Summerset, page 16
“Christopher Berkley speaking,” he greets business like.
“Hi,” I say quietly.
“Sammy, where are you?” He asks panic in his voice. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. No one seems to know where you are.”
“There was an accident. I am in the hospital.”
“What accident? In the hospital? Which hospital? Hold on Jenny.” I hear him say. “What hospital?”
“I am in St. Mary’s Hospital.”
“I am on my way. I love you.” He says.
I don’t say anything and end the call. The tears start coming down. Twenty minutes later both Chris and Jenny enter my room.
“Jesus,” it’s all Chris says running to be by my side. I wonder what he is looking at. What has him terrified? He starts caressing my head.
“Are you ok?” Jenny asks.
“What’s wrong?” I ask. Then it hits me. I have been in an accident.
“You have bruises on your face.” She says tears welling in her eyes.
“I am fine. It doesn’t hurt.” What I don’t say is the side where the car hit me is throbbing. But it’s not my real pain. But they don’t need to know that.
“What happened babe? I knew something was wrong when twenty minutes passed and you weren’t home. I should have gone to pick you up. This is my fault.” His voice cracks.
“It’s not your fault. I really was like five minutes from the house. It was an accident. It could have happened to anyone. But I have to tell you something.” I try to summon the courage to lie. I take a deep breath and start crying. “We lost the baby.” I look at Jenny. She starts crying and Chris falls into his knees. “I am sorry,” I say to Chris running my fingers through his hair.
“I am just grateful you are still here. If something would have happened…if I had lost you… I don’t think I could have survived.” He says sobbing.
“Jenny, would you be kind and get Chris something hot to drink.”
“Of course,” she clears her throat. “Can I get you anything?”
“I am ok. And Jenny,” I start saying.
“Yes?”
“Thanks for being here.”
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t be anywhere else. You are my sister.” She walks out leaving Chris, I and beeping sound of the machines.
“Hey,” I say trying to get Chris’ attention. “Come sit beside me.” I pad the bed as I move over. He quietly stands and sits. I take his hand.
“Nothing that happened it’s your fault. I don’t even know where the car came from. All I remember I was near the house. I could see the building from where I was standing.” I squeeze his hand. “Things out of our control happen all the time.” I take a deep breath. “I want to talk to you about something but not here. Could you get the nurse? I would like to go home.”
“You should probably stay overnight. Your body just went through major trauma.” I see concern in his eyes.
“I spoke with the doctor earlier. He said I can go home.” Another lie. They are piling up.
“Ok.”
After twenty minutes with the doctor he released with the condition of me following a visit with my general doctor. I was grateful he didn’t mention the baby. Ten minutes after that Chris, Jenny and I were getting in the car being driven home.
“We are here,” Chris snaps me out of my thoughts.
“Ok.” Because I am in pain, he helps me to the elevator. “Jenny, I am ok. It’s nearly one in the morning. You should go home and rest.” I say as we ride the elevator.
“No way. I am staying in the guestroom in case you need anything. Chris?”
“Thank you.” It’s all he says. We go in to the apartment. It feels so cold. I shiver. Chris drapes his arm around me. “Let’s go to bed. You must be tired.” He says.
“Good night Jenny.”
“Good night Sammy. I am so thankful you are ok.” She pulls me in for a hug making me wince. Chris gives her a look.
It only takes a few more steps before we get to our room. I sit on the bed Indian style. “Come here. Sit with me.” I say. He doesn’t say anything and does as I have asked. I wonder if he can tell what I am going to say. Suddenly I am nervous. I don’t know if I can do this. To tell another lie. But I can’t change my mind. This is not what he needs. “I want to talk about something. I need you to promise you won’t overreact and let me finish.” He looks at me ready to protest. “Promise?” I repeat.
“Ok.”
“I had an unexpected visit this morning when I was leaving the apartment.”
“Who?”
I take a deep breath. “Claire.” I exhale. Just saying her name hurts.
“Why was she here? What did she want?”
“I want to ask you a question. I need you to be honest with me even if it’s hard.”
“Always.”
“Is your mother ill?”
“She is not. She is in perfect health.”
“Are you sure?”
“I just saw her yesterday when she was visiting my father at the office. She was her usual self.” Maybe Claire is as manipulating as his mother was.
“I have another question.”
“Babe, what is going on?”
“Has your father not given you the company because you are married to me?”
“I don’t want the company. All I want is to be with you.”
“You have worked hard to make your father proud and takeover the family business.” I take a deep breath. “It’s not fair the only thing stopping you is me.” I swallow my tears.
“Did Claire put all those lies in your head? They aren’t true. The reason I haven’t taken the company has nothing to do with you.”
“Please don’t lie.” I lay my head on his chest. I am accusing him of the one thing I am about to do.
“I don’t want the company if you aren’t beside me.” He whispers as he kisses the top of my head. I pull from his embrace.
“I can’t do that to you. It’s selfish. You deserve everything. I can’t give you everything you deserve. You can make such a difference in the world. You won’t able to achieve your dreams unless you are at the head of Berkley’s.”
“What are you saying?” I see pain in his eyes.
Before, I think and coward I blur it out. “There isn’t anything tying us down. We lost the baby. I want a divorce.” There is shock in his face.
“Don’t do this. I don’t want anything if you aren’t beside me.”
“This is the right thing. I am not going to tear your family apart because of me. You have to take your place in the company and do all the wonderful things you have dream of.” I say crying.
He pulls me in an embrace. I let him for a few minutes. I move making it clear I want to stand. I take another deep breath.
“I am going to pack a few things and return to Summerset. There is no reason for me to stay.” I say quietly.
“You are not moving back with your father. I can’t let you leave without me fighting for you.”
“I am sorry. I have made up my mind. I won’t stay with my dad. I can crash at Donny’s until I find something.”
“No,” he says anger in his voice.
“Please. Don’t make this any harder than it already is.”
“At least stay at our penthouse. I need to know you are safe. I want you to have half of everything.”
“No, that is not my money. It’s yours. I will be fine. I will find a job.”
“Please, let me take care of you.”
“Ok. I am leaving in the morning.” He won’t relent if I don’t give in. Besides I don’t need to use his money. I just need him to think I will.
“Let Tom take you.”
“Ok.”
I walk to our walking closet and grab a bag. I don’t take much. Just some clothes to tie me over. Chris stares in disbelief. I am doing the right thing. He has to marry Claire and get everything he has worked hard for. It’s the part that hurts the most. Knowing that I am not with him. When I am done packing, I lay down. Chris is not in the room anymore. I don’t even know at what point he left. I look at the time. It’s six in the morning. I am restless. I know I am not going to sleep. I get up and walk to the kitchen. Chris is sitting in a chair with a drink facing the window. My shadow gets his attention.
“You are up.” His voice is horsed.
“Never went to sleep. Do you think you can have Tom come at eight?” He takes his phone and speaks to someone.
“He will be here at eight.” He sounds cold. He hasn’t looked at me.
I bite my lip because I don’t want to cry. I go to the kitchen and get a glass of water. I take it to our bedroom. I go quickly to the bathroom and take my prenatal vitamin. No need to put the baby in danger by being careless. I get in the shower. I stand over the showerhead until my fingers are prune, almost purple. There are no tears left.
I return to the room. It’s empty. I quickly dress trying to hide my already swelling belly. I look over to the clock and its seven thirty. Only twenty minutes I need to endure before I can peacefully breakdown. I take my bag and walk to the living room. Everything is quiet. Jenny must still be at sleep. Chris is no longer sitting were I have left him. I look around and he is not here. Maybe it’s for the best. I get another glass of water. I drain in three gulps. I wash it and put it back in the cupboard. I can’t be in the apartment anymore. I take a last look at what once was my home and leave. There is nothing keeping me here, not even his love.
Sammy
“Sammy, Mr. Berkley said you are going to Summerset?” Tom asks.
“Actually, could you take me to the airport?”
“Of course. I have to call Mr. Berkley and let him know the change of plans.”
“Please don’t.”
“Mr. Berkley wants to make sure you are safe.”
“I will. Please.” I plea. “I promise to call him once I land.” I add.
“Ok.” He says unconvinced. “Is there an airport in particular?”
“The nearest.”
As he drives, I silently start crying. My heart is breaking. Not only am I leaving the only man I have loved but I lied to him. But I am doing the right thing. He deserves the world. As long as we are together, he won’t accomplish the wonderful things he wants. He was born to change the world. I take my phone and dial Donny. It’s early but he will answer.
“Hello,” he says groggy.
“Hey,” I say.
“Sammy, it’s early. What’s wrong?” He asks more alert.
“Does auntie still live in Iowa?” I whisper. I don’t want Tom to know where I am going. I can’t risk Chris finding out.
“Sammy, what’s wrong?” I hear him shifting in his bed.
“Do you think she would let stay there for a few days?”
“Of course, she loves you like a daughter. Where is Chris? Why do you need to go to Iowa?”
“I need a few days away. Come and visit. We can talk in person. I will pay for the airfare.”
“I am taking the next flight out.”
“So am I. I am on my way to the airport.”
“You are freaking me out.” I hear him rummaging around.
“I am fine. I will text my flight information and we will take it from there.”
____
Six hours later I am landing in Iowa. I was fortunate a flight was leaving thirty minutes from when I arrived the airport. Donny’s flight isn’t getting here for a few more hours. He called auntie and told her we were coming for a visit. She said for me to go straight there and not wait for Donny. She sounded excited. It had been a while since the last time we have been seen each other. I told Chris’s driver I would call Chris and let him know I am safe. Even though I have reservations I don’t want the poor man to lose his job because of me. I turn my phone on and there is a text from him.
Chris: Call me when you arrive to wherever you went
His words give me the chills. He doesn’t say anything horrible but they make me shiver just the same. I can feel the coldness. I really hurt him. I dial his number.
“Hi,” I greet as I am walking to take a cab.
“Tom said you asked to be dropped off at the airport. Where are you Samantha?” He asks cold without even greeting me.
“I am visiting a family friend.”
“You don’t have family friends. Where are you?”
“I just wanted to tell you I am ok. I have arrived safely to my destination. I have to let you go. Please call me when the divorce papers are ready to sign or we can get an annulment. We haven’t been married for a year yet. I am sure an annulment can be arranged.” I remember what his mother told me the time we met.
“I am not erasing our marriage. I am not giving you a divorce.”
“You promised.” I plea.
“I didn’t promise anything. I am getting you back. No matter what it takes.”
I take a deep breath. “I have to go.” I end the call. I don’t think I can handle him saying anything else.
I start crying. So much has happened since the first time we met. Am I doing the right thing? Should I have stayed and fought the odds? No. I need to be strong. Chris deserves everything he has worked hard for. I am not going to stand in his way. It’s not fair to him. I find a cab and give him auntie’s address. Twice in the last year I have left the man I am completely and utterly in love with. I continue to silently cry until were sitting in front of auntie’s curb. She sees the cab and makes her way to me. I pay the man, say a silent thank you and get out.
“Oh child, come here.” She embraces me. “Let’s go inside.” She adds leading me to the house.
She continues to embrace me as we walk. The house smells of fresh baked cookies and tea. The overwhelming feeling reminds me how much I wish mom was here.
“Sit, I’ll bring you a cup of tea. Are you hungry?” She says as she walks to the kitchen.
“I am ok auntie.”
“When was the last time you ate?” I hear things moving around in the kitchen. A new wave of tears appears. Auntie walks in taking me in. “Do you want to talk about it?” She places a plate with cookies and tea on the coffee table.
I take a sip of the tea. The heat of the water is welcomed. It reminds me I haven’t eaten all day. But I have to remember is not just me. I pick up a cookie and take a bite. It doesn’t make it low enough when it rises back up. I rush to the bathroom barely making it. I am heaving. Auntie rubs my back. After a few more minutes I stand. She waits for me to wash my face making sure I am steady enough to join her in the living room. I walk to the living room when I am done.
“Now Sammy, I know you love me dearly. But you wouldn’t come here unless something is wrong. I am over the moon you are here. Tell me what is wrong?”
“Oh auntie, I don’t even know how things got so bad.”
I tell her everything. From the first time I met Chris to my encounter with Claire. I barely make it through the story. My sobs over taking me.
“You are expecting, aren’t you?” She asks.
“How did you know?” I ask surprised.
“Oh child, when a woman like me has gone around the moon as long as, you learn a thing or two. I remember when my sister was expecting Donny.”
“I don’t know if I am doing the right thing anymore. I know it probably isn’t the right thing to do. But what am I supposed to do?” I ask with fresh tears.
“We will figure this out. Why don’t you go and take a nap? I went ahead and got a room ready for you. After a nice nap you will be able to see things more clearly.”
I follow her to the room. I set my bag in the corner of the room and lay in bed. A few seconds later I am fast asleep.
____
I wake to the smell of fresh bread. I walk to the bathroom. My hair is out of place and my eyes are swollen. I wash my face and walk to the kitchen.
“Hey sleepy head,” Donny pulls me in a hug and kisses the top of my head.
“How long have you been here?”
“A while. Auntie didn’t want me to wake you. Spilling something about you needing rest. What’s going on?” I lead him to the living room. The clock reads ten at night.
“It’s late you should have woken me.”
“I was but auntie said no. I asked her what’s wrong. She said it wasn’t her place to say. All she kept saying was you needed rest. What’s going on?”
I take a deep breath. I tell him all about my encounter with Claire. I even tell him about the car hitting me. His face was boiling red.
“Why the sugar plums did you not call?” There is anger in his voice.
“I was still processing myself. I didn’t want you to trouble yourself.”
“For the love of honey Samantha.” He is truly angry. He never calls me Samantha. “You know better than that. You are my sister. I would drop everything in a second.”
I take another breath. I have to tell him about the baby. “There is one more thing.” He gives me a I can’t believe you look. “I am pregnant.” I start to cry. You would have thought I had none left by now. But they are still coming.
“It’s going to be ok. We will figure this out. Does Chris know?”
“Yes and no.” I say between muffles. “He thinks we lost the baby after the accident. I didn’t want him to feel he needed to stay. He has worked hard to get to where he is. I can’t be the reason he doesn’t reap the rewards.”
“This is not fair to him. He deserves to know. You were raised better.” There is a hint of shame in his voice.
“I know. But he would give everything up if he knew. I don’t want to tear his family apart. I saw how it slowly was already happening.” I say with harder sobs.
“I brought bread. You need to eat something. The bread should settle your stomach.” Auntie smiles.
“It’s ok auntie. I told Donny everything.”
“I knew you would. You go on and eat. I’ll put some fresh water to boil so you can have tea.” She walks back to the kitchen.
“What now?” I ask Donny.
