It was the summer. One of the hottest that Beaufort has ever had.

Sam Odell walked into the diner. His little sister clung to his hand. As Sam asked his sister what she wanted, his eyes traveled around the small diner. His chocolate eyes landed on the most beautiful Asian girl. Asami Chung didn't notice that a boy around her age was staring open mouthed at her.

"Can I get you anything?" One of the waiters asked him. His sister spoke up. "I want the vanilla milkshake and I think my brother would like that girl" she stated casually. The waiter followed the direction Sam was looking.

"Yo, Asami" the waiter yelled. The girl looked their way. She blushed after Sam Odell kept staring. She watched him back.

The waiter came back with their order. Remi Odell skipped to where Asami was. Sam slowly following in her tracks. Remi sat down uninvited.

"My brother likes you" she whispered and giggled. Then Sam Odell was there.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you" Sam uttered.

Ironically, they spent a lot of that summer together. And then they started school and remained friends. They started dating Sophomore year. ~

It was the 46th anniversary of that diner. Asami and Sam made plans to attend. They were even going to bring the kids. Asami didn't feel like leaving them alone at the house with a babysitter after the last incident. They were seated at the same booth they first talked at.

Asami was hyper aware of the stares. It was a small town but it seemed like even people from outside of the district were here. It was too loud. It was just right.

"Will you order pancakes for us?" Asami told Odell while getting up and heading to the bathroom with the kids. While the adults talked, January and Oscar were making a mess. Pouring out contents of salt and pepper onto the table. Making swirl patterns. Knocking over other condiments then running away from the table and coming back to it.

Mother and daughter went the bathroom while Oscar washed his hands - making more of a mess. The liquid soap coating the faucet more than his outstretched hands. The water rushing over them and the sink. By the time the girls were ready to wash their own hands the floor was a puddle underneath their feet.

The trio walked out into the hallway. Or rather. Asami walked. Oscar ran around. January did too but she looked more gracious doing so. Oscar went blindly into the unknown. Atlas was now at her side. A moment she dreaded. She knew that word would travel and no doubt Atlas would react to it. Asami was taken aback at the concern in her voice.

"I'm sorry, I have to go, it's pancake time" Asami abruptly commented. More for the kid's sake. Oscar was starting to whine about being hungry and how the diner needed more food, and funner things to play with.

The bunch got back to the table where Sam Odell still sat. The next second pancakes littered the whole table. Also one of the biggest milkshakes was there for everyone to share.

"Mom, I need to go to the bathroom" Oscar stated after the meal was finished but before they left.

"I'll take him" Sam announced as they left the table for the mensroom. Both did their business then walked over to the sink. Odell stared at it. The mirror was broken, blood still remained swirling around in the sink.

"Let's tell your mother that you washed your hands, ok?" He told Oscar.

"Ok, daddy."

Both Asami and Sam were getting used to him being called dad or daddy. It hurt him but also made him want to be better, do better by them. To actually be more active in their lives. He didn't know if there could ever be a future with Asami. They didn't talk about it. Everything was mostly about the kids now. He wondered if January would ever come around. She still hasn't called him anything but Sam, Odell, or Mr. Odell, the most cringed worthy of names.