When the end credits were rolling, Sam started nudging Bill.
Sam persuaded his friend, "Wake up, Bill, its time to go home."
Bill groaned, "I can't believe I slept through the movie."
Neal said, "Come along, Bionic Wookie."
The three piled into the Pinto and headed back to Chippewa. Sam dropped of Neal and Bill and headed off to bed. Less than three hours later, his alarm was going off to go to school.
When Sam went to the kitchen, the rest of his family was there. Lindsay mistook Sam's total exhaustion for anger, so gave him plenty of rest.
"What time did you get in, Sam?" His mother asked.
"About three," Sam replied truthfully.
Harold said, "You shouldn't have made that long drive that late at night. A buddy of mine from Korea drove all night, fell asleep at the wheel. You know what happened to him?"
"He died!" Sam and Lindsay exclaimed in unison, and laughed. Both siblings looked at each other, and knew everything was cool.
Harold went on, "That's right, he died. And it's no joke. Driving while fatigued is dangerous."
While Sam was walking to class, Mr. Rosso stopped him.
"Well?" Rosso asked.
Sam looked nervous.
Rosso continued, "How was the conference?"
Sam lied, "It was great. We learned a lot, but we're tired."
Sam, Neal, and Bill got their usual table at lunch.
Neal started off, "We have to get our stories straight. I think Rosso might be on to something."
Sam said, "Yeah, he asked me about the conference."
Bill added, "You don't suppose the girls told on us?"
As if on cue, Maureen, Kim, and Lindsay showed up at the table.
"Mind if we join you?" Maureen asked.
"Have a seat," Neal said.
Kim started out, "I think the situation is simple. You don't say anything, we don't say anything."
The boys were relieved.
"Sounds good to me," agreed Sam.
"I can live with that," added Neil.
Bill went along and said, "Sure thing."
Maureen then asked, "How was the movie."
Bill said, "It was great."
Neal laughed, "How would you know, you fell asleep!"
The girls laughed.
Bill then said, "Well somebody woke me up around 2:00 AM the night before."
Lindsay said, "Sorry about that. I know it must have been especially embarrassing for Sam."
Sam started to reply, "I just wish…"
Bill finished his sentence, "He just wished it was Maureen mooning instead of his sister."
Sam just said, "Bill!" and turned red.
Kim nudged Maureen under the table.
Neal awkwardly said to Kim and Lindsay, "Don't worry, it was no big deal."
Kim said, "Yeah, you did seem to enjoy the view Schwieber."
At that it was Neal's turn to blush.
Sam asked, "Where were you guys anyway."
Maureen answered, "Ummm, we just went to a club."
Sam knew that was the only answer he would get.
Kim looked up and said to Lindsay, "There's your lover boy."
Humphries walked in the room.
Sam said, "Linds, not Humphries!" Humphries was in the AV club with Sam.
Lindsay felt a need to explain, "Its just a prom date. Its not like we're getting married."
Humphries shyly waved when he saw Lindsay.
Both Maureen and Kim said, "awwee."
Sam and Lindsay were happy everything worked out between them. They had a very close relationship considering their proximity in age. Both knew that neither would tell on each other, notwithstanding the fact that telling on the other would be very self-incriminating.
Lindsay did say to Sam, "I can't believe you guys got away with this. Sam, you are much more of a scam artist that I ever imagined."
Sam laughed.
