We Are Monsters 🌕 Book 1 || gxg

In It for the Long Haul

"I know I said I'd watch her next week," Sam said on a sigh for the fourth time, scrubbing a palm over her face. "I really thought I would be done this ... stuff by now; I'm sorry, there's no way I can watch Melody."

A familiar, frustrated puff filtered through the speaker. "Seriously, Sam? You're doing this now? We've been planning this date for two weeks because you said you were good. Why are you so busy, anyway?"

"There's a lot going on right now. I've had to go away for a little bit to help out a friend." She rubbed a hand over her forehead, blocking out the sun for a moment. There was a twinge in her temple.

"Is it serious?" Her tone softened slightly.

"Well, yeah, or I wouldn't be out here."

Her voice dropped even further as she asked, "Is it a love thing?"

"What? No, I'm helping a friend with some family issues. I sort of know his brother." She answered, sounding more tired than annoyed.

"Oh, okay, I guess. Why is that your problem, though?" Her irritation was fading in favour of curiosity.

"It's hard to explain. I'm going to be back soon enough, but I won't be in town when you need me just yet." Sam paused, sipping orange juice to gather her thoughts. It had been a long day and it was barely half over. "Do you want me to see if Charlotte can watch her for the evening?"

Elated, she gasped, "Would you? What's she doing these days?"

"She's an architect. The place she works mostly designs mid-range homes. I'll give her a call and let you know, okay?"

"Thank you. It's been ages since we got out of the house. Call me more often, okay? I worry about you sometimes." Happiness caked her voice, and Sam knew she was in the clear.

"If you want," she hedged. "My news is usually pretty mundane."

"I'd still like to know what you're doing from time to time, all right?"

"Fine, Lori, I get it!" she groaned.

"Love you," Lori chuckled, "let me know what she says."

"I love you, too," she replied in earnest.

In the sudden silence, Sam took a moment to collect herself. A small spider was crawling across the toe of her sneaker, which hung over the edge of the step. The smooth wood under her rear was warm from the brilliant sunlight overhead. She would have to go in soon, or put on a hat, because she could feel the sharp tingling on her cheeks and forehead which indicated she was starting to burn. First, though, she had another call to make.

"Hey, sorry to bug you, are you busy?" Sam asked, sounding brighter than she felt.

Charlotte turned down her music—Backstreet Boys, no kidding. "Not really, what's up?"

"Are you busy Thursday night? I was wondering if you could babysit Melody for me; well, for Lori, but for me because I can't do it."

"Yeah, I should be able to." Papers rustled. "What time? Later is better so I can do some work while she sleeps."

"I think they wanted to leave at six. Do you want her number?"

"Please." There was a pause as Charlotte wrote it down. "How is your vacation?"

"Oh, it's great, very relaxing," she lied. Of course, Sam hadn't told her why she was really out there. To Charlotte, Sam was vacationing at a friend's cottage.

"When are you getting back? I was hoping we could get that campaign started soon."

"The- oh! Soon, I think." The D&D campaign, she had nearly forgotten about it. Fortunately she brought that notebook with her everywhere. "If not, I could call in for it. Don't you all wait for me. Let me know when you schedule the start, I've got my character sheets with me."