| Tommy 44 |
| Sam looked out the window at the freshly fallen snow blanketing the homes in River Run. It was just a few days before New Year's and exactly four months until she married Tommy. She was surprisingly calm considering she had a million things to do. Susan had come over with several samples of wedding cake from her bakery for Sam to taste. After choosing 3 flavors, French vanilla, decadent dark chocolate & strawberry chip, which Sam thought odd until Susan assured her it was Tommy's favorite. Susan & Sam enjoyed a mug of hot chocolate by the fireplace. "I love the necklace my brother bought you for Christmas. Who would have ever thought he could be so sweet," Susan smiled at Sam, she was truly happy for them both. Sam fingered the delicate gold chain, running her fingers down to the pendant hanging from it. It was a gold baseball bat & ball. Her mind drifted as she recalled the card that Tommy had written & tucked into the box. S~ You are my heart, my soul, my desire.. You are my every dream come true. ~T. The memory of such a magical holiday brought tears to Sam's eyes. Her father, Dave, & brother joined the huge Metcalf brood for the Christmas day festivities. She decided to spend Christmas Eve with just Casey & her dad. They had a nice evening; traditionally they talked about their favorite memory of Dollene Bradshaw & how special she made the holidays for them. The 5 years since her death had taken it's toll on Dave, he never seemed to recover from the heartbreak of losing his beloved wife. They decided to join the Metcalfs for mass that night. Sam loved how the Metcalfs opened their arms to her family & made them feel like apart of the family. Jeff had put on his charming smile & said what are 2 more people? After all, we let Charlie Hailey into the house, we can certainly make Dave & Casey feel welcome, we like them. Ginger playfully nudged Jeff telling him that he would do anything for Charlie & he knew it. Sam loved listening to Ginger recall to Jeff how when Charlie got into his accident at Sloan industries in 1958, Jeff stayed by Charlie's side during his whole off-season. "Earth to Sam.. Hello!!" Susan was waving at Sam trying to get her attention. "I just wanted to tell you I was going to head home before it started snowing again." She stood up, cover her petite body in a fake fur coat. Sam also stood up; she hugged her friend, thanking her for bringing over the cake samples. She closed the door behind Susan and walked upstairs to get a shower before Tommy came over after work. ********* The Roadhouse wasn't very busy that night for some reason. Charlie Hailey just walked in to have a beer with his sons who were home for the holidays. "Li'l Mutt what are you doing working here? I thought you ballplayers made the big bucks?" Tommy was drawing beer from the tap into a pitcher. "My dad set me up here, I am trying to save some money to take Sam on a really nice honeymoon. Besides I get bored in the off-season. What are you guys all doing here?" Charlie looked at Tommy & smiled. "You really are just a chip off the old Mutt." He laughed. "We are here to have a beer. My boys are all going back home tomorrow, except Billy, he wants to spend some time with Becky before he goes back to Maine." "I hope he can figure out what is wrong with her." Tommy & Becky still had a slight rift between them because of what happened with Derrick. She still thought everyone drove him away for no reason, not believing he harmed Jeff at all. Charlie took the beers he ordered & carried them to the table his sons were seated at. A few minutes later, Jeff walked into the Roadhouse. "How's it going, Son? They treating you ok here?" Tommy straightened the navy blue tie he wore. "Everything is great. Thanks again, Dad, for recommending this place. What are you doing here, anyway?" Jeff set the scarf, hat & gloves on the counter. "Your mother noticed you left the house in just your coat & the snow is really coming down now so she made me bring you these things." Tommy rolled his eyes, "I am not a child anymore." "I tried to argue with her, but you know it is pointless. As you can see, she won." Jeff looked around the Roadhouse. "It looks pretty dead in here tonight. I see Charlie's out with his boys. Good for him, I know that he misses them. I miss Steven now that he moved to Chicago & I thank God everyday that you are so near your mother & I." "Well you can't get rid of me that easily, Old Man, someone needs to watch out for ya!" Tommy laughed. Jeff set some money down on the counter. "Get them a round of drinks, on me." He turned to walk out, after a few steps he turned back to Tommy. "I hope you plan to watch out for me for many more years, Tom." Jeff walked out the door. "I love you, too, Dad," Tommy whispered to himself with a smile. |