samharriscn

[samharriscn]

─── starter for @yaodlin​

HUMMING BEE STUDIOS, SUMMIT LAKE ─── “So this is actually supposed to help?” With what he wanted to continue with but bit his tongue as this was a service he had sought out and paid for.. Sam righted himself and let out a heavy breath, release the bits of tension and soreness he already felt creeping in. Since his visit back home and the stress that had added on with his reason for the return— his father’s health decline— Sam had been feeling even further off center than he could ever recall. It was his doctor that had suggested yoga or some meditative practices. Quieting his thoughts was too much to tackle so Sam had decided to give yoga a try. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to walk tomorrow.” Sadly, he had always thought he was in pretty good shape too. Was this the big indicator that he was getting old?

[samharriscn]

─── starter for @ximenaflores​

FARMER’S MARKET, DOWNTOWN ─── Since Ben was going to be with him for Labor Day, Sam had a plan of laidback ways to spend the day. Once of those activities had been to enjoy the shade in the backyard while eating watermelon. It was a summer pastime that had been hard for him to let go of. Every year, at least once, Sam would try to relive the memory from his childhood and teenage years— in the backyard of his family home in New York. He and his father used to have competitions of who could spit the seeds the furthest and even though he knew now that his father had always let him win, those victory moments still gave him some warm fuzzies. “Hey, sorry, serious question here,” Sam said as he turned to the woman beside him, “how can you tell if a watermelon is ripe?”

[samharriscn]

khalil hassan.

location: peak fitness

character: @samharriscn​​

After learning his lesson the hard way, Khalil wasn’t jumping into any other experimental classes. Free or not, his legs would never be the same after the half hour spin class that left him feeling defeated and out of shape. Clearly the treadmill wasn’t doing the trick.

“Word of advice, I’d stick around here for a few minutes longer. There’s this spin class instructor who keeps offering a free session to fill the extra spots in her class. She’s intense and if you like being able to walk, I would suggest avoiding her.”

Dark hues flashed towards his watch. Two minutes and the doors would be closed and they’d been free to roam about the gym as they wanted. “She’s punctual. Two minutes and we’ll be good to go.”

○●○●○●

“Hold on,” Sam stood there stunned for a moment with his hand out like a crossing guard, “do I look like someone that would take a spin class?”

He may have been looking in the Khal’s direction but it was pure vacancy behind his eyes as they unfocused, clearly lost in some thought. Spin classes weren’t a bad thing Sam just never wanted to do them. Sure enough he had hoped that the instructor would take one look at him and think better of approaching.

“How many times did you get roped into it?” Because Khal was speaking from experience, and more than once.

“Vivi had tried to get me into an aerobics class with her once,” Sam shook his head, “I’ll go as far as a pedicure but that’s the line I draw.”

[samharriscn]

Louise Glück's

[samharriscn]

where did ya go, bubba?

[samharriscn]

vivienne fonseca.

@samharriscn​

She’d picked his place, knowing it would be far less embarrassing to cry in private than to cry in front of a bunch of strangers. At the time, it felt like a good idea- sound reasoning, but now that she was there, Vivienne couldn’t find it in her to knock on the door. Four years of mourning stretched between them. Four years without answers or peace had commutated with his absence. For years well-meaning friends and family had told Vivienne that no answer was indeed an answer. But it wasn’t. Not really, not ever. The silence was heartbreak. There was no answer in the echo of all the scenarios her mind created once she realized he was gone. Had he stopped loving her and been too cowardly to tell her the proper way? Had he met someone new and been too cowardly to tell her? 

Had someone died and he been to broken to face her? Had he been injured and forgotten her for years? The latter was a bit far-fetched, a product of mindlessly watching days of our lives while deep in her depression. Amnesia was better than leaving her for another woman. Then the idea he’d died. Vivienne had thought for some time if it weren’t for the morgues who grew tired of her calling and the eventual publication of his book Vivienne would have eventually found a way to believe it, to mourn his passing. But he hadn’t died. He had left. He’d left without anything, without a word, and Vivienne had spent the last four years trying to understand why. Maybe if she were stronger, she would have given it up. Stop asking questions of a ghost, but her heart simply had not worked that way, and she needed answers. For whatever they would be worth, maybe at least she could find it in herself to heal. Tho, he did show back up in her life at a less than ideal time. It would be the anniversary of Ivan’s death in a few weeks. Vivienne felt that particular grief like a summer storm forming into a hurricane. Did Sam know about Ivan? Would he have cared? I should leave. The thought left a weight levied over her heart. Before she could act on it, Viv knocked three times, and she waited. She waited and held her breath, exhaling once the door opened and he was there. “I’d have brought a housewarming gift. But, I wasn’t sure if this was a permanent move for you.” Viv said as a way of greeting after Sam allowed her inside. Viv stood unsure in the entryway, sweeping her hair behind her shoulders while she looked everywhere but at Sam. Her eyes swept over his home, trying to imagine what the last four years had been like for him. Her eyes volleyed between the capsule of his life without her and his face. Her chest tightened, and Viv pulled her eyes away a moment, giving herself the space to compose herself to find the words to continue. “For four years, I was told silence was an answer.” She said without looking at him. “But that never felt good enough for me.” She swept her eyes upward over his face, “for us.” She clarified with a shrug of slim shoulders.

This day was long overdue and something he had thought on often. She was impossible to forget but somehow through grief and shock, Sam’s conscious had shifted her away and put her somewhere safe.

When he left Sam was only headed to the hospital to visit his mother whom had fallen ill and didn’t have a good prognosis. If it hadn’t have been for the phone call he received in the backseat of his taxi, those haunting words of ‘we need to talk’, then Sam would’ve been home that night with Vivienne. The shock and worry over his mother would’ve been shared with her, and he would’ve leaned into her for support. But one shock was piled onto with another and he ended up in North Carolina.

It all had become too much for him to take. Finding out he had a son from a previous relationship, one that he had missed out on four years of his life, to then never getting to say goodbye to his mother. 

Sam became a shell of a man, someone that went through the motions and spent four years raising a son that ended up not actually being his.

By then, with four years having passed and without him picking up the phone to reach out to Vivienne, Sam figured it was all too late anyway. There wasn’t an explanation that would make anything ok. 

He had abandoned Vivienne.

The guilt of that ate away at him.

A life had been set in motion anyway, seemingly without his say, sacrificing to the boy he thought was his own. And as much as he wasn’t exactly ready for this emotional conversation, it was time. Sam was grateful that fate had finally intervened and stepped in when he hadn’t stepped up the last four years.

When the doorbell rang, he made his way to answer it and wasn’t surprised at the lack of greeting by his ex or the fact that she couldn’t look at him. It was a very nice home in the Summit Lake neighborhood— three large bedrooms, three full baths, manicured yard, a pool in the back. 

And when she’d eventually walk in, she would see the photos of Ben throughout the house at varying ages as he grew into the nine year old he was now.

“Hey,” he greeted softly, “well, I have the title on the home so I suppose it’s pretty permanent.” At least until Ben was eighteen, then it was likely Sam would move back to New York. “Wanna come in?”

They weren’t going to have this conversation on his front porch, but she began anyway, not able to look at him. Maybe some part of him was a little grateful for that. This was all hard enough and further seeing the sadness he’d put in those eyes might have been too much.

“Silence was never meant to be an answer. It was never meant to be in the first place, but—” Sam cut himself off then and took a step back waving her inside. “Let’s talk, come on.”

After giving her room to follow, the door was closed and he directed Vivienne to the living room and the set of couches. “Have a seat, I’ll grab some waters real quick.” Truthfully he just needed a moment and to take a breath. For he knew she was even a little angry with him having left recently too.

When Sam returned to the room he set the waters on the table and sat on the couch opposite her. He looked her over for a minute, contemplating the best place to start. “The same day I got the call my mother was in the hospital in a coma I also got a call from an ex. Do you remember Catherine? I had told you about her when we had first started dating, how things had ended with us a few months prior.” It was during that routine and uncomfortable let’s talk about the exes and our pasts stage.

“It was her. I was in the back of a cab on my way to the hospital and she told me I had a four year old son—”

[samharriscn]

SAM 💬 VIVI

VIV: I'll meet you at yours.

VIV: I'm not sure what any of it is worth yet, Sam.

VIV: We can talk about it tomorrow.

VIV: I'll let you know but honestly I'm going to fall asleep to reruns of The Fresh Prince.

SAM: Alright, that works.

SAM: You just need to know that I am sorry. That's all right now. You don't have to forgive or hear me out, just know that much.

SAM: See you tomorrow. Get some sleep.

[samharriscn]

SAM 💬 VIVI

VIV: nothing good on tv I guess.

VIV: -unsent- i couldn't sleep and wanted to talk to you

VIV: tomorrow?

VIV: You also said you'd be home that morning.

VIV: Sorry. I'm not being fair. I don't know what to trust.

SAM: If you need some recs let me know.

SAM: Tomorrow works. Want to come to mine or would you rather meet somewhere?

SAM: Bit different of circumstances but I understand why you don't trust what I say. All I can do is prove it.

SAM: I deserve it Vivi, it's fine. For what it's worth, I am very sorry for that.

SAM: — [ unsent ] — I miss you.

[samharriscn]

SAM 💬 VIVI

VIV: I contemplated not replying until tomorrow but here I am.

VIV: I don't know.

VIV: Maybe.

VIV: yes. I've got time. You're not going to run off again. Are you?

SAM: What made you respond?

SAM: You don't have to let me know now. If you have some free time just say the word when you figure it out. I'm going to be home all weekend.

SAM: You think me leaving a few weeks ago was running off? I told you I was going and I told you I'd be back. Here I am.

[samharriscn]

bennett miller.

location: rooftop swingers

character: @samharriscn

“Bad news is that I’m terrible at actually scoring any points, but the good news is that you can order beer by the pitcher, or they other drinks too. So, while I’m not great, it’s still a fun time. If you’re hungry, they have a good food menu too. It’s like an improved bar menu, but make it a little more expensive.” 

He was thankful that Sam had agreed to a small boys trip within the city. It could be fun and it was a chance to catch up over the things they’d missed. Bennett kept a tight grip on a club as he light hues scanned over the other. “Oh, and don’t worry about opening up a tab. Consider it my treat for saying yes last minute.”

Normally, he was a good planner, but with his schedule never having much give, he just had to jump at every free moment he could. Top score or not, it would be good to blow off some steam from the week.

“Is that why you asked me to join you?” A smile spread and Sam turned his baseball cap backward. He spun the club in his hand and his eyes drifted from his friend and neighbor to the view of the green. “It’s expensive and you want me to foot the bill?”

Of course Sam had spoken too soon, clearly not able to help himself when it came to rushing to a tease.

“You might regret that offer, my friend.” Not that he was a huge drinker in general, Sam didn’t really enjoy alcohol outside of beer, and beer he could put away. “So, you’re thinking we should start with two pitchers then?”

This day was needed, so Sam wasn’t bothered by any sort of last minute invite or even that it was for something golf related. Mostly, him saying yes and nearly running to Bennett’s car was to have a good time with Mr Coffee Gourmet, but also for the need to get out for a while and shutdown the non-stop thoughts in his head.

His trip home had been a tough one, not having been back to New York since he’d abruptly left. Everyone wanted explanations and there was very little Sam had actually wanted to say. Sorry didn’t cut it, everyone wanted the reasons why behind his actions and he found it difficult to be anything other than tight lipped.

“I never really played golf but— how hard could this be?” He’d played mini golf, he was good at baseball. How hard could this be? “But before we start I’m gonna go get some pitchers.”

[samharriscn]

SAM 💬 VIVI

SAM: Hey, it's late so don't reply if this wakes you.

SAM: I'm back in town. Are you available at all this weekend?

SAM: I'd still like to have that conversation with you...

[samharriscn]

rüya seren.

WHO: @samharriscn​  WHERE: The Jagged Yard

“You know that girl’s been staring at you for like, the last half an hour, right?” She asked as she walked up to Sam with a smirk, pulling the dish cloth from her shoulder and lightly smacking him with it. “She even tried to send over a drink, but she wanted to give you a gin and tonic and I just couldn’t let her do that to you… So I told her to try again in ten minutes.” Grinning as she poured herself a pint of beer, she turned back to the novelist as she took a sip and leaned against the bar. “You’re so lucky we’re in the same city again.” She mused, holding her hand out for his glass. “You want another round? I’d say you had, mm… like nine more minutes to decide but the red head’s got this look of determination in her eyes and I’m afraid we’re looking at about a minute before she slides over here and probably tries to get you to drink a vodka soda.” Making a bit of ��yikes’ face, Rüya took another sip from her beer. “Unless you’re into that sort of thing now.”

It wasn’t until after Sam looked in the direction of the mentioned woman that he internally cursed himself for doing so. You were never supposed to look. Not only did it let the person know they were being talked about, it also sometimes was assumed as an open invitation.

“See?” He gestured a bit, asking for understanding. “Now can you finally agree to my plight of being so ridiculously good looking?” Clearly Sam was joking as his blue eyes were turned back to the welcomed reunion of Rüya a few months back.

“My protector,” his hand rose to cover his heart as he leaned back some and smiled. “Although we both know your reason was so you wouldn’t have to waste time making something that I’d either send back or not drink.”

Watching her pour herself a pint and enjoy it, he became thirsty for one himself. Again, her words caused him to look in the direction of the redhead, but then quickly returned to Rüya. “Could be worse, it could be one of those vodka cranberries you ladies love so much.” His eyes rolled a bit, he would have no qualms about removing himself from the company of someone who drank those.

“What would you do if I was?” Sam’s brow lifted with curiosity. “Can you tell her I’m married or something?” Not that he expected Rüya to handle affairs like this for him, he was just hoping to avoid the scene of effort of determination.

“And actually, I’ll take one of what you’re drinking.”

[samharriscn]

wes kennedy.

People: @samharriscn​ Location: Frontier Foods 

  “Great!” the doctor sighed as he accidentally dropped a few cans from his basket as he was putting them away. Wesley felt like he was spreading himself a bit too thin the last few days and with everything going on, he had not had the chance nor the time to breath. He was glad that he took some time off so that he could focus on Eric and get him all the helped the needed and spend some time with his son. He followed the rolling can bent down as it stopped at someone feet. He picked it up and looked at the other. 

“So sorry about that,” he said looking at the male for a moment before realizing who they were. “Hey Sam��.” he spoke surprised as he had not seen the other in forever.  

Frontier Foods. Just the name of the store was funny to him and reminded Sam that he’d truly been transported to another world. He’d spent his life in the big and bustling city of New York, one of the most populated cities in the world that truly never stopped moving. 

Here, in the frontier, it got real slow and quiet. Sometimes even more so than his four years spent in the south. He liked it, and found the community aspect of it all to be helpful in settling in.

Even though the store felt like a gimmick he strode through the aisles picking up a few things here and there. Vivienne might come over soon, and if not her then Ben was due with him in the coming weekend. He was looking at pastas and trying to make a decision when he heard the crash and muttering. Keeping to himself rather than make the person even more flustered, Sam only took a small sideways glance.

It wasn’t until the rolling can bumped his shoe that he tore his attention away from the linguine. “No worries,” he replied, stepping back for a moment as he recognized a man from the past, a past that felt far too distant now, “I thought you were just telling me I need more green beans in my diet. Wes—”

Hand going out and resting on an old friend’s shoulder, he smiled broadly, “it’s been how many years?”

[samharriscn]

“I want to talk about what happened without mentioning how much it hurt. There has to be a way. To care for the wounds without reopening them. To name the pain without inviting it back into me.”

— Lora Mathis, If There’s A Way Out I’ll Take It (via thequotejournals)

[samharriscn]

vivienne fonseca.

@samharriscn​

MIRROR MAZE -fun fair

The summer heat had faded into a neon flashing light nighttime wonderland unique to fairs. Laughter and screams of delight mixed with a melody of music that Vivienne followed until she came to the apex of the maze of mirrors. A nighttime breeze cooled her bare neck, and curiosity pushed her into the labyrinth of vanity. A multicolor path illuminated her dazed path that split in what appeared to be countless directions. Each time Vivienne believed she had found her way out, there was another blocked path. Countless other people seemed to have found their way through the maze while Viv continued to run into herself. A small anxious panic unfurled in her stomach as she turned around with a frustrated sigh. As she watched her steps, Viv counted her way back, wondering if she could use a pattern to figure her way out of the maze. She’d been lost without another person finding their way thru for several minutes when the echo of approaching footsteps grew closer. Hopeful for some help, Viv smiled, bright, watching the kaleidoscope of reflections for the one she was sure would help her out of this mess. However, no sooner than when the man came into view did Vivienne’s heart sputter against the iron-clad cage she’d built around her heart years ago. An amalgam of emotion settled like a stone in the pit of her stomach, causing her smile to falter. A nervous exhale of air parted Vivienne’s lips, and she gestured around her reflections, all following suit. “I’m sorry I bailed on our meeting.” She said, her voice heavy with frustration. She took a tenative few steps until she was sure she was in front of Sam and not one of his reflections. “A friend had an emergency.” She didn’t dive into details. It wasn’t her story to tell. Her smile had not returned. The fetter of nerves inside her stomach confused her more than the damned maze. “I can’t figure my way out.” She gestured with a humorless chuckle fueled by anxiety and long unresolved grief. Vivienne looked at him, all her hopeless resolve crumbling as her brows furrowed together, “Would you want to help me find my way out?”

The only reason he had entered the mirror maze was to prove to Benjamin that it was easy and fun, nothing to be scared of. While most people, kids and adults alike, seemed to find amusement running into or being surrounded by themselves over and over his once son did not. The boy actually seemed perplexed by it and somehow intrinsically knew getting lost was inevitable.

That was something they actually related on— getting lost. Thankfully when he lived in New York it wasn’t something he’d ever had to worry about. Cabs and drivers alike always seemed to know where they were going, but when moving to North Carolina he then found himself with a car and trying to navigate his way around a new town. 

Samuel wasn’t too prideful to ask for directions.

Especially when just a few months ago he’d found himself in another new town where he’d have to learn his way around. For whatever reason Providence Peak had seemed easier when it’d come to finding his way. 

Maybe on some level his heart and soul sensed it’s anchor nearby.

Vivienne.

He was working his way through the maze of mirrors and had mostly put the nearness of her out of his head. When she hadn’t shown up to their arranged meeting to talk Sam hadn’t been surprised or even held it against her. As much as he wanted otherwise, he knew it was deserved.

But then there she was surrounding him. At first he was caught off guard in not expecting to come across someone else, especially going the wrong way, but a smile found it’s way onto his lips. “Well, hey,” he said coolly, blue eyes taking her in. “It’s fine, don’t worry about it.”

“Is your friend okay?” Sam asked a moment later, smiling a little more at seeing them all around in all the mirrors. As much as his heart ached, for a multitude of reasons, he couldn’t be upset that they crossed paths again. Now that she was back in his life, something serendipitous with them both being in the same city, he didn’t want her out of it. 

It was lucky too that Ben hadn’t come in with him. Given they hadn’t had their talk, Vivienne didn’t know about him and the entire story behind that. The fair wasn’t really the place to explain it either.

“Yeah, of course, I think you’ve just gotten turned around.” Without thinking Sam put his hands on her shoulders and turned Vivienne around. Then he walked forward with her the way she’d come. “There’s a passage coming up on your left,” he informed and pointed ahead at the mostly hidden turn, “you didn’t just come there did you?”

[samharriscn]

─── starter for @elifalvey​

FUN FAIR, BIGHORN HILLS — “I’ll give you twenty bucks if you go on the round-up,” he challenged with a smirk to Elijah beside him. It looked like a big nope to Sam, like something that would make him sick and hating life until the world stopped spinning on him but that didn’t mean he wasn’t game to give someone else a hard time and challenge them to get up there. “And, I’ll sweeten up the deal for you, I’ll buy you a slushie as well.” Mostly because that’s where Sam was headed next. It was hot and those icy refreshments of pure sugar helped for a short while. He’d made sure that Ben had plenty of water along with everything else he was indulging in. The one thing he kept telling himself— it’s the fair, it’s just one day.

[samharriscn]

─── starter for @emelinecormier​

FUN FAIR, BIGHORN HILLS — “I’m telling you— cotton candy is overrated. Kettle corn is where it’s at,” Sam tried to tell Ben who ran off with his cash anyway to grab some of the spun sugar. “Can you believe that kid?” He’d turned his attention to the woman who appeared to be taking a bit of a break from the sun in a shady spot. “Lemonade over slushies, no corndog, and candied apples over funnel cake,” he went on, shaking his head at the absurdity of it. “When I was a kid we used to head down to the Shore, hit up the boardwalk and fair and go all out. I guess maybe you midwesterners do it a bit different, yeah?” Sam was still working on getting Ben to take on some of the rides but the boy wasn’t too interested in the rollercoaster. “Anyway, you’re having a good time, yeah?”