New In The Territories (Book 1) COMPLETED

Chapter 1 Sam

 Breaking my promise to Mady, the greatest friend in the world. I knew she would be pissed but hopefully understood why I waited to call. Leaving in the wee hours in the morning because sleep was not an option for me didn't mean that she wouldn't be sleeping. That was a few hours ago but since I had been on the road for a good 6 hours it was time for a much needed washroom break and maybe something to snack on since my stomach started to untwist.

Mady answered on the first ring. "Are you leaving? Do you have everything? When will you be here?"

Chuckling at Mady's mile-a-minute banter. I really missed her "Good morning Mady. How are you this fine early morning? Oh, I'm good thank you," I replied with the first humour I had felt in days. Weeks. Maybe even months.

"I'm sorry, just wound a little tight right now," Mady sighed.

I could picture my best friend as if it was yesterday: eyes closed, shoulders beginning to ease, while concentrating to slow down her speech and breathing. The image puts a true, but small, smile on my face. It had been five long years since we had seen each other, and I had to admit I too was just as excited to see her.

"Umm...I already left. Been driving for about 6 hours now." Admitting and waited for the lecture.

For a moment I thought we lost cell reception because there was nothing but dead air. Finally I heard Mady take a deep breath. "So you are going text me at every stop from here on in. And when you hit a hotel that you will be staying at. Make sure it's a decent hotel not one of those sketchy ones that you can pay by the hour." Was that a question or statement? Who was I fooling, this was Mady I was talking about. It was clearly a demand.

"Yes mm...yes ma'am," God it was still hard for that word to come out of my mouth without my chest feeling as if it was going to rip in two.

After a long tense quiet moment, Mady said, "You drive safe doll, and be safe. You hear me?" The concern in her voice was heavy over the phone.

I had been in a bad place for a long time now, but I pulled myself out of the worst of it. There was no way anyone was going to know just how bad I truly was. The problem was I was pretty sure Mady did know to some extent, no matter how much physical distance was between us. No one knew me better or most of my secrets like Mady did. Fortunately I don't think she knew just how close I was to hitting rock bottom. If it weren't for my own stubbornness, and the silent promises I made, I had no doubt I would have giving up on life a few months ago. Maybe Mady did know, hence the reason why she finally convinced me that moving was a good thing. Another reason why was because I needed my best friend. I needed Mady more than she will ever know.

Anxiety level rises, I stared out the window, wiping my exceedingly sweaty palms on my jean-covered legs. "You know you are going to give yourself an ulcer from all this worrying. I have my GPS locked and loaded, plus a map just in case. I also have places marked out for my stops...As you strongly suggested I do. I'm going to be fine so stop worrying that pretty little head of yours…Hey, why don't you tell that husband of yours to get busy with his husbandly duties to keep your mind off things till I get there?" Taunting her was always easy. Mady laughed, more so out of comfort while letting the underlying issue alone. For now.

"Yeah, yeah I know...um...promise me you will get here safe," Mady's concern and desperation rolled from her voice.

I didn't bother to hold back the sigh. "I promise...I will talk to you soon."

There was a pregnant pause, the kind before someone wanted to say something but does not really know how to bring it up without pissing off the other person.

"Whatever you want to say just say it, because if you don't it will eat at you and you know it," I started a little harsher than I meant.

Mady asked hesitantly, "Umm...Sam, how are you doing?" Then quickly added, "Please, don't get mad for me asking."