39 Homewrecker

"Do you want to have dinner together tonight?" Kei asks while parking in front of the university.

"I have plans, babe." Sam pouts. "Ed and I are having dinner with a gallery owner in Yokohama."

"Tomorrow then?"

"Tomorrow sounds good." Samantha smiles. "How about I make dinner at my place?"

"I would like that very much."

Kei leans in to kiss Sam, but she dodges and pecks him quickly on the cheek.

"Students or a colleague might see, Kei."

"Let them see." He shrugs with a smirk.

"Kei," Sam reprimands.

"Okay, okay." He retreats, amused. "Have a great day, love."

"You too." Sam beams.

She walks into the main building with a grin splitting her face in two. The weekend has been like a dream. Spending time with Yoko and Jiro, have put her in such a good mood. But most of all, it is having Kei around that is making her the happiest.

Sam lets out a satisfied sigh as she enters the faculty lounge. Today, the room is empty. Summer break has already started, and very few students and staff are around. The meeting she has to attend today is for faculty in the Art department only, so it's normal that the lounge is empty.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee that fills the room suggests that at least someone is here. Sam can't resist the smell, even though she has already drunk a cup with Kei earlier. She grabs a mug from the cabinet, and pours herself a hot cup of coffee.

After a few blissful sips, she walks to her locker. But as soon as she opens it, she freezes in shock. Sam's mug slips through her fingers and crashes on the wood floor, shattering and splashing the hot coffee on her leg.

Samantha hisses when her skin burns, she can't look away from her locker though. Everything in it is completely destroyed. Red paint, that looks like blood, has been used to write the words 'whore' and 'homewrecker' on the inside.

"Oh my God, Ms. Martin." Emiko, an assistant professor that has spoken to Sam a couple of times before rushes to her. "Your leg."

Sam looks at the young women in a daze. Emiko guides her to one of the chairs, and quickly places a cold wet towel on her leg.

It only takes a few minutes for the security guards and a few staff members to fill the room. The dean himself shows up to deal with the situation.

"You don't have to attend the meeting today, Ms. Martin. I'll personally brief you on it another day," the dean tells Sam. "Please take care of your leg and we will investigate this incident. I am sorry you have to deal with this."

"Yes, thank you," she responds with a mechanical voice.

"We have called your emergency contact, he should be here soon to take you home," he adds.

Sam only nods. Her mind is spiraling. Of course she knows that she is not a homewrecker, or a whore for that matter. Both she and Kei are divorced, and she knows that she was not the reason for Kei's divorce too. But the words still hurt. 'Is that how people see me? Even Kei's grandfather thought I was the cause of Kei's divorce.'

"Sam," Ed calls as he rushes to her. "What happened? They said it was an emergency." His eyes travel to the open locker that the security guys were examining. Then, to Sam's leg. "Did someone hurt you?"

"No," Sam answers. "It's just hot coffee, I spilled it."

"Is it bad?" Ed removes the wet towel and studies her red leg. "Yeah, let's go to the hospital."

Sam allows Ed to guide her away from the chaotic room. They stop by the hospital, and thankfully, the burns are not severe. Then, he drives her home.

"Do you want me to cancel tonight's dinner?" Ed asks as they walk into Samantha's living room.

"No." Sam lies on the couch. "I just need a few hours to rest."

"Do you need anything, dear?" Ed asks. The way Sam is reacting to the whole thing is worrisome. "Do you want to talk or something?"

"I'm ok, Edward. I will be ready for dinner."

Ed stares at her for a moment. She never calls him by his full first name, unless she is talking to him as his boss and not as his friend.

"I will pick you up later then." Ed hesitates, but when he sees that Sam has already closed her eyes, he leaves.

As soon as she hears the door close, Sam turns to lie on her back and covers her face with her arm. It's a weird feeling. Maybe it has nothing to do with what was written in her locker. Maybe it is just the fact that she was reminded that nothing comes easy to her. That her little prayer, just like all the ones before it, will not really be answered.

Sam grabs her phone and texts Yoko.

'Can I take a rain check on our tea this afternoon? Something came up.'

Yoko answers a couple of minutes later.

'Of course, dear. Let's reschedule when you're free.'

Sam sighs before closing her eyes again. 'What a shitshow.'

Her body feels heavy, as if she had run a marathon. She lets herself relax and drift into sleep.