The Christmas House Read online

  “It will be okay. He is fine. He’s just lost. He will turn up any minute now,” Michael said as he held her tight.

  “Michael I feel so guilty for leaving him there. I should have stayed with him. He insisted on giving Santa his letter before we left for Florida so he would get his presents. I had to get the shopping done before we left as well. All this, for a damn trip to Florida that we aren’t even going to take now,” she shouted.

  “I know honey. I feel guilty for wanting to go on this trip. If I hadn’t wanted to go so much, this would have never happened,” Michael responded.

  The security guard interrupted.

  “It’s none of my business folks, but don’t blame yourselves for this. These things happen everyday. I am sure he will show up soon.”

  Michael and Arianna nodded back to the security guard and prayed that he was right. Michael told Arianna to take Nicole home and to relieve Jack from phone sitting. In the meanwhile, Michael was going to get in his truck and start to comb the streets for David.

  “What was David wearing?” he asked Arianna.

  “His blue winter jacket, a blue stocking cap, a pair of jeans, gloves and brown suede boots.”

  “Okay, go home. I will see you later. If he shows up or you hear from him, just stay put. I will call you every hour to check in,” said Michael.

  He kissed Arianna and Nicole and headed out of the store, back to his truck. Arianna left all of the pertinent information with the police. An officer offered to drive her and Nicole to their car, which was parked several blocks away. Arianna accepted the ride.

  ****************************************************

  As Arianna got out of the police car in front of the parking garage, she grabbed the packages she purchased at the store with one arm and picked Nicole up in the other. As she walked away from the police car, the officer told her to keep a positive attitude and then drove off.

  As Arianna walked to the section of the parking lot where she parked the car, she was praying that David somehow found his way back to the car and would be waiting there for her. When she got to the car, David was not there. She started to cry again. She put the packages in the trunk of the car and strapped Nicole into her car seat. She dried her eyes as she sat in the drivers’ seat and closed the car door. As she tried to regain her composure, so she could drive home, she looked in the rear view mirror in hopes of seeing David. There was not a soul in sight.

  As she drove, she spotted Michael’s truck as it slowly came toward her from the opposite direction. She glanced at him as they passed but he just kept driving. She too, was driving slowly. Looking down every street and every alley, she peered in hopes of seeing David. Finally she reached the entrance ramp to the expressway. As she turned onto the highway, she had to leave the search in the hands of Michael and the police.

  Forty minutes later Arianna pulled into the driveway at 148 Festive Lane. As she shut off the car and turned off the lights, Jack came running out of the house.

  “Did you find him?” asked Jack.

  “No, Michael and the police are looking now. I take it no one called?”

  “No, not yet. Listen, now that you are home, I’m going to drive down there too and see if I can help,” Jack said.

  “Actually, I think it would be better if you could stay at your house and start calling hospitals and shelters,” Arianna replied.

  “Wanda has been doing that for the last two hours Arianna. I’m going to go help Mike look for David,” Jack said.

  Arianna got out of the car and collapsed in Jack’s arms. Hysterically she shouted, “Oh Jack, where’s my little boy!”

  “There now, darlin. We’ll find him. Get in the house and wait for a call. I just know we are going to find him,” Jack replied.

  Arianna took a sleeping Nicole out of the car seat and walked into the house. Jack ran next door to grab a jacket and told Wanda that Arianna was home. He also told her that he was going to go look for David.

  “You still calling hospitals?” he asked Wanda.

  “Yes, and luckily no reports of a 10-year old boy being admitted or in the emergency room,” she replied.

  Jack hesitated but then asked, “Did you call the morgue?”

  “No. I just can’t bring myself to dial the number Jack. I will, but not yet,” she replied.

  Jack kissed his wife and headed out the door to the garage. As he drove out of the driveway, his car fishtailed from the snow and ice on the ground. Jack was determined to find David, for he too felt guilty. If he had never invited the Carters to Florida, this would have never happened, or so he believed.

  Chapter Eleven- Christmas Eve

  December 24th

  148 Festive Lane

  10:00 a.m.

  Arianna sat at the kitchen table feeding Nicole, when the phone rang. She jumped up to answer it.

  “Hello?”

  “It’s just me hon. Any word yet?” asked Michael.

  “No. The only one I have heard from is you,” she replied.

  “Michael, come home. You have been up all night. You must be exhausted. Is Jack still with you?” she asked.

  “Yes. We are at a donut shop having some coffee. He flagged me down on Wacker Drive about three hours ago. We’ve been meeting every hour ever since,” Michael replied.

  “Come home Michael. All we can do now is wait,” she said in a sleepy groggy voice.

  “Have you slept at all honey?” asked Michael.

  “No. Wanda has been here all night as well. She called the morgue and thank God, David or anyone that was even close to David’s description had not been found,” she said.

  “Okay. I guess you’re right. We are on our way home. We’ll go out again later today,” Michael said.

  Arianna said good-bye and told Wanda that Jack and Michael were on their way home. Wanda brought Arianna another cup of coffee and sat down with her at the kitchen table.

  “This has been one hell of a year for you hasn’t it?” she asked.

  Arianna smiled and replied, “Oh gee, let’s see. First we buy a house for next to nothing and then almost lose it. I start to hemorrhage when we are moving and almost lose my baby. Then this kind old lady leaves us all this money so we can keep the house. Then we fix up this house to where it is almost as good as new and then I lose my son! This roller coaster of win and lose is starting to drive me crazy. I just hope I have one winning hand left.”

  “You have more than one winning hand left Arianna. You are a good person. You never give up and you are very optimistic. It will work out. You’ll see,” Wanda said.

  “Michael would say I was dreaming. He has probably already prepared himself for the worst. He is so realistic. Sometimes I feel I have to muster up twice the amount of hope and faith that something good will happen, because I know Michael has already given up,” Arianna said.

  “I don’t think Michael is like that at all. He told us once that he prayed to God and asked him to save your life when you were in the hospital. He does believe and does have faith,” Wanda said.

  “He told you that? Michael? He and God don’t get along so well. I’m surprised he admitted that,” Arianna replied.

  “He is more of a believer than you think. He is a strong and caring man. He may not show it very often, but he wants to believe in the best possible outcome as well,” Wanda said.

  “I know Wanda. I guess he’s a typical man. Can’t admit certain things,” she replied.

  11:30 a.m. later that day.

  Michael and Jack made it home safely. Exhausted from driving around the city all night coupled with the stress of the situation at hand, they both collapsed on the couch in the family room at Michael’s house. As they fell fast asleep, Arianna and Wanda tried to stay awake just in case someone called about David.

  The doorbell rang.

  Arianna looked at Wanda and they both jumped up quickly from the kitchen table. Arianna ran to the front door and swung it open.

  “David?” she said as the do
or flew open.

  A man standing there holding several large packages said, “Mrs. Carter? Marshall Fields delivery.”

  Arianna sunk into depression.

  “Oh, yes. The golf clubs I bought for Michael. I forgot all about those,” she said.

  Arianna signed for the delivery and the man brought the large packages into the house. The packages were gift wrapped with pretty gold foil paper and bows.

  “I didn’t ask to have these gifts wrapped,” she said.

  “It’s on the house Mrs. Carter, as is the delivery charge. The entire store is still looking for your son. We are all very concerned for you. Sure hope the little guy shows up soon. If we hear anything, we will contact you directly,” the man replied.

  “Well, thank you. We hope he shows up soon as well.”

  As he drove away, Arianna started to close the door but noticed a red cardinal sitting in the snow covered tree across the street. The song the cardinal sang seemed to be a happy one and brought a momentary smile to Arianna’s face. She stepped back away from the door and securely closed it.

  “Golf clubs for Michael hon?” asked Wanda.

  “Yes, I thought he would take them with to Florida. How ironic this all is. This was supposed to be a time for Michael to finally relax and catch up on some sleep. Instead he is the most stressed out he could possibly be and has barely slept at all,” she replied.

  “Speaking of sleep, how about we turn in as well. I’m a light sleeper. I’ll hear the phone or the doorbell should they ring,” Wanda said.

  “Nicole’s cries have made me a pretty light sleeper myself. I just don’t know if I can sleep right now. I am so on edge. But lying down and relaxing, couldn’t hurt I suppose,” replied Arianna.

  They both walked into the family room where Michael and Jack were sleeping on the couch. Arianna laid Nicole in her playpen as Wanda took a seat on the love seat. Arianna joined Wanda as she kicked off her shoes and placed her feet up on the coffee table. Soon, due to total exhaustion, they too fell fast a sleep.

  Christmas Eve

  5:50 p.m.

  148 Festive Lane

  As Arianna dreamed of David coming to the front door, she was waken by the ringing of the phone. Her heart raced as she ran to the kitchen to answer it. Michael, Jack and Wanda were still in a deep sleep.

  “Hello?” she said as she picked up the receiver.

  “Mrs. Carter?” asked the man on the other end of the phone.

  “Yes,” Arianna replied as her heart pounded.

  “This is Detective Simmons, of the Chicago Police Department. I am afraid I may have some bad news for you,” he said.

  “Yes. What is it?” asked Arianna in a state of shock.

  “I’m afraid we just got a call from the morgue in response to the APB we issued on your son’s description. They just pulled a body out of Lake Michigan that fits the description of your son,” he replied.

  “Yes?” Arianna asked.

  “Well, Mrs. Carter, we need you or your husband to come down to the morgue to identify the body. Now, please keep in mind that this may not be your son. There are currently 3 APB’s out for boy’s approximately 10-13 years of age and all of them are about the same physical size. This very well may not be your son. We just need to have you come down to rule it out as a possibility,” he said.

  “What about the other parents of the other boys? Have they been there yet? Have they looked at the body and said it was not their son?” asked Arianna.

  “No Mrs. Carter. We are having a problem getting in touch with the parents of the other missing boys. In one case, their boy has been missing for several weeks. It is Christmas Eve. They may be traveling or out for the evening,” he replied.

  “Yeah, they are probably in church praying like we should have been instead of sleeping on the damn couch!” Arianna said in an angry tone.

  “Can you please come down to the morgue as soon as possible Mrs. Carter?” the detective asked once again.

  “Yes. My husband and I will be down within the hour,” she replied.

  “Thank you Mrs. Carter. And for the record, I hope it’s not your son. Good-bye,” said the detective.

  Arianna hung up the phone, collapsed to the floor and started to cry hysterically. Her weeping woke Michael and Wanda. Coming in from the family room, Michael asked, “Arianna! What is it? Did someone call?”

  “It was the police Michael. They have a body at the morgue that matches David’s description. They want us to come down and identify the body. Oh my God!” she yelled as she wept uncontrollably.

  Trying to get her attention, Michael shouted at her, “Arianna! Arianna! Did they say for sure that it was David?”

  “No, it could be one of three boys who are all missing.” Wanda sat on the floor with Arianna and held her tight. Jack heard the entire conversation from the family room where he stayed even though he was awake. He just didn’t want to hear the bad news.

  “Well, let’s get going,” Michael said.

  “No!” Arianna shouted. “The longer we wait to go, the hope of David still being alive exists. As soon as we see that body and if it’s him, we lose all hope! I can’t go right now. I have to wait!”

  “Then I will go myself,” Michael said.

  “No! You will wait for me. I just need some time. Please Michael! Just give me a few minutes. Please!” Arianna shouted.

  The grandfather clock chimed. "Chime, chime, chime, chime, chime, chime."

  “It’s 6 o’clock. We will leave here at 6:30. I can’t wait any longer than that. You assume it is David. I assume it isn’t. Until I see for myself, I assume he is dead. Until you see for yourself, he is alive. Your grace period of life is my grace period of death,” Michael said as he walked away.

  The doorbell rang.

  Michael already walking in that direction said, “I’ll get it.”

  Michael opened the door and peered through the darkness. He looked puzzled. He stared and then rubbed his eyes. He must be dreaming. He opened the storm door.

  “I think I have something that belongs to this house Michael,” a woman said.

  From behind her, a head poked out and said, “Hi Dad!”

  “DAVID!” Michael yelled.

  Then he continued in disbelief as he looked at the woman again and asked, “Martha?”

  Chapter Twelve- The Reunion

  December 24th

  6:01 p.m.

  148 Festive Lane

  "DAD!” David screamed as he ran into the house and into Michael's arms.

  "David, David... We were so worried about you!" Michael replied ecstatically.

  As he knelt on one knee and hugged David tightly.

  "Where have you been? My God, you're soaking wet! Is it snowing that hard out there?"

  Before David could answer his father, Arianna burst into the room.

  "David! Oh thank God you're all right!” she exclaimed as she wrapped her hands around his head and kissed him over and over again. Jack and Wanda entered the room smiling and totally relieved that David was safe.

  "Did the police bring you home David?" asked Jack.

  "No, Martha did," answered David.

  "Oh, David! Stop joking around! How did you get home?" Arianna asked sternly.

  Michael interrupted, "No, he's not joking. Martha did bring him home. She is standing out on the front stoop."

  As Arianna, Jack and Wanda walked past David and Michael still holding each other, they looked out the front door, which was still open.

  Michael looked at David and said, "Get upstairs, dry off and change into some fresh clothes before you catch your death."

  "Okay Dad," David said and ran up the stairs.

  Arianna turned back from the front door and looked at Michael, and then back out the door again. She then turned to Jack and Wanda. They both were as puzzled as Arianna.

  "Michael, honey? Did you say Martha was standing out here?" asked Arianna.

  Michael stood up and walked toward the door as he loo
ked out.

  "She was here just a second ago. I swear I am not losing my mind! She was here. She spoke to me. She said, "Michael I think I have someone that belongs to this house."

  "Then what happened?" asked Jack.

  "Then David ran into my arms and you guys came in," he replied. "And now she's gone."

  Arianna walked up to Michael and placed her hand on his forehead.

  "Honey, maybe you better lay down for a while. I think the lack of sleep and all this stress has gotten to you. Are you sure it wasn't a police woman?"

  Michael took her hand and moved it away from his forehead.

  "I know what I saw and what I heard. I am telling you David is telling the truth. Martha did bring him home!"

  "Where is David?" Arianna asked.

  "I sent him upstairs to change his clothes," replied Michael as he stared out the front door one last time.

  "Well, now that David is home safe and sound, I think we have a date with an airplane. We have already paid the rent on the house down in Florida and as long as everything is okay here, I think we better try to catch a later flight," said Jack.

  "Jack, Wanda. Thanks for all of your help. I don't know what we would have done without your support and friendship," Michael replied.

  Jack and Wanda put on their winter coats and opened the front door.

  "Merry Christmas Carters!" they yelled as they walked out onto the front stoop.

  "Merry Christmas Stevens! Have a safe and happy trip!" Arianna and Michael yelled back.

  "Hey, Mike! Turn on your decorations! It's pretty dark out here! And I don't want Martha getting lost in the woods across the street!" Jack said as he laughed.

  "Very funny Stevens!" Michael responded and then laughed as well.

  Michael shut the door and walked into the living room to flip on the light switch that controlled all of the decorations outside. Arianna walked back to the kitchen. As Michael flipped the switch, he saw the lights go on outside by looking out the living room bay window. He turned on the mechanical figurines that were in the living room looking out at the glass enclosed Santa's Workshop display sitting on the front lawn. As he walked out of the living room and back to the foyer headed for the kitchen, the doorbell rang again.