aw, poor sammy. :( i like how you get across how very alone he is and how very determined he is to not think about it, and i like the contrasting details of everyone else's busy, normal christmas-holiday lives. and the very end, i'm guessing that's dean on the phone because who else would call and say nothing and still make sam feel better? (and i love how much sam tips at outback. that's the kind of tip that only someone who also waits tables would leave.)