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Ellie’s question was an insult, but Sah Nichole should immediately be stripped from the friend list

"Nichole is another teacher," Sam explained "She’s ed for Beth and I to have dinner together"

"The funny part is," Beth said, s down on Sam, "e first met, neither of us were terribly impressed with the other"

Sam swore he could drown in her warmth

"But then Sam was there at the accident scene," Beth explained

"He caused it?"

"Ellie!" Phillip laid aside the book and looked pointedly at his wife

"You know Sam didn’t cause the accident, Moot hit by another car He was the one who helpedup the story "We didn’t kno badly at the time, and I held her hand until the nine-one-one team arrived"

"I don’t knoould have happened without Saether ever since He’s important to me, Mom"

Ellie nodded slowly "I’ve read about incidents like this where someone saves the life of another and then that person feels an obligation to look after the other Phillip," she said, looking to her husband, "what’s the name of that syndrome?"

"What syndrome?"

"You know the one It’s like what happened in Stockholm, only it’s when soation … or is it the other way around? I don’t quite reoes"

"Mom, that’s ridiculous"

"I never heard of any such syndro blunt, but you don’t look to be an educated man"

Despite his deter your pardon?"

"Oh dear, that did sound rude, didn’t it? You’ll need to forgive me I should have put that another way What is it you do for a living, Sam?"

"Mom, you already know Sam is the head mechanic at the Bruce Olson GM dealership"

Ellie’s stare made him feel like he’d crawled out from under a rock It irritated hi nice with this woe because I discovered I’m much better with ht, babe?"

Ellie’s face reddened

"Sa with hilared at her "What’s with all the questions? You’ve met Sam You know hiet to know him You say he’s important to you, so I feel I should learn more about him"

Sa her best to belittle hi for her, but he wasn’t going to allow anyone, not her mother or anyone else, to look and act as if he was dirt under their carefully ernails

"Who are your people, Sam?" Ellie asked next

"My people?"

"Your family," she clarified

"Mary Alice and Joe Carney"