“Sammie,” Joyce said, entering her eight-year-old’s bedroom. “Cindy’s on the phone.”

The Polly Pockets and My Little Pony’s surrounding Sammie were flying as she sprung up and sprinted for her mom.

“Slow down Sammie Pooh. Here you go,” Mom said as she handed her cell phone over.

Sammie took the phone and headed for her bean bag, “Cindy! Cindy, it’s been like forever since you’ve called.”

Cindy smiled at the enthusiasm, “Hi Sammie. How you doing?”

“I’m doing great,” Sammie replied as her mom left the room. “My 3rd grade class is putting on a play for the Christmas program and I get to be an elf.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“It is. Just wish we practiced during reading instead of Music class.”

“Are you playing your violin in the Christmas program, or just putting on the play?”

“Oh, Mr. Evans has me playing a solo song in the middle of the program. He is having me practice four different songs. Then just before the program, he will pick which ever one I do best.”

“Four songs,” Cindy asked? “I have to practice four Christmas songs too. One for my Christmas program and three for a special thing my sister and I are doing for my Grandparents.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“It is,” Cindy admitted. “But Holly is always bugging me to practice the songs. I have them memorized, but she says it has to be perfect for Grandma and Grandpa.”

“Well, they did watch you after camp, and get your dad to let you be Cindy full time.”

“I know, but the way she is pushing me for it to be perfect,” Cindy paused in thought for a moment. “It’s worse than the teachers at camp pushing us for the concert at the end of music camp.”

“Seems a little extreme just for your grandparents. They’ll love it even if you make a mistake. I totally messed up a note on a song I played for my Grandpa at Thanksgiving, and he still gave me all this praise.”

“I know. My sister is great, but sometimes she is just a little bossy,” Cindy paused for a minute before continuing. “Sammie . . . is your mom in the room or are you alone?”

Sammie looked around, “No, she left. I’m in my bedroom alone.”

“Have you talked with Jessica, George, or Marcus lately?”

“No, they don’t call me like you do.”

“Do you know of anything that’s coming up where we all might get together?"

“No, but that would be really cool.”

“Yeah,” Cindy admitted. “It would be great to see you all again.”

“Why you ask?”

“I don’t know. I just feel like something is going on that people aren’t telling me about. I’ll walk into a room and people will suddenly stop talking.”

“They’re probably just talking about whatever they’re getting you for Christmas.”

“Maybe,” Cindy contemplated. “I called Jessica yesterday, and she also seemed to be hiding something.”

“Well, it can’t be about the same thing,” Sammie pointed out. “Jessica doesn’t even live in the same state as you.”

“I know, but then yesterday I heard Holly on the phone, and she said both Marcus and George’s name. I think the bigs are up to something. They’re just not telling me.”

Sammie thought for a moment, “It can’t be our George and Marcus. Holly doesn’t know them. It must be some of her friends, not ours.”

“I guess,” Cindy contemplated. “I just wanted to check in with you and see if you knew anything.”

Sammie looked over at her American Girl doll on her bed, “It would be great if we could all see each other, but that’s not gonna happen until Music Camp next summer.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Cindy sighed. “So, tell me about this play you are in.”

The two girls chatted about their school’s Christmas concerts, what they asked Santa for, and what their favorite Christmas shows were. The conversation only ended because Sammie’s mom wanted her phone back.