It was the Forth of July, their first holiday as a couple. Sam and Diane, true to fashion, had been arguing all day long. Over what, it didn't really matter. Time and time again they would always find something to bicker over. But what mattered to Diane was that she'd missed the fireworks, other than the ones she'd had with Sam that day. And the thought depressed her even more than she could have imagined.
It wasn't as if she had any real friends in Boston she could confide in. she could just picture the laughter she would be greeted with if she were to call Carla. Coach was a dear, sweet man, but could he comprehend the level of frustration that Sam had driven her to? And her mother was not exactly a relationship expert. This wasn't the kind of conversation Diane pictured having with her, anyways.
So what did that leave her with? Her stuffed bears, a baseball card of Sam that he'd once given her, and her thoughts. Not a very nice place to be on a holiday, but she would make do. She had always made the most out of any situation that she was in, so why should she change for a simple bartender?
She was ready to go to bed for the night when she heard a knock on the door. There was only one person it could be at one in the morning, but she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of letting him know just how glad she was to see him.
"Sam," she muttered as she opened the door. "I wasn't expecting to see you tonight."
" Obviously not," he laughed as he eyed her up and down.
"If you've come here to insult me, I should think you've had enough of that today."
"Come on, sweetheart, I don't mean any harm. I just want to see you for a second. Got one to spare?"
"I suppose. It's late, Sam. Care to cut to the chase and tell me what you want from me?'
"I don't know. It's pretty silly, really. Maybe I should just make tracks and leave."
As he turned around to walk out the door, Diane stopped him by placing her hand on his arm. "What is it, Sam. I promise not to laugh. Unless you've come to ask me for sex..."
His face gave him away.
"You want sex? After all the fighting we've been through today, you expect me to just let you take me like a...like a wild animal? You do have some nerve, Mr. Malone."
"Now it's my turn to ask you. Diane, what do you want from me? I come here to make peace with you and you flaunt the one thing that's harming our relationship in my face..."
"What's that- the fact that I won't go to bed with you?"
"Exactly! I have waited for you longer than I have any other woman, and I'll tell you this- I have wanted you more than I have wanted any other woman."
She lit up. "Is that true, Sam?"
"Yes, No. I don't know. Damn it, Diane, you have me where I don't know if I'm coming or going."
She smiled at him and then took his hand. "I have a proposition for you. What do you stay and we can celebrate the forth in suitable fashion?"
"You'll go to bed with me?" Sam laughed nervously.
"I never said that. I do, however, have some coffee and coffee cakes, and we can listen to some music. I'd offer the television but I'm afraid there's not much on at this time of night."
"That's all right, Diane. I'd take a night of nothing with you over a night of a thousand girls, any day of the week."
It was at that moment that Diane realized that soon enough Sam's dream would come true. He just didn't know it, and she didn't know when, but she'd already given her heart to him. The rest would happen, in time. But for now, she had a night in with her man, and that was better than almost any holiday plan she could ask for.
The end