Unexpected Arrival

The three of us move down to the kitchen to see a full course meal had been made. The table is set and food is placed on it nicely like one of those Thanksgiving cards you send to a family member.

Samantha sees the chefs in white standing behind the table, waiting for her approval. She simply smiles and thanks the chefs for their hard work.

They bow saying, "Your welcome, miss Gains." And leave so we can eat.

Ashley and Samantha sit across from each other while I stand, waiting for my own food.

"I'm sorry," Samantha whispers while dishing up some salad. "We'll have to share. I forgot to tell them to cook some for you."

I shrug. "It's fine." My stomach though disagrees by growling loudly.

Samantha giggles softly as I try to cover up the loud noise. It's a little embarrassing, but I think I'm more hungry to care about being embarrassed.

I wait patiently, watching Samantha fix her plate of food. Ashley is already eating which makes me all the more hungry. I'm kind of jealous of how much food she can eat in such a short amount of time.

"Here you go. Old fashion fried chicken." Samantha hands me what looks like a sliver of juicy fried chicken with a crisp and crunchy outside. Gods, it looks so good.

I take the chicken from her, thank her and begin to eat. There's a burst of flavor in my mouth. I swear I thought I was melting into a puddle of bliss. The chicken is so good. It's better than just good, it's awesome!

In a matter of seconds, my first piece is gone and I quickly ask for another. I feel like a greedy child asking for more.

After what felt like ten minutes of pure satisfaction, I'm full with the most delicious tasting fried chicken on the face of the planet.

There's still a lot more to eat which means there will definitely be seconds for next time. That puts a smile on my face.

Ashley sighs happily, sagging in her seat. "Your chefs are the best! They need to make that more often."

That has to be the smartest thing I've heard come out of Ashley's mouth since I've met her. And for once I agree with it.

"I would, but it takes time and fried chicken is not a one-person meal," Samantha responds while stabbing her salad and eating it.

Fried chicken isn't the most fun thing to make some times and it's not usually a one person meal at home. When you make fried chicken, you make it for the whole family. A Luxury Samantha doesn't have.

Daniels comes walking in with his arms behind his back and his chin up. "Miss Gains."

Samantha looks at the man. "Yes, sir."

Daniels awkwardly clears his throat and tells Samantha some shocking news.

"Your mother has arrived."

A freezing cold silence falls over the room. Everyone has stopped what they are doing except for Daniels who shuffles out of the room, leaving us to soak in the information.

Ashley and I keep our attention on Samantha who looks pale and nervous. I don't know how long it's been since Samantha has seen her mother, but I can tell by the look on her face it's been a really long time.

"Samantha...?" Ashley is hesitant to speak. "Stay calm."

She drops her fork, hitting the plate with a loud clatter that makes me cover my ears and forcefully gets out of her seat to confront her mom or run from her. Ashley springs into action, stopping Samantha at the door. "Samantha take a deep breath."

Samantha doesn't listen and shoves past her best friend. Ashley does nothing to stop her this time. There's a moment of silence.

I watch Ashley grit her teeth and stomp out the door going after her friend. I'm left alone for a split second before Ashley comes back in and roughly plucks me off the table. "Samantha."

"Can you be anymore rough with me?" I wheeze, pulling on the collar of my hoodie.

Ashley drops me in her hand while walking quickly to catch up with Samantha who is already rushing up the stairs to hide in her room.

"Ashley?" A matured woman's voice says her name.

Ashley freezes as if a cold bucket of water was dumped on her head and ran all the way down her back. She slowly turns to the voice.

I have to do a double take to see if the woman standing in the foyer isn't Samantha. It's an older version of her, though. Minus the golden brown eyes. This woman has short luscious curls and light blue eyes, lighter skin than her daughter. I can see where Samantha has gotten most of her traits. I expected a lab coat or some crazy dress like Miss Frizzle, but she's a casual woman in a casual blouse and pencil skirt. She's young looking as well, in her early thirties, maybe?

"Oh, my gods, Ashley." The woman is so shocked she covers her gaping mouth. "You're... You've grown up."

Ashley flashes an awkward and crooked smile, waving at the woman. "Hello, Miss Gains."

A shocked and unwanted pause comes between the two giantesses.

"Uh... I better... Yeah." Ashley slowly walks away from the woman and quickly walks up the stairs to check on Samantha.

I hold onto Ashley's thumb tightly. Being bounced around on a hand is terrifying. "Ashley!"

"Sorry, but Samantha's more important right now." Ashley states. She reaches for the doorknob but it doesn't twist.

Ashley frowns and tries again, this time with more force. "Samantha, open the door."

"No."

Ashley steps back and reaches up for the baseboard to see if there's something she can pick the lock with. Nothing but dust that's been collected over the years. The redhead groans but doesn't give up. She continues to plead with her friend to let her in.

"I said no, Ashley!" Samantha yells angrily. "Leave me alone!"

Gods, what did this woman do to her daughter.

"Caesar, can you fit under the door?" Ashley mutters quietly.

I peak over her hand, eyeing the little gap between the floor and the door. I shrug. "I don't think I can, but I can try WOAH-Kay!!"

We drop three or four stories. Ashley sets me on the floor and pushes me towards the door. "Go in there and make sure she's okay."

Wait, what? "Hold up," I say turning back to the redhead. "You expect me to crawl under the door and what? Talk this out or whatever? Have you noticed that I suck at being empathetic?"

Ashley's lips push into a thin line and her brows pinch together. "I'm not asking you to be empathetic. I'm asking you to make sure she's okay. There's a difference."

Right.

"Whatever," I say irritatedly.

Ashley grits her teeth. "Quit being an ass and go help her."

"Okay, Okay. Gods."

I walk up to the door and lay on my back then pull myself through the small thresh hold with the help of Ashley pushing me in with her fingers. I barely fit through the small slit, but I make it. huh, I do fit under the door.

The first thing I spot is Samantha who is sitting on the other side of the bed, hunched over, sobbing lightly. My heart aches when hearing those sad, soft sobs that can only fall on the ears of a tiny.

"Samantha..." I mutter sorrowfully.

I make my way across the bare floor and under the bed where Samantha was stuck at least an hour ago. Two large pillars connect Samantha to the floor. I see a faint shimmer drop and plop to the floor.

I walk between those two pillars, seeing large puddles of water formed by tears close to Samantha converse covered feet. Watery golden brown eyes meet my blue eyes.

Samantha's face is scrunched up, trying to hold back the ugly cry in her throat that has formed a lump. She opens her mouth, but all that falls out is a choked back sob.

I rub my toe into the ground and pat my leg. It's an odd habit I have when thinking really deeply. "I Uh... I'm here if you need me." I can't tell if she heard me or not but saying it makes me feel helpful and not helpless.

She sniffles and tries to wipe her tears away. "I'm... sorry for being such a big baby."

"No, no, no. It's okay to cry just like it's okay to be mad or happy." I say, still not clear on if she can hear me or not.

She furrows her brows. "What?"

Of course.

I cup my mouth and yell up to her. "It's okay to cry, you dingus!"

Samantha frowns. "Did you call me a... a dingus?"

"Maybe."

Samantha leans down a small soft smile on her face. Her eyes are still red and puffy. "You're something else."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

The little sweet mood I've brought to Samantha fades. She must have remembered why she's locked herself in her room, to hide from her mom.

She looks away, ashamed and afraid. "I'm scared."

I sigh heavily. What do I do? How am I supposed to help? I don't know if any of you have noticed but I'm only, what? Two, two and a half inches tall? I think I'm repeating myself, but that's not the point. The point is I can't do much.

"Samantha, honey?" Samantha's mom knocks gently.

I see the color drain from Samantha's face in an instant.

"Sweetheart, I sent you a letter hoping it'd arrive before I did." The woman claims. The envelope from earlier today was from her mom and she knew it. "I'm sorry it's so sudden."

Samantha wraps her arms around herself, trying to hold off the tears that fall from her face.

"When you are ready to talk to me, I'm here." her mom says before walking heels clicking against the wooden floor.

The words strike a cord in Samantha. Anger.

"I was ready to talk four years ago." She mutters under her breath.

Four years? Her mom's been gone for that long? What kind of scientific project pulled her away from her daughter for four years?

I press my hand against Samantha's ankle. "Hey,"

She turns her puffy eyes to me. I know for sure she didn't hear me, but she felt me.

I bite my lip. What do I say? I'm sure she doesn't want to hear some shitty line like 'Everything is going to be okay,' because we don't know if that is true.

"I'm here for you."

Samantha stares at me blankly. "Thanks."