STORMY SEAS - EXCERPT CHAPTER 5

             Abigail wasn't sure if she was ready to see Sam yet but she didn’t really want to eat or work alone so she headed down the hall to their cabin. When she came to a set of elevators she decided to head up to deck five to get some fresh air instead. As she stepped onto the car she, literally, ran into Thomas as he was moving closer to the control panel.
            “Hi Tommy,” she smiled, her lips barely turning up at the edges.
            “Hey Abby, how are you?”
            “I could be better,” she answered.
            “I know,” he admitted, "I saw Sam last night.”
            Abigail sighed. “So you know everything?”
            “Yep, every last bit.”
            “Oh Tommy, I just don't know what to do. I love him, but I have no clue if I can overlook his role in this.” 

            “He didn’t have a role in it Abigail,” he stressed as he ushered her off the elevator at deck five.

~~~~~~~~~

            Thomas slowly pulled her close for a quick hug. “I need to tell you something about Sam, something that might help with how you think of him.”

           “You just met him, what can you know about him?” Abby was incredulous.
           “I know that his dad was a bastard, and I also know that the only man in his life growing up was the most decent, kind, gracious human being that ever walked the earth.”  Thomas sighed and grabbed both of her hands in his. “Abby, his uncle Burton was my Gunnery Sergeant, the one I went to hell and back with. And I trusted him with my life. I guarantee the man Sam is today is the same kind of man his uncle was.”
          “The one who died?” she asked quietly. “I remember when it happened. Sam was devastated.”
          “He was a great man Abby and so is Sam. Give him a chance." Thomas kissed her cheek and walked away.