Chapter Eighteen

Sam

 

Any phone ringing during finals would be ignored. This call was no different.

Then the answering machine Mom insisted on clicked, then her voice came out of it.

“Samuel, pick up. It’s important.”

I swore, then left my desk to grab the cordless. “What, Mom, I’m busy.”

“It’s Kate.” The name usage punched me in the gut. “She needs allies, Sam. You should come home as soon as you finish your tests.”

“Mom, I haven’t spoken to her in a long time. She doesn’t need—”

“There’s going to be a funeral.”

“Funeral?”

Good God…

“Kate’s dad and her sister are gone, Sam, and her little brother is still in surgery. Whatever drama happened between you two, put it aside. I have to go now. Don’t screen my call next time.” Then Mom hung up.

Shit.

So much for my study focus tonight.

I kind of forgot about our friendship with the busyness of classes and swim team and dating. If you’re busy enough, you can forget anything.

There had been no drama. I was just a shitty friend.

An immature idiot, even.

But no big fight.

Might’ve been easier if we had.

I was okay—until Mom said Kate’s name like that.

God…she must be devastated. Her family was everything to her. Her siblings were so young still. What would happen to her little brother—if he survived?

Were surgeons trying to save his life right now?

Could Kate survive it if she lost them all?

I didn’t know.

Fine…yes…of course I’d get back home ASAP.

Depending on when a service was, I had a bit of time before summer session classes started. I could be there for old time’s sake.

I owed her that much.