Weep In The Night by Valerie Massey Goree Page A

Festival this weekend. Want to join us? Oscar’s coming.”
    “Sounds like fun. I’ll get back to you after I check my work schedule.”
    By the time they clocked in, Sadie had relegated Kyle and Pete to the back of her mind.
    New plant arrivals kept her focused on the job for several hours. On her way to the break room, Oscar waylaid her as she passed through the plumbing section.
    He fell in step beside her. “How was your weekend?”
    “Good.” Remembering Sam’s attentiveness from the previous night sent a mini-quiver to her stomach. “How about you?”
    Oscar didn’t seem to hear her question. He cleared his throat and focused on the floor. “Um, Debra, I’ve been wondering. Can you, I mean, would you care to go out for coffee or something?”
    Sadie had been expecting this for a while. She’d often caught him watching her with interest or found him included in the group when April invited her places. Like the recent request.
    At the end of the isle, she stopped and turned, hoping her smile conveyed sincerity. “Oh, Oscar, I’m sorry. I don’t think so.” She stuck her hands in her pockets and focused on the collar of his shirt. “You see, there’s someone else.”
    Who would have thought she’d be thankful for Sam’s pretend date? She liked Oscar, but her pulse didn’t race at his invitation.
    “It’s the new guy, isn’t it? It’s Sam.” Oscar hit his palm to his forehead. “I knew it. I’m too late.”
    Agreeing wouldn’t be a lie. She and Sam had one date, and he’d hinted he wanted to ask her out again. “I’m sorry, Oscar.”
    His sad puppy-dog eyes snagged a piece of her heart.
    “He’s a lucky guy.” Oscar loped off around the corner.
    Sadie continued to the break room, deep in thought. As she turned down the last aisle, Sam popped up in front of her.
    “Hello.”
    “Hi.”
    “I hear you were asked out on a date.”
    Try as she might, she couldn’t take her eyes off his dimple-creased cheek. Or the dark curl that fell across his forehead, or the tiny razor nick marking his firm chin.
    Her face tingled, and she self-consciously adjusted her glasses. “How do you know?”
    With his hand on her arm, Sam accompanied her to the break room. “I overheard Oscar.”
    She swatted his hand but said nothing.
    “So, Miss Debra, am I the someone else ?”
    Freeing her arm, she ignored his chuckles and entered the room.
     
    ****
     
    The evening chill sent a shiver slinking through Sadie.
    Sam slipped his arm around her shoulders and escorted her into El Capitán, a Mexican restaurant several blocks from Rhodes. His shift had ended two hours before hers, and he’d gone home to change into brown slacks and a blue shirt.
    However, she still wore jeans and a rose pink T-shirt.
    At lunch he’d invited her, and she agreed to meet him at the restaurant. They were directed to a table along the mural-covered wall. Once seated, they perused the menus, surrounded by hints of chili and cinnamon.
    During the meal, Sadie took the opportunity to pump Sam for information. Although he shared few personal stories, Sadie did learn a little more about him. He loved football, kept in shape by kickboxing and pummeling a punching bag, and knew how to make a girl feel special. She appreciated his attentiveness. This pretend date wasn’t so bad after all.
    Sam set his knife and fork across his empty plate. “Those enchiladas were real good, but I prefer Calif…”
    Sadie wiped her mouth and waited for him to complete his sentences, but he took a gulp of tea and examined the mural. “Prefer what?”
    He cleared his throat. “You know, Mexican food differs from state to state.”
    “I agree, but when were you in California?”
    Sam’s shoulder muscles looked tense. Why would her question about California affect him so?
    “Remember I told you I was raised in foster care. One family I lived with took us on vacation there.” He gulped the last of his tea. “So, when do you think the puppet group will