It’s six in the morning on a drizzly Tuesday; the sun not risen yet, Joseph was waiting for his son Samson at the police station as promised. With yesterday at the hospital still fresh in his mind; Joseph was determined to confront Samson in regards to what Angelica stated before passing out from the pain and morphine.
‘You may have cut Frances out of your life, but I never did. Ask Sam…son.’
Pacing Joseph sees his son walking from his car along with Sheriff Cooper as they approach the main entrance. Grumbling at Samson not being alone; Joseph reluctantly approaches as they near.
“We need to talk Samson.”
Samson seeing his father as they approach, twists his face in disgust; “you had your chance yesterday. But you decided to use your fists instead; we have nothing to talk about.”
“Well what did you expect,” Joseph barking at his son; “you walk in with your sister. The same sister that gone against our family’s wishes.”
“Wrong,” Samson looking at his father; “your wishes! Not mine and certainly not mother’s.”
“Is there something I should know,” Sheriff Cooper listening to the altercation; “is their going to be a problem today is there?”
“Nothing that a few aspirin won’t fix;” Samson looking at his father with disappointment.
“Alright Samson,” Sheriff Cooper sighs; “I’ll save you a few, just don’t be late for roll call.” The sheriff heads inside with both Carters watching him. Seeing the sheriff leave their line of sight the two go back to staring each other down.
“Say what came to say and leave father,” Samson doing his best to control his anger.
“Angelica said she never fully cut Frances out of her life,” Joseph looking serious; “is this true?”
“You think a mother will completely disown her children,” Samson looking at his father; “is that what you came here to ask? To find out if your will be done or not?”
Joseph is about to answer before Samson cuts him off.
“Contrary to what you may think or believe,” Samson staring his father down; “Mother does not need to defer to you with every choice she makes. She is her own person capable of making her own decisions. Her choice to have me check on Frances after you kicked your own daughter out was her decision. Your fucking lucky mom didn’t call the police. Throwing a fourteen year old girl out onto the streets is not only illegal, it gives child protective services all they need to be up your ass.”
Joseph’s surprised that his own son giving him the third degree is once again silenced as Samson continues his diatribe.
“And to think I was hoping, for the sake of mom’s health to get the family together for Christmas dinner. Clearly your pig headedness and refusal to change with the times is an indication that will not happen. So guess what, you want to shun me as well as Frances, then don’t expect to meet any grandkids; if I so chose to go down that path eventually. Enjoy being alone with your beliefs; because that is clearly what you are begging for.”
“Samson wait,” Joseph finally getting a word in as his son walks inside; but Samson ignores Joseph, leaving the former Amish farmer, turned carpenter to stare at the police entrance with the rain lightly cascading down his greasy hair and beard. Left to think on what Samson said, “Lord why am I being tested now?”
Not getting an answer except for the sound of water droplets making contact with the ground; Joseph just heads back to his truck and goes back to the hospital to be with his wife.
******
Samson Carter enters the police station after letting his father have it; unsure if the words he used will finally sink into Joseph, he heads to the briefing room to wait what his assignment for the day will be. Before he could enter, Sheriff Cooper calls him over to his office. Samson sitting down, he sees the bottle of Aspirin waiting for him.
“I take it you have some family problems,” Sheriff Cooper asking.
“Nothing as bad as yours,” Samson taking the Aspirin and swallowing a few; “Everyone knows you arrested your cousin and she is down in holding. We’re all wondering what you are going to do with her?”
“Follow the law,” Sheriff Cooper sighs; “My cousin doesn’t know it yet, but Alyssa will be seeing the judge this morning and answering to the charges of trespassing, breaking and entering in regards to my fishing cabin.”
“I wished my mom called the police when dad kicked Frances out for becoming a were-feline,” Samson bemoans; “then perhaps thing would be different.”
“Different,” Douglas Cooper acknowledges; “but not for the better I suspect.” Looking at the time, “better get to the briefing room; roll call is about to begin.”
Samson nods as he gets up; heading to the briefing room, Samson leaves sheriff Cooper to deal with his own paperwork and headaches.