Going downstairs so he could head to work, Sam rounded a corner and took in how the town had been transformed. It was the day before the festival and lampposts were decorated and all the storefronts too. Booths had been set up. Colorful signs were everywhere.
Wyatt had invited some friends down to the festival, and his best friend was arriving today. Wyatt had already included Sam in his dinner plans.
"I'll be cooking for her for the very first time. You have to come over and supervise," Wyatt had told him.
Sam wasn't sure he should go though. "Don't you want to spend time with your friend?"
"Yes, and you too. If you're not there, I'll be bad company, missing you, pining for you the whole time," Wyatt claimed. He left Sam no choice but to laugh and agree to come.
At the prospect of meeting Wyatt's friends, Sam couldn't help but be nervous. What kind of impression was he going to make? Maybe the festival would distract them and they wouldn't pay any attention to him.
Sam would be busy too. The whole town was bustling with last minute preparations. The streets were crowded with people setting up and also with onlookers.
One of them was Rico, and he smiled when he saw Sam coming his way. "It's like the festival already started," Rico said pointing at all the people.
"I bet it's busy at the café. I better get going. Are you on your way there?" Sam asked.
"I am. It's going to be crazy for the next few days, isn't it?" Rico said, but Sam could tell he was already taking on the infectious vibe of excitement that was all around them.
What made this perfect for Sam was that he had Wyatt and the boys to share it with. All he had to do was think about DJ and Riley buzzing with anticipation and he smiled.
"I can see you're ready for the festival," Rico said to him and nudged him with his elbow. They were right at the door of the café. Rico held it open while teasing him for having a smile on his face for no reason.
"Things are..." Sam forgot what he was going to say. The smile was wiped from his face and he just stared. Did he really just see him? The sidewalk across the street was crowded. It was only a glimpse. Maybe he was wrong.
But his heart was hammering out of control and his hands were cold, going numb as he blindly followed Rico inside. Rico was saying something, but Sam couldn't hear him. He had just seem Brian disappear into the crowd on the other side of the sidewalk. Sam didn't know if he was breathing and he hardly knew where he was. A cold sweat was breaking out all over him.
This was just like his nightmares -- a glimpse of Brian nothing more and everything falls to pieces, everything he found here, and Sam most of all. He couldn't breathe. He was shaking and his vision was narrowing to a pinpoint. Everything around him went dark, disappearing out of existence until there was only Sam alone with his mind numbing fear.
He had to get out of there. He couldn't let anyone see him like this. As he stumbled out the back, he bumped into Rico. He barely managed to say, "Cover for me" before he staggered through the back door of the café. He didn't know where he was going. All he knew was that he had to run.
***
The kids were beside themselves when they saw the town already transformed for the festival. Bursting with the colors of spring, flower decorations were everywhere. The vibe was positive, and Wyatt couldn't wait to take it all in with Sam.
They were visiting him at the café, but Wyatt didn't expect Sam to be able to get away. Seeing all the people starting to crowd the sidewalks, he wasn't sure they could even get a table.
They were nearing the cafe when DJ stopped at the opening of the alley that led to the back of the cafe.
"I see Sam," he said.
Wyatt turned to look but couldn't catch sight of him. Before he could stop him, DJ ran ahead then he came right back yelling, "Uncle Wyatt, come quick. Sam is sick."
Not waiting even a second, DJ grabbed Wyatt's hand and dragged him down the alley. Holding his other hand, Riley followed.
Going around some crates that were stacked in the back, Wyatt saw Sam kneeling on the pavement. Hunched over, he was pale, struggling to breathe and clutching at his chest.
"He's sick. Help him, Uncle Wyatt," DJ pleaded while Riley looked like he would burst into tears.
"No, I'm Ok," Sam gasped like every word cost him what little bit of air he had in his lungs. "I just got scared," Sam said then he just focused on trying to breathe. Wyatt kneeled in front of him and put his arms around him gently in case he needed to pull away to get more breathing room.
"Don't be scared," DJ told him. He was calmer now that he knew Sam wasn't in danger. "Uncle Wyatt is here."
"That's right, I got him," Wyatt said into Sam's hair and let him lean on his shoulder. DJ got down next to Sam and hugged his arm. Then Riley got down too and hugged his other arm. Wyatt was worried they might be crowding him, but Sam's breathing was evening out, not getting worse.
"Are you still scared?" Riley asked and leaned his head on Sam's shoulder while looking up at him.
"No, I'm better," Sam told him while Wyatt rubbed his back lightly.
