Chapter 16

It was a beautiful day outdoors for Thanksgiving. The sun was shining bright, and the air wasn't that cold for a typical Seattle Thanksgiving.

The last 2 days of school went quickly, and the students lurched out the door of the school when the bell rang on that Wednesday afternoon. A four day weekend was the longest the kids have had since school started in late August.

The Shay apartment was heavily decorated with Thanksgiving décor, and the kitchen was very busy. Carly and Spencer's granddad arrived early in the morning to help his grandchildren get the food prepared. Carly's aunt and uncle and cousin arrived around the noon hour to help with the festivities. Even more relatives arrived as the afternoon began, and by the time the Bensons arrived from next door, the apartment was packed. Sam came in with Freddie and his mom. Sam arrived at the building an hour before to work on homework with Freddie, before they came next door to the feast.

Tons of food was cooking. Everything from turkeys and hams (lots of ham for Sam), to potatoes and gravies, and yams, and green bean casseroles, and this doesn't even cover the pies and cookies for dessert.

The day, which had been so beautiful for the morning and afternoon, became overcast as the evening approached. A cold front was passing through bringing cold and wet weather. As the group prepared to feast, it began raining outdoors.

It was time to eat. The large group gathered around the food. Granddad prayed for the food, and everybody began to dig in. Sam sat on the couch eating her food with Carly and Spencer, while everybody else sat at tables that Spencer borrowed from his friend Socko.

After dinner, the adults were watching football on television. The kids volunteered to help clean up. Sam was helping herself by cleaning out the leftovers. It only took about half an hour to get the kitchen cleaned up.

They were about to spend some time in the studio, when Sam's cell phone rang. She picked it up surprised, "Hello?"

"Samantha, it's mom, I just got home and I would like you to come home now and join me," said the voice on the other end on the line. "Mom," Sam whined, "I'm over here at Carly's right now, and it's raining out."

"I want you home right away, so we can spend some time together during Thanksgiving," her mom said. "Why?" Sam replied through her phone, "the day is pretty much over now, and now you want to spend time with me?"

"Samantha Puckett, are you sassing me young lady?" Her mom asked. Sam rolled her eyes and groaned, "No, mother," she replied, "are you coming to get me?"

"You know the car is in the shop, so I can't get you," said Mrs. Puckett. Sam sighed, "Then how did you make it home from your boyfriend's?"

"I took a taxi," her mom replied, "now enough with these questions. I want you here very soon. Do you hear me?" Sam's facial expression grew dark, "Fine!" She stated as she clicked her phone closed.

"Let me guess," Carly said mildly sarcastic, "you have to go?"

"My mom is always doing stuff like this," Sam huffed angrily, "nothing is ever about me, it's all about her." Sam and Carly went back down the steps with Freddie right behind them.

"How are you getting home?" Freddie asked concerned.

Sam looked around the living room at everybody then she looked outside. "I guess I'm walking home," she said then she looked at Carly, "I'm not going to ask Spencer or one of your relatives for a ride because you've all gathered together for the holiday."

Carly stammered, "Sam, I'm sure it's not a problem for somebody to run you home…"

"No, Carly," Sam retorted, "I don't have that far to go, besides, with the traffic and everything, it'll take less time to walk then drive."

"Hang on a second, Sam," Freddie told her as he walked over to his mom who was watching football.

Sam continued to speak to Carly, "I'll be fine, it's just a half mile or so. It's not like I'm going to melt or anything, like my mom cares if I do."

"But Sam…" Carly started.

Freddie returned to them and interrupted, "I'll walk you home."

Sam turned to Freddie, "No, Freddie, you don't have to do that," she indicated to him.

"Sam," Freddie insisted, "It's not a problem. You don't have an umbrella with you, and you have to come by my place to get your book bag anyway." He walked over to the front door to grab her light jacket.

Sam shrugged, then told Carly and Spencer thank you for inviting her; then walked out the door and across the hall with Freddie.

They went inside Freddie's apartment. Sam waited as Freddie went to get the umbrella. A couple of minutes later, he returned with the umbrella and an extra jacket. "Here, put this on," he told her, "I checked the temperature outside, and it's really getting cold. All you brought is a light jacket, you'll freeze."

Sam blushed a bit as she put his jacket on. He is so thoughtful to me, she thought. Then she grabbed her book bag, and they walked out.

The rain was still coming down pretty steady, and it was cold like Freddie said it was. Sam was now grateful for the extra layer. They began to walk towards Sam's place.

They walked in silence for a few minutes; then Sam turned to Freddie, "Hey, I need to tell you something."

Freddie looked at her, "Okay," he responded.

She was silent for a moment; then said softly, "David called me last night, and I think he really wants to patch things up in our relationship."

Freddie nodded, but he was disappointed, "That's great Sam," he paused, "is that what you want?"

Sam wrinkled her mouth a little before she answered, "I guess so. He wants us to go out to the Jaffe' Restaurant, you know that restaurant Carly and Danny went out to several weeks ago." She paused as she looked to Freddie to see if he knew what she was talking about. He nodded, so she continued, "Anyway, he wants us to dress formal, and I'm also meeting his parents for the first time. So, this means I'm going to have to wear a dress."

Freddie smirked, "Do you even own a dress?"

Sam smirked back, "Actually, I was hoping to borrow one from you."

Freddie darkened his look and said, "Ha, Ha." He took the umbrella that he was using to cover them, and turned it away from Sam so that she would get wet.

"Freddie!" She squealed as she tried to take control of the umbrella and covered herself. She gave Freddie a punch in the arm. He grunted from getting hit in the arm, but he still laughed though.

"Seriously though," she continued, "I'm kind of nervous about this whole thing, and I really want some advice on whether I should go or not. Carly said that maybe I should give him one more chance, but I want to know what you think." They were only a couple of blocks from her apartment, but she slowed her pace, so they could take their time going back. Her cell phone rang again, and when Sam saw it was her mom calling, she powered down her phone.

Freddie had butterflies swimming in his stomach. I don't know what to tell her, he thought, I don't want to be selfish and tell her not to do this if this guy really makes her happy. Who am I to decide? "Sam," he answered slowly but clearly, "only you know what's in your heart. I'm your friend, and I will support you 100% on what you decide to do."

What's in my heart? Sam thought angrily, YOU, you big dork are in my heart! "Okay," she said. They began to walk again. "So what are you doing tomorrow?" She asked.

"I'm meeting Jeremy and Gibby at the gym in the morning." He replied.

Sam began to snicker, "You and your gym," she laughed.

Freddie rolled his eyes at her, but stated proudly, "Me and the guys are getting a lot out of it. We don't go there just to lift weights and stuff, the gym has a basketball court, a volleyball court, and even a few rooms to play racket ball. The three of us just want the chance to exercise and get in shape, and it makes us feel better about ourselves. And it gives me a chance to hang out with the guys where it doesn't cost me any money."

Sam continued to smile at him, "You guys are such dorks," she said as they reached the final block to her home.

"You know," Freddie said, "it wouldn't hurt you to build up your muscles. You're not gonna be able to lock Gibby in a locker for much longer." He smiled at her.

Sam grinned, "We'll see about that," she retorted, but she thought about the head injury she took at Marina Park 5 days ago and thought maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing to exercise. "You know, I remember you tried to give me your extra gym membership a month ago, and I didn't want it…"

Freddie reached for his wallet and grabbed the membership, "Did you want it now?" He asked brightly.

Sam smiled faintly, and reached over to grab the membership, "Thanks," she began, "but if you think I'm going to exercise anywhere near you clowns, you're mistaken." They laughed.

They reached Sam's front door. Freddie held the umbrella over the door to let her in. She reached over and gave him a hug, "Happy Thanksgiving, Freddork," she whispered in his ear, "and thanks again for walking me home."

"Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, whatever you are," he replied as he let her go.

Sam shook her head and grinned; then turned and went inside.

Freddie began to walk home. The rain was letting up, so he closed the umbrella. As he was walking, he saw several people beginning to leave their Thanksgiving parties and head home. He again began to regret not telling Sam how he felt about her. He couldn't understand why she would even agree to even see him again. Guys like him don't change, he thought, and when he makes the mistake again, he'll be through, and Sam hopefully will be mine.

Author's Note: The food sounds good don't it? I can't wait for next Thursday! I could have saved this chapter for then, but I didn't want to leave everyone hanging with a layover. I said I'd get a new chapter in everyday, and I'm going to try to keep my word. Sam's upcoming date with David sets up Seddie. Hope to hear some reviews! –kwags74