Page 35 of Sam to the Rescue

“Are you really alright?”

“Sure I am.”

“Then, can I ask why you thought you were seeing things?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, if it were me, and I saw a person over and over, I’d assume someone was following me, not that I was losing my grip on reality. Why didn’t you?”

For the first time, a light bulb goes off in my head. So that’s why Lochlan and Sam were so worried. Why the hell didn’t I see it before?

“It was too damn close to what happened; the shade of blue, her height, the way she moved…”

“And now?”

“I’m certain someone is targeting me.”

“And your bad dreams?”

“I’ll let you know if I have another. I promise. Am I excused, ma’am? Because there is somethin’ that urgently needs my attention. After I put a few mother fuckers behind bars, pardon my language, I will call again because damn, you are good.” Back in Sam’s hospital room, I glare at the two conspirators.

“I’ve got a clean bill of mental health.”

“No way.” Lucky holds out his hand for his phone and I laugh. “Call Blake. It’s true. Unlike you, I fast-tracked out of therapy. Now, if y’all are done with your intervention, I need to go. And you, sugar-plum, are not to move from this room until the doctor clears you.”

I turn to my best friend, hug him tight to my chest and whisper in his ear. “If she tries to escape before the doctor releases her, you have my permission to handcuff her to the bed.”

Chapter 22

Sam

Not long after Suds leaves, my attending physician says I can go home. However, when Lucky drops me off at my door, I almost ask him to take me back. The number of cars parked out front are about to give me a heart attack.

Downstairs, Joey’s door is shut tight and above, a huge party takes place. No doubt, my family has circled the wagons. If it were not for my son, I’d take an Uber to the closest hotel, even one with bed bugs. Anything would be better than climbing these stairs.

I really need my own entrance to my own damn apartment with a bolt lock. Is that too much to ask?

“She’s here.” Mia, standing closest to the railing rushes down to hug me as a tidal wave of family follows.

Engulfed by arms, I struggle for air and make my way to their apartment where the sea of humanity parts. A third cousin once removed insists I sit, a glass of wine miraculously appears in my hand, and I gulp it down.

A b’zillion people talk at once and maybe it’s the concussion but I have a hard time following any one thread.

“…called my friend on the force… dispatcher position…” My dad lists all the jobs available in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and is starting in on Queens when Rose puts the baby in my lap.

“…really need a safer job…” My mom throws a light blanket in my lap because apparently, I’m expected to fling out a boob in the middle of this melee.

Mikey fusses and grabs at my chest while Nonna puts a plate of pasta in front of me. “Mangi, mangi.”

Joey makes his way forward. “Why’d you drive into a wall?”

“I didn’t-”

Vinny butts in. “What’s his name? I’ll kill the louse.”

“Who?” I twist my head around.

“No talk of killing people while she’s nursing.” Mom comes to the rescue. “Where is your husband?”