Blood of The Samoan (Sequel to The Samoan) (Reuploaded)

Joe's Secrets

"Uncle Colby!"

"Hey, squirt."

Colby picked up Carol in his arms as she ran to him after school. I smiled as I looked at the two of them together. Colby would be a terrific father if he ever decided to have kids. We went home and Colby immediately started playing a game of Go Fish with Carol in the living room. I started making supper and knew when Joe got home, I would talk to him about GiGi.

Joe didn't come home that night. I tried calling him and after several times of calling, he said he had to work late. I told him it was fine and understood. I put Carol to bed early and went to the kitchen to clean up when I saw Colby already doing the dishes.

"You didn't have to do that."

He turned to me and smiled. "I was happy to. You were so nice to let me stay here and I wanted to help."

"Well, thank you."

I sat down at the table and checked my phone.

"When is Joe coming home?"

"Don't know. He said he had to stay late."

Colby looked nervous as he went back to washing dishes.

"What is it?"

"Nothing."

"Come on. You can tell me."

He sat down across from me. "Well, I just know when a guy says that, he, um..."

"What?"

"Might be...cheating."

"You think Joe is cheating on me?"

"Now, I didn't say that. I don't think Joe would ever do that. I'm just saying that he might be hiding something, avoiding for you for some reason."

Silence passed. Was he right? Was Joe hiding something?

"But, honestly, I wouldn't worry about it. He might just be staying late. I'm just paranoid about everything."

Colby went back to doing dishes. I needed to talk to Joe.

I woke up the next morning and saw a note on the pillow next to me.

Went to work early. Probably going to work late again tonight. Sorry. Love you.

Joe.

I sighed and got up. Today was Saturday and I knew Carol would be getting up soon. I went downstairs to make breakfast when I smelled the aroma of bacon.

"Mommy!"

Carol ran over to me and brought me over to the table. What was going on?

"Morning. Sorry, did we wake you?"

And I looked to the voice to see something I never thought I would. Standing with a plate of bacon was Colby in one of my aprons. I stifled a laugh and shook my head.

"What are you doing?"

"Carol said that she was hungry and I was already up so I made breakfast. I'm not entirely sure that it is edible but I tried. You want anything? I made pancakes and bacon."

"Yeah, I'll take some. But, question, why are you wearing my apron that says 'World's Number One Mom'?"

"Hey, safety is more important than what the apron says. And besides, Carol says I look pretty in it."

Colby strutted away after that. Carol and I laughed as he walked back to the stove. He seemed really happy this morning which was something I hadn't seen in Colby in several years. I was happy that his smile was once again genuine. He brought over a plate and the food was actually really good. I tried to tell him it was ok because he had a big enough head already but I couldn't help it. These pancakes were amazing.

"Whoa. These are really good. They are the best I've ever tasted."

He tried to hide his smile. "Thanks."

I nodded and I ate breakfast with Colby and Carol.

I went to see Joe later in the day and I brought lunch with me. As I was about to walk in, GiGi walked out of the door.

"GiGi?" I said as I hid the bag of food behind my back.

"Evie? Hi. You here to see Joe? He is inside. We just got done with lunch. I'm actually glad I ran into you. I'm sorry about talking about you sessions with Dr. Patton. I didn't realize you would be so angry. Therapy isn't anything to be ashamed of."

She walked off after that. I threw away the bag of food and walked into the building. Joe was helping a guy in the ring and when he saw me, he told the guy to take a break. He got out of the ring and kissed me.

"Hey, baby girl. What's up?"

"We need to talk."

"Ok. Jake, I'll be right back."

The boy nodded and sat on the apron. I followed Joe into his office, smelling the strong scent of GiGi's perfume.

"What's the matter, Evie?"

I closed the door and closed the curtains to cover his office windows.

"GiGi was here?"

"She was."

"And now you're calling me by what she calls me?"

"I'm sorry. She says that a lot. My bad. What's the matter, sweetheart?"

I was starting to get mad. "Yeah, she says a lot of things, doesn't she? And it seems like someone has been running their mouth to her about my sessions. And it wasn't Dr. Patton. It obviously wasn't me."

He looked guilty. "I did."

"Why?"

"I thought if I talked to her then maybe you two could work things out and get along."

"I will never get along with her."

"Well, it was worth a shot. It was never my intention to embarrass you. You know that."

"Well, you did! Spreading my private life with people who have no business knowing it! I told you because I trusted you with that information!"

"Sweetheart, calm down."

"No! I will not calm down! You have her running around knowing all my problems! I thought I could tell you but obviously I can't any longer!"

I was about to walk out the door.

"Evie..."

I looked back at him, appalled. "Have fun sleeping here."

I walked out the door.

"Evie...Evanna. Sweetheart, don't do this."

I walked out the building, fuming. I was so angry.

"Ugh, and then he called me 'Evie'. He is going to have a great time sleeping there until I am done being angry."

"Don't you think you're overreacting a bit?"

"No, Colby. I'm not. He is going around telling my personal business, our personal business, to people that not only do I not like but also don't trust."

I sat down on the couch next to Colby.

"He had the best intentions."

"I know but that doesn't make things better."

"Come here."

Colby pulled me into a hug and it made me feel better. I was glad Colby was here.