Page 24 of Learning to Love
"We have a long drive ahead of us today. Time to get moving." I get up and head for the shower to the tune of Sam's protests.
We get ready in a whirlwind, managing to sneak in some more hungry kisses, and by the time we're downstairs, my folks are already pacing.
"Did you have a good sleep?" My mum asks. I fervently hope there isn't a double meaning there.
Sam smiles. "Oh yes. Lovely house you have. Very quiet."
I try to cut the niceties short. "Mum, we'll have breakfast and then be on our way. We need to be in O'Neill's Bay by lunchtime."
We have some leftover Christmas ham sandwiches for breakfast, a strong coffee, and then we're walking towards the car.
My sweet Daisy wags her tail next to dad. I bend down and pat her head. "I'll come back soon for you, Daisy. Behave for Nana and Grandpa, alright? I'll bring you treats when I fetch you." Her eyes seem to light up at the wordtreats, and she gives a short bark. I pat her head one more time, then we're off.
And the issue of Dorothy the car roars back to life. As soon as Sam sits down, he's full of smartass comments. "Do you think we'll make it to Bella Vista at all? Will we need a rescue helicopter for Christmas Day? I wonder if this car would get towed in Bella Vista?" He's enjoying himself immensely, I can tell.
"Don't listen to him, Dorothy." I pat the dash. "You've been a trusted companion. You'll retire to a good home."
By hook or by crook, we get to his house in Bella Vista in an hour. I leave Dorothy the Ford Laser parked outside his house, and we change to his car after we load up more presents and stuff. Sam is visibly more relaxed in his car. It's less likely to break down. In the New Year, I'll look at getting a new-ish car. Maybe a small Toyota Corolla.With my own money.
"Tell me more about your family. What do they do? Anything I should be wary of?" I ask jokingly.
Sam tenses instantly. I hit a nerve. I put my hand on his knee, and he seems to relax somewhat.
"My mum Joan is a nurse,” he says. “Loves kids. My dad Steve is a builder." He smiles fondly. "An unlikely match, you could say, but they work well together."
"My older brother Tom is the local bank branch manager. He's married to Sophie, a Korean doctor who works at the same hospital as mum. She's lovely. My brother is … well. My brother." He shrugs, but I can sense love there. I wonder why he's so reluctant to go back.
"Must be a huge thing for them that you're a bit of a celebrity."
His sad smile breaks my heart. I'm coming around to the thought that his family must not be supportive, which is shocking for me. If I told my folks that I wanted to be a trapeze artist tomorrow, they'd support me unconditionally.
"They'd prefer I wasn't. I don't want to burden you with all this stuff. It's Christmas. You won't believe this, but I messaged Tayla to ask her what you want as a present." Sam smoothly changes topic.
"Oh yeah? And what did you get me in the end?" I can't imagine what Tayla said, whether she genuinely said something I might like, or if she pulled a prank on me.
He winks. "You'll have to wait and see. Not long left."
The landscape changes around us and beautiful wildflowers line the roadside. Going down from volcanic formations through hills and gorges, we inch closer to the sea again. When the first sign for O'Neill's Bay comes up, I start feeling nervous. What will his family think?
Sam takes the turn for the town center, and drives slowly, giving me a quick tour of all the local landmarks.
"That's the fish and chip shop. They do the best Kumara chips, nice and crunchy. That's the bank where my brother works. The other side of the lake is the hospital my mum and Sophie, my sister in law, work at. And that one right there is the sailing club where I started out."
It feels like he's showing me his whole world, slowly putting together more pieces of his puzzle. A few minutes later he turns down a driveway. "This is us."
It's a large house, but not a mansion. Roses adorn one side of the fence. It's so close to the sea, I can smell the salty air. Four cars block the driveway, so Sam has to reverse and park on the street.
"Full house, I see."
He doesn't reply, he's so tense.
"It's okay, babe, whatever will be, will be. If it gets too much in there, we can go out for a walk. Just tell me."
He nods.
The moment we get out of the car, the door to the house opens, and Sam's family bursts out.
His mom wraps her arms around him. "Sammy Boy, come here.” His dad and his brother take turns at squeezing him hard. It's obvious they don't get to see him that often. Sophie, his sister-in-law, gives him a brief hug and a kiss on the cheek.
