Of Blood and Downfall

Chapter 2.

I adjust my sunglasses and listen to Sam talk. We are walking through Central Park with ice coffee that condescended from the heat. I take a sip of the watered down drink and cringe.

    "Are you sure you really want to work for City Central?" I cut him off and he pauses and looks down at me. His red hair is reflecting from the sunlight. We dodge a toddler racing down on a scooter and the parent apologizes while running past us.

    "Why not? I've been talking about this for months and now you're against it?" Here he goes, instantly offended at my single question. I'm not trying to be negative, just sincere.

    I shrug, "No I'm not. It's just—you're going to be with a bunch of meatheads." The word makes him laugh and I feel the tip of my ears turn red. He buds his shoulder with mine and sighs.

    "Listen, those meatheads are successful businessmen. One of those meatheads is also your father." He interjects and I nod in agreement. We cut down a busy path and I watch girls sunbathe on the grass and others play frisbee.

    "Well, still. All he did was work, work and work. Even after my mom died, he didn't even think once to spend extra time with me."

    Sam turns to me and pauses. I stop as well and toss my drink into the closest garbage can.

    "I'm sorry, Mav. Truly. But if you want to live a manageable life, I am willing to sacrifice anything to make you happy." He reasons with a stiff tone.

    There we go. To make me happy. The same words he continuously says all the time. It's not even about him but always about us two. I am appreciative but sometimes I see myself and only myself.

    "Sam," My voice is small, and he takes his sunglasses off to get a better look at me. "Have you thought of us having two different career paths?" I ask him and he watches a man stride past us with a dog.

    "No—not really. I know that whatever we do, it'll work out." He shuts his mouth and I watch him clench his jaw. "Is there something you to want to tell me?"

    Running my hand through my hair, I shake my head, "Let's just see my dad and figure out that job offer you're interested in."

    "Right." He forces out thickly and for the rest of the long walk home, we are silent.

                        ~*~

    During dinner, my dad clears his throat and washes the food down with beer. Sam glances over at me from across the table and clears his throat as well. I roll chewed food in my mouth to avoid talking.

    "Steak is great Mr. Truman." Sam compliments and an excited rumble escapes from dad's chest.

    "Thanks son, it's one of my specialty."

    "And only one." I joke which makes him stiff a laugh.

    "You aren't wrong, baby." He answers. Sam places the utensils down and wipes his mouth with a napkin.

    "So, Sam, Mav over here was telling me that you're interested in editing for the company?" My dad asks before Sam can say anything. We glance at each other and Sam notices.

    Sam nods firmly, "Yes, sir. Or any position that can help me."

    "How about internship? I can wedge you in but no income."

    It bites Sam back, but he purses his lips into a thin line. "Yes, of course. Anything." It sounds almost painful coming out of his mouth like thick sores. It's not what he was expecting at all—an intern without pay. Not many people would agree to that but if it means something like City Central, someone like Sam will sacrifice.