Puckett - Sam I Am

Sam I Am

Regina Puckett

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Copyright 2014 Regina Puckett

Editor: Daisy Banks Editing Services

Photographer: Adam121

All rights reserved.

T his is the most perfect house in the history of houses. Paige couldnt help but admire the beautiful, old-fashion kitchen whilst setting a box of dishes onto the nearest counter.

Ever since seeing the For Sale sign in the front yard eight months ago, she had dreamed about living in this eighteenth century, three story house. Never in a million years did she ever believe it would actually become a reality. It would probably take her and Nathan a good twenty years to fill all eighteen rooms with furniture, but what did that matter? They had their entire lives to do so.

The sound of huffing and puffing shattered Paiges woolgathering. She turned just in time to see Nathan drop a large box. She cringed when it made a strange rattling noise the moment it hit the floor, and watched with interest as he lifted the lid and peeked inside.

What on earth did you pack in here? It feels heavy enough to be filled with bricks.

Paige pushed a long, blonde lock of hair out of her eyes. If only it was. She tapped the label on the side of the box. It was your grandmothers china.

He swiped at her butt and grinned when she squealed. Gran will never know.

She shushed. Dont say things like that. You never know when your loved ones from the other side are listening. She looked up, heavenwards. Sorry, Granny.

Before Nathan could reply a loud crash at the back door made them both turn.

Paige found her five year old daughter, Kippy, beside a toppled pile of boxes shed somehow manage to knock over just walking into the house. Are you hurt? Paige asked as she stacked the boxes back in place.

Im okay. Kippy grinned, hugged her doll and skipped out of the kitchen.

Paige glanced over at her husband. Shes definitely your daughter. All thumbs and no grace.

Nathan grabbed a dish towel off the sink and threw it at her but it fell well short. She laughed at his lousy aim, and now at his comical expression.

He shook his head. Woman, thats our sweet, precious daughter youre talking about.

Paige shrugged and winked. Sorry, but we dont have time to chit-chat. Half our junk is still on the truck and we have to return it in less than three hours. She laughed at his pained expression, but understood. Every muscle in her body ached and she had been fantasizing for hours about a long hot soak in the huge bathtub upstairs.

Just as Nathan joined her at the backdoor on his way outside, a bloodcurdling scream froze them mid-step. Then they almost tripped over each other in their haste to get to the living room. By the time theyd jumped over boxes and furniture the screaming had stopped. Nathan stopped so suddenly in the doorway that Paige plowed into him, almost sending them both sprawling.

Paige slipped under his arm only to find Kippy happily playing on the floor with her favorite doll.

Paige knelt down beside her daughter. Are you okay, Sweetie?

Kippy wrapped both arms around the doll and squeezed it hard. A really scary man tried to take Sally away but I saved her. I told him shes my best friend.

Paige shot Nathan a confused look. He shrugged then toured the large room, peeking behind furniture and boxes. Where did this scary man go? he asked as he drew near Kippy.

She pointed at the closet. He ran in there, and then shook her head, her eyes huge and solemn. But he told me not to tell anyone.

Trying not to panic, Paige stood and came between Kippy and the closet. It hadnt occurred to her that someone might be hiding, but then she was used to her daughters wild imagination. It was nothing new for Kippy to invent new playmates.

Paige nodded at Nathan and they moved over to the closet. She reached for the doorknob first, but he grabbed her elbow, put a finger to his lips and motioned her to back away. As she did so, he picked up a lamp and held it over his head before yanking the door open.

The closet was empty.

Paige punched Nathan on the shoulder and giggled. A lamp? You were going to knock this guy out with a lamp?

Sheepishly, he set it back on the floor and shrugged. It was that or the couch, and he grinned.

She slugged him in the shoulder again, more out of nervousness than anything else. Come on, Big Guy. Well let Kippys new imaginary friend keep an eye on her while we finish unloading the truck.

As they headed out, Kippy said, Sam I Am would like that. He said he liked little girls.

Paige and Nathan stopped dead in their tracks but Paige soon knelt down by her daughter again. What does Sam I Am look like?

Kippy looked thoughtful. Hes very tall. She touched her cheek. He had a big red mark right here. She looked back down at her doll and shrugged. He said his mommy hurt him once, but that was okay because he fixed her wagon. She giggled. I hope he fixed it better than Daddy fixed mine, because the wheels keep falling off.

Since everyone was very tall to Kippy, that was of little or no help. Clearly it was all they were going to get out of her so Paige stood and ruffled the girls hair. Well, if he comes back, you scream again and your dad will throw a lamp at him.

Kippy giggled and went back to playing with her doll again as if nothing had happened.

Paige followed Nathan back out to the truck. Before climbing in, he turned her a concerned look. I hope youre right about this Sam guy just being an imaginary friend. That was a pretty graphic description she gave.

You know just as well as I do that your daughter loves to create new playmates. Besides, didnt you see the book she had next to her? You must have read that story to her a million times. She giggled. Sam I Am, indeed. Its just an overactive imagination at work. Shell be the death of us one day.

**

M ommy! Daddy!

Paige opened one eye and looked at the red numbers on the clock on the dresser. Twelve-thirty-six. Her back was killing her from unloading and unpacking since five am the day before. Paige lay as still as she could and prayed Nathan would hear the screaming. With any luck he would think she was still asleep and go see what their daughter wanted.

That hope was shot to hell the moment he nudged her. Ill pay you twenty dollars if you go see what she wants. I hurt so much, even my ass is cramping.

But shes all the way up on the third floor. Im not certain I have enough strength to climb one more flight of stairs. Besides, I was the one who got her dressed for bed and tucked in.

He nudged her shoulder again. Yeah, but it was your idea to put her all the way up there. If I remember correctly, I told you it was a bad idea.

Shed clearly lost the battle so sat up and dangled her feet off the bed, dreading the thought of touching her sore feet on the hardwood floor again. She grumbled, But you liked the idea when I said it would give us more privacy. I think you even suggested we could buy a few sex toys, like handcuffs and whips, to spice things up a tad.