Read In Search of Sam for Free Online

to chase away the emotional one. “Cancer,” I say. “Last November.” I want to tell him it was quick. But it wasn’t. I want to say Sam didn’t suffer. But he did.
    â€œI can’t believe it,” Arlo says again. “I just can’t believe it.”
    Again the line goes quiet. “I’m sorry,” I say. My voice is shaking. “I know it’s a shock.”
    â€œYeah. It’s that all right.” Arlo sounds shaky too. “Sam was a good man — and a good friend. I can’t think when I saw him last, but then Sam was never one to keep in touch. It’s hard when you’re in rodeo. You’re on the road so much. It’s been a while, but I remember.”
    â€œWere you in rodeo too?” I need to get the conversation on safer ground.
    â€œOver ten years. Still would be if I hadn’t had that accident. But that’s not important now.” He pushes on. “You say you want to find out about your dad. I’m not sure how much I can tell you, but we could meet for a coffee and talk if you like. Where are you?”
    â€œKamloops.”
    â€œThat’s a bit of a haul, and I don’t have a car,” he says.
    â€œI do,” I tell him, suddenly hopeful. “I can come to Barriere. We can meet wherever you like.”
    To my surprise, he laughs. “No grass growing under your feet, is there?”
    I’m glad he can’t see me blush. “Too anxious?”
    â€œNo. To tell you the truth, straightforward is a nice change. As it turns out, tomorrow is my day off, so if you want to drive up then, we could meet for coffee. There’s a little restaurant on Highway 5 as you come into town. You can’t miss it. It’s about an hour’s drive. Does ten o’clock work for you?”
    â€œTen o’clock is great.”
    â€œOkay, we’ll see you tomorrow. Bye now.”
    â€œBye, Arlo. And thanks.”
    When I switch off the phone I’m smiling so hard, my cheeks hurt. Yes! I’m finally going to learn something about Sam. I retrieve the complimentary hotel notepad and pen from the desk and start to scribble down questions. How did you and Sam meet? How long were you friends? What other friends did he have? Did he ever mention people from his past? Did Sam say where he grew up? Was Sam ever in a relationship? When did —
    The questions are coming fast and furious when my phone rings and interrupts my momentum. I glance at the display screen. It’s my mother. I cast my gaze towards the ceiling and put down the pen. No point ignoring her. She’ll just keep calling.
    â€œHey, Mom.” I use my cheeriest voice. “How’s it going?”
    â€œFine. How’s it going with you? Did you go to Webb’s River?”
    â€œUh-huh. I got back about an hour ago.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œAnd what?”
    She clucks her tongue in annoyance. “What do you think? How was everything?”
    There’s no sense lying. She knows me too well. “Everything was locked up, but nothing was too different. There were lots of memories for sure. I got misty a couple of times. But I’m okay. I’m glad I went. I think it gave me some closure.”
    â€œThat’s good,” she says, and I know she means it. “You’ve been hurting.”
    So have you , I think, but I leave the words unsaid. My mother’s grief is different than mine, and she is handling it her own way.
    â€œSo are you ready to come home? I’m sure I can catch a flight to Kamloops this evening. If we get a decent start in the morning, we could be back in Vancouver by late afternoon.”
    â€œThanks, Mom. I really appreciate you and Reed taking time from your work to do this for me.”
    â€œNo problem, sweetie. We don’t mind at all. So it’s settled then. Let me call the airline and —”
    I don’t let her finish. It’s time to run the gauntlet. Taking a