1.1: Who says adulting is hard?

It took a few weeks and the help of her father, but Sam finally settled into Gram’s old Newcrest property. The bones and appliances were functional after a deep cleaning, but the moth eaten furniture were beyond repair. Sam used her modest savings to purchase a used couch and paint. It is amazing what a lot of elbow grease can do, and she was proud of herself.

Going from living with her parents, to on her own was quite a change. Suddenly Sam was responsible for everything- all the cooking, cleaning, and upkeep. Beyond the occasional sandwich, she never had much occasion to cook before.  Sam thought it best to keep it simple. She was even able to get a job. A life long athlete, Sam was excited for new career as a Waterperson for the local team.

When Sam wasn’t working, she hung out at the local gym. It was there she met Dina, a vivacious blonde who shared Sam’s love for working out.

On a balmy Friday morning, Sam ran into Dina.

Dina approached, “Hey, Sam! Long time no see.”

Sam turned and smiled, wiping sweat from her forehead, “Nice towel, you already done for the day?”

Dina nodded, “Yeah, I am busy this afternoon, so I came early. Actually, I am glad I ran into you.”

Sam raised an eyebrow, “Oh?”

“You have been here for over a month, it is time you went on a date.”

Sam rolled her eyes, “Look, I told you..”

Dina interrupted shaking her head, “I know what you said, but I insist. He is just your type, I know it. Worst case, you found yourself a new friend. Just one dinner, and I will drop it. ” She extended her pinky out to Sam grinning, “Promise.”

Sam sighed, “Fine. You win.”

Dina clapped her hands together, “Oh, you won’t regret it! You are going to love him!”

Sam was not convinced.

***

Saturday afternoon arrived, and Sam’s outlook on her impending date improved. The last thing she wanted was to get serious, but a date was a welcomed break in routine. Though it had only been a few weeks, the monotony of work, sleep, and working out had left Sam feeling restless.

Sam arrived at the little bistro late, as usual. The waitstaff brought her to the table of a muscular blonde man. If nothing else, Dina was an excellent judge of eye candy. Sam thought to herself that maybe this date would be fun after all.

The man introduced himself as Wade. He was enthusiastic, outgoing, and athletic. Sam silently kicked herself for not allowing Dina to set them up sooner.

Wade wasted no time, “So Sam, what brings a beautiful and talented girl out to Newcrest instead of the city?”

Sam blushed, “I was never one for the city, too crowded. I prefer trees to a concrete jungle.”

Wade nodded, “I totally see that. So you work out a lot, huh? Dina said anyway.”

“Yes, daily,” Sam’s hands fidgeted in her lap.

“Weird I never ran into you. If I had there is no way I could have missed you.”

Sam smiled. Sure, this guy was laying it on a bit thick, but he was just so easy to get along with and so handsome that she found herself quite attracted to him.

Wade said,”Dina gave me some details, and I gotta say I admire you Sammy. Gutsy moving to a new place alone.”

“Thanks. Things definitely seem to be working out well, ” Sam smiled.

The rest of the lunch passed very pleasantly, but too quickly. They exchanged numbers and made tentative plans of meeting up again.

Sam felt energized by the experience. Wade was a shot of fresh air into a very stale routine. She could not help but wonder what else she had been missing out on, but it was time for work and adventure had to wait.

1.0: Prologue

Sam swept her soaked bangs off of her forehead as she scanned the small living room.

Grabbing a hair tie from her wrist, she pulled her hair back into a pony tail. She frowned as the shorter layers fell out immediately, and walked to the large picture window. Sam squinted, and took one last look at the large oak tree she spent many summers climbing. She had a scar from skinning her knees every time she fell.

“She never did like to have the curtains open in the afternoon. The sun has a straight shot in.”

Sam turned, “Nope, and once she had her mind made up…”

“That was it. Just like you, I never wondered where you got it from.”

Sam looked away and started toward the front door, “Right, thanks Dad. I think we have everything. Are we done for today?”

“Yea, Sammy, we are done for the day.”

Sam wrinkled her nose, “I’ll be in the truck.”

***

Sam walked downstairs as she wrapped her wet hair in a towel. Yawning she headed into the kitchen to make coffee. Sitting at the breakfast bar was Kimberly, Sam’s older sister.

“Morning princess, so lovely for you to join us,” Kimberly said.

Sam ignored her, grabbed a mug from the cabinet, and poured herself some coffee.

“Mom and Dad should be back from the lawyer’s any minute. Uncle Dave is probably going to get the house. After Gina broke up with him, he hasn’t had a permanent place. “

Sam braced herself as she took the chair next to Kimberly.

Tiffany twirled her hair as she flipped through the magazine in front of her, “This is all just so exhausting. I can’t wait to get back to normal life, I can’t live like this one second longer.”

Sam’s cheeks flushed and her grip tightened around her Dad’s Star Trek mug, “Sitting around pretending to mourn is quite the job.”

Tiffany bit her lower lip, fixing her gaze on her sister, “This is why no one likes you, Samantha.”

Tiffany closed her magazine and stomped up the stairs before slamming her bedroom door shut.

The front door swung open, and Sam’s parents Tom and Susanne made their way to the kitchen. Sam said, “Hey, how did it go?”

“Fine, really,” Susanne walked over to Sam, kissing her on top of the head, “How are you?”

Sam shrugged.

“Your Uncle is going to move into Gram’s house. Everything went as expected. I am glad you are up, there is something I wanted to discuss with you,” Tom sat down beside her. “No one was interested in Gram’s old Newcrest property. It is mostly overgrown land with a tiny cabin, well, actually calling it a cabin may be too generous. She purchased it for your Aunt ages ago, but your Aunt doesn’t want it.”

Sam put her coffee mug down mid sip, “Oh, so do you know what is going to happen with it?”

Tom winked at Susanne, “Now, Mom is not crazy about this, but I thought with all your talk of moving as far away from this town as possible, you might want it. I know Gram would rather it stay in the family than be sold to strangers.”

Sam jumped out of her chair and tackled her father, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing as tightly as she could, “Thank you Daddy!”