Dearhart’S Journey

By Karyl Adams

As a child, the people Samantha Dearheart loved most were her parents, Cyril and Faith. Together, they lived above her fathers small grocery store not far from Samanthas school in downtown Boston. When Samanthas mother gets sick, the young girl thinks the illness will pass. Instead, at the age of ten, she loses her mother to cancer.

Samantha stays strong for her dad. She wants to grow up just like him and nothing like her hateful, controlling Aunt Judith. Andrea Wilson is new to the city as a student at Boston University, and she agrees to help care for Samantha. Andrea misses her family, and shes unsure of her path. Driven to succeed as a lawyer like her parents, she has no time for love.

When tragedy strikes Samantha again, she finds no comfort with her Aunt Judith. She has no choice but to face lifes challenges head-on while fighting for her future and family. Together, Samantha and Andrea must learn to take care of themselves, each other, and their hearts in order to survive the ups and downs of life, love, and friendship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Jul 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781480865983

Karyl Adams

Karyl Adams was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and she draws from her life experiences in broadcast journalism to create worlds that her readers can slip into like a warm bath. As a former track competitor, she has a passion for helping physically challenged individuals live their athletic dreams. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking for friends and community events.

Book preview

Chapter One

I t was a warm sunny day in June of 1965, the last day of school for Samantha before summer vacation. Her teacher just handed the children their report cards and Samantha’s read excellent. Finally her hard work all year was well worth her grade.

Samantha loved school. She loved to learn all she could. The only thing she didn’t like about school was that nobody but her teacher gave her attention. Her father always told her she would have lots of friends someday and to just keep smiling. When Samantha smiled she lit up a room with her bright blue eyes and beautiful blond hair.

Being an only child, she sometimes wondered what it would be like having a sister or brother to play with. The only people in her life she loved deeply were her parents Cyril and Faith Dearhart. Her father owned a small grocery store not far from her school in downtown Boston. They lived above the store since Samantha was born. Her father often said that he liked to work close to home. For Samantha and her mother, they didn’t mind at all, they loved having him close. Sometimes when her mother was cooking supper, Samantha would sneak downstairs to watch her father work. Sometimes he would let her help him count the stock or the money. She wanted to learn all she could about her father’s business. To some people he was a store keeper, but to her, he was a businessman. She was very proud of her father.

As the school bell rang, Samantha jumped out of her chair. All of the children were in a rush to get home to show their parents their report cards and also to start their summer vacation. Some of the children were talking about going away to camp, Disney World and so on. Not Samantha, she was going to spend her summer here in Boston with her family. During the mornings, she would help her father in the store and in the afternoons her mother would take her to the Museum and the public gardens. For Samantha, that will be more fun than going to some camp. For now though, that will have to wait a day or two because her mother has a bad cold, Samantha thought.

During her walk home, she was thinking of her mother a lot. She thought about all of the things her mother did for her. She would bake her favorite cookies, take her shopping, read to her, go to the park together and help her with homework. Samantha loved her mother very much. Clutching her report card in her hand, she ran home thinking of what a great summer it was going to be.

She ran into the store looking for her father and was surprised to see Aunt Judith, standing behind the counter, drinking a cup of coffee from her father’s mug. Fear crept through Samantha. Her Aunt always made her nervous. Hello Aunt Judith, where’s my Dad?  …Well Samantha. She was the only person that called her Samantha. Everyone else called her Sam. As you know your mother has not been feeling well. Judith hesitated. So your father took her to the hospital.

Samantha didn’t know what to think. Just before she left for school that day, her mother said she felt better. Can I go see her?

Yes of course you can. Your father asked me to bring you with me as soon as you came home from school. They closed the store and left right away for the hospital.

Samantha was quiet all the way to the hospital. Just as well Judith thought to herself. Her brother’s kid got on her nerves most of the time, always asking questions. Judith thought back to when her younger brother said he was getting married to an eighteen year old girl. He could have been a lawyer or a doctor. Instead he takes all of his inheritance and spends it on that store and its tiny apartment. He could have gone to Harvard. But no, he wanted to do the right thing and marry Faith and her unborn child. Oh well, Judith glanced at the small child next to her, at least she was a pretty little girl.

Cyril Dearhart sat in the waiting room at the hospital thinking of his young wife, how much she means to him every waking moment. He was wishing he would have paid more attention to her over the past couple of days. He didn’t even notice how sick she really was, and now … she’s lying in a hospital bed.

He stood up as the doctor entered the room. Hello Mr. Dearhart, I’m Doctor O’Neil. Cyril shook the older man’s hand.

How is Faith doing? Is she going to be OK?

Doctor O’Neil motioned Cyril to sit down. Then he spoke the words Cyril would never forget. Since your wife came in we have run a number of tests it doesn’t look good. The doctor hesitated, Your wife has leukemia. The older man put his hand on Cyril’s shoulder. She’s just hanging on. She may not live through the night. I’m sorry we are doing everything we can to make her comfortable.

A few hours later, Samantha and her father were standing by Faith’s bedside with tears in their eyes. The wife and mother they loved so dearly had just died in their presence at the young age of twenty-nine. Samantha released her hand from her mothers. I love you mommy. Her father grabbed his little girl in his arms and walked her out of the room.

Cyril stood with his head bent forward holding his young daughter’s hand on one side and his sister’s on the other, watching their friends putting flowers on her pale blue coffin. Pale blue was Faith’s favorite color. He knew all of her favorite things. The one thing she loved the most of all was Sam. He then looked down at Sam. She looks just like her mother. She has the same eyes, hair and smile. Poor Sam, he thought. How was he going to raise a ten year old girl on his own?

Cyril sat at the kitchen table having breakfast with Sam. It was one week since Faith’s funeral and they missed her so much. At night he slept in the guest room. He couldn’t bear sleeping in the same bed they made love in. He looked over at the chair she sat in just a short time ago. Everything reminded him of Faith. Tears formed in his eyes. No, he told himself, not in front of Sam.

It’s OK to cry Daddy. Mommy always told me if I felt sad, I should cry and that will make me feel better.

Cyril pulled his daughter towards him and hugged her until they both stopped crying. I love you so much Sam.

I love you too Daddy, she said with a big smile.

After they put away the breakfast dishes together, he sat her down for a talk. This wasn’t going to be easy.

You know Sam … I have to open the store today. It’s the first time since Faith died.

It’s OK Daddy … I will help you.

Well sweetheart … your Aunt Judith and I thought it would be better for you … to have someone stay with you during the afternoons … you can still help me in the mornings. She could take you wherever you want to go … within reason of course.

…A baby sitter?

No Sam … a best friend … you will like her.

Sam’s eyes squinted, what’s her name?

Her name is Andrea, she’s seventeen … and she’s very smart … like you. He pressed. She has her summer free to spend with you every afternoon … so what do you say we go down to work. I have a lot for you to do before Andrea gets here.

Andrea Wilson ran from her car to Cyril’s Grocery. It was pouring down rain at that moment and she wished she brought her umbrella. She walked into the store looking for her new employer. The lady that hired her said the child’s mother just died of cancer and her father was the only one to take care of her. Miss Dearhart also said the little girl was spoiled by her father. She looked at the counter and saw a tall, young looking man.

Excuse me, can you tell me where to find Cyril Dearhart?

You’re looking at him … You must be Andrea.

Yes sir, I am.

Did my sister discuss all the details with you?

…I think so … Monday to Saturday, noon ’til six, seventy dollars a week, for the whole summer?

That’s correct … Do you have any questions?

No sir.

Well then, first of all call me Cyril, and second, let’s get you two acquainted … Sam is in the back room.

…Ahh … I was told I would be looking after a little girl?

You will be … Everybody except Judith calls her Sam.

Sam walked into the room looking at Andrea with a big smile on her face.

Sam this is Andrea Wilson. Andrea this is my daughter Sam.

Sam looked nervous around Andrea so Cyril thought he would ease the tension by taking the girls out to dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Andrea told them she just graduated from high school and is planning to attend Boston University in the fall. Her parents lived in New York, they are both lawyers with their own firm, and she is also going to be a lawyer. Like Sam she is an only child. She moved to Boston a few days ago. She wanted to work this summer to help pay for her room, she didn’t like her parents paying for everything.

I also want to make new friends. She looked at Sam as she spoke. That made Sam feel better.

Do you like to go to the library … we have a real big one … I like going there, it has so many books.

Do you like to read Sam?

Yes. With a look of excitement.

Would you like to go to the library with me tomorrow afternoon?

She looked at her father. Can I go to the library with Andrea tomorrow Daddy … please?

Cyril nodded his head. Yes of course you can. Thank God she likes Andrea. He didn’t think this would work. So far, so good.

The next day the two girls came into the store after their trip to the library, with books in both their arms, talking about the day they spent together. They went shopping and to the park on their way home from the library.

That evening, Andrea stayed for supper and then went home, after making plans for the following Monday.

Sam finally found a friend.

Andrea pulled up in front of the small rooming house where she now lived. God, if my parents saw where I live they would die. She opened the door to her room and walked slowly to her dresser. Looking in the mirror, she reached for her hair brush. She started to brush her long black hair. Her mind started to wander to her new job and Sam. Oh, Sam. She is such a smart child and innocent. How can her Aunt say she is spoiled? She’s not spoiled, she seems lonely to me.

Andrea then thought of the girl’s Aunt. She knew very little about the older woman. She knew she lived in a big beautiful house in Black Bay and wore beautiful clothing. At least that’s what Sam told her when they were shopping that day. Sam seemed agitated when talking about her Aunt. Andrea wondered why.

She finished brushing her hair, made a cup of tea and then called her mother in New York to tell her about her new job and her new little friend.

Across town in her bedroom, Sam was lying in her bed, tired from the day’s events. Her father just finished reading her a story from one of the books she got at the library. She then made him promise not to send away her new best friend. For the first time in eight nights, she did not cry for her mother’s touch.

Chapter Two

S am got out of bed early in the morning to wake her father. She opened the door to the guest room. She was used to him sleeping in there. Daddy wake up! she shouted.

He sat up in bed with a scared look on his face. What’s wrong Sam? Are you OK? When he saw her smiling, he relaxed. What time is it?

Six o’clock.

Sam, why are you waking me up at this hour?

It’s Thursday … August sixth.

So. he smiled to himself, he loved to tease her.

Of course I remember. He started laughing. I was only joking with you. Just because you’re eleven doesn’t mean I can’t joke with you anymore … does it?

Oh Daddy She grabbed a pillow and hit him with it.

After a big pillow fight, which Sam won, they went to have breakfast together. He made her favorite blueberry pancakes and freshly made orange juice, just like her mother once made for them every Sunday.

It’s been almost two months since Faith died. Cyril wished he could accept her death like Sam has. At least she has someone to talk to. Andrea has been terrific. She and Sam are best friends. Who do I have? When I speak to Judith about it, she just tells me about some women she can introduce me to. When I tell her I don’t want to date, she then talks about herself and how happy she is. The only woman I want is Faith. My God, why did you have to die?

Are you OK Daddy? Sam looked concerned.

Yes sweetheart, I’m just tired. Do you want more pancakes? Jesus … why can’t I shake this feeling?

The doorbell rang. Andrea’s here. Sam ran to answer the door.

Happy Birthday kiddo Andrea had a big present in her arms. This is for you, but you can’t open it until your party. Andrea set the package down in the hall, it was really heavy.

Are you ready to go shopping for your new dress for the party?

I have to help Daddy clean the kitchen first. She didn’t look pleased.

That’s alright Sam, you two go ahead. After all it is your birthday. I’ll do them. He handed Andrea the money Judith gave him to buy a dress for Sam. It was going to be her present from her Aunt. Buy her something fit for a princess.

After they left, he thought about Judith. She could have at least bought her the dress herself. Well, at least she’s coming to her party.

They were sitting down at the table waiting for Judith to show. She was thirty minutes late and Sam was getting anxious.

Can we eat now, Daddy?

No Sam, we have to wait for your Aunt.

I don’t want to wait for her.

Just as soon as Sam said that, the door opened. Judith finally appeared. Sorry I’m late darling, the stores were just so packed and then the traffic. She walked over to Sam to give her a hug. Happy Birthday Samantha, your dress looks lovely. Sam didn’t look pleased.

After dinner and cake, they went to the living room to open her presents.

Judith handed her a birthday card to go with her dress. It simply read Best Wishes, Aunt Judith. No mention of love.

Andrea thought, what a bitch, the woman has no heart. Here, open my gift Sam.

Sam opened the box with excitement in her eyes. It’s my own set of encyclopedias, look Daddy. She ran over to Andrea and gave her a big kiss on the cheek. Thank you.

You’re welcome, they’re not new Sam, but they were my first set so I thought you might like them.

I do … very much.

Cyril then went to the bedroom he had shared with his wife and came back with a tiny box and an envelope. Sam … I hope this doesn’t make you sad. He handed her the small box. She opened it with a curious glance at her father. It was a tiny locket with a picture of her mother and father inside. Your mother had it made for your birthday. She was going to give …

I love it Daddy … I will wear it always. She smiled at her father and gave him a big hug. I love it.

Here this is from me. He handed her the envelope.

Disneyland!, she shouted.

That’s right Sam, for ten days you and I will be together. We leave in a week. It was the same time Andrea would be in New York visiting her parents before she attended classes. Cyril knew the time was perfect.

Judith stood up to leave. She said her goodbyes to Sam and Andrea. Cyril darling, walk me out.

How can you go to California with Samantha? You have to work in the store.

I hired a young man today, he can do it.

I swear you spoil that child.

So what if I do … she just lost her mother for God’s sake, but you don’t seem to care about that, do you? He was furious.

How can you say that to me? she shouted.

You’re just like your rich, bitchy friends. You only care about yourself. She started to speak and he cut her off. Today you were shopping. You could have bought Sam her dress yourself. Sometimes I wonder if you even care for her.

You don’t understand. She got in her car and drove off, leaving him standing on the sidewalk confused.

During the cab ride home Cyril’s mind wandered to the vacation they just had. He and Sam had a great time together. It would have been better if Faith was with them. He turned his head to his daughter. She is so full of life. She looks more like her mother every day.

Why are you staring at me? she looked at him with a curious smile on her face.

Have I ever told you that you look more like your mother every day?

Looking pleased at his remark. Yes Daddy, all the time … but I don’t mind.

Just then the taxi pulled up in front of the store. Home, sweet home.

After paying the driver, they walked into the store. Hi Bill, was it very busy while we were gone?

The younger man looked up at his boss. It wasn’t too bad … I managed. Oh and the other thing you asked me to do is finished. He glanced at Sam.

It’s OK Bill. We talked about it on the trip.

So … how was your vacation?

Great. I have a bit of jet leg though.

Well, I’ll lock up … You two get some rest and settle in.

Thanks Bill. I’ll see you tomorrow then?

See ya tomorrow. He went back to work, while Cyril and Sam went upstairs.

Two days later, Andrea was sitting at the kitchen table. She just finished telling Sam and Cyril all about her visit to New York.

Can we show her now Daddy?

I think we should ask her first Sam. He stared at Andrea hoping she would say yes.

What are you two up to? She was looking back and forth at the two of them.

He took her hand in his looking very serious. You have been like a sister to Sam and a daughter to me. We love you very much … so … it would mean a lot to us if you would move in with us. She looked shocked. You could have your own room and I realize you need your privacy to study and … oh just come and see what we have done with the room!

Sam took her hand in hers. Please Andrea, come and see it. It’s really pretty.

They opened the door to the room that Cyril and Faith once shared. The room he couldn’t bear to sleep in. It looked totally different now. He bought a new bed, giving the old one to Sam. He gave most of Faith’s things to her. It had a desk in front of the window, new floral wall paper and off to one side was a freshly painted white book case. He left the walls bare, in case she had posters or pictures to hang up.

It’s beautiful … why did you do all of this?

We told you … you’re like family and we love you for all that you do and who you are. He had a grin on his face. You have to admit … it’s better than your tiny room across town … so what do you say … did I also mention free rent?

Is this really alright with you Sam? After all, it was her mother’s bedroom.

Yes Andrea, we would be just like sisters.

In that case, when do I move in?

Come on Sam, wake up. You don’t want to be late for your first day of school. In just a few days it was going to be her first day of university. Andrea could hardly wait. In a way though, it was kind of sad to see the summer end. It was her best summer of all.

Where’s Daddy? She was still half asleep.

He had to work early today, but he wants you to drop in before you leave for school. Bill left a week ago, he took a job, full time as a painter. Cyril didn’t mind. It kept him busy when Sam was at school.

Oh. She got dressed, ate her breakfast with Andrea, and got up to leave when Andrea stopped her.

Are you OK Sam? She looked very concerned for the child.

I don’t know why, but I really miss my mommy. She started to cry in Andrea’s arm.

It will be alright Sam … Do you want me to take you to school? Maybe it finally hit her because she was walking to school, Andrea thought. Come on, I’ll take you.

Chapter Three

A ndrea just sat at her desk, about to study, when she heard a knock on her bedroom door, Come in. Sam walked in