My Silver Mate

[Preparation]

[Samara]

I glanced around the parking lot, but it was pretty empty, especially since it was barely nine o’clock. I looked over at the store, just to make sure they were open before I picked up my phone. I scrolled through the countless lists and found the one Ben had recently put together. He was a sweetheart for doing it and I smiled as I hurriedly read through the list.

“Batteries…” I read aloud as I took note that we needed four different types of batteries. “Camping mat…” I nodded to myself as I grabbed the keys from the ignition and pushed open the door. I made sure to lock it up before I headed toward the store. Of course, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t drop the keys.

“Always so clumsy,” a teasing voice called out and I smiled as I grabbed the keys and shoved them into my jean pocket.

“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered as I looked over my shoulder to see Heather coming toward me. The sun was already out in full force, and I took a quick moment to appreciate the change in weather. We had been planning this camping trip for months because of the weather.

“You got the list?” she asked when she reached me, and I nodded as I carefully shook my phone at her. “Good, let’s get this over with,” she remarked as we both headed for the store.

“You on break?” I asked as casually as I could. Heather flipped her long black hair over her shoulder and threw me a wink.

“Something like that,” she said as we entered the store.

“Morning ladies,” Graham greeted cheerfully, and I smiled. “Ben sent over a list last night,” he added, and I frowned. What was the point of sending me if he had already placed an order? I wasn’t going to get worked up over it, I understood Ben’s worry. I did tend to be a bit forgetful at times.

“Does that mean you have everything ready?” Heather – bless her – questioned and Graham blushed.

“Yeah,” he nodded over at the pile that sat close to the registry. I was not going to get angry. I wasn’t.

“What the hell was the point of this then?” I questioned as I waved my phone around.

“Right?” Heather sighed loudly before she bolted and left me alone. Probably to return back to work, but that didn’t matter. I was angry.

“Sorry, Samara,” Graham whispered as he started loading everything up onto the counter. I shook my head as I pulled out my purse, only to realize I had left it in the car.

“Goddammit,” I growled out. “I’ll be right back,” I hurried back out to the car and, for some reason, I wasn’t at all surprised to see Ben leaning against my car. He had a smug look on his face and all I wanted to do was slap that look right off his face.

“Babe, relax,” he said, but I ignored him as I dug the keys out of my pocket. The forgotten purse was lying on the passenger seat and I grabbed it quickly. “Babe…come on,”

“Why did you make the list, Ben?” I questioned harshly as I locked the car once again. “What was the point?”

“The point is so that you can feel in control,” he whispered as he eyed me closely. He was doing that calculating thing of his and I sighed. “I just wanted to make it easier,” he then added.

“I know…but come on, I have the list!” I once again waved my phone around and he smiled apologetically.

“We’ve been planning this trip for ages, and I didn’t want you to feel…” his voice trailed off and then he shrugged. He knew me far too well and that meant I couldn’t stay angry at him. How could I? Ben knew exactly how I got, and he had only been trying to help. It still angered me, but I sighed as I silently forgave him. He didn’t need to know it yet, so I stalked back over to the store. Graham had already packed the smaller items into the bag and the amount had been rung up on the registry. We didn’t say anything to each other as I paid the amount with my credit card. After all, it was my turn to pay for this trip. Wesley, Heather’s boyfriend, had paid for everything last time.

“Thanks,” I said to Graham as I grabbed a couple of the bags. I knew he would bring the rest. I also wasn’t surprised to see that Ben had left. He had either gone back to work or back to campus. I didn’t care which, so long as he wasn’t around. Graham politely helped me get everything loaded into the back of my mini before he hurried back to the store. However, I decided to head over to Fur Real – Exotic Pets instead of heading home. Heather was behind the counter, and she shot me a look when I entered.

“Don’t say it,” she grumbled out and I sighed. She also knew me all too well.

“I wasn’t going to say a damn thing,” I lied.

“Right…” she rolled her eyes, and I couldn’t help but smile. Heather was a beautiful girl with straight long black hair, dark brown eyes, and coffee caramel skin that always made me a little bit jealous.

“What time will you be home?” I asked instead and she looked down at her phone that was on the counter.

“Around one…maybe two,” she said, and I nodded.

“We’ll talk then,” I said as I leaned over the counter and kissed her cheek. “I’ll order pizza and we can relax,” I didn’t wait for her response as I hurriedly left her place of work. The excitement I had felt earlier was back and this time I was determined not to let the little things get to me.