The day passed by, cold and miserable. Nate had forbode Sam from surfing until the waters had calmed. Instead of staying on the beach, they drove into the nearby town. Nate drove through the unfamiliar streets with Sam as his guide, although her directional skills were fogged thanks to this mornings' events. Nate knew for sure that something had gone terribly wrong but he wasn't ready to send her through another spin cycle like the one he witnessed the night before. He just wanted to pull her out of this rut that she had seemed to fall deeper and deeper into. Sam's mind was racing, but dead at the same time. Her heart ached to see her Mother once more, but another part of her wished she could just forget about her Mother and Riley both so she could move on with her life, her life with Nate. She knew that her constant tantrums and terrible mood was bringing him down, and the last thing she needed was for him to be dragged down with her. He was her only life line, her only handle on sanity. Right then was when she decided that she was going to try her hardest to hide ever inch of depression and thought about her past and move on. Her future was brighter than the sun, she just needed to push these clouds away. Nate was her sun, he was her future and she knew it. As every part of her did. Nate remained quiet, glancing over at Sam every few seconds, waiting for her to say something. She caught his glance and smiled. He smiled back. "Turn in here." Sam said, pointing to a parking lot in front of a local diner. Nate parked the jeep and as Sam went to open her door he pulled her close and kissed her tenderly. "I love you Sam." She smiled. "I love you too." They walked hand-in-hand into the diner. It was old and out-dated, but warm and inviting still. The smell of fresh pancakes and bacon filled the air and the dull light shone through the windows, still lighting up everything as if the sun was beaming right inside the window. Another memory of her childhood flooded her head, only this one contained no pain. It was the memory of her Dad and her sitting at the bar eating pancakes a few summers back. A smiled flooded her face as she closed her eyes for a momment, savouring one of her favourite smells, breakfast. When her eyelids parted she saw a woman come into the restaurant from the kitchen. Her red skin stood out against her long curly black hair. She was a larger woman, native, and had one of those Grandmother faces that Sam loved. The woman looked towards the door, only too see the little, tanned, sand-coloured girl that she saw years ago. "Saamanthaaa!" She cried as she ran from behind the counter and pulled Sam's tiny figure into her arms. "Oh Love! It's been too long!" She said again as Sam hugged her tight. "Ahahaha! I know Polly!" Sam said almost in tears. Sam had known Polly all her life. Sam's Mother had grown up in Tofino and Polly had been more of a Mother to her than her own. When she was fifteen, she was kicked out of her house and Polly took her in as if she were family and she remained there until she met Sam's father when she was 17. Polly was the only memory of a grandmother Sam, Riley and her sisters had, but after Riley's death, Sam had avoided every aspect of Tofino and the memories that drowned her. As far as she knew, her Father still kept in touch. Polly pulled away and took another look at the little girl that had grown into an adult right before her very eyes. Tears welled and she pulled her into a hug again. Polly could see the pain in her eyes. Sam looked identical to her Mother, the same eyes, the same eyes that gave away the fight they were holding back. Sam buried her head into Polly's neck and cried. "Husshh..." Polly hymned to Sam. After a minute Sam pulled away and looked into Polly's swollen eyes. "Sorry..." She whispered. "Don't apologize love. There is no need." Polly smiled and wrapped one arm around her little girls' shoulder. "So you must be Nate." Polly said in her song-like voice. "Yes, nice to meet you." He said, holding out his hand. Ignoring his hand, Polly gave Nate a tight hug. She smelt of pumpkin and campfires. "Dad called you didn't he." Sam said wiping her eyes on her sleve. Polly just nodded her head. "He was worried about you love." Polly said, looking at Sam. "We are all worried about you Sam." Nate added. Sam just looked around. She ran her fingers along the bar counter and sat in a familar chair, expecting another memory to flood her mind, but she held it back. She was back with the two people left in this world she loved most, and at this momment, she felt at home for the first time in a long time. Over breakfast, Sam was quiet, nibbling on her chocolate chip pancakes the cook, Morty, had always made specially for her. Nate and Polly chatted about Tofino, and the locals. "Sam?" Polly asked, waking her from a daze. "Mhm?" Sam looked up. "Tonight how about you and Nate come over to my house for dinner. I'll make your favourite." Her inviting eyes made her hard to resit. Polly was an amazing cook and would always make Sam fresh smoked salmon that the local boys would catch for her. "I'd like that." Sam smiled and Polly seemed pleased. "Perfect! Dinner will be at 6 on the button." Polly exclaimed as she cleaned their dishes away. Sam tried paying but Polly wouldn't hear of it. "Love, seeing you was all the payment I needed, pancakes and eggs were the least I could give you in return." "Sammy," Morty yelled from the kitchen,"You better not be giving her money, you don't need to pay here!" "Fine!" Sam laughed and rolled her eyes. "I'll see you tonight Pol." She said as she walked out of the diner. As they walked out, Nate turned around and smiled in Polly's direction. "Thank you." He mouthed silently. Polly nodded her head and smiled. He knew that Sam had needed to see her, and he also knew that tonight, she would finally be able to let go of everything she was holding back to Polly and possibly hear something that he couldn't explain to her. He remembered one late night conversation a few months before where Sam had mentioned Polly and how she had always made sense of things, no matter what the situation may be. Nate just hoped that Sam was right. She needed this more than anything right now.