Work Text:
There was cause for celebration. Reece’s company had landed another large job. Somehow, the precarious balancing of networking and bookkeeping was paying off.
His brother clapped a hand on his shoulder. ‘’Good for you,’’ he praised. ‘’Remember, you know where to order materials!’’
‘’Gonna give me a discount now?’’
‘’Why? You can afford full price more than ever. In fact, I think I’ll charge you more.’’
Reece laughed. It had been a hard road to get to this point, back to feeling like his business was thriving enough so he could enjoy it. Rebuilding and moving to the new house was hard. Their finances had taken a hit. But now? He wished he was more materialistic so he could splurge on a big purchase in celebration.
But Robert had plans. ‘’Let’s go out, yeah? C’mon, get the crew and we’ll make a night of it. Harris is treating.’’
Harris was the main networker who Reece employed to help with their business. His contributions played a large role in their recent job acquisitions.
‘’I’d have to call the kids,’’ Reece explained. He hadn’t told them the goings on. He made it a point to keep work at work, not wanting any of them to worry about the ups and downs of his job and the money it brought in.
‘’Do so.’’ Robert wagged a finger. ‘’You deserve a night out.’’
Reece gave a noncommittal shrug. He went back to his office. He didn’t spent a lot of time socializing. Scratch that; he never socialized. The few times their work required it, he would go out with Dorothea by his side. But with six kids, that didn’t happen often. Only when the stars aligned and they landed a babysitter who could handle the special brand of De Lainey chaos.
But though the six kids increased to nine, Grady, Jack, and Jermey were away at university. Sam, Moxie, Dash, and Avery were more than responsible enough to take care of things for the evening. And Toby and the baby were old enough for it not to be too much of a hassle.
So really, if Reece wanted an evening away… he could do it.
He eyed his phone on the desk. It was only noon. The kids were still at school and would be for a few hours. He could call Moxie, ask her to pick up the little kids and get a pizza for dinner. He would be a little late. Only until six, seven at the latest. She’d probably be thrilled. The house to themselves and their various activities.
While debating with his eyes on the phone, it buzzed. As if his thoughts brought it to life.
Reece looked at the text message.
Sammy: hey
Sammy: can you come get me
All thoughts went out of Reece’s head.
His text thread with Sam was sparse to say the least. A few messages from him saying when he had to leave early, to let him know he got to school okay, to text or call if he needed anything, mixed with Sam’s monosyllable replies of k and sure.
Sam never texted first.
But when he started attending school, Reece told him outright if he ever needed anything, all he had to do was ask. Reece would come get him.
Sam never had.
Until now.
Reece picked up his phone. He tapped Sam’s icon and put the phone to his ear.
It rang.
And rang.
And rang.
Click.
‘’…Hello?’’
‘’Hey,’’ Reece said. ‘’I got your message. What going on?’’
He stayed calm. Voice level. In control.
He could hear silence on the other end, mixed with heavy breathing.
‘’Sam? Sam, can you hear me?’’
‘’I need—‘’ that soft, trembling note, the one that made it sound like Sam was fighting for air. ‘’Can you… can you come get me?’’
‘’Of course. What’s wrong? Where are you?’’
‘’I can’t… I can’t—‘’
‘’Sammy, I’m coming right now, okay? I need to know where you are. Can you tell me?’’
‘’C—classroom,’’ Sam said. ‘’I’m in an— an empty classroom.’’
Thank god. He was still in school. A call like this, Reece was prepared to search the surrounding area, thinking he had fled.
He hadn’t fled. Sam was having a panic attack and instead of running, he stayed put.
He called him.
‘’Okay, Sam. Here’s what I need you to do.’’ The keys were already in Reece’s hands. ‘’I’m coming, okay? I’m going to the car right now. I need you to go find an adult. Go to the nurse or the front office. Hand them the phone. I’ll let them know I’m coming. Okay? Can you do that?’’
Reece was exiting the building. He passed his brother in the hall, who saw him with his phone to his ear and his no doubt slightly panicked expression. He gestured, but Reece waved a hand. He didn’t have time to explain.
He needed to get to Sam.
He could hear background nose from the other end of the phone. Sam, presumably walking through the halls. His heaving breathing. Trying to stay calm. Trying to do as Reece asked.
He called me.
He trusted me enough to call me.
Reece was already in the car and on the road when another voice came through the phone. ‘’Hello?’’
‘’Hi, this is Reece De Lainey. I’m Sammy Lou’s guardian.’’
‘’Hi…’’ the woman sounded confused. ‘’Yes, I have Sammy Lou right here…’’
‘’Yes, I’m coming to pick him up. I’ll be there in less than five minutes.’’
There was some typing; the secretary perhaps pulling up Sam’s profile. ’’Oh, of course. Sure, I’ll… see you soon.’’
‘’Thank you.’’
The phone clicked off before Reece could request for her to hand it back to Sam.
…
Reece arrived at the school. Sam came out, no bag in tow. Just climbed into the front seat and sat, hands on his knees with clenched fists, stiff as a statute. His eyes were as tightly closed as his fists, but that didn’t hide the redness to them, or the blotches of color on his otherwise pale face. He’d been crying.
Reece started driving. He let two minutes of quiet elapse before asking; ‘’I need to know if you’re okay.’’
No spoken reply. Just a nod.
‘’You’re not hurt?’’
A shake of the head.
‘’Was it a panic attack?’’
A pause. A quick nod.
‘’Did you take your meds this morning?’
Another pause. ‘’I… think so.’’
‘’Okay.’’
The next sentence was so quiet, Reece almost missed it. ‘’Thank you… for coming.’’
He sounded almost confused, as if he hadn’t known Reece would show up.
’’Anytime kiddo.’’
Reece hoped he knew he meant it.
They got home. Sam slipped out quick. By the time Reece got out of the car and grabbed the papers he needed from the backseat to put in his study, Sam had disappeared upstairs.
Reece gave him ten minutes. Just enough time to put his things away, change his out of his work clothes, and text Moxie about picking up Sam’s backpack on her way home.
It was also enough time to get texts from both Moxie and Avery about what happened. Gossip in high school was faster than anywhere else in the world.
Moxie: did sam leave???
Avery: did you take sam
Avery: is he ok
Avery: can I leave too
Reece fired off quick replies to both before going down the hall to the room Sam and Avery shared. When he built the frame for the house, he asked about room arrangements. There was the spare room up here and the two rooms in the basement that offered enough space for everyone to have their own rooms. But Sam and Avery hadn’t yet shed the need to be nearby while they slept.
Reece knocked quietly. No response. Paternal instinct override the privacy rule and he opened the door.
Sam had collapsed on the bed. Still in his school clothes, laying on his stomach, out like a light. Coming closer, Reece could see the tell tale signs of exhaustion he tried to hide while he was awake. Dried tears on his face, dark circles under his eyes. He knew he had trouble sleeping. Perhaps a bad night last night contributed to whatever trigger struck him while in school.
Or… or this combination of medication wasn’t working. His therapist had him on anti-anxiety meds. Half the time, Sam forgot to take them. The other half, he seemed more strung out because of them.
Reece would have to look into it more later.
For now, he risked coming closer. Sam must’ve buried his face in the pillow to muffle any tears he shed. Reece took it from his grasp so it wouldn’t fall on his face. In sleep, Sam’s grip relinquished it with ease. He placed it on the floor. Sam always pushed it off anyway.
He took the blanket at the edge of the bed; the weighted one Moxie made him. Patchwork of different soft fabrics and textures, stuffed with beads to give it enough heft that was comforting and not trapping. It was lined with soft fleece. Reece laid it over Sam.
He didn’t even stir.
Reece went to the window and close the blinds, dimming the room as much as he could in the afternoon light. With one last look at Sam, he exited, leaving to door the slightest bit ajar behind him.
The click of a lock would be enough to wake Sam, and rightly so.
He went downstairs and sat on the couch, treating himself to a few moments of peace before traipsing into his office for work. His phone— blessedly on silent while in Sam’s room, had been inundated with messages.
Moxie: so he did leave??
Moxie: why??
Avery: why
Avery: plz respond
Moxie: is he there?
Moxie: tell him his locker is a mess
Moxie: oh god I had the wrong one
Moxie: what color is his backpack
Avery: I need to know
Moxie: nvm I found it
Dash: can i borrow 20$ its for a book
Reece set about replying to all of his kids.
(To Avery: sorry for waiting we were getting home. He’s okay, just wasn’t feeling well. See you soon)
(To Moxie: good to know. I’ll let you deliver your thoughts on his locker in person)
(To Dash: is it a school book?)
Avery: so I can’t leave? (Reece: no)
Moxie: I’ll also tell him he needs a more destructive back pack (Reece: I assume you meant distinctive??)
Dash: does it matter don’t you want to encourage literacy (Reece: the three bookshelves and dresser full of books in your room say you’re literature enough)
He told them he’d see them all later.
While texting them, he got a text from Robert;
Rob: Hey you left kinda sudden. Everything okay? We on for tonight?
Reece: Sorry, I can’t. Something came up. You guys go ahead.
Rob: you sure I can’t convince you? You never do anything for yourself
Reece: I’m sure. I’m not big on going out anyway. Have fun.
Rob: If you went out more you might change your mind. There’s nothing quite like the occasional night out
Perhaps that was true. Before he could reply, his three kids replied to their respective conversations;
Moxie: gives me a design idea. See you at home. Luv you
Avery: unfair ❤️
Dash: : ,( love you anyway
Reeve couldn’t help a smile.
Maybe Rob was right and there was nothing like the occasional night out. But it would never trump the everyday life he had with his kids. Ups and downs and all.