SAM

• Maggie Barbary, Grade 5
• Short Story
• 2019

I slowly tiptoed out of the room. Slowly but swiftly. My heart was beating louder than a basketball bouncing up and down a court. This was scary. If I got caught I wouldn’t be getting breakfast. All I need to do is find the letters my dad gave me before he went on his holiday. I need to find them. If I don’t I won’t know what happened to him.
Click…
My heart stops. I rush back to the hallway to where my carer is. I can make out some sort of tall girl with jet black hair and colorful clothes. She looked… fun. “Am I getting a new mum?” I thought. Astonished, I tiptoed out to the big dining table to get a closer look. “She is a wicked girl. You will have to have your eye on her at all times” I heard Mary say. Mary is the horrible person that looks after me.
“I will take great care of her I promise Mary” said the girl hopefully.
“Okay, she is yours. Go wake her up and introduce yourself”, ordered Mary.
I then realize she is talking about me. I rush to my room and hop into bed. I’ll let the girl introduce herself in the morning.

I wake up to the smell of crispy golden bacon and runny gooey eggs. Mmm… this can’t be Mary’s cooking. She only gives me stale cornflakes with out-of-date milk. Sometimes I’m lucky and I can find some chips at the back of the cupboard. “Umm where is Mary?” I asked rudely. I don’t trust unknown people.
“She is gone forever I’m your new carer” the girl replied brightly.
“Now what’s your name?” she asked softly.
“My name is Jessie”, I replied cautiously.
“Nice, mine is Samantha but you can call me Sam” she replied calmly.
“Do you want some breakfast?” Sam asked.
It was like she could tell I was starving. I was licking my lips, it smelled amazing.
“Yes please” I replied greedily.
“Let’s order takeaway” she said.
“What about the bacon and eggs?” I asked confused.
“That’s just the smell of my phone. See…” she replied.
“Sorry to confuse you” she said apologizing.
“Oh, all good” I said “let’s get takeaway”.

It had been two years with Sam and she was the best. She taught me how to play basketball. I taught her how to cook.
But last night Dad showed up and I realized how happy I was with Sam. She was really fun. But I didn’t know how to tell Dad that. I told Sam how I felt and she told me that she was going to stay for a bit longer but then leave for good. I felt my face turn white as a ghost. All I wanted was to see Dad and know I want Sam too. Two days later she left and I’m fine. She helped me. Dad is who I really wanted and Sam and I still talk. And if I ever need a babysitter Sam is free.