He scrolled up and down the spreadsheets. Shifted tabs. Highlighted some cells, deleted the data in them. Then quickly hit undo. He did this because it felt fun. He used to scroll through his contacts list on his phone. Up and down. Up and down. You could say that Mr. Sammy's Dad was a fidgeter.

Now he fidgeted on his company spreadsheets. Only now he could feel like he was doing some real work. Or at least he could try to convince the others that he was working. This is how he got Mrs. Sammy to take the bulk of raising their child. Whenever Sammy would need something, Mr. Sammy would groan about the 

spreadsheets

and all the work that needed to be done. Then he would scroll through the sheets a few times and then eventually be reading some news article about nothing important.

Sure he could bust his ass more and get more customers for the 

motel

. He didn't want to though. Because he actually didn't believe that busting his ass would bring in more customers. The people came to this no name town for their own reasons. And no amount of creative marketing would bring additional tourists. This was not a good business to be in if growth was desired. It was a decent business to run for Mr. Sammy though. Slow. Calm. They were poor, but that was okay. He didn't need fancy things. And with his son. Well... he would need to fend for himself. He wouldn't be able to provide him assistance in achieving a better life. Just the bare minimum. Food. Shelter. And a non abusive relationship. Other than that, there were no summer camps. No additional tutoring. No college savings.

Sammy would turn out okay. So long as he kept his ambitions low, he would be fine. It was the people who wanted big things that became miserable. That's what Mr. Sammy liked about Marc. His favorite customer. He didn't seem to want the big things.

Sammy smiled while thinking about Marc. But then he just as quick wondered. What is it that Marc wants? What was he even doing in this motel any how? iIt had been over a month now since the man had arrived. No back story. Just a vague cursory explanation about how he was just seeing the country on a road trip and loved the quaintness of this small town.

But who was he really? Mr. Sammy had no clue and up until that point never cared to know. Now he felt silly for not having cared or asked. He'd invite him for dinner this weekend.

It was later in the lobby where he saw Marc walking by. He waved him down.

"Marc, do you have plans this weekend?"

"Yes. But I don't know what they are. I'll be back on the road."

"Oh. So you're leaving?"

"I must get going. It's been a lovely time here."

Mr Sammy didn't know what to say. Marc thanked him and his family for providing such hospitality.

"Wait, Marc. What if you had dinner tonight. Before you leave?"

"I was actually planning on leaving tonight."

"Well why not eat with us before you hit the road? A person's got to eat right. Why not eat a nice home cooked meal instead of that garbage on the road!"

Later Mrs. Sammy berated her husband. "Why did you say such stupid things to him. We don't know how to cook a good meal. You're going to set him up for disappointment." 

"I don't know! I needed to say something for him to stay for dinner."

The two watched videos trying to figure out how to make something that would be quick but better than 'that garbage on the road'.

The decision was to make a chicken dish. Grilled chicken with herb. Difficult to mess up. Easy to shop for. Mrs. Sammy left the motel early for the grocery store. Mr. Sammy would need to stay at the motel counter until 4:30. That's when their part time employee would come in to man the counter.

Then he would race home and help setup the table. Maybe get a little cleaned up. Marc said he would arrive around 5.