***
Back at Sara’s house, the dips were finished, and Skye and Chad took off to get the sherbet and Laura decided to continue her project to make this night a night to remember. She was about to walk out of the kitchen when the phone rang.
“Hi, Laura, is your mother handy?” It was Gerald Figgs voice.
“I’ll get her,” Laura replied. Then she yelled, “Mom . . . phone!”
Laura was in the living room working on some hats for later that night, when her mom walked in.
“Well, that was Gerald,” Sara said a little nervously.
“Yes, I know,” Laura replied, not looking up.
“Well, surprise, I invited him over tonight to celebrate with us.
“Why?” Laura asked, still not looking up from her work.
“Well, because he’s lonely and he was kind of hinting he’d like to come over.”
“Skye and Chad went to the store to get some sherbet, and Todd will be coming over later,” Laura said.
“What’s the sherbet for?” Sara asked.
“Aunt Dottie used to make it for New Year’s Eve. You mix it with some soda in a big punch bowl.”
“Oh, yes, I remember that. Well, I need to go make the dips.” Sara started for the kitchen.
“Already done . . . Skye and I made them.”
“Well, you’re two steps ahead of me, aren’t you?”
“Always, Mom,” Laura said.
“Laura, he’s my friend . . . okay?” Sara said defensively.
“Yes, I know, Mom, but he’s not mine. I see right through him and Dad wouldn’t like him being here, either,” Laura added.
“Well, dad’s not here, is he?” Sara said defiantly, as she walked out of the room, holding back her tears.
Laura also sat with tears rolling down her face, but never took her eyes off what she was working on.
Sara hesitated in the hallway for a second and then looked around; making sure no one was watching her. She pressed into her secret room and walked to her desk. Once again she hesitated, before she reached under the desktop, and pressed a small button. In a short time, the picture on her desk came to life.
“Hey, what’s going on?” It was Tommy Davis.
“Not much, but I just needed to see you and hear your voice.”
“Honey, I understand, but sometimes I’m in a place that’s not so safe when the call goes off. Is this important?”
“No, I just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year,” Sara said, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Well, that’s pretty important and I will see you in the New Year . . . I promise.”
“Really? I mean, really, Tommy? I have to believe I can keep going,” Sara said, dabbing at her tears with a tissue.
“I’m really close, honey, but I have to keep a low profile, if I’m going to make this happen. Okay?”
“Yes, I understand and I feel much better now. I love you my, Tommy,” Sara said, smiling through her tears.
“I love you, my Sara,” Tommy said, wiping a tear of his own. “And I miss you more than I could ever tell you. You’ll be back in my arms soon. Oh, and Sara, give Laura and Skye a hug and kiss for me, okay?”
“I will.”
Tommy said good-bye and switched off.
Sara stood for a while looking at the blank picture frame. Then she patted her hair, took some tissues, and blotted her face as she left the room.
Sara went to Laura, who was still sitting on the sofa. She was no longer working on the bright New Year’s Eve hats. She was just sitting and staring.
She sat by her daughter and put her arms around her.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Mom, I was such a jerk to you. I shouldn’t have said those things,” Laura cried, putting her head on mother’s shoulder.
“I understand, honey, I miss your dad so much, just as I missed you. But you’re back now and soon your dad will be back, and we’ll all be a family again.”
“Okay.” Laura sniffed.
“Look, the snacks are all made and it looks like you’ve got the hats ready. Let’s go upstairs and get all dolled up in our best dresses, to bring in the New Year and celebrate for a change.”
“Great idea, Mom, I’ve got a gorgeous black velvet, I’ve been dying to wear.”
The two got up from the sofa and were walking out of the living room, when Skye came in the kitchen door.
“Okay, we’re ready to make the punch, but it needs to be made at the last moment.”
“Look, Sweetie, let’s go upstairs and put on a little glamour for tonight. Laura has black velvet and don’t you have a blue velvet dress to wear? Dress to the hilt for tonight. We’ll celebrate 1966!”
“Oh, yes, this is gonna be fun!” Skye put the sherbet in the refrigerator and joined Sara and Laura up the stairs.