he went to her apartment & found it empty. He was frustrated. "Damn it, Sam, where are you?" A copy of the Toledo Times caught his eye. There was a small photo of Sam with a caption reading 'Sam says So long'. Derrick scrambled to dig 20 cents out of his jeans. His hands shook as he dispensed the 2 dimes into the hand of the newspaperman. Derrick threw the rest of the paper in the trash after he located Sam's article. The last paragraph caught his attention

So long, Toledo. I will miss you as I make my move to River Run. You all will never be out of my thoughts or prayers. When you see me at the Indians games, stop over and say hello as we root for our boys to WIN, WIN, WIN!! Samantha J. Bradshaw

Below that was a short note from the editor:

We at the Toledo Times know you will miss 'Sam Says' in our paper. We have arranged it with the River Run Courier owner, Judy Owen Metcalf to print 'Sam Says' a day behind. We hope you, our readers, are just as pleased as we are.

Derrick couldn't believe his eyes. Why was it such a big deal for these people to get to read Sam's column? He always thought she had mediocre talent at best. River Run, huh? Derrick had hired a detective to check on Tommy Metcalf after he attacked him & that is where he was from. Derrick face contorted in the most awful configuration. "Don't think you can get rid of me so easily, Metcalf. You & my lying ex-bitch will get what is coming to you."

*********

Derrick checked into a room at the River Run Hotel. After dropping his bag into his room, he started off down the street. He found himself in an old dump of a drugstore. "Jeez, Don't anyone in this town know the meaning of the word renovate? It is 1980 for Christ sake & it looks like it is still 1940 around here," Derrick muttered under his breath. The folder the P.I. gave him said that Tommy's cousin, Becky, was 2 years older than Tommy & worked at this drugstore. Her father was murdered 8 years before & she was the most vulnerable of all the Metcalfs.

Derrick took a seat at the counter. Becky walked over to see what he wanted. "You look like the most appetizing thing in here, Darlin' but I guess I can settle for a cup of coffee."

Becky couldn't believe the forwardness of this stranger, but she was immediately attracted to him.

They sat & flirted for several hours. Everytime Becky walked away from Derrick to wait on
another customer, she could feel his eyes on her, she would turn to look at him & found him smiling at her. Finally, it was time for Becky to lock up the drugstore. She hated to ask Derrick to go but just as if he was reading her mind he stood up to leave.

"Becky, this may sound really strange since we just met & all, but I feel a connection between us. Would you like to go out with me tomorrow night?" Derrick had on the biggest smile he could muster.

Becky wanted to jump up & down & scream yes, but didn't wanted to appear too easy. "I don't get off work here until 6. But I really don't know if I should"

Derrick interrupted her, "Oh come on, we sat here talking for the last 5 hours. How about dinner?"

"We could go to the Roadhouse, they have dancing on Saturday nights. Do you dance, Derrick?"

"That sounds great & yes I dance! I will pick you up here at 6 then." Derrick turned, the smile quickly dropped from his face, & walked out the door. She gave him all the information he needed. Sunday, Tommy had a game, that he knew, but there was a big barbecue afterwards. He needed to be invited to that barbecue, even if it meant wining & dining this little tramp to get there.