Punished

Yoko squeezes Sam's hand in hers. Small drops hang on the latter's bottom lashes as she is lost in her thoughts.

"I can only imagine how hard it must have been," Yoko utters.

"It was atrocious," Sam says, remembering everything she has been through. "The physical pain was bad, but my grief hurt more. It was torture." She shuts her eyes for a moment. "The worst part was that the doctors kept saying that there was nothing wrong with my body. How is that even possible, I've lost four babies?" Her question hangs in the air.

There is nothing Yoko can say to lessen the agony that is on her friend's face. She has struggled to get pregnant herself, so she is sure that she would be devastated if she ever had a miscarriage.

"Andrew was there for me," Sam continues. "We supported each other to get through those hard times. But when I had my third miscarriage, something changed. I couldn't help but feel like he blamed me for it. I even think he started to resent me. I resented myself."

Sam and Andrew had talked about having children early in their relationship, before they even got married. They both wanted kids, it was important to them, and they were relieved to learn that they agreed on the matter. So when Sam couldn't keep the babies, she felt extremely guilty and fell into depression.

"I became obsessed," Sam whispered, almost ashamed of the revelation. "Sex became mechanical, we only did it on my fertile days. We started having arguments all the time. I felt so helpless. I felt like I was being punished."

Yoko squeezes her hand. "Don't be silly, why would you think that you were being punished? These things happen, dear."

Sam stares at her friend's eyes. Yoko didn't know about the incident from thirteen years ago. She didn't know that Sam had actually gotten rid of her first baby. She is grateful that Jiro kept her secret, she doesn't want to share it with anyone.

'Of course it is punishment. I don't deserve to have a child.'

Sam takes a shaky breath. "After my last miscarriage, Andrew and I felt like strangers to each other. A couple of months after that I found out that he was cheating on me, and that his mistress was five months pregnant," She says with disdain.

Yoko gasps. "Asshole."

"I'm not going to lie, it destroyed me. I could hardly pick up the pieces." She shrugs. "And now he has the audacity to come after my money."

"What?"

"Yeah, he wants half of everything." Sam scoffs. "It's not like he even needs it, he makes really good money."

"What's his reason then?" Yoko raises a brow.

"Compensation for what he had to go through when we were married." Sam chuckles.

"Is he for real?"

"Yep, but don't worry, my lawyer won't let him get a penny of my money. The fact that he cheated on me is the deal breaker, he's just dragging the divorce for no reason."

"Well, I hope he rots in hell," Yoko says, making Sam laugh.

The doorbell gets their attention.

"It must be the chicken." Sam rushes to the door and comes back holding two bags of fried chicken.

She puts the chicken on the countertop and opens the bags. The aroma immediately fills the room. She gets a couple of plates and forks from the cabinet.

"My mouth is watering, Sam. I don't need a plate, just give me the bag."

Sam smiles as she shakes her head. "Fried chicken in a bag coming right up, ma'am."

Yoko grabs a piece right away and crunches through it. She closes her eyes and moans in delight. "Tell me this is not the best fried chicken you've ever had."

"Yes, Yes, it's the best." Sam giggles.

For some reason, her heart feels lighter, as if a heavy weight has been lifted. She has talked about the subject with her therapist before, but telling a friend feels different, more relieving.

Yoko eats a few more pieces of chicken before she looks at her friend. "You have been through a lot, Sam. I am glad you are here, away from all that drama. I want you to know that Jiro and I are here for you, whatever you need." Yoko smiles. "I really hope you'll find happiness, dear."

"Thank you, Yoko," Sam says while trying to suppress a laugh, but her shoulders shake, making Yoko frown.

"I'm serious, what's funny?"

Sam bursts into laughter. "I'm so sorry. I know you are, but it's hard to take you seriously with all that grease and sauce on your face."

"What?" Yoko grabs her phone and looks at her reflection. "Oh my goodness." She starts laughing as well.

The two finish their dinner before it is time for Yoko to leave.

"This was nice, let's do it again soon," Sam tells her friend.

"I agree," Yoko agrees as she hugs Sam. "We'll keep in touch."

After their goodbye, Sam walks to the living room to clean the table. She notices that Yoko's phone is on the couch, she forgot it. She grabs it and rushes out, she is sure she can catch up to her before she leaves.

As soon as she gets out of the lobby, Sam could see Yoko through the glass doors.

"Yoko," she calls while jogging to her friend. "You forgot your phone."

"Oh, thanks. I have become a bit forgetful these days." Yoko smiles sheepishly.

"Don't blame it on the baby."

"Fine, I won't."

They both laugh, but the sound dies when suddenly, a swarm of reporters rush toward them.

"Ms Martin, Ms Martin."

"Shit, not again."

Questions about her relationship with Kei are thrown around, but she can't decipher anything. Sam instinctively puts an arm around Yoko to protect her. She notices that the driver is rushing toward them.

"Let me take you to your car, Yoko."

They take slow steps down the stairs while covering their faces from the violating flashlights. When neither of them acknowledges the reporters, they get a bit agitated. To urge her to answer their questions, some get even closer.

With one wrong step, one of the reporters almost trips and pushes a woman who in turn pushes Yoko down. Sam extends her arm to try to catch her friend, but her wide eyes watch as she misses and Yoko rolls down the half dozen stairs.