AncilChapter 21: On Death’s Doorstep
When I placed the cell phone on my ear I was instantly greeted by the sound of Sam crying on the other end. “Ron, I made the baby. I gave birth.”
“That’s great but why are you crying?”
“Because he’s sick. Pretty bad,” Samantha cried. “I don’t know what to do. I just-”
“I’m coming.” I looked at Kate who was still asleep next to me then repeated to Samantha. “I’m coming.”
As soon as I hung up the phone I scampered off the bed, flicked the lights on and began shuffling through the drawers, throwing clothes into my bag.
Kate woke up with a stretch and a yawn and said, “why are up so early?”
“I’m going back to Washington.”
“What?” Kate shouted, appalled. “You can’t just leave?”
“I’ll be back,” I said, still shuffling through the drawers. “Samantha needs me. My child needs me.”
Kate remained quiet for a while then said, “are they okay?”
“No they’re not. That’s why I have to leave. Sam said that the baby is sick pretty bad. I’m really sorry that I have to go but it’s my son.”
“I understand.”
“I’ll be back I promise.”
“Okay.” Kate said in a defensive tone
I quickly packed my bags, brushed my teeth and headed out the shelter in the dark of the night. Kate followed me all the way to the old crooked gate and said, “tell Samantha I said hi and take a picture of the little guy while you’re at it.”
“I will,” I said before turning to walk away.
“Wait!” Kate shouted.
I turned around and without a moment’s notice our lips met for a couple seconds.
“Have a safe flight,” Kate said.
“Are you going to be okay?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. Go get your son,”
Using the money I took to Trinidad from my savings, I was able to safely get back to Washington DC. The first place I headed to was my home hoping to give my mom a nice big hug only to remember that it was a weekday morning and she was most likely at work.
I still managed to find my way into the house and quickly grabbed the keys to the car. I was in a hurry to get to Samantha’s house but I couldn’t help but take a moment to just stand and look at the house as though it was some amazing piece of art in a gallery. I hadn’t seen it for quite a while and for some reason it looked different even though nothing had changed. Everything was exactly in the same place but only after a while did I notice that the curtains changed. I assumed that my mother changed them during the Christmas season. I couldn’t wait to see my mom but I knew I had something very important to do before. I had to help Samantha.
I jumped in the car and sped off to Samantha’s home which was a posh two story building located in a lonely area near Forks. Samantha’s parents weren’t incredibly rich but they renovated their house so much over the years that it eventually reached to a point where it looked like it belonged to a rich oil tycoon or something.
The front pathway of the house leading to the door was lined with all kinds of flowers which added a heavenly essence to the experience of walking to the door. Samantha’s mom loved flowers and I remember visiting Samantha’s home back in the days and always seeing Elizabeth in the garden. If I didn’t know better I’d think that she slept in the garden. But, she wasn’t there this time and it was the first time ever that I saw the garden lonely. There weren’t even the colorful butterflies and ladybugs that were usually there. For some reason, the garden just looked more lively and upbeat when she was there.
I picked a bouquet full of flowers from the garden and rang the doorbell. I heard some movements inside and after a couple seconds Mrs. Hurlan opened the door and greeted me with a smile.
“Good morning Mrs. Hurlan,” I said, upbeat and respectful.
“Good morning darling. How long has it been?”
“Too long,” I smiled.
“Samantha’s not home at the moment. She’s at the hospital with her dad. She poisoned herself again with alcohol. I don’t know what to do anymore. She just won’t stop.”
“But how’s the baby?”
Mrs. Hurlan pursed her lips and squinted her eyes clearly confused by the question. “What baby?”
