The Sammie Effect Pt. 01

While I was remembering, she got up off the couch, the smile still on her face, and shimmied out of her jeans. Her panties either came off with them, or she hadn't been wearing any to begin with. Even in the dim light, I could see she had a nice little landing strip above her pussy. With her t-shirt still on, she stepped forward and straddled me, a knee on either side of my legs. She reached back, lined my cock up, and looked me right in the eye as she slowly sank down on me. She sighed as I groaned.

I'd always heard that a woman who had a lot of sex would be 'loose'. And it was no secret that Jill liked sex. But she was just as tight as my last girlfriend, who had been a virgin. Wow! I reached forward and lifted the t-shirt and started lavishing attention on her large, but firm tits.

She sighed, cooed, groaned, and squealed. All the sounds a guy loves to hear during sex. I didn't know if it was genuine or not and really didn't care. This was the first pussy I'd had since my senior year, over five years ago! The beer was helping block my normally overactive conscience as well as my insecurities.

As I mentioned, the other thing the beer was still helping with was keeping me from coming immediately. Despite my dry spell, I lasted a long time. I'm pretty sure she came twice before I felt myself getting close.

I looked at her face. She had her head tilted back a little and her eyes were closed. Her lips were parted a little and she looked like she was in ecstasy. For a moment I reflected on how unfair it was for her to get the label ''slut'. She was thoroughly enjoying this and damn good at it.

Finally, I couldn't hold back and thrust my hips up, ejaculating deeply into her. She shuddered through what I had to assume was another orgasm and then collapsed against me. I just held her and stroked her back as our breathing slowed.

I was still hard, and I think I could have gone another round, but she finally got up, grabbed her jeans, and walked toward Timmy's bedroom door. I admired her ass as she walked. Then she opened the door, turned her head, and smiled one more time, went in and the door shut.

We'd never spoken a word.

I finished my bourbon. Despite looking at the ocean, I wasn't seeing much. My eyes were turned inward remembering. Things started intruding on my memories. New things that I wasn't sure of. My mind, after years of working with software, was 'scrubbing the data'. I needed more information.

I shook my head as I realized that had been the last time I had sex with someone I knew. I've had plenty over the last twenty years, every one of them a prostitute. Not just any though. I always went for the pricier ones, and boy had some of them been expensive!

I only did it in places where it was legal. I'd seen some of the guys get STDs in port when they were just looking to get their rocks off as cheaply as possible. I'd actually asked some of the really good ladies to teach me how to please a woman. The more I learned, the better the sex was for me and my partner.

My stomach growled and I suddenly realized the sun was setting as I reminisced. I remembered my waistline and decided I could wait until breakfast and decided to turn in. After climbing into the loft, I stared at the stars through the skylight for a long time before I fell asleep.

Over the next few days, we continued our conversations, I'd tell her bits and pieces about my life, and she'd reciprocate. I think she had been convinced I'd wronged somebody and that was the reason I was 'hiding'. I explained my introversion and that I'd seen a therapist because I'd been worried about it.

That doc had really helped me understand myself, but not necessarily fix anything. I learned that being introverted isn't a disease, it's just the way I am. She ruled out social anxiety disorder because I was perfectly capable of functioning with others. I just didn't like to. She helped me understand that going from popular, smart guy at the top of my class in high school, to overweight, college dropout had shaken me badly.

I learned that Sammie was very self-aware and knew she was a chatterbox. Also, she very much wished she'd had a normal family life but realized that her reality was different than most. She tried to stay positive because the alternative wasn't acceptable to her. It did bother her that she might be in her thirties before she got her degree, but she was determined to get it.

We both had wanted the American dream, but looked like we missed the boat. Mine left port without me and hers never showed.

One day I came in and found her talking to two young women about her age. They looked over as Sammie greeted me with her typical, cheery 'Hey Pops!'. Then she introduced me to Sandy and Sarah. And yes, they had heard it all as far as their first names all beginning with 'S'. Sammie had apparently mentioned me, and I think they wanted to not just check out the 'world traveler', but make sure I wasn't some kind of creep. In the end, I think they were relieved. To them I really was just a nice, harmless, old man.

After they left, Sammie explained she didn't see them much anymore because they were both married now. I could tell from the way she said it, she was feeling a little left behind. Boy, did I know how she felt.

Sammie had always admired my bike and had hinted at a ride on occasion. So, I decided to surprise her.

"Your shift ends at four today?"

"Yup. And then I can just relax."

"How about I swing by and take you on a ride?"

"Really!?"

"I picked you up a helmet, so you'll be safe. We can cruise a little and then I'll take you to dinner."

"That would be great!" she stated with enthusiasm. Smiling, she leaned in and added with a whisper, "As long as we don't have to eat here. The food is great, but I eat it every day."

I laughed and agreed.

"You pick!"

"Actually, could we grill some burgers? I've got a small grill."

"How about steak. I've got a grill too."

Her smile got bigger, and she nodded. I agreed to be back in about two hours. After saying goodbye, I stopped at the market and got two nice steaks, ingredients for a salad and some pre-made, loaded, baked potatoes that would just have to be heated up. I'd seen what she ate plenty of times and we liked a lot of the same things. I ran them back to the cottage and then headed back to get her.

I pulled up in front of Irma's diner and before I could shut the engine off, she was there, practically jumping up and down, vibrating with excitement. I couldn't help but smile. Still, I did shut the bike down.

"Hello friend!"

"Hi Pops! I'm really looking forward to this, I've always wanted to ride on a motorcycle!"

I gave her some basics on how to be a passenger. Then, after she put her hair into a ponytail, we got her helmet on and off we went. We spent about an hour riding around.

We stopped briefly to look at a dilapidated single-wide trailer that she informed me was the last place she lived with her mother before she left. The high school hadn't changed much, and she also showed me where Sandy's parents still lived. They were the ones who'd taken her in at the end of her senior year. After she asked, I drove by the place I'd lived. I have no idea who lives there now.

Finally, we made it back to the cottage. I enjoyed her smile as she took off her helmet. I gave her a quick tour as she made approving remarks. She especially liked the deck. I got us both a soft drink and then fired up the grill. As I grilled the steaks, she of course chattered non-stop about a wide range of subjects, and also threw in the occasional question.

The ocean breeze was starting to cool things off early, despite it now being August. We decided it would be warmer eating inside at the small table. After a relatively quiet meal, I moved two comfortable chairs in front of the window and we each sat in one looking out at the ocean.

She held her stomach and groaned.

"Pops, thank you! That was awesome! I haven't eaten that well in a long time!"

"You are most welcome! I'm glad you liked it!

Then we shared a rare quiet moment. I actually looked over to make sure she was all right.

"What's on your mind?"

She sighed.

"I don't know...nothing...everything."

"You want to talk about it?"

She began to slowly nod and then without looking over, spoke.

"This is a rental. I know that means you aren't going to be around forever. I guess I was just getting used to things. I'm happier than I've been for a while. I guess even though I know it's not, I imagined this must be what normal feels like."

Those softly spoken words went straight to my heart.

"I've really enjoyed getting to know you, Sammie. You've heard me tell you about myself and my aversion to people. I'd like you to know I consider you my friend. Maybe my only one."

She looked over and smiled.

"But I'm not leaving quite yet. I do have another job though. I leave in a couple of days."

"Where is this one?"

"The port of Nagoya in Japan."

"Wow! I wish I could go."

I wished she could too. While I was thinking of something to say, she continued.

"I've tried my best to have a good life. But sometimes I can't help but get mad at my mother. I think maybe things could have been better if she'd been...I don't know...normal. Whatever that is."

"Tell me more. If you want to, that is. What exactly happened with your father?"

"I don't think he was my father. If he was, he didn't pass any looks down to me. I don't remember him, but I've seen pictures. I'm not sure my mother knows who got her pregnant."

The hair went up on the back of my neck.

"Really?"

"One night, she'd gotten into a fight with husband number three, Pete. She was acting surly. He'd stormed out and I was upset because it had been loud and happening a lot lately. I could sense a new stepfather in my near future. I was a freshman in high school and was beginning to realize I didn't like her much."

"Somehow, I ended up yelling at her about screwing things up with my real dad. She knew I had no memory of him and just sneered, asking why it would even matter. Then she said, 'Besides, he wasn't your real father."

"Well, that got my attention. I asked her who was. I think she was happy that I'd stopped yelling and, between that and the booze, she talked. She told me that the summer before she got married, she came back here to see family. She was engaged to a guy she'd been with for the last two years. She 'got an itch' was the way she put it and went a little crazy. She told me she slept with six guys in less than a month and then went back, and a month later married her fiance."

"She says no one back here knew she was engaged...not even her mom. And she never told any of the guys she had sex with. I was so angry with her. That's when I started calling her 'the Slut'. Although at first it was only in my mind."

My mind was going a mile a minute, but I stayed calm on the outside and said the only thing that came to mind.

"I'm sorry Sammie."

It came out more emotional than intended.

"Hey Pops, it's not your fault. She is the way she is. I heard stories later. She was like that from an early age. It's sad though. She had a degree in education and was a teacher. Apparently when she went through the first messy divorce, she was caught flirting with some male high school students. She got fired and never taught again. Who knows, maybe she wasn't allowed to."

"Before she cheated on John, the halfway decent guy, my grandmother had died, and she had no one but me left around here. I'd just turned eighteen and when she took off, I was alone."

"Again, I'm sorry you've had a rough time. But I admire how positive you are. It's clear you haven't let the way she was change who you want to be."

She gave a little smile and thanked me. I sensed she was done talking about that part of her past and went up and got dessert. I'd picked up a couple of cake pops from a local bakery. I let her pick a flavor and ate the other as she asked me about Japan.

The pops were delicious and when we were done, I took our sticks and brought them to the counter and put hers behind my coffee pot and threw mine in the trash. She had to work the breakfast to mid-afternoon shift tomorrow, so we got on the bike, and I delivered her safely to her apartment. I got a nice hug and a thank you and told her I'd see her the next day.

It was really hard to pay attention on the way back to the rental. Once there, I put the stick from her cake pop, which she'd licked clean, into a plastic bag, sealed it and got on the internet.

I still hadn't gotten around to renting a car, so once again, everything I needed to take on the trip was in my backpack. I pulled up to Irma's, parked, and went in.

"Mornin' Pops!"

"Mornin' Sammie!"

I got a warm smile as she topped off the coffee cups of three men at the counter. After she was finished, she came over and poured me a cup, which was already at my table. After she put my order in, and checked on everyone else, she sat with me for a minute.

"This is only the second time you've been in for breakfast."

"Yeah, they changed my flight. I leave in a couple of hours. It will take a full day to get there, so I wanted to get a good meal in my belly. And of course, say goodbye to you."

She smiled.

"Also, I wanted to give you my contact information in case you need anything. Even if it's just to talk, okay?"

"Really?!"

I handed her my card, and she looked it over.

"Alistair Campbell? That's your name?"

I nodded even though I knew her question was rhetorical. I'd been 'Pops' since I walked in here that day. I'd told her once, but right from the start, it had been a struggle to get a word in.

"Can I still call you Pops?"

"I wouldn't want it any other way."

We enjoyed our normal small talk. Of course, it was mostly her, but I had come to enjoy the largely one-sided conversations. After I ate, I got a goodbye hug and promised to let her know I'd made it to Japan in one piece.

The trip was routine. The problem was a little complex and took me two days to figure out. But then again, they didn't call me for the easy stuff.

I managed to have a video chat with Sammie while there and managed to show her some live shots of the port I was working in. After requests, I also texted her some pictures of the city while I was out and about in the evenings. I picked up a few small gifts I thought she'd like as well.

The flight home was one and a half times as long as the flight over. I was anxious the whole time. Finally, I had landed, uncovered my bike, and headed home. It was pretty late, but I texted Sammie to let her know I was home safe and would see her the next day.

I checked my email in the morning and there it was. The results. They were in an attachment which I did not open. You see, I had overnighted Sammie's cake pop stick to a lab to see if they could extract her DNA from the saliva. They had been successful. I'd also sent a swab from my mouth. My lawyer recommended a company his firm used in paternity cases. They were expensive, but fast and reliable.

Now I had to take the next step. I was nervous to say the least.

Our mini reunion was even better than when I'd come back from South Africa. She actually told me she missed me! I can't even remember the last time I heard that from anyone. It felt good to tell her I'd missed her too...and mean it.

She immediately started asking questions, but I noticed she seemed distracted. It was busier than normal, so I thought maybe she was just tired. I was sitting thinking about things, and I caught her staring at me again. Suddenly, her eyes went wide, but almost immediately returned to normal. If I hadn't known her, I might have missed it.

"I brought back some things for you."

That brought a smile.

"You didn't have to...but I'm glad you did!"

"How about I swing by later and pick you up? I'm kind of in the mood for home cooking."

"Burgers?"

She said it with a raised eyebrow and a look of hopefulness.

"Better. I got a smoker delivered and put a pork butt on this morning. Pulled pork sandwiches!"

"I've never had that."

She said it with a touch of apprehension.

"Well! Are you in for a treat! But don't worry. If you don't like it, I have a burger ready to throw on the grill. But Sammie?"

"Yeah?"

"You'll love it."

Despite the pork coming out perfectly, I barely remember eating. As I had predicted, she did indeed love it. While in Japan I'd gotten her a hand painted fan and a traditional hair comb, also hand decorated. I got a nice hug for them. I think she sensed something off as we settled on the deck after washing the dishes together.

I was trying to think of how to start the conversation. As always, on the rare occasion when I want to talk in a social setting, my brows knit as I mulled it over. I saw her once again giving me that funny look. Then Sammie did what she always does. She beat me to it.

"Pops? Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course!"

"How old are you?"

I almost flinched, but all I could do was answer.

"Forty-four."

She actually gasped.

"It IS you!"

Her eyes grew wide, and she brought her hand up to her mouth.

I wasn't sure what she meant and said so. She thought for a second and then pulled out her phone.

"Make the face again!"

"What face?"

"You know. The 'all serious face'."

She knit her brows as if in thought. So, I did, and she snapped a picture. Then she brought it up and handed me the phone.

"OK. Now, look at it and then me."

She put her version of that same, deep-in-thought, look on. The one that had tickled the back of my mind on occasion. I looked at her, then the pic. Then, my eyes snapped back, wide open, a look of astonishment and understanding on my face. We were obviously family. You could see it clearly when we had that look.

"Dad?"

The question was barely audible. She had a look of hope and fear on her face at the same time. All I could do was nod.

"I'm pretty sure."

I don't know what I expected, but not what happened. She hugged herself and started to cry. I had hoped for joy, but this felt like sadness. Soon, she was sobbing. I did the only thing I could. I got up from the chair, stood in front of her and opened my arms.

"Come here Sammie."

She got up and threw herself into my arms and I enclosed her. I tried to put twenty years of missed love into that embrace and found myself crying silently. She cried hard for a couple of minutes, and I actually felt my shirt getting damp. It eventually slowed though. I composed myself and tried to calm her with soothing words and sounds.

As I held her, I felt conflicted. There was sheer joy at holding my child...something I never thought I would get to experience. I also felt anguish. She was hurting, and I'd just discovered when she hurt, so did I. And of course, there was remorse for all the missed time...all the things I could have helped her with.

She started to calm down. I kissed the top of her head. She finally took a ragged, deep breath and spoke in an almost inaudible voice.

"You're leaving. Aren't you?"

I loosened my grip a little and reached up with one hand to raise her chin. Looking at her in her damp eyes, I replied in a soothing and hopefully reassuring tone.

"No. I'll never leave you. I just found you. And I didn't even know I was looking."

I felt her shiver, but whether it was with emotion or the now very cool ocean breeze, I didn't know.