Courage & Resolve
1.9 - Strength of Character
Amelia headed for Magnolia Blossom, the biggest park in Willow Creek, a crumpled up letter clutched tightly in her anxious hand.
Of course she’d already known what Samson was doing, thanks to Genevieve. But the last thing she expected him to do was reach out. Especially to her house. She’d certainly never sent him her new address.
When Amelia had opened up the letter the night before, she’d felt more afraid than she’d felt in a long time. She would have recognized the sloppy handwriting anywhere. And the fact that the very handwriting she knew so well was writing her address? She was suddenly afraid that she’d wake up to find her children stolen away from her.
She was relieved when the letter said nothing more then that he wanted to talk about aiding his children. As long as Samson didn’t step in and try to be the father he’d never been, she was alright with letting him aid in whatever way, just so he’d disappear and leave her, Cory, and Jamira in peace.
But now that Amelia was approaching the park where the man who used to love her sat waiting, the pit of anxiety in her stomach did nothing but grow even further.
Samson sat waiting for her on the porch of the white walled, former plantation building that had long since been converted into a bathroom for visitors to the park. It almost seemed inappropriate for Amelia to meet Samson in such a beautiful location.
“Samson,” Amelia said firmly, shoving the letter in her pocket and taking a seat.
“Nice to see you again after all these years, Amelia,” Samson smiled.
Amelia didn’t smile back.
“You know why I called you here, right?” Samson asked.
“Of course. You told me you were finally willing to help out your own children. So, I’m here against my better judgement because, unlike you, I would give anything for Cory and Jamira.”
Samson raised his eyebrows at her remark, but didn’t refute her argument. “Before I talk to you about how I’m going to help them, could I see them?”
Amelia snorted. “No.”
“They’re my children too, Amelia. You can’t keep them away from their father. I’m sure they miss me-“
“They barely remember you,” Amelia said, cutting him off. “You spent too much of their childhood getting home after they were already asleep, drunk, then sleeping in until noon. Then by the time they got home from school, you were already back at the bar. I’m positive that whatever vague memories they have of you are from when they were extraordinarily young, long before you gave up on being a good father.”
Samson paused for a moment, trying to recover from Amelia’s words. “That’s… that’s all the more reason for me to meet them now, Amelia. So they can remember having a good father.”
“But they didn’t have a good father. You can’t just come in and try to be a father after I’ve spent so many years raising them, Samson.”
“Until you let me see them, Amelia, you’re not getting any help from me. I’ve seen the house you live in, don’t forget. That place is a pretty major downgrade from our old place back in Brindleton Bay. I’m sure you could use the cash.”
Amelia gasped, and stood up. “I can assure you, Samson, I’m very satisfied with my current situation. And so are Cory and Jamira. If that’s all you have to offer, then I don’t need it.”
Samson stood up with her, and pressed a piece of paper into her hand.
“I think you’ll come to realize that you’d rather not let Cory and Jamira grow up without a father. The Amelia I knew would be fully dedicated to raising the most perfect children she could, and the traditionally perfect child has fond memories of both parents, Amelia. So, that’s the address of my hotel. I’m sure you’ll be paying me a visit before too long.”
Amelia shoved the paper into her pocket, and marched off, without another word to Samson.
Samson sat back down, and smiled. Amelia would be paying a visit to his hotel before long. With Cory and Jamira.
Jo’s morning tea was interrupted by a sudden rapid knocking on her front door. She got up, and opened it to find Amelia, completely out of breath.
“Amelia? What’s wrong?” Jo asked, shutting the door behind her as Amelia took a seat at Jo’s dining room table.
“Samson…” Amelia gasped. “He’s back… and he wants to see… Cory and Jamira…”
“Oh dear,” Jo said, frowning. “Hang on just a moment, Amelia, I’ll pour you a cup of tea.”
Jo hurried into the kitchen, and a minute later, she emerged with a steaming hot cup and sat down across from Amelia.
Amelia sipped at her tea gratefully, slowly regaining her composure.
“Well, what are you going to do, Amelia?” Jo asked. “You’re not actually going to do as he asked, you don’t owe that man anything!”
Amelia put down her cup, and looked Jo in the eyes. “That’s the thing, Jo. I’m actually considering it.”
Jo’s eyes widened. “Amelia! Why would you ever do something like that? I’m not going to pretend to know everything about your relationship with Samson, but from what I’ve heard, the last thing that man deserves is the ability to suddenly see his children.”
“He seemed more like his old self,” Amelia groaned, head in her hands. “Not even the slightest stench of alcohol on him. Didn’t get super handsy like he always did in the last couple years of our marriage… he tried to understand me, Jo! The drunk I was married to at the end would never have bothered.”
“Listen to me, Amelia,” Jo said cautiously. “Even if he seems like that now, don’t forget who’s waiting at the bottom of the bottle. The Samson you met today is probably not even close to the man you knew. Of course he’s going to put on his best face when he has to meet you for the first time in years. Don’t let him fool you.”
“I… I… you’re right, Jo. But still, I… I feel like Cory and Jamira deserve the right to meet their father as a decent man, at least once… all they remember is the drunk, and all the shouting late at night.”
“Amelia, if you decide that’s what you want to do, I’m not going to stop you,” Jo told her. “This needs to be your decision.”
“You’re right… my decision… my decision will be…”
Amelia was still trying to figure out what her decision would be as she left Jo’s house an hour later.
Come afternoon, Cory and Jamira had some friends over. A girl named Sheena, and a boy named Booker. The four were all tweens, but still enjoyed playing with toys. Amelia’s place was the last house in their group that still had a variety, so the four of them hanging out just to play with their old toys was a regular thing.
When Amelia went in for a bit to supervise, for once, even the contagious joy of Cory and Jamira as they played couldn’t keep Amelia from worrying. As much as she hated it, she had to admit… Samson had made some points.
At one point, Booker asked a question that truly hit Amelia right in the heart.
“Is your dad getting home from work soon?”
Cory had to shake his head. “Nah. We don’t have a dad.”
Sheena overheard the conversation, and briefly stopped playing with her toy to ask a question. “Who does’t have a dad?”
“A lot of people!” Jamira chimed in. “Mom always said so, right mom?”
Amelia nodded, but wasn’t really paying attention any longer.
As, she’d made her decision. Cory and Jamira deserved to know their dad as the man she’d fallen in love with years and years ago. Not as the drunk that terrorized the whole house in their most memorable years in Brindleton Bay.