Chapter 2 ~~Sam~~

Sam

New York, USA

Drafting Table. Check.

Bed. Check.

Nightstand. Check.

Closet. Check.

Stationery. Check.

The loud vibration of my phone from my nightstand ruined my mental checklist. I huffed and plucked the phone off the charger.

Mom calling…

“Hey, Ma.”

“Sam, are you all set, honey?” I could hear the chattering sounds of other teachers in the staff room of the school where my mother taught history.

“Yeah, I was going through my checklist.”

“You and your checklist. How many times have you gone through it

already?” I could feel her eyes roll through the phone.

“Three times,” I said, proudly. As if making sure everything was perfect was a bad thing. I loved my mom, but she was one of the most extroverted people in our small family. I was not. I’d rather spend my time sketching and taking a walk among the beautiful architecture of the city than go to a bar with people I barely knew.

I sat on the edge of my bed, my gaze fixed on a dirty spot on the floor while my mom continued. “Sammy, you need to go out more. Meet new people. Make new friends. You’re only there for three years.”

“I am perfectly happy with my current friends, Ma. I’m not going back to school to meet new people. I’m doing it to get my master’s degree.” While my mom talked, I got the broom and scooped up the debris on the floor. I straightened the books on my study table in the corner of the room on my way to the bed. I’d kept as much open space in my bedroom as possible to fit my drafting table and to give me room to make my design models.

“Okay, Sammy. I understand.” I heard her sigh and could almost imagine the shake of her head. My mother was stubborn, and I wondered when she’d stop worrying about me. “When do your classes start?”

“In three days. I need to go to the campus and see where my orientation is gonna take place. I also need to check out the library."

“Okay, Sam. Call me when you’re back home. You know I worry.”

“Of course. How’s Dad now?"

“He’s okay. Fever’s gone. He’s taking it easy for a few days.”

“That’s good. Only a few more years, Ma,” I murmured.

“You take your time, Sammy. We aren’t going anywhere.”

“Say hi to him for me, will ya?”

My parents weren’t exactly young. They had me in their forties, and I was twenty-seven now. Since Dad ran a construction firm with his partner, he couldn’t retire like someone with a corporate job. My parents have been waiting for me to take over the family business so my dad could transition to retirement. I wanted nothing more than to give

them that, but I didn’t want to just continue running his construction company. I wanted to expand. I wanted our firm to take up architecture services. Luke, my father’s partner’s son, who was also my best friend, had been very supportive of that suggestion. In fact, he was the one who had encouraged me to apply for the graduate program in architecture at Columbia University. He’s in his second year here and couldn’t stop raving about the courses, the campus, the professors, and all the networking. So here I was, going back to school.

“Will do. Take care. And don’t forget to have a little fun.” Ah, there it was—the teacher's voice. I pressed my lips tighter to stop the laughter. She acted as if this was the first time I had left the nest. I did my undergrad at Boston Architectural College. Five years of that and five years of working in NYC had made me more comfortable alone. I don’t think I could live with my parents for more than a week or two at a time now—I’d go crazy.

“I will. Bye, Ma.”

After I hung up, I looked around my room. The gray bedsheets and comforter complemented my cherry bed frame. The dark gray curtains and carpet cooled my room in the sweltering heat of August. This was home now. At least for the next three years. I took a deep breath, taking in this new venture.

Drafting Table. Check.

Bed. Check.

Nightstand. Check.

Closet. Check.

Stationery. Check.

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