Sam learns an awful truth about her former classmate, Brian Miller.

After they finished their show that morning, Samantha hurriedly walked down the corridor to her office. Her office was only a short distance away from the studio.

Through the large window, Sam saw her tidy desk and office. Her office had a few of her favorite creature comforts including a TV, radio and pictures of family and friends decorating the shelves and walls. Behind her desk in the right corner was another window that provided a view of the well manicured lawns and spacious historical mansions on Reynolds Drive that ran behind the radio station.

Sam sailed through her office door with Melanie following closely on her heels. “I think you should at least have coffee with him,” the older woman who was the mother of two children suggested.

As she slid onto her red-cushioned swivel chair, Sam shot her friend an annoyed look. Melanie had been nagging her about getting together with Brian Mitchell, her former classmate, for the last hour.

Switching on her computer, Sam started working on the daily show logs and ad spot reports their boss expected them to turn in by the end of the day. “What do you think Aaron would say if I went out with some old beau?”
Melanie moved the chair sitting by the muted TV that showed Oprah interviewing Dr. Phil on her show over next to her fellow broadcaster’s desk. “Please,” she said with mild disgust. “It didn’t sound like you and Brian were really an item to me so I don’t think your husband would mind you getting together with someone you knew from high school for some drinks and conversation.

Although she didn’t want to admit it, Melanie had a point. There was really no harm in getting together with an old classmate.

“Okay,” Samantha said with a resigned smile and dialed the number Brian had given her.

*

Sam and Brian had agreed to meet that afternoon at Frostee’s Ice Cream Parlor on River Street in downtown Savannah.

During the fifteen minute drive from her home to the popular old fashioned ice cream restaurant, Sam debated if she should even bother showing up for her get together with Brian. She’d even considered turning around several times.

She still felt nervous as she pulled her car into a vacant spot in Frostee’s parking lot. Before exiting her car, she glanced in the mirror to check her appearance. She fluffed the golden locks lying on her forehead before letting her fingers lightly comb through the rest of her hair. Satisfied with the way her hair looked, she reaching into her purse for some lipstick and applied it to her lips.

After stepping out of her car, Sam brushed her hands over her pink short sleeved blouse and black skirt in an attempt to remove the nonexistent lint. Taking a deep breath, she made her way into the ice cream shoppe.

As she looked around the establishment, Samantha didn’t see Brian, but waitresses, clad in red polo shirts, white aprons and black shorts, bopped around between the multitude of customers occupying many of the restaurant’s tables and booths. It took a few minutes before the young broadcaster found a vacant stool at the counter.

“We’ll be with you in just a minute,” a manager said as he hurried past her.

Nodding, Sam turned her attention to perusing the menu.

“Sam?”
Her hazel eyes slowly drifted over to the spot beside her where Brian Miller was standing. He was dressed in blue jeans and a light blue polo shirt.

“Brian,” she gave him a warm hug. “It’s good to see you again.”

A little girl rushed up to him and pulled on his shirt. “Daddy, can we get some ice cream now?”

Sam stared at him in amazement. Back in their high school days, she had always thought he’d become a famous Hollywood filmmaker but she never imagined he’d be a father.

Brian smiled as he made the introductions. “Sam, this is my daughter Alex, Alex, this is Sam. She and I went to high school together.”

“How do you do,” Alex gracefully curtsied.

“She’s enchanting,” Sam complimented him.
“Thank you,” he said. “I hope you get to meet my other two children soon.”

“I’d like that,” Sam replied, signaling the manager Sam said, “We’d like to order if we could.”

“Sure, what can I get for you?” the manager said with a smile.

Pulling Brian’s daughter onto her lap, Sam said, “Let’s see what this young lady would like first.”
“I’d like a Tutti Frutti waffle cone,” Alex beamed.

“Mmm, that sounds good,” Sam remarked. “Make that two.”

“Would you like anything, sir?”

“No, thanks,” Brian said sitting on a vacant stool next to Sam as the manager went and got their order.

“So,” Sam asked after the manager had served them. “What have you been up to nowadays?”

“Nothing much. I’m what you’d call a stay-at-home house husband,” Brian said adverting his eyes in embarrassment.

“That’s a tough job, one I’m not sure I could do,” Sam told him. Her mother had chosen to stay home and raise her four daughters and so she appreciated the sacrifice and hard work involved in the job of being a domestic engineer and parent.

“I don’t know about that. You’ve done very well for yourself.” Leaning closer to her, he lowered his voice. “I probably shouldn’t tell you this but my wife left me this morning.”
“I’m sorry!”
“Well, I can’t really say I blame her,” he said looking miserable. “She doesn’t deserve to be married to a drug addict. ”