Most people were crammed into the kitchen, but Rob was sitting in one of the front rooms with Gil, Leo and Phil, the files spread in front of them, deep in conversation. Alma handed Sam back his sheaf of papers and strode into the room, sitting on the floor and completing the circle. Sam lingered in the hall, leaning against the banister. It was always like this. The few times he’d tried to put down roots it somehow always ended up with him standing on one side of a room of people while the only person he wanted to talk to was on the other side with someone else. It didn’t feel good and he was really looking forward to the day he’d grow out of it, though he had a sneaking suspicion he never would. He glanced toward the kitchen, and saw Mary dancing around with no one in particular. He walked back, leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I’m looking for some meaningless activity to take my mind off the crap-fest that is my life.”
