Leave The City (Book 8 of Adopted by the Josephs)

7. Brendon

Samantha's first week at school went smoothly. She made a group of friends within the basketball team and in her classes. She told us her English teacher, Patrick Clark, said hi. He'd been Jessica's teacher when she'd started at the middle school after we'd adopted her. He'd driven Sarah to the hospital the day Jess got assaulted by a schoolmate. He was a good guy. We'd liked him. He had kept in touch with Jess as she'd moved on to high school. He was at her funeral.

Saturday morning I got up somewhat early. It was nine in the morning. I could hear music downstairs so I went to investigate. For half a second, I thought it was Jessica in the kitchen. I did a double take as Samantha turned around. She was already awake and was apparently making breakfast.

"Morning, Uncle B!" She smiled at me. I smiled back at her, pushing down the tears that were threatening. God, how I missed my daughter.

"Good morning to you too," I said, going over to her and giving her a quick hug and a kiss on the side of the head. I love this kid, I swear. "What's all this?"

"Breakfast. Sort of a thank you to you and Aunt Sarah for letting me come out here this year."

"That wasn't necessary," I said. "It's our pleasure. You know that."

"Let her make you breakfast, Bren," a voice from near the stove said. Sam was on a FaceTime call with her family while she was making breakfast for the three of us.

"Hey, Ty. How's Ohio?"

"Quiet," he said, smirking. "There are only two girls in the house and no teenagers."

"Dad," Sam said in a warning tone.

"Sorry, sorry, but I'm not gonna lie. I miss you. We miss you."

"I know. But so far, things are really good. It's been a good week," Sam said.

"What else were you telling me about your classes?" Tyler asked. Samantha continued to chat to her parents and sisters as she scrambled eggs, added cheese, flipped pancakes and checked the bacon she was making in the oven. That was a different way to make bacon. Cleaner than when I do.

I poured myself a cup of coffee from the pot Sam had clearly brewed fresh and listened to her telling Tyler and Jenna about her first week at school. She was all smiles and talking excitedly. It reminded me of when Jess was well and had gotten into the swing of things at school. Her friends were so wonderful. I hoped Samantha would have the same experience with her friends here.

"So, no one eats in the cafeteria apparently, so I have no idea how the food is. We all go to this burger place near the school. Dad, they're soooo good! Better than In N' Out," she was saying.

"Impossible. You love In N' Out," Tyler laughed.

"I may have found a new favourite. It's this tiny place. No indoor seating. It's all outside tables and you walk up and order and they make everything fresh. And oh my god, Dad, their buns! They're seriously the best I've ever had."

Tyler was laughing.

"I ask about school and get a restaurant review," he laughed.

"Sam, how's the homework situation?" Jenna popped in. "Oh, hi Brendon."

I smiled and raised my coffee cup.

"I have a little math to do today or tomorrow. I'll probably just get it done today after we have breakfast, and I have a book for English to read, but I'm already halfway through it, so I can hold off a little on that."

"You're keeping up with everything?" Jenna asked.

"Yep. Oh, and I'm meeting the doctor Doc recommended on..." she looked at me for confirmation. "Tuesday?"