NYC, Sunday Evening

[psychic_wonder]

Sam hadn't been lying when he'd told Peter that his potential apartment wouldn't be too hard to protect, and once the place was officially Peter's, Sam hadn't wasted a lot of time in getting things ready. Still, putting down salt and sigils in an entire apartment took some time, so Sam had sent Peter to get dinner and dessert while he worked. By

Comments

[somefamily]

Angela naturally knew where Peter's apartment was. She also had a way of knowing when Peter wouldn't be there. So it wasn't a coincidence when she showed up while Sam was alone.

It was sheer luck that she showed up after Sam finished his work.

"Hello, Samuel," Angela said, after she let herself in.

[psychic_wonder]

Sam jumped at the sound of Angela's voice, and zipped his bag up quickly, hoping that everything was inside. "Hi," he said, putting on a smile. "Sorry, I wasn't expecting you."

[somefamily]

"Peter isn't here?" Angela asked, glancing around to see for herself.

[psychic_wonder]

"No, he's out getting dinner," Sam said. "He shouldn't be gone for too much longer, if you want to wait."

[somefamily]

"Actually I was hoping to talk with you." Angela turned her attention back to Sam. "I would suggest taking a seat but I see Peter hasn't taken care of that yet."

[psychic_wonder]

"Yeah, he's still working on the furniture part of apartment living," Sam said, getting a little more serious. "What did you want to talk about?"

[somefamily]

"I must admit I didn't see your relationship with Peter coming," Angela told Sam. "That's unusual for me."

[psychic_wonder]

"It was a surprise to us too," Sam said with a soft smile. "But it's worked out well."

[somefamily]

"It would be safe to say that you care for Peter?" Angela asked, as though it wasn't really a question.

[psychic_wonder]

"Yes ma'am, I care about him a lot," Sam replied. He was careful to use the word "love" around adults, too used to being treated like he was too young to know what that word really meant.

[somefamily]

"You would help him, then, if he needed it?" Angela asked.

[psychic_wonder]

Sam nodded emphatically. "Of course I would. Why are you asking? Does he need help?"

[somefamily]

"He does," Angela said. He gave Sam her most no-nonsense look. "I'd like for this to be the last time that you see Peter."

[psychic_wonder]

That had been one of the last things Sam was expecting to hear, and he stared at Angela for a moment, certain he'd misunderstood. "Excuse me?"

[somefamily]

"You can have your last day," Angela said, "then make your goodbyes and never speak to him again."

[psychic_wonder]

For a second, Sam wondered if Peter had sent Angela here to break up with him on Peter's behalf, but that made no sense at all. "Why?" he asked. "Why should I do that?"