Holiday in Green Hollow - 1. Time Off

Sam yawned and stretched as he thought about his upcoming vacation. For some reason business always seemed to slow down right before Christmas. The lull usually lasted until early February. The boss was letting him have a week and a half off immediately after Christmas. It was Christmas Eve and the day was already half gone.

Sam was about to leave for his lunch break when Fred came up to his desk with a huge smile on his face. "Guess who's off till the third?" he asked beaming.

"I am," answered Sam with a grin.

"What? You too?" asked Fred looking confused.

"What you thought you were special?" teased Sam.

"Yeah," answered Fred making Sam laugh.

As they ate lunch they compared plans. Sam was spending the first few days with relatives. Fred was going to see his siblings.

"Got any plans for New Year's?" asked Fred.

"No, you?"

"No. Probably gonna spend the night on the couch in front of the dam TV," said Fred with a pronounced look of disgust.

"What's so bad about that?" asked Sam.

"It blows! A few years ago I would be out partying or going somewhere or doing something."

"Where do you want to go?"

"A party, a ski trip, a road trip...anything."

"There's lots of parties. There-"

"Besides those night club orgies. I don't want to start the New Year by getting puked on by some underage kid! I hate this town!"

"Well, go somewhere else. Hell, I'll go with you."

"Ok...Ok, we'll go on a trip," decided Fred.

"Where?" asked Sam.

"Anywhere. We'll just get in the car and drive. We'll go exploring," answered Fred.

"We'll get lost," said Sam and then seeing Fred's annoyed expression added, "That's cool with me. Hey, you're good at getting lost."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Remember our last trip to Green Hollow?"

"You liked that trip! You liked that guy!"

"You got us lost! And you liked his sister!"

"Fine, lets go to Green Hollow then."

With that the issue was settled. They would spend a day in the small quiet town. Among Green Hollow's residents was a pair of siblings who owned a perfume and gift shop. Fred had had not been able to keep his eyes of the sister on their last stay. Sam liked the brother. Neither would say it but they were both excited about their trip.