by Avery Cloward

Created on: August 19, 2008   Last Updated: September 02, 2008

Samantha gazed lovingly at the small toddler drawing beside her, watching his chubby little hands wield the pencil with a skill far superior than she had seen any other four-year-old possess. His face was fixed in a focused expression, his brows furrowed, his eyes carrying an intent glint. He was adorable.

"It's God." He said proudly as he laid the pencil on the table, and displayed his picture to his mother. Samantha leaned over to observe, and somehow managed to identify God's kind figure in the jumble of scribbles and disarrayed circles.

"That's nice, honey." She smiled, and patted his hand. He flashed her a grin, and set back to his drawing with a serious look.

She leaned back in the reclining cushioned chair. Looking at Kevin shift and turn struck a chord in her heart, as if she had seen someone do it before. Something about that mass of dark curls toppled upon his head triggered something painful in her memory. Something long ago, but not forgotten.

Sadness overtook the proud look in her eyes as she remembered that day eleven years ago, when she had been only sixteen. Her eyes closed slowly, as if to shut out the memories. The memories kept flooding. She remembered a boy; a classmate with an extremely contagious smile and a head full of dark curls

*

"Hey, Sam." The voice on the other side of the phone said cheerily, a familiar drawl evident in his voice.

"Jake Ellis!" Sammy laughed, thinking about her outspoken sixteen-year-old friend. "How have you been?"

"Great, Sammy. Hey, I reckon you're free tonight?" Something about his voice startled her. He sounded somewhat apprehensive, if that were possible with Jake. He never sounded that way.
Still, Sammy shrugged it off. It probably wasn't important, anyhow.

"Yeah, I think so. Why, have you got something in mind?" The voice on the other end suddenly went quiet. Sammy waited for Jake to reply, but it seemed he had forgotten he was having a conversation with someone. "Jake?"

"Huh?" Jake sounded startled. "What's that?"

Sammy gave a little smile. "I said, what do you got in mind?"

"Oh. Well, nothing really." He hesitated. "Just thought of maybe picking up some pizza and heading to the creek."

"Alright. Sounds cool. Seven sound good?"

"Sounds fine. See you, then."

"Yeah. Later!" Then, Sammy hung up. She wondered what was wrong with Jake. He had never before in his life sounded so hesitant. Afraid, almost.

No matter. She had to make sure her mom knew before she left. Still, she had a feeling that Jake wasn't just going to complain

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