What was left behind

12.Sam

The next week I was on exchange I spent at home. The doctor I went to, just to be on the safe side, gave me a week off so I could let my ankle rest. I held it up the whole time as I forced myself to rest. Unfortunately, the constant lack of movement only meant that when I could no longer focus on what was written in the book I was reading to pass the time, my mind would create strange thoughts, tearing me away from the real world time and time again.

I had no idea why, but I started thinking about Justin. I had the impression that now, with only a sprained ankle, I understood at least a little bit how he must feel with a broken leg, doomed to the same fate as mine for a few more weeks if his rehabilitation period was not extended. I even felt sorry for him and, although everything in me screamed against it, at one point I even had the idea to call him. I didn't know where I suddenly felt this loneliness in myself for what connected us, but my surprise was even greater when every moment when I was ready to press the receiver symbol on my phone's keyboard, something distracted me, when I received a message from someone else.

I didn't understand why I was so happy when Sam first wrote to me, but since then I always gladly replied to him, although I still kept my distance and cold manner in responding to his jokes.

I didn't know how long my exchange would last, so I didn't want to get Sam and Elvis's hopes up too much. Although, on the other hand, I couldn't deny that I liked their relaxed manner and no matter how strange it might sound, I trusted them in a way I hadn't trusted anyone in this job before. Their relaxed approach to work, and at the same time still maintaining complete professionalism and seriousness during actions, at least on Sam's part, was a completely new combination for me. Sure, my team in Newtown also joked, but it wasn’t as engaging as the laughter I caught in Pontypandy.

I also liked the city itself, especially its natural surroundings. All my life I had missed nature and only in my grandfather’s cottage could I find a break from the city walls and the rules that living there imposed. In Pontypandy all the rules, if any, seemed to be turned upside down. Everyone was nice and open, always smiling. The energy was permeating the city and, although it was hard for me to admit it, I was curious about what each day of my exchange would bring. He joked that adventures were waiting at every turn in Pontypandy, but at the time I just laughed about it.

However, today, when I was supposed to go back to work tomorrow and my ankle had stopped hurting enough to allow me to take a short walk, it seemed fate that I got on the bus that was going to Pontypandy. Before I knew it, it was too late, so I got off at the bus stop on the quayside. It was a fairly warm evening, so I figured a short walk wouldn't hurt, since I'd have to wait another hour for the bus back anyway.

Unfortunately, I had been taking too much care of my ankle over the past week, and after a longer distance, it started hurting again. Not wanting to waste the week of taking care of it, I sat down on the sand and looked out to sea. I still had enough time to enjoy the sound of the sea when suddenly...

"I've been seeing you here a lot lately," I heard a voice behind me that sounded strangely familiar. When I looked away, I quickly realized why.

"Hi, Sam!" I greeted him, my voice sounding unusually warm, much to my own surprise. I had tried to keep my distance the whole time I was in his company, but something about his way of being made it especially easy for me to relax in his presence.

"How's your ankle?" he added, and I could hear the concern in his voice.

"Better, thank you," I replied politely.

"Can I join you?" he asked me shyly as he approached.

"Sure," I agreed.

"I thought you were on sick leave," Sam said as we sat in silence for a while. "I found it strange that you were sitting here on the beach," he explained. "All alone," he added under his breath, but I diplomatically pretended I hadn't heard him.