Chapter 1
A/N: This is week 50 of the Weekly One Shot Challenge from the Sookieverse over on http://www.fanfiction.net. “Help someone when they’re in trouble, and they’ll remember you when they’re in trouble again”
The phone rings, he picks it up on the second ring, “Merlotte’s, Sam speaking.”
“Sam, it’s Arlene. Can we use the bar for a Stag and Doe next week?”
“Arlene!”
“Please Sam?”
“Arlene, you can’t keep doin’ this. I’m loosin’ money every time you go through with this!”
“But this time it’s for real Sam, pleeeeeeeeeasssssssssse.”
He sighs in exasperation, “Fine but it’s a cash bar and it’s after the bar closes on Sunday night and you supply the food!”
“Great! Thanks Sam!”
Five minutes later, “Merlotte’s, Sam speaking.”
“Sam, it’s Sookie.”
“Hey cher, what’s up?”
“Sam, I need a few days off.”
He sighs, “When?”
“Sunday through Thursday next week.”
“Sookie, you do realize you have spent more time off with those damn vamps in the last three months than you have actually spent working for me, right?”
“Has it really been that much?”
“It has. Why do you even keep this job if you’re spending so much time working for them?”
“To keep my independence Sam. I’m not a kept woman!”
He sighs, “Alright Sook, you’re off the schedule until Friday day shift.”
“Great! Thanks Sam!”
Five minutes later the phone rings again, “Merlotte’s, Sam speaking.”
“Sam, it’s Tara.”
“Oh, hey Tara.”
“Sam, I hate askin’ but my Mom needs and exorcism and apparently they don’t come cheap…”
He cuts her off, “fine Tara, come by in an hour and I’ll have the money for you.”
“Great! Thanks Sam!”
Five minutes later, “Merlotte’s, Sam speaking.”
“Sam, it’s Lafayette.”
“Hey Laf, what can I do for you?”
“I need a week off.”
He sighs, “Fine, when to when?”
“Now to same time next week.”
“Fine. See you next week.”
“Thanks Sam!”
Five minutes later, “Merlotte’s, Sam speaking.”
“Sam, it’s Terry.”
“When do you need off and for how long?”
“Just today Sam. How did you know?”
“It’s just been one of those days Terry. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks Sam!”
An hour later, “Merlotte’s, Sam speaking.”
“Sam, it’s Tommy.”
He sighs, “When do you need off Tommy?”
“I don’t Sam but I do need a place to crash for a few nights. Dad’s fallen off the wagon again and Mom ain’t much better.”
“Fine, you can crash at the trailer with me. See you soon.”
“Thanks, Sam.”
A week later, “Merlotte’s, Sam speaking.”
“Shifter, it is I.”
He growls, “What Eric, why does she need time off now? She’s supposed to be at work at 10:00 am!”
“I am aware. Unfortunately she needs more time than anticipated. One of my waitresses will be there so you aren’t out a waitress and I will pay her wages myself.”
He sighs, “Fine, how long this time?”
“Four to six weeks is what the doctor is saying.”
“Doctor?!”
“Yes, things did not go as anticipated on this last assignment.”
“Fine. Send me contact details so I can visit her in the hospital.”
“She’s in Sweden.”
“Fine, so I can send flowers then.”
“Very well.”
Six weeks later, “Merlotte’s, Sam speaking.”
“Sam, it’s Sookie.”
“Cher! How are you feeling? What happened?”
“I’m fine Sam but I’m not ready to talk about it yet. I am cleared to come back to work next week though if you still have room for me.”
“You’ve always got a job here Sook. I’ll let you know when to be here when I make the schedule up.”
“Great! Thanks Sam. Talk to you later.”
Nine months later, “Sam, can we use the bar for a Stag and Doe next week?”
He looks in the mirror over the bar and says to his reflection, as he bangs his head off the bar, “Help someone when they’re in trouble, and they’ll remember you when they’re in trouble again, and again, and again, and again…”
