A Place To Belong
By: Rebekah Parham

-5-

This was the fifth weekend in a row that Samantha and Josh had plans together, but it was the first time they were going to be without Anna and Brad. Samantha was worried that she wouldn't know what to say. Whenever Anna had been there, they could always talk about girl things and Brad and Josh could talk to each other. Anna had assured Samantha that everything would be fine, but she was still nervous.

She and Josh were going to a movie and then to get something to eat. Promptly at 7:00 the doorbell rang, and as usual Artie told her Josh was here. Samantha and Josh were both nervous so they decided to go to the movie first. It was an action movie that they both liked. Afterward, they went to Glindy's. Samantha ordered her usual chicken sandwich and fries; Josh order a hamburger and onion rings.

The fact that Josh seemed to be just as nervous as Samantha, helped calm her down some. "Samantha, you know that I like you, right?" Samantha nodded her head. "I was hoping that maybe you would go to my Fall Ball with me at school."

Samantha knew what the Fall Ball was, Anna was hoping that Brad was going to ask her so she had listened to Anna describe what it was like in full detail. "Josh I would love to go," Samantha replied.

Josh smiled, "Good, I think we could have a really good time together."

"Me too" Samantha said.

After they ate Josh and Samantha took a walk by the pond in the park. As they were walking down the embankment, Josh reached out a took Samantha's hand. It was so dark that she knew he couldn't see the smile on her face. Josh was standing behind Samantha with his head resting on the top of her head. "It's so peaceful here" Samantha said.

"Yes, it is. During the summer it's not so peaceful, people are always here having parties, shooting firecrackers; but this time of year it's always my favorite because no one is ever around." Josh leaned down to kiss Samantha. She had gotten use to kissing him in fact she was starting to look forward to his kisses.

They were still standing there kissing when a police officer shined his flash light on them. "What are you kids doing down there."

Josh jumped back and said, "We were just going for a walk officer."

"It's dark down there, and not a good place for you two this time of night. You better be heading home."

We both said "Yes Sir" and started walking back up the hill. We were both laughing so hard we were almost crying all the way home. Josh dropped Samantha off and gave her a kiss good night before he left. She was practically beaming when she walked in the door.

"I'm home" Samantha said as she closed the door.

"Welcome back" John said from the living room.

Samantha walked into the living room and saw that John was sitting beside Robby on the couch, and Mike was on the love seat. She didn't see Artie anywhere. "Where is Artie?" Samantha asked.

"He is on his way. He had to go to a meeting about another band" Robby said. "Are you just going to stand there or do you want to sit down with us. We promise we aren't going to bite you" he teased.

Samantha couldn't help but smile her shy smile as she sat down beside Mike. "What are you guys doing here?"

"We wanted to know about your date, of course" John said.

"Yeah who is this kid?" Robby asked.

Samantha took off her jacket while she explained, "His name is Josh. We met at a party a few weeks ago. My friend, Anna, introduced us. She is going out with one of Josh's friends, Brad."

"So what did you four do tonight?" Robby inquired.

"It was just me and Josh tonight. Anna and Brad were going to his brother's house. Josh and I went to a movie and out to eat" Samantha said.

"So are you guys ever going to come watch us play anymore?" John asked

"I'm sure we will. When are you going to play in Buffalo again?"

"Two weeks" Robby said. "On the November 30 at the Rainbow.".

Samantha started to say that she would be there, but then remembered the Fall Ball Josh had asked her to. It was on the thirtieth. "I won't be able to make it then. We are all going to a school dance that night." They all made the 'oohh' sounds which made Samantha smile even more.

"Did I hear you say that Josh invited you to a school dance?" Artie asked from behind her.

Samantha turned around to look at him, "You did." She walked around the couch and gave him a hug. "I am going to bed. I will see you in the morning" she said to Artie. "Night boys, don't stay up too late" she said walking past them to the stairs.

-6-

Samantha and Anna went shopping the following Saturday for a dress to wear to the dance. "I can't wait until the dance" Anna said as they looked through the racks of dresses. "Are you excited?"

"I have never been to a dance before" Samantha said.

"Then this is going to be a treat for you."

"What do people do besides dance?" Samantha asked holding up a pink gown.

Anna shook her head and Samantha put the dress back in its place. "Well, it's basically like a party. People dance, eat, and usually after the dance someone throws a party and everyone goes. This year Jason Keller is having the party. His parents are out of town for the week so it should be pretty good."

"Are you and Brad going to the party?"

"Yes, the party is always more fun than the dance because there aren't any adults around" Anna confided to her friend.

Two hours later both girls walked out of the store with the dress they had chosen. Samantha walked into Artie's office and sat down on one of the sofas. It wasn't long before he came out, "Why didn't you come into the office?"

"I didn't know if you were busy" Samantha said.

"I am never too busy to see you" He said. "Did you find a dress?"

Samantha held up her arm that had the bag with the dress in it, "Yes." Samantha was smiling but she saw that Artie was not. "Is something wrong, Uncle Artie?"

"No, nothing's wrong. It's just that, Black Sparrow, the new band we are working with has a gig Saturday night in Rochester."

"What's the problem?"

"The problem is that I have to go with them, and we won't be coming back until Sunday afternoon. I don't want to leave you by yourself, but I would hate for you to miss your dance."

Samantha thought about this for a minute, "I could ask Anna if it would be alright with her parents if I can stay with her." Artie nodded his approval and Samantha went over to the phone to call Anna.

Saturday morning came quickly. Artie was getting ready to leave after they finished breakfast. "Are you sure you will be okay here by yourself?"

"It will only be for a few hours, then I am going over to Anna's to spend the night."

"Alright" Artie said. He reached down to pick up his bag. "If you need me, you know I will have my cell phone. You can call me day or night."

"I am going to be fine. Have a good trip and be careful" Samantha told him.

"That's what I am suppose to tell you" Artie said. He gave her one last kiss good-bye and left.

Samantha finished cleaning up the dishes, then went upstairs to pack what she would need at Anna's tonight. At 4:00 Anna and Samantha were running around Anna's room trying to get dressed. They already knew what they were going to wear. Samantha stepped into dress that looked like it was made just for her. It a short slip dress in a deep purple color that almost looked black until you saw it in the light. She pulled her hair up in a clip with a few strands of hair falling around her face.

"Josh is going to hit the floor when he sees you in that" Anna told Samantha.

They both heard the guys pull up at the same time. Neither one of them waited for the doorbell to ring. Anna threw her good-byes over her shoulder as they ran to the door. They got in their separate cars and Josh followed Brad to the school. "You look amazing in that dress" he told Samantha.

"Thank you, Anna helped me pick it out."

"Remind me to thank her later" Josh said.

The dance was a lot of fun. Anna and Samantha saw a few other girls they knew from Immaculate Conception. Josh, Samantha, Anna, and Brad danced together during the couple dances. Samantha and Brad even danced together as did Josh and Anna.

The dance was over around nine. Just like Anna had told her, almost everyone ended up at Jason Keller's house. There was more music and dancing, but instead of punch everyone was drinking beer. "You want one?" Josh asked holding out a bottle.

Samantha took it. She had never tasted the stuff before so she took a small sip. It was nasty. She almost spit it back out, but she didn't. "It gets better" Anna told hr when she saw the look on her face. Samantha tried another sip and it went down better than the last one. Two hours and four beers later Samantha was ready to leave. She knew she was probably drunk as was everyone else at the party. Josh was talking to some of his classmates, and she had no idea where Anna and Brad had gone off to. She pulled Josh away from his friend and told him she was ready to go.

Josh put his arm around the back of her neck, "Come on Samantha, the party is just getting started. You can't leave yet" he told her.

"Josh you don't have to leave, in fact I think it would be a good idea if you didn't leave right now. Could you just tell Anna that I went home and I will call her tomorrow?" Samantha told him.

"How are you going to get home?" Josh asked.

"I will call a cab. Don't worry about me, I will be fine." Samantha said walking out the door. She stopped to use the phone but there were already people lined up to use it. She knew where she was and Artie's apartment wasn't but a few miles away. She started walking home. She had gone about three blocks when her feet started to hurt her. She looked down the street there were light from a bar. She walked toward the bar thinking that she would call a cab from there.

The alcohol that was in her system was really starting to kick in. She walked into the club and sat down at the bar. "Can I use your phone" Samantha asked the bartender.

"Where do you want to go little lady, I will take you wherever you want to go" a man on the stool next to her said. "I'm Paul" he said.

"Samantha"

"Well, Samantha do you like to shoot pool?"

"I don't know" She told him.

Paul caught her hand and pulled her off the stool. In the back of the club were two pool tables. Paul racked up the balls at the end of the table and set the cue ball down in front of her. He handed her the cue stick, but Samantha just stood there looking at it.

Samantha leaned down to hit the ball. She missed, not even touching the ball. Paul came around behind her and placed his hands over hers, "Let me help you," he said. "Lean you body a little more over the table, place you hand on the table to steady your other hand. Now let the stick slide though your fingers." In one swift motion all the balls that were neatly placed at the other end of the table were scattered all about. Samantha let out a small squeal of delight we she got two ball in at the same time.

"Hey, isn't that Artie's niece over there?" Mike asked while they were packing up there equipment.

Both John and Robby looked over to where the pool tables were. They could clearly see Samantha leaned over the pool table with a man behind her while two other men watched. "What the hell is she doing?" Robby asked.

"I thought she was supposed to be going to a dance tonight" Mike said.

John, Robby, and Mike all jumped off the stage and walked toward the back of the club. "Sam, what are you doing here?" John asked.

Samantha looked up from her game and smiled. "These nice gentlemen are teaching me how to play pool."

"Isn't that sweet of them," Robby said eyeing the three men surrounding her.

"What can we say, we are just naturally good hearted people," Paul said toward Robby.

"Somehow I doubt that," John said. "Sam, I think it's time we took you home."

"But I was just getting the hang of it," She complained.

"Let her stay. We'll make sure she gets home safely," another one of the witnessing patrons said.

"I don't think so," Robby said walking around to pull Samantha away.


"I don't want to go" Samantha said as Robby pulled her between the tables.

"Leave her alone. She is a big girl and she said she wasn't ready to go."

"She is sixteen years old," John gritted out. "She doesn't know what she wants."

Paul stepped forward, "There is no way that girl is sixteen, just look at her." They all turned to stare at Samantha. Her short dress that revealed most of her legs. They way she carried herself with so much sophistication.

"Well she is, so go find someone your own age," John said pulling her outside. He stopped to let Samantha catch up. "What were you thinking going into that place dressed like that?"

"I needed to use the phone," She said.

John smelled her breath, "Are you drunk?"

Samantha stumbled around a little and finally leaned against a car that was parked outside. "I think so, but I can't be sure because I have never been drunk before."

"Then that definitely means that you are," Robby said.

Samantha put her hand on her stomach, "Oh no.".

"What?"

"I'm going to be sick" She said running to the side of the parking lot.

"Oh great, now she's puking." Robby said.

"Why don't you guys load up the rest of the equipment and I will make sure she gets home alright" John told Mike and Robby.

John walked over to where Samantha was still heaving over the contents of her stomach. "I'm dying," she declared.

"You're not dying, but in a little while you are going to wish you were," John told Samantha, helping her up off the ground. "Sam, I thought you were going to a dance tonight."

"I did, but I also went to the after party," She said walking over to John's car. "Who knew that four beers would make me this drunk"

"Was this the first time you have ever had a drink?"

"Yes"

"Well, you're not any good at it so don't do it anymore" John said getting in beside her. "Why did you need to use the phone?"

"I was going to call a cab to take me home," Samantha said learning her head back against the seat. "I was suppose to stay with Anna tonight because Artie is out of town, but I couldn't find her at the party."

John didn't say anything else to her the entire ride home. When he turned off the engine Samantha opened her eyes. "This isn't Artie's place," she told him.

"I am not going to leave you by yourself if you're drunk. You can stay with me tonight and I will take you home in the morning" John said. He walked around to the other side of the car to help Samantha out.

She made it out of the car and through the parking lot fine. When they got to the steps that led up to John's apartment Samantha said, "Oh my lord, the steps are moving." She picked up her foot and started stomping it around trying to get the step to stop moving.

John finally gave up on Samantha ever finding the step. He grabbed her arm and swung her over his left shoulder. He still held her while he unlocked the door and went inside. He sat her down on the couch and walked into the kitchen. He came back with a glass of water and a bottle of aspirin. "Here," he said shaking out two aspirin. She held up three fingers and he shook out another one. "I am assuming Artie didn't know there would be liquor at this party."

Samantha shook her head but it made her dizzy so she leaned back against the cushions. "I didn't even know people were going to be drinking." She sat up, "Are you going to tell him?"

John looked down at her, "No, I won't tell him, but you have to promise me that you won't drink again until you are of age."

"Don't worry about that," Samantha said.

John went into the bedroom and came back with one of his shirts. "You can go in the bathroom and change," he said pointing to the bathroom door. Samantha took the shirt from him and went into the bathroom. When she didn't come out John went over to the door and asked, "Are you all right in there?" He heard the familiar sounds of her throwing up again. He opened the bathroom door to see her on her knees with her head hanging over the toilet. John did noticed that she had managed to remove all of her clothes except for her hose and shoes to put on his shirt.

John got a washcloth from the cabinet and ran it under the cold water. He placed it on Samantha's forehead and held her hair back from her face. When she thought she was through throwing up John picked her up and took her into the bedroom. He placed her gently down. He sat at her feet and began removing her shoes. "Sam, do you want to take you panty hose off?" Samantha reached under his shirt that she was wearing and started pulling her hose off. When they were down far enough for John not to touch her anywhere private, he pulled them the rest of the way off. John covered her up and placed the washcloth back on her head. She was asleep in no time.

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