The Christmas House Read online

“Nope, can’t say I have. If there is little to no chance of a wish coming true, then why make it?” Michael asked.

  “Because sometimes wishes do come true Michael. I wished to fall in love with you and have a family; that came true.”

  “That was not a dream or a wish. That was a good, calculated plan. You wanted that to become a reality so you planned for it. That’s all.”

  “Gee, Michael loosen up a bit. Are you saying miracles never happen? I recall giving Nicole the middle name Miracle because she truly was one,” Arianna states.

  “And I recall wanting to call her Lucky, because she survived due to the skills of the doctors that treated her. I am not saying God had nothing to do with it. I am saying God put us at the right hospital at the right time. It was predestined to happen,” he said.

  “If I only lived in reality as you do, I would go crazy. I need dreams and fantasies to keep an optimistic outlook on life. Reality is much too depressing at times Michael. Dreams keep most people going day after day,” she said as she turned off the kitchen lights and walked into the dining room.

  Following her as she walked, Michael said, “Well, hon, I can appreciate you wanting to have dreams, but I look at them as just future disappointments. Dreams seldom come true.”

  “Ah, but when they do, it is the best feeling in the world,” she said. “And one of these days, a dream of yours that you may refuse to admit ever having is going to come true and it’s going to knock you for a loop.”

  “Well when that day comes, I will be a believer in dreams. Until then, I will work hard for everything I want and if I work hard enough I will attain my goals. Dreaming about it may make you happy, but working to attain it is the only way it will ever happen,” he said as they walked up the stairs and to their bedroom.

  “Here, Michael, listen to this. I have this dream that I know is going to come true. I imagine my cynical husband carrying my son in his arms as he walks up a long flight of stairs,” she said.

  “But that is not a fantasy. That is a definite possibility,” replied Michael.

  “Yes, and more definite than you may think. We left David sleeping downstairs by the television. You wanna go get him?” she said as she smiled.

  “See, that proves my point. Here is a situation that is not a dream but reality,” he said as he headed down the stairs to get David.

  Arianna sighed to herself and thought, “Michael, Michael, Michael. When will you learn to believe in fate and destiny? Making dreams come true is only half the battle. Having faith and dreaming beyond the limits of reality is the other half.”

  Chapter Ten- Two Days Before Christmas

  December 23rd

  Lake Forest, IL

  3:00 p.m.

  A snowy, gray Saturday afternoon brought shoppers by the thousands to downtown Chicago. It was of course the last few days, as well as the last weekend before Christmas and time was running out. The stores were open a few hours later today, in an effort to try to accommodate the last minute shopping needs of their customers. This winter started out with a jolt, as 10 inches of snow fell on the city of big shoulders just a few days earlier. Arianna was happy, for she was dreaming of having a white Christmas, especially since they would be in sunny Florida for the actual holiday. Michael of course, read the Farmers Almanac and based on scientific fact, he knew there would be snow by now.

  Arianna took Nicole and David downtown to finish up the last of her shopping and to make a visit to Santa. Bundled up from head to toe David could barely walk down the street. He had his wish list in letterform all ready and was even asking Santa for presents on behalf of Nicole as well. He handed the list to Arianna and it read as follows.

  Dear Santa,

  I would like you to bring me this stuff for Christmas. A new sled, a new stereo, a football, a new bat, a train set, a basketball, a new guitar, a drum set and 40 inches of snow on Christmas Eve so the airport gets shut down. If you can’t do the snow thing then I will not be home for Christmas, so you need to deliver this stuff to some place in Florida. It’s by the ocean. Hope you know where that is. Oh yeah, please bring my baby sister some diapers. She can’t talk yet, so I’m asking for her.

  Your pal,

  David Carter

  “Don’t you want to go to Florida David? I mean if I can guarantee you that Santa will find you there, would you then like to go?”

  “Not really Mom. I wanna wake up on Christmas morning in my own bed at my own house. I wanna play in the snow with my new sled first thing. Won’t seem much like Christmas looking at the ocean wearing a swim suit.”

  “I know how you feel David. Believe me. I don’t really want to go either, but your father is really looking forward to this trip. Maybe it would be the best Christmas present we could give him?”

  “Yeah, I guess. But all my friends will be home for Christmas break and I won’t get a chance to even play with them,” David replied.

  “Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the ones we love honey. Next year I promise we will stay at home okay?” she asked.

  “Yeah... I guess,” David responded despondently.

  As they walked into Marshall Fields, a flagship department store in Chicago, David was in total awe as he spotted the massive Christmas tree in the center of the store.

  “It must be a thousand feet tall!” David said.

  Arianna took David by the hand as she pushed Nicole in the stroller and continued to walk throughout the busy store toward the sporting goods department. She was thinking of buying Michael a set of golf clubs for Christmas. David suddenly pulled her down another aisle, which displayed a large sign that read, “Toy Land!”

  “David, we don’t have time to look at toys! I have to get presents for your father and Uncle Jack,” Arianna said.

  “But Mom, Santa is right over there! I have to give him my letter or he won’t know where to bring my presents!” David replied.

  “Okay, okay. Let’s go see Santa, but we have to hurry,” Arianna said.

  As they turned the corner, Santa’s Workshop was within view. Santa was seated on a large red velvet chair and there was a long line of at least one hundred kids with their parents waiting in line to see him. Arianna was concerned.

  “Honey, the line is so long and I have to get the rest of this shopping done. Maybe we should come back another time?” she asked.

  “Mom! I have to see Santa today or he’ll never find us in Florida!” shouted David as he stubbornly stepped into the line to wait his turn.

  “Okay David, but I have to get this shopping done. I am going to take Nicole and go to the Men’s and the Sporting Goods Departments. You stay right here and wait your turn. DO NOT leave this area no matter what, do you understand me?” she asked David.

  “Yes mother. And don’t talk to strangers or accept candy from anyone. I know the rules,” David replied.

  “Okay then. I should be back long before you even reach the front of the line, but if for some reason you are finished before I am back, you stay right by Santa’s Workshop okay? I will come and get you when I am done,” she said.

  “Okay Mom. I’ll wait here.”

  She walked off with Nicole in a quickened pace for the Sporting Goods department. The store was a mad house. She was waiting and waiting for someone to assist her but all of the store clerks were busy with other customers. She decided to go to the Men’s Department instead. This department was worse than Sporting Goods but she decided to wait. After about 20 minutes a young woman finally came over to assist her.

  “Can I help you?” the clerk asked.

  “Yes, I am looking for a dress shirt for a very large man. I think he wears around a 58 jacket,” Arianna said.

  “Oh my, that is a large man. Your husband?” she asked.

  “No, a good friend,” Arianna responded.

  “Oh, I see,” the clerk said as she smiles.

  “No, wait a minute. It’s not what you think. This is for our neighbor,” Arianna tried to explain.

  �
�None of my business Miss. Let’s look over here at the big and tall section,” replied the clerk.

  Arianna was a little miffed about the innuendo that the clerk implied, but decided it wasn’t worth pursuing. She had to get back to Sporting Goods and then back to David. It was already 4:30 p.m.

  Arianna finally found a nice dress shirt and tie for Jack and felt compelled to purchase Michael something similar. She picked out a much smaller size for Michael and intentionally spent more on his shirt and tie than she did on Jack’s.

  “This set is for my husband. I spent more on him than our neighbor because I love my husband,” she said to the clerk.

  “Yes Miss. Will that be all?” asked the clerk.

  “Yes. That will do it,” Arianna replied.

  Arianna now waited at the cashier. She looked at her watch and it read 4:50 p.m. She still had to get golf clubs for Michael. She finished paying for the merchandise and took it over to the gift-wrap department, which was right near Santa’s Workshop.

  As she arrived at the gift-wrapping department, she looked over at the line that was waiting to see Santa. She could see that David was still behind at least thirty kids and should be there for another 30 to 40 minutes.

  With the gift-wrapped packages in hand, she made her way over to the Sporting Goods Department once again. This time the department was not nearly as crowded. She walked up to a clerk.

  “Excuse me Sir? I am interested in buying a set of golf clubs for my husband.”

  “Golf Clubs in the middle of winter. Well he’s going to have to wait quite a few months to use them,” the man said as he smiled.

  “Oh, not really. Only about two days. We’re leaving for Florida tomorrow,” Arianna replied.

  “Wow, that’s a great little Christmas present. Okay then, follow me over to the golf section and let’s see if we can get you set up,” replied the clerk.

  As the clerk shows Arianna the different type of clubs that were available and the accessories that go along with the clubs, she lost track of time. The clerk was very helpful but there were so many choices to make. Arianna was adding up the cost of a moderately priced set and was already in shock. It was too late to decide to get Michael something else, but she had no idea golf clubs were so expensive.

  She finally made her decision on the clubs, the bag, the cart, the putter and the shoes. The clerk recommended a golf umbrella and a box of golf balls as well. Arianna conceded, for at this point the cost was far over what she intended to spend. A few more items wouldn’t make a difference.

  “Well, there goes three months worth of pay,” she said to the clerk as he started to ring up her purchase.

  An announcement came over the intercom system.

  “Attention Please. The store will be closing in 5 minutes. Thank for shopping at Marshall Fields.”

  “We finished just in time. The store is closing,” the clerk said.

  “Closing? I thought the store was open until six o’clock tonight?” asked Arianna.

  “Yes, Miss it is. It’s five minutes to six now,” he replied.

  “Oh my God! David!” she exclaimed.

  “Listen can you have these delivered to my house before one o’clock tomorrow afternoon?” she asked.

  “Sure, but there is an extra charge for that,” replied the clerk.

  “I don’t care! Listen I have to go,” she said.

  “Okay, well here is your receipt and all I need is your address for the delivery,” replied the clerk.

  “It’s on my check. I have to go. Thank you!”

  Arianna tightly held onto her packages and pushed Nicole in the stroller as she ran toward Santa’s Workshop.

  “Thank you Miss.... a ...(reads the check) Mrs. Carter! Merry Christmas!” said the clerk.

  Arianna raced through the store. She constantly said, “Excuse” and “Pardon Me”, to other shoppers blocking her way. She felt like she would never get there. It was as if she was running is slow motion. Finally, she turned the corner to the Santa display area.

  It was deserted. She scanned the area quickly and saw only a janitor cleaning up.

  “Excuse me sir?” she shouted as she ran toward him.

  “Where is everybody that was waiting to see Santa?”

  “Santa had to go feed his reindeer and call it a night. The display closed about 30 minutes ago Miss,” he replied.

  “Did you see a 10 year-old boy, about this tall, wearing a blue jacket?” she asked.

  “Yeah, I saw about a hundred 10 year-old boys that could fit that description. I take it you have lost your son?” he asked.

  “Yes! I told him to wait for me right here!” she replied frantically.

  “C’mon. I’ll take you to security. Maybe he’s down there.”

  “Thank you,” she replied.

  The intercom sounded once again.

  “The store is now closed. Please exit the store immediately. Thank you for shopping at Marshall Fields.”

  December 23rd

  6:15 p.m.

  Marshall Fields Department Store

  State Street, Chicago, IL

  “David Carter if you are in the store please find a clerk and identify yourself. David Carter, your mother is looking for you. Please locate the nearest person and identify yourself,” a voice over the intercom announced throughout the store.

  “Well Mrs. Carter, hopefully he will hear that announcement and we will find him soon. He wasn’t brought here earlier, but sometimes kids wander off unintentionally. He’ll show up. I have the whole store looking for him. Especially in Toy Land,” said the head of store security.

  Arianna was beside herself with emotion. She asked, “Can I use your phone to call my husband?”

  “Sure Mrs. Carter. Go right ahead,” he said as he handed her the phone.

  Back at 148 Festive Lane, Michael was busy wrapping presents that he himself went out and bought today including a new sled for David which was a real challenge to wrap and a diamond ring for Arianna that he couldn’t afford when they were married. The phone interrupted his wrapping.

  “Hello”, he said as he placed the phone under his chin and continued to wrap at the kitchen table.

  “Michael?” Arianna said.

  “Hi hon. Boy you’re shopping late. Must be that special present for me that’s keeping you huh?” he asked and then laughed.

  “Michael, David is missing,” Arianna said.

  Michael stopped wrapping in mid-stream.

  “Missing? What do you mean, missing?” he asked.

  “I’m at Marshall Fields on State Street and he was waiting to see Santa, so I left him there and went shopping. I thought it would be all right. He usually doesn’t wonder off like this,” she said as she cried.

  “Calm down Arianna,” Michael said.

  “How long has he been missing?”

  “Well, I’m not really sure. The last time I saw him, it was around five o’clock. He was still way back in the line to see Santa, so I figured I had enough time to finish my shopping. Then I got so involved getting your Christmas gift I lost track of time. When I got back to where I left him, he was gone. Oh Michael! Where could he be?” she screamed hysterically.

  “Arianna, just calm down. I am sure he is around there somewhere. He is probably over by the toy section,” Michael said.

  “They have already looked there. The store is closed now and they can’t find him. What should I do?” she asked.

  “Just stay there and wait to see if he shows up. I will have Wanda come over and stay here in case he calls or somehow shows up. I’m on my way to the store. Make sure someone will let me in when I get there, okay?”

  “Hang on.” She turned to the security guard and asked, “My husband is on his way down. Will he be able to get into the store?”

  “Yes, have him come to the security entrance off the alley at State Street,” the guard replied.

  “Michael? Yes you can get in at the entrance off the alley at State Street.”

  �
�Okay, I should be there in about 30-40 minutes. Stay calm. I’m on my way.”

  Michael grabbed his coat and headed out the door. He ran over to Jack’s house and rang the bell.

  “Hey buddy!” said Jack as he opened the door.

  “Jack, can you or Wanda go over to my house. David is missing and I have to go meet Arianna downtown. Can you stay at the house in case he calls?”

  “Oh God. Sure Mike. Get going. I’ll go over there right now,” replied Jack as he closed the door behind him and followed Michael back to the house.

  “Oh, and Jack?” Michael said as he opened the door to the pick up truck, “I don’t think we’re going to Florida.”

  He jumped in the truck and quickly backed out of the driveway.

  Jack opened the front door at 148 Festive Lane and said to himself, “I don’t think any of us will be going to Florida this year.”

  Michael drove like a maniac trying to get to downtown from Lake Forest. The roads were wet and slippery from the recent snow, so he maintained a reasonable speed. As he drove, he thought about David. “Where could he be? Did he wander off? Did he fall asleep in the store some where? Did someone kidnap him?”

  Arianna searched the store while Michael was on his way. With the assistance of the store personnel, they looked in every department and called, “David!” Unfortunately, their pleas went unanswered.

  Thirty minutes later Michael pulled into the alley off State Street by Marshall Fields. A Chicago Police officer, waving a flashlight met him. Michael stopped the truck and jumped out.

  “Excuse me officer, but my son was reported missing from this store and....”

  “Are you Mr. Carter?” asked the officer.

  “Yes sir,” replied Michael.

  “Follow me sir.”

  Michael followed the officer into the store. He walked briskly behind him down a dimly lit corridor and then to a door marked, “Security Office”. Arianna greeted him there.

  “Michael!” she said as she ran into his arms.

  “Honey! It will be okay. Calm down. What has happened since we last talked?”

  “We can’t find him. The security people called the police to file a missing persons report,” she replied.