Play for Me (11 page)

“Hey, Mom. Just on my way to get my luggage,” said Sam
hoping to keep this short.

“Well? You didn’t even call me,” said Bunny, making Sam
flashback to being a teenager again.

“I've been really busy. I worked and there is a two hour
time difference. While you’re wide awake and working, I’m still in bed. Don’t
try to make me feel guilty. It’s not that I fell off the face of the earth, you
know.” Sam watched as the luggage belt began to roll. “I have to go. I’ll call
you when I get home.”

“I’m at your apartment so you don’t have to call. I’ll be
waiting.”

“But I have to stop first and get Cracker from the kennel.”

“Too late. I got him out myself,” replied Bunny tersely. “That
poor dog. How dare you put him in the kennel like he's nothing?”

“Fine,” said Sam resolutely. You just couldn't reason with
Bunny. She disconnected the call and waited for the limo to take her home.

The ride to her condo took about an hour while Sam tried to
figure out the best way to approach her mother. She knew what she should do,
but Bunny would fight her all the way. Once she got home, Sam squared her
shoulders and prepared for the onslaught.

“How’s my baby,” crooned Sam as Cracker greeted her
enthusiastically. “I missed you so much.”

“He’s happy to be out of that kennel, he is,” said Bunny. “Well?”
Bunny stared at Sam with her arms crossed, her foot tapping at high speed.

“Like I told you, everything is going to be fine.” Sam
wearily set her purse on the dining room table and sat down. “I leave here on
Sunday night, on Jett’s private jet so I can take Cracker with me.”

“You’re taking my grand dog?” asked Bunny. “Not only are you
deserting your parents, you’re taking my Cracker?”

“Uh, yeah.” Sam looked at her mother as if Bunny had lost
her head. “Cracker is my dog. I want him with me.”

“But it’s too hot in California. He’ll never survive. Sam,
the dog lives for snow. You’re going to take that away from him?”

“There’s air conditioning and lots of people in California
have huskies. I’ve seen pictures of them swimming in the ocean.” Sam stopped
and attempted to redirect her approach. “Mom, why are you making this so hard
for me? I could be going off to Africa to join the Peace Corps, but I’m not.”

“Honey, it’s just that your father and I think you’re making
a terrible mistake. Besides, Samantha, you’re our baby. I’ve already had one
child leave the nest, and I don’t want to lose you, too.” Bunny sat next to Sam
and took her hand. “Please? I know you can find a job here.”

“I know I’m the baby, but I have to grow up. This is a perfect
opportunity for me. I know I can show both you and dad what a good job you’ve
done raising me. If this doesn’t work out, then fine, I made a mistake. But at
least let me try.”

“What are you going to do about your car? What about your
place here? Where are you going to live in California? Have you asked yourself
these questions?”

“You didn’t raise an idiot and yes, I’ve thought about all
of this. It's all covered.

“What about your plants?” Bunny grasped at straws.

“I can give them to Deb or you can have them. Either way.”

“What about your mail?”

“I can take care of all of that while I’m in California.” Sam
squeezed Bunny’s hands. “Please? Trust me.”

“I know, I know,” said Bunny, now in tears.

“Also, there more good news,” said Sam remembering Ian. “I met
someone. He’s a friend of Jordan’s.”

“Oh no!” Bunny eyes widened in horror. “A musician?”

“No, not at all,” laughed Sam. “Better than that. He’s an
architect.”

“An architect?” Bunny’s demeanor changed quickly. “In
California?”

“No, in Maui. He lives in Maui. His name is Ian Andrews. He’s
redoing Jett’s mansion that he just bought in Maui. According to Jett and his
agent, Marvin, I might be assigned to oversee some of the construction. Isn’t
that exciting?”

“Oh, Sam.” Bunny shook her head. “This is way too much for
me. I think I might faint.”

“I’ve never known you to faint. You’ll be okay.” Sam smiled
at her mother’s theatrics. “Now, let me finish up here and pack. I’ve got a
zillion and one things to do before I leave on Sunday. And don’t forget that Jordan is coming to town this weekend.”

“Y-you don’t need my help at all?” Bunny sounded wounded.

“Of course you can help. Why don’t we start taking some of
these plants out to your car? Then don’t you have to start cooking Jordan’s favorite meal?”

“I almost forgot about that. You’ll be over for dinner,
right?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” promised Sam as she held
Cracker’s collar so he wouldn’t escape out the door. Sam waited for her mother
to leave and then picked up her phone.

“Deb, its Sam.” Sam watched her mother's car pull away from
the curb.

“Girl, I’ve been dying to hear from you. What’s going on?”

“I’m taking the job. Oh, it is so awesome. I even met Jeff
Beckett. He knows Jordan!”

“I am so jealous,” sighed Deb. “Where are you?”

“Chicago, but not for long. I’m flying out Sunday on Jett’s
private jet. Can you believe it? Me and Cracker.”

“Cracker and I,” corrected Deb. “I am so envious of you! Who
would’ve thought my friend, Sam, would be among the rich and famous? How are
you staying grounded?”

“I think it’s because of Jordan. He had never let it get to
him, and having him with me is like a rock of strength.”

“Speaking of the hunk you have as a brother, how is he?”
asked Deb cautiously.

“He’s doing great and I’ll tell him you asked,” said Sam. “As
a matter of fact, he’s in town tonight playing at the House of Blues. One night
only.”

“Darn, I have a date tonight.” Deb sounded disappointed. “Remember
all the times I'd stay over at your house mooning over Jordan? He always
treated me nicely. All the other boys would make fun of me, but not Jordan.”

“I remember,” laughed Sam reliving the memories. “Are you still
seeing Paul?” Sam knew things were kind of rocky with Deb's current love
interest Paul but just thought she’d ask.

“Yeah, I guess so. I mean he’s a lot of fun and we do great
things, but something’s not right,” admitted Deb. “But enough about me. What
are you going to do about your condo?”

“I’m hanging on to it for now. It’s good for tax purposes. After
I see Jordan tonight, I’ll run home and pack the stuff I need. Mom’s taking all
my plants.”

“Speaking of Bunny, how’s she taking this?” asked Deb.

“Not very well,” admitted Sam sheepishly. “She doesn’t want
her baby to leave town.”

“Which is why you need to go,” said Deb adamantly. “Don’t
get me wrong, Sam. I just love your mother, but she can be very controlling.”

“I know. You’re not telling me anything I don’t know,”
laughed Sam. “Look, I have to run. I’ll call you later?”

“Sam, maybe you should write a book about all of this,”
suggested Deb.

“Good idea! We’ll get together soon!” Sam smiled as she hung
up and then freaked out. She had way too much to do in such a short time.
Checking the time, she grabbed her keys and headed to her parent's house.

****

“So are you really sure about this, Samantha?” her father,
Artie, asked as Sam helped her mother set the table.

“Yes, I am,” said Sam confidently. “I think it will be fun. It
beats the nine to five grind I’ve been doing for the last years of my life.

“But what happens when this rock star’s popularity fades
away? Then what?” asked Artie.

“I don’t think it’s going to fade any time soon. He’s still
pretty popular.”

“Hmmph,” snorted Artie. “Nothing worse than aging rock
stars.”

“When did you get to be so old?” asked Bunny with a laugh.

“Yeah, Dad? You still listen to all the seventies and
eighties music.” Sam smiled at her father and gave him a kiss on his head.

“Hey, is anybody here?” asked Jordan as he opened the front
door.

“Careful,” screamed Sam. “Cracker is loose!”

“Hey, how’s my buddy, Cracker?” asked Jordan as he grabbed the writhing dog’s collar. Sam rushed over to grab the dog from Jordan
since Jordan tried to juggle his guitar on his back and a duffel bag. “Hey, I
brought someone with me, Mom. I hope you don’t mind.”

“I always have room for one more,” laughed Bunny and she
turned to Sam. “Why don't you get one of the dining room chairs so we can use
it at the kitchen table?”

“I will in a minute when Cracker settles down and the door
is closed.” Sam rolled her eyes at her mother and that’s when she saw Jett. “Hey,
Jett. Welcome to our dysfunctional home.”

“Thanks for having me,” said Jett politely, his intense blue
eyes never leaving Sam. He crossed the room and shook Sam’s hand before turning
to Bunny who stared at him with her mouth wide open.

“Y-you’re Jett?” sputtered Bunny.

“In the flesh and blood, ma’am.” Jett’s smiled sincerely as
he shook her hand. “Now, I know where Sam gets her good looks.”

“And don’t forget me,” piped Jordan with a laugh.

“So, what’s going on?” asked Sam slowly trying to assess the
situation. It’s not every day a famous rock star appeared in your parent’s
home.

“I ran into Jett at the studio and he told me your travel
plans,” began Jordan.

“I told him about you,” interrupted Jett. “So he got a free
ride here.”

“Wow,” stuttered Sam taken aback. “I didn’t think you would
personally come out. I mean I knew you had a pilot and everything.”

“You didn’t?” Jett’s eyes were twinkling in amusement. “I
had to make sure you didn’t change your mind. Besides, it’s been a long time
since I’ve been in Chicago.”

“We’re glad you came,” said Bunny, trying to get the upper
hand. “Goodness, Jett. Where are my manners? Can I get you something to drink?”

“Iced tea will be fine. Not all of us rock stars drink
twenty-four hours a day.” Jett bent down to get a close look at Cracker who
wouldn’t stop sniffing him in the crotch. “You’re a good looking dog.” Jett
petted the dog fondly.

“Watch this,” said Sam fondly. “He can talk. It’s a trait of
huskies.” Sam got down on all fours to become eye level with Cracker. “Cracker?
Do you want to go out?”

“Woooo, wooo, wooo,” bellowed Cracker excitedly.

“Now that’s funny,” laughed Jett. “You should get him on
Animal
Planet
or something.”

“Maybe when I’m down on my luck,” laughed Sam. “I have to
let him out or else he’ll let me have it.” Jett laughed as Sam went out the
back door with Cracker nipping at Sam’s rear end.

“So, Jordan, how long are you going to be in town?” asked
Bunny as they were all seated at the kitchen table. “Jett, don’t feed that dog
anything from the table. He’ll look at you with those guileless blue eyes, but
don’t fall for it.”

“Cracker has a sensitive stomach,” explained Sam. “He’ll
look at it like he has been starved, but the minute he eats it, he throws up.”

“Only to Sunday, I think,” Jordan answered his mother. “Sam,
Jett, and I are headed up to the club later on because I got a gig.”

“You know you can sleep here, if you want,” offered Bunny.

“Mom, we’ll be really late. He and Jett can stay at my
place,” said Sam and then she turned to Jett. “I mean if you want to stay
somewhere else, that’s fine, too.”

“No, you’re place is good,” smiled Jett suggestively, and
chuckled as Sam shook her head. “Mrs. S., this is some really good chicken. I
can’t tell you the last time I had a home cooked meal.”

“Why thank you, Jett. I would think you’d have a personal
chef.” Bunny glowed while both Jordan and Sam exchanged small smiles. Bunny
just loved getting her ego stroked.

“Excuse me a minute,” said Sam as her phone rang. She looked
at the number and smiled. “I have to take this call.” She left the table and
went outside with Cracker at her heels. “Ian,” said Sam softly.

“How are you? I've been thinking of you. Is Jordan there?”
asked Ian

“He and Jett came about an hour ago,” began Sam before Ian
interrupted.

“Jett is there, too? What’s he doing there?” fumed Ian.

“Now, Ian. Don’t worry. It’s not what you think. I’m using
his plane to fly back to LAX on Sunday. Besides, he brought Jordan with him. I
don’t think he’s going to try anything funny.” Then it dawned on her about
where Jett might sleep tonight and Sam knew she better not say anything.

“Just be careful, okay?” cautioned Ian.

“Jett’s too busy wooing my mother,” laughed Sam.

“So, what time are you leaving on Sunday? Probably late in
the day since you’ll be out late tonight.” Ian tried not to sound jealous.

“I honestly don’t know,” said Sam carefully. “As soon as I
find out, I’ll let you know.”

“I’m sorry, Sam. I don’t mean to jump down your throat. I
trust you, but not Jett. I know you’ll be careful.”

“Thanks,” said Sam, feeling more comfortable now. “What are
you doing? Isn’t it just afternoon there?”

“Yeah, I went surfing this morning with some friends, but
the waves weren’t very good. A little later on I’m going cycling.”

“Bicycles?” asked Sam.

“Yup. We like to ride up to Haleakala, the volcano here.
Have you heard of it?”

“Back in high school, and I always wanted to go there.”

“It’s quite a challenging ride,” admitted Ian.

“I'm not as athletic as you are because I haven't had time
to work out,” admitted Sam. “But that will be my first priority. Maybe I'll get
a personal trainer.”

 “You don’t need one of those when you have me,” said Ian.

“Stop! You’re making me blush.” Sam felt pleased, and her
face had flushed as red as a beet. “Listen, I have to run. I’ll call you
tomorrow when I know the time.”

“Hey, Sam? Take care, okay?” asked Ian.

“Bye,” said Sam shyly as she hung up the phone, touched by
his concern. When she stood up and turned around, she stared at Jett.