“His name is Sam Karis and he’s trying to kill me…” I went on to explain everything to Vincent, who offered me no support. He simply howled, claimed I was indeed dramatic, and that I should maybe accept the friendship Sam was forcing upon me.
“Be his friend? I don’t even want to be a stranger to him—I’d rather he not notice me at all.”
“Lukas, you close yourself off from everything and everyone. It’s only feeding that monster within you that tells you dark stories. Break away from it; try and find joy. Even if it’s just for a little while, it might be the thing you need to find that spark again.”
“You think I’m going to find that spark with Sam?”
“I think you won’t know unless you try.”
“He’s annoying, Vincent.”
“Is he, though?”
“I know what annoying is.”
He chuckled. “I mean is it that he’s annoying, or has it been so long that you don’t recognize what it looks like when someone wants to be part of your life? Sam sounds nice, and knowing you, you’ve been pushing him away none too kindly, yet hekeeps coming back. He might see that spark that’s lying dormant inside you, and might be determined to pull it out of you.”
“If I encourage his behavior?—”
“You may just enjoy it?” Vincent interjected.
“I hate you.”
He cackled. “At least you feel something.”
“I have to go.”
“Lukas, do me a favor. Try and be this guy Sam’s friend. Give it one month. I’m going to call then, and if you haven’t tried, I’ll coming there to meet Sam myself and help him sink his claws into you so tightly, you’ll wish you’d listened to me.”
“You’re an evil son of a bitch.”
“No, I care about you.” He spoke with so much sincerity.
“One month, and I’ll make a minuscule effort. That’s it.”
“Deal.”
I’d waiteda few days before returning to shore. I knew Vincent would keep his word, so I figured if I did a couple of things with Sam, showing Vincent I tried, he’d be appeased. Of course he’d know if I was lying about hanging out with Sam, so I had to grin and bear it.
I entered Cone Creations, but Sam wasn’t there. Likely, he wasn’t working.Can’t say I didn’t try.
“Welcome, what can I get for you?” Jim, one of the kids who worked here, grinned.
“How about rocky road with chocolate shots in a large sundae size?”
“You got it.” Before he could tell me the price, I handed him a twenty.
“Keep the change.”
“Wow, thanks.”
I waved him away and waited for my delicious treat. I glanced around the shop, but there was no sign of Sam. It figured. The one time I actually came to see him, he was nowhere to be found…Oh, well.
“Here you are.”
I took my ice cream and went and sat at the booth in the far corner. As I ate, I stared out the wall of windows that faced my island. It rested there in the vastness of the ocean, alone, exactly how I felt.
I sighed and was about to look away when I spotted Sam. He was walking with a man and a woman, laughing at something. He turned briefly and caught my eye. He mouthed my name and tugged his friends to follow him.
