“You could be asking me the same question,” Peggy says. “How could I have not known? I’ve been working for you for close to six years. I followed the story when it happened to the point of obsession. I tried to trace everything about that man and what made him tick. I tried to understand what would cause a human being to take another’s life from them. I did everything I could to unearth the mysteries surrounding your father.”
“My last name was changed when I was a teenager. My stepdad adopted me after my mother had my father’s parental rights terminated. I took the name Armstrong to make it official.”
“That explains why I couldn’t find his family when I was looking,” she says, nodding her head.
“I’m worried about Sam.”
“Me too. But one thing you need to know about her is that she rarely gets this upset. Her rational, logical mind always wins and takes over in almost all situations. She’ll be back.” But I don’t think that Peggy believes what she’s saying.
And neither do I.
Sam
Present
Villanova, Pennsylvania
Age 24
“GOODNIGHT, DR. HAGAN,” I SAY as I walk out the door of the NICU. “Take care,” she says through her ever-present warm smile.
Since I’ve been back to work, my life has started to get back to normal. I think. My daily routine consists of a walk or jog, depending on my mood, a light breakfast and then an action-packed day at the hospital. So, yeah, normal.
My phone buzzes and I see a text message on the screen.
MAX: THANKS AGAIN FOR THE REFERRAL. KAI IS AMAZING AND THINGS ARE GOING REALLY WELL. TALK SOON.
I smile and place my phone into my backpack. I’m so relieved that Garrett hired Max. He was number one on my list to replace me, and it’s working out great so far. Or at least that’s what Peggy tells me.
Garrett and I haven’t spoken since I left three months ago. My heart is empty, and it still hurts. How can I possibly be with a man whose father murdered my family? Every time he looked at me, touched me, made love to me, I would think of all that was taken away. I’ve heard nothing but grief from Aunt Peggy about all of this. Our conversation last night replays in my head.
“How was work, Sam?” Aunt Peggy asks, making small-talk.
“It’s good.” I’ve been welcomed back with open arms, but it still feels weird. Walking into the NICU for the first time since the incident with Ben was surreal. It was also a crazy day with four babies admitted with varying levels of issues, so I didn’t have much time to lament and feel sorry for myself. I jumped right in and the days since have flown by. Everything is ‘normal.’
“Kai’s crawling,” she says and places a pot on the stove for tea. My heart pulls and I bow my head. I wish I could be there to see his milestones. I miss him.
“That’s awesome!” I respond, rolling the string of the tea bag between my fingers.
“He’s like a bullet, I swear. As soon as his knees hit the floor, he’s off. Max has his hands full.”
“I’m glad it’s working out so well.”
“It really is,” she says. “Oh, I forgot to mention that his occupational therapy is also ending soon. Nadia’s last day is next week.”
It’s truly amazing the strides that Kai has made. He’s come so far. My eyes tingle as tears threaten. I shake my head and sit up straight in the chair. “Please give her my best, if you see her.”
The hot water comes to a boil, and she removes the pot from the stove. After she pours us each a large cup full, she pushes a spoon across the table to me. “Sam, Garrett misses you.” She quickly realized after I left that something more was going on between the two of us. She could sense it, as much as Garrett and I tried to be discreet about the stolen kisses and longing looks. She believes that it was fate that brought us together. I don’t believe her.
Another stab in my chest and I inhale deeply. “Please, don’t,” I say as I swirl the tea bag in the hot water.
We sit silently until she speaks again. “You need to get past this. You’re acting as if Garrett killed your parents. We both know that isn’t true. That poor boy had nothing to do with the actions of his estranged father.”