CHAPTER TWO
Sammi was surprised that Dave was already home. When she pulled into the garage and saw his car, she had to admit she felt some disappointment. She was hoping to have a few minutes to mull over her thoughts and work them out in her mind in the comfortable setting of her home. She didn’t know how she was going to present her dilemma to him, but she had to tell him and it had to be tonight.
“Hi sweetie,” he said as she walked through the door and then added, “tonight we’re having steaks, salad and mushrooms. I hope that wets your appetite because mine is already in gear.”
She walked over and planted a kiss on his cheek. He was such a loving personality and deserved the best. He treated her so well, and they were incredibly compatible, not only in their personalities and in views on life, but also in their dreams and goals. She felt unbelievably lucky to have found someone like him as her life’s partner.
“I need to change and relax some, then I’ll come back and help, okay?” She hoped her voice was steady, because usually he was incredibly sensitive to her and it was hard to fool him even for a little while.
“Sure, you go and relax and then we’ll eat and later you can tell me what’s so heavy on your mind.”
She was almost out of the kitchen doorway, but had to turn around and look at him. He simply smiled at her, shrugged his shoulders as if it were a forgone conclusion that he knew she had something distressing her. He always knew. She smiled back and left, shaking her head a little, realizing she was happy he knew her so well.
Later, they talked about their schedule for that day, about the circle of friends that they had and about their upcoming trip to Aruba. That’s when Sammi’s shoulders got somewhat tight and her face tried so hard to hide her feelings. But she couldn’t and there was no use trying any longer.
She started to say, “Dave, I need to talk to you about something...”
“I know,” he said, interrupting, as he took her hand. He knew she was having a hard time with this one. “And I’m glad you’re finally going to tell me. I’ve been waiting patiently to find out what happened to you today, honey. You’ve been so different since you walked in that door. So tell me.”
She didn’t know how to start. She paused and looked at him trying to find the right words. Would he be upset if she wanted to help Billy? Would he understand and stand behind her all the way? Her mind was still wondering if she should go down to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio in person or possibly get in touch with someone …
“Hey, come back to earth and just tell me, Sammi. This is me, remember? You can tell me anything.”
She nodded. She knew that was true so she finally began in earnest.
“Remember when I first told you that I could hear other people’s thoughts.”
“Of course,” he said, “I’m not likely to forget that.”
“Okay and then I told you about Father John Meyer, the priest in Canada and then there was Professor Harley of Scranton University. And of course you met him when we worked on those abduction cases in Philadelphia.”
She paused for a moment trying to get her thoughts together. It gave him time to comment, “Yeah, I remember.”
“Well, you knew that I said there was a third person I’d helped, a fellow named Billy, but I never told you his story.”
“That’s right, now that you mention it. I remember that you said there was another person who’d been sworn to secrecy like the other two, but you never got around to telling me his story.”
“He’s the one who called me from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and he finally called again today and I talked to him.”
The concern showed all over her face. She took a few moments before she continued. “I need to tell you his story first, okay? Then I can tell you what he wants.”
“Fine with me.”
She saw Dave shift in his position on the couch getting comfortable in his spot as he waited for her to begin.
“I met him at Scranton University; we took a political science class together. Dave, he’s one of the nicest people you’d ever want to meet and also one of the most vulnerable. He has Down syndrome. That makes him an automatic target and some took advantage of him when we were in that science class. He’s fairly mild in his syndrome and his motor skills and learning abilities are only slightly lower than a regular person, so he does quite well. Moreover, he works incredibly hard. His physical features show his syndrome slightly, but not to the point where everyone knows immediately and stares at him. However, it didn’t take very long in our class for everyone to realize his obvious weakness. In that particular course you had two major tests, each of which counted for forty percent of your grade, so it was important to do well on both of them. The first one was a long and detailed paper that had to be turned in on time in great condition … you certainly must remember how tough some of those professors can be.”
“I remember only too well. They were so particular that you’d get knocked down for anything at all.”
Sammi smiled in remembrance. “Billy worked very hard and was always prepared; he felt proud of his work. But three days before he was to turn in his paper, it disappeared. He had no chance to recoup, was utterly desperate and extremely agitated. We’d been friends for a while and he trusted me. He was totally upset and through his tears told me that he couldn’t imagine what happened.
|