Holiday in Green Hollow - 9. Resolutions

Sam and Tom walked into Sally's shop feeling relaxed and happy. That changed when they saw the look of mixed anger and anxiety on her face. Fred did not seem happy either.

"Where were you two?" demanded Sally.

"We were at my place," answered Tom, "Why? What happened?"

"I called the shop at 6:40 and no one answered. Then I called your house. I must have called five or six times and no one answered."

"I called the hotel and your cell number," added Fred.

"I wasn't in the hotel," answered Sam.

Fred gave him a knowing grin when he realized what must have happened but Sally was not satisfied.

"What about you? Where were you all night?" she scowled at her little brother.

"I left the shop a little early. No one was coming. Sam and I had dinner. I was home all night after that," Tom explained.

"Then why didn't you pick up the phone?" Sally demanded.

Fred stifled a laugh as he pictured what Tom might have been doing. Sam gave him a dirty look.

"It never rang! I don't know what...unless that new internet connection did something to the phone. I just installed it."

Sally was still unhappy but a customer interrupted the conversation. Sally was angry with Tom and she made sure he knew it all day. Meanwhile Sam and Fred happily escaped for some sightseeing. The year was almost over and it was ending well for both of them.

By New Year's Eve Tom and Sally were getting along like always. They celebrated New Year's at Sally's home with Fred, Sam, Mark, and some other friends. At the stroke of midnight while everyone else was cheering Tom threw his arms around Sam and gave him a big kiss. At that instant Sam knew that this year would be much better than the last one, at least until his next trip to Green Hollow.