Home is where the Heart is

A special visit

The T.V played at a low volume while Mercedes' dad happily slept on the couch. He was waiting for a few people to come home...late that is. One person who was troubled in his eyes, and the other his daughter.

His eyes rapidly flung open as the doorknob turned, and not only did that wake him up, but their was boisterous giggling. It didn't seem to stop.

Mercedes laughed, pleading for more, and so Sam smiled and gave in. "Ok ok, would you like to hear my other impression of-

"It's ten forty-five." Her father yelled. They stopped, now realizing he was listening and not asleep. Mercedes gave Sam a worried look, and so he spoke up. They were having so much fun laughing together as Sam did his impressions, but not one of them would impress Mercedes father.

"I know, I'm so sorry Mr.Jones, but it's only 15 minutes past curfew and me and Mercedes had got a little lost on our way home," Sam explained. It was the night before prom and they had decided to go for a quiet walk around town.

"How can I ever trust you with my daughter?" He said, now making his way to the doorway where Sam and Mercedes were standing.

"Dad, you never had curfew this early with me and Shane. Heck, it was at 12:00 o'clock."

"Yes, but this is different." He said looking at the innocent blonde. He still believed Sam was a bad influence.

"I'm really sorry, Mr. Jones. I promise to take better care of your daughter next time."

Her father raised his eyebrows. "Maybe there won't be a next time."

"Dad!"Mercedes yelled. "You can't choose who I can and can not date."

"I can if I see him as a trouble maker. I just don't want you getting hurt, sweetie." He didn't seem to mind that Sam was standing there, but Sam understood where he was coming from. Ever since the first day they met he didn't seem to trust him, and after Mercedes told him his story, he thinks he comes from the wrong side of the tracks...or maybe because he was no Shane.

"I can leave if you want, Mr.Jones." He said. "I understand if you don't want me staying here, I can find somewhere I promise."

Mercedes didn't let her father answer. "No, Sam you're staying here. C'mon. Tomorrow is a big day for us." She took sam's hand and willingly dragged him up the stairs.

"How are you going to afford a tux?" Her dad asked as he watched them make their way up the stairs, almost to rub it in his face.

"Who says he needs one," Mercedes called back. Sam did wonder about that. He felt sad when he remembered he couldn't afford anything fancy to escort his girlfriend to prom with. Perhaps tomorrow he'll try to get his job back.

"I'm sorry about that. My father is just way too protective of me." Mercedes said.

"It's not your fault. I see where your dad is coming from. He's used to Shane, a guy who follows the rules to a tee and has a scholarship ahead. Whereas me, I told him I got into a fight and was secretly staying at your house. He's just concerned for your future."

Mercedes lied down on her bed and sighed. "I wish he could see beneath the surface. How strong you are over what life has thrown at you."

"I appreciate that." He said, lying down next to Mercedes. "I feel like I should compliment you now."

"Go on..." she said while fluttering her eyelashes.

"Well," He turned his head to get a deeper look at her eyes. Their was so many wonderful things he could say about her, words could not even begin to express his love. Yes, he loved her. "Your singing voice makes the world a brighter place." He said and continued while she scrunched her nose in embarrassment. "Your eyes are the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen."

"Really?" She said jokingly.

Sam turned his body to face hers. "Oh I'm not even close to being done. "Your smile-

Sam stopped his complimenting, although he didn't want to, due to a loud knock that came from downstairs.

"What was that?" He asked. Mercedes paused to listen. The knocks got even louder, it sounded as if someone was trying to break in.

"I guess someones at the door." She said. "But no person would knock that hard at 11:00 o'clock at night."

"Sounds like their trying to break in," Sam said while quickly getting up. "I'll go check what it is." Mercedes nodded and watched as Sam carefully walked down the hall.

When he got to the top of the stairs, Mr. Jones was standing at the door looking petrified. Sam made his way down the stairs but stopped midway. The voice-

"Uncle Jack, what the hell are you doing here?" Mr.Jones quickly turned his head to see Sam standing at the bottom of the steps.

"You know him?"He asked, almost in relief.

Sam slowly made his way to the door and nodded. "He's my uncle. What do you want?" Sam asked in anger. "How did you even find me here?"

"Don't ask...questions..." Uncle Jack replied. Sam could see how drunk he was, definitely in no state to talk. "I don't know who the hell you people are...taking my child that I have custody over." He looked at Mr. Jones. "I want him to stay with me."

"Look, Uncle Jack just calm down." Sam tried to say, but he only did the opposite.

"He is staying with me! or or-

"Or what?" Sam asked, stepping in. He had never seen Mercedes's father look so fearful before.

"I'll call the police," Jack replied, and it seemed as though he would. He pulled a phone out of his pocket, holding it up in a threatening manner.

Mr. Jones held out his hands and pleaded to stay calm. "We want no trouble here, so, please. I'm sure we can work something out."

"Ha. Then, I guess we could work something out. Right, Sam? How about that money I asked for?" Mr.Jones could now see a better aspect of Sam's life. His mother had died, his father left, and this was his only caregiver. A man who barely cared about anything other than money and drinking. By the look on Sam's face, he didn't want to go back.

Sam gulped. "I'll have it ready then. Just, please don't do anything to this lovely man. He provided more than you ever could have." Sam said, making Mr. Jones feel a light touch to his heart.

"When can you get it by?" He asked, now slightly more alert. Sam paused knowing he lost his job and had no money, but was sure he could figure out a way.

"Give me a week. I'll have 500 dollars ready." Sam said. Uncle Jack made a thinking gesture, and then grinned half-heartedly.

"Deal," he said.

Mr. Jones knew Sam didn't have the money, nor a job, and so decided to step in. "Actually, I have the money. I'll give it to you now, and then you'll walk away and never come back. ok?"

"Mr.Jones," Sam began. "You don't have to do that."

He didn't listen and instead reached into his wallet, pulling out the exact amount of change. He then handed it over to Uncle Jack, causing him to smile and nod. "Don't you touch him again, or you'll have to face me." He said, and then shut the door and turned to face Sam who was in utter shock.

"I can't thank you enough, really-

"Don't." He said putting a hand on his shoulder, something he never would have done before. After a small moment of gratitude he felt for the first time with Mr. Jones, he finally released his hand from Sam's shoulder and went off to bed.
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Prom will be next!!

Also, thanks to all who have voted, I really appreciate the support from all of you, it means a lot!!❤️💕💕