The Christmas House Page 15

  “Mikey, wait a minute there son,” Wally said in a shallow soft voice. “Let’s keep this our little secret okay. I mean I love my wife and I know she will be joining me soon, but Mike, I’m dead. She’s in a nursing home a thousand miles away and I can’t leave this house to go see her. I promised at the altar, “until death do us part.” I died, we parted and now I’m doing Arianna’s Aunt Lucy. Hubba Hubba!”

  “Uncle Wally!” Michael said. “Why don’t the two of you get dressed and come down stairs for breakfast before everyone knows what you or should I say “who” you are doing up here!”

  “Relax Michael. They already know. Hey I haven’t been with a woman in over 20 years. Don’t you think I deserve a break?” Wally asked.

  “Well, I guess you’re entitled. Besides by this time next year your wife may be here and you’ll have to be good again,” Michael replied.

  Wally’s smile turned to a frown.

  “Wow Mikey, you really know how to take the wind out of a guy’s sails.”

  “Good! Now get dressed and come down to celebrate Christmas with the rest of us,” Michael said as he walked down the stairs.

  Wally slowly walked back to the guestroom talking aloud.

  “One lousy day I get to be with another woman. I was faithful my entire life and starting next year I will have to be faithful for the rest of eternity. Wow!”

  As Wally opened the door to the guestroom pondering the rest of eternity, he looked inside while still standing in the hallway and asked, “Lucy? You hungry?”

  “Only for you, you big hunk of man!” Lucy replied.

  “That’s my girl!” yelled Wally as he darted into the guest room leaving the sheet that once covered his body lying on the hallway floor, as the door shut behind him.

  Arianna came out of the bedroom in her pink satin robe and started to walk slowly toward Nicole’s room. As she turned, she caught a glimpse of a white sheet lying on the floor down the hall. She just smiled.

  Meanwhile Michael made his way downstairs and was greeted by 70 people yelling, “Merry Christmas Michael!”

  He held his head and replied, “It’s too early for this. Coffee... I need coffee.”

  As he walked through the dining room into the kitchen he noticed that many of the guests had been up for several hours. Bone china coffee cups were scattered about and cigarettes smoldered in crystal ashtrays at the end of the dining room table. As he walked into the kitchen, he spotted his mother wearing an apron and mixing batter in a large stainless steel bowl. Arianna’s mother was spooning out the batter onto a hot griddle with a silver ladle. The sight was odd. Not only had Michael not seen his mother make pancakes in over 10 years, he had never seen her make them while wearing the formal gown she was buried in before either.

  They were making pancakes for the guests of the house. From the looks of the kitchen table, they had been at it for quite some time.

  “Bet the two of you can’t wait to go back to heaven. All you do down here is work! Look at all these golden brown pancakes. I wasn’t hungry a minute ago, but I sure am now!” Michael said.

  “As we said before Michael, some things never change. But, we don’t mind really. It makes us happy to be useful again,” Michael’s mother replied.

  “Okay then, but if you get tired, please let us know and we’ll take over for a while,” Michael stated.

  “I have to get the presents set up by the tree for David before he wakes up and runs down here.”

  “Too late Michael,” his mother replied.

  “Oh no! Is he down here already?” Michael asked.

  “No, I meant it is too late for you to set up the presents. Go look over by the tree,” she replied.

  Michael grabbed his cup of coffee and walked over to the family room. There, surrounding the tree were all of the presents properly positioned. All neatly wrapped and stacked one on top of each other.

  “Who did all of this?” he asked.

  “Well, we all pitched in. It didn’t take very long and it was great fun,” his mother replied.

  “I’m sure David will be very happy. And I am very appreciative,” Michael said.

  Arianna walked into the family room with Nicole in her arms. She also noticed the gifts stacked by the tree.

  “Michael, you did a great job!” she said.

  Michael commented, “Nope, wasn’t me. It was my mother and a few of her friends.”

  “It looks wonderful! I thought for sure we were going to be awakened to the sound of David crying that Santa never came. Thanks so much for helping out and allowing us to avoid that scene,” Arianna said.

  At that moment, David bolted into the family room from the kitchen. Still in his red flannel pajamas and his hair disheveled, his cheeks were a glow as the excitement could be heard in his voice.

  “Santa came!” he yelled.

  As he ran to the pile of presents near the tree, his eyes were wide with wonder. A smile that only a child could have on Christmas morning, brightened his face as he inspected the presents.

  Arianna announced to the rest of the guests to please come into the family room to share in David’s joy. Groups of people paraded from the front of the house to the back, passing through the kitchen and helped themselves to a breakfast of pancakes and jellies.

  David sat in the middle of the massive assortment of presents and kept his eye on the largest box just a few feet away. The family room was wall to wall people, all staring at David and sharing this special moment. Christmas songs played on the stereo and the mood was perfect as a light snow fell outside. The ever-present red cardinal sat in the evergreen tree across the street and sang a methodic melody of joy.

  “Now before you open any presents from Santa, make sure you read the tag on each box first. I’m sure that some of those presents are for Nicole and your Mom,” Michael said.

  David scanned the boxes within reach, looking for the tags.

  “Yeah, look here is one for Nicole! Should I open it for her?” he asked.

  “Give it to your Mom and she will open it for Nicole. I’m sure you want to start to open your own presents,” Michael replied.

  “I can wait Dad. I don’t mind if Nicole goes first. She is the youngest,” David said.

  “Well David, that is a very nice gesture. You are quite the proper young man,” Arianna’s father said.

  David opened Nicole’s present from Santa. As he unwrapped the box, he threw the wrapping paper on the floor. Michael’s mother brought a large plastic bag in from the kitchen to collect the discarded papers that were sure to pile up quickly.

  David opened the box and looked inside.

  “Nicole got.... clothes,” he said as if to be disappointed for her.

  Arianna laughed.

  “Well it’s not that bad David! She needs clothes.”

  “I hope Santa brought me toys. I hate clothes!” David said.

  The guests all laughed at David’s remarks. Michael assured David that Santa brought many toys as well as some sensible clothes.

  David opened his presents one by one. As he unveiled a gift, it was passed around the room for each guest to inspect and admire. Comments of, “Oh isn’t that something” and “Wow, look at that”, were heard as the gift made it’s way from one end of the room to the other. A train set, a sled, a football; a new guitar, a baseball mitt and many other gifts were bestowed upon David from Santa.

  Nicole received many gifts as well including rattles, mobiles, learning toys, and or course, lots of clothes.

  “Hey, the tag on this present says it’s from Grandma Marie to me!” David suddenly exclaimed.

  A hush came over the crowd, for they all thought about the mass and matter rule Martha explained the previous evening.

  “Oh, but I didn’t....” Marie stumbled to explain.

  Arianna came up behind her and whispered, “Mom, I changed the tags on some of the presents while no one was looking. I know you couldn’t bring the kids anything yourself, so I did it for you.”
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br />   Marie smiled at her daughter and said, “David, I hope you enjoy it and Merry Christmas.”

  David opened the present and found a camping kit that included a canteen, a compass and a Swiss army knife.

  “Wow, this is neat! Look a compass. Now I won’t ever get lost again!”

  He stood up and ran to Marie and hugged her tight. “Thanks Grandma. This is the best present I have ever gotten!”

  “Oh, you are very welcome David. Merry Christmas grandson,” Marie said smiling from ear to ear.

  As David ran back to the tree to open more presents, Marie embraced Arianna.

  “His love and thanks is the best Christmas present I have ever received. Thank you for bringing the joy of Christmas to my heart once again.”

  “I love you, Mom,” said Arianna as they continued to hug.

  David walked over to a large box to the left side of the tree and read the tag.

  “Hey, Dad. Santa brought you this big present!”

  Michael smiled and walked over to the present and shook the box.

  “Hmm, sounds like... golf clubs,” he said.

  “I wonder how you knew?” Arianna replied.

  Michael opened the box and unveiled a brand new set of golf clubs in a new leather golf bag.

  “Guess Santa wants me to relax a little more instead of working all the time huh?” he asked.

  “Yes, Santa told me himself that you work too much!” Arianna replied.

  “That’s funny. He told me that you worry too much!” Michael said.

  The guests laughed at the exchange between husband and wife.

  Some of the guests made their way around the room to get a better view of Michael’s golf clubs. Arianna’s father pulled one of the woods out of the bag and started to swing erratically. Other guests were ducking and jumping out of the way of his motion with the club.

  “Whoa Dad! Watch out!” Arianna said as the club head barely missed Uncle Wally’s head as he finally joined the celebration after his upstairs interlude with Arianna’s Aunt Lucy.

  “Whew! That was a close one! Watch where you’re swinging that thing Arthur,” said Wally and then continued.

  “So, did I miss much?”

  “I was about to ask you the same question,” Marie replied as she walked by and gave Wally the evil eye.

  As Wally tried to explain himself, Michael reached behind David and retrieved a small present. He told David to give it to Arianna.

  “This is from Santa to you Mom,” he said.

  Arianna took the present from David.

  “Oh Santa brought me a present too. I guess I must have been a good girl this year.”

  The crowd of people gathered around Arianna as she unwrapped the present and then opened it.

  “Oh, Michael. It's beautiful,” she said.

  “When we got married I didn’t have enough money to give you a proper engagement ring. It may be 10 years later, but I wanted to show you that I don’t love you any less now than I did the day we were married. If anything, I love you just that much more,” Michael said.

  Arianna removed the diamond ring from the satin pillow like insert inside the flip top case and slid it over the ring finger of her left hand. The ring sparkled as the full carat diamond, caught a ray of light from a nearby window.

  “Michael, thank you,” she said as Michael approached and kissed her gently.

  The doorbell rang.

  Michael announced that he would answer the door and for everyone to stay in the family room out of sight. He walked to the foyer and thought to himself, "who in the world would be ringing the bell on Christmas morning?" He stopped short of the door as he pondered the possibilities. He prayed that Jack and Wanda didn’t change their minds about Florida and were now on the other side of the door wanting to come in and visit.

  He peeked out the side light window and saw a short, stocky man wearing a long leather overcoat and a black fedora standing on the front stoop.

  “Can I help you?” Michael asked as he opened the door.

  “Merry Christmas Carter. We’ve never met formally, but I’m Tony Cesario. I was the guy that the Realtor was bringing over to buy this property about 6 months ago,” the man replied.

  “Oh, well Merry Christmas Mr. Cesario. How can I help you?”

  “I’m on my way to my mothers house for Christmas and as I was driving by I saw your house. I just had to stop. I gotta tell ya, you have done a great job on fixing this place up. Hell, I’d buy it now and keep the house standing,” Tony said.

  “Thank you. Listen, I don’t mean to be rude but we are in the middle of opening presents and I really need to get back. Was there something else you needed?” Michael asked.

  “No, I just wanted to let you know that I am still interested in buying this property. Here's my card. I will give you top dollar. Why don’t you call me directly after the first of the year to talk about it? We can cut out the Realtors' commission that way,” Tony replied.

  “I’m afraid that won’t be necessary Mr. Cesario. I won’t be selling this house. Not this year, not next. Not ever. You have no idea what this house means to my family, and me,” Michael said.

  “Well, never hurts to ask Carter. Mind if I come in and take a look around? Sounds like you are having a big party in there,” Tony asked as he stepped forward and tried to see past Michael.

  “No, I don’t think this would be a good time. It’s a special family moment. You know what I mean don’t you?” Michael asked as he stepped forward.

  Tony stepped back and replied, “Yeah, I guess I can relate. Well if you ever change your mind, let me know. I’ll call ya in a few months. Never know. You might change your mind.”

  “Merry Christmas Mr. Cesario. I really have to get going. Don’t bother calling in a few months. The house is not on the market. Have a great day,” Michael said as he stepped back and closed the door.

  “Same to you Carter. I’ll keep in touch,” Tony said as he walked back down the front walkway and to his lone car parked out on the street.

  He said to himself, “I’ll get that property sooner or later Carter. It’s just a matter of time.”

  As Tony pulled away from the curb he noticed the lack of other vehicles on the street.

  “Sounded like there were a lot of people in there. What’d he do? Bus his relatives in. Where are their cars?” Tony continued to ponder that thought as he drove away from the house.

  Michael returned to the family room tearing up the business card Tony had just given him and dropped the shredded pieces into a nearby ashtray. He rejoined the guests as they were watching David open more presents.

  “Who was at the door?” Arianna asked.

  “That guy, Tony Cesario. He wanted to buy the house. I told him it wasn’t for sale now or ever. Especially not after what has happened here over the last 15 hours,” Michael replied.

  Martha, who popped in and out of the celebration from time to time said, “Watch out for that Mr. Cesario, Michael. He could be a problem. He is not an honest person.”

  “Martha! You came back. I didn’t hear the doorbell ring?” Michael said.

  “The door was open so I just let myself in. Hope you don’t mind?” asked Martha.

  “Don’t be silly Martha. This is still your house just as much as it is ours,” said Michael.

  “I am serious Michael. That Cesario man is trouble. Be careful of him,” she replied.

  “I will Martha. I will never let him get his hands on this property. I promise,” Michael said.

  Martha just smiled nervously. She was fully aware of how determined Mr. Cesario was to get his hands on the house. She could only hope that Michael would remain strong willed and committed to keeping the house no matter what might happen in the future. Mr. Cesario could well be Michael’s strongest test of faith.

  Later that same day.

  The rest of the day was spent helping David and Nicole assemble their new toys. All of the guests joined in to lend a hand and shared in that spe
cial feeling that only a Christmas could bring to a heart.

  It was now nearing 6:00 p.m. and Michael and Arianna were starting to feel stressed. They realized that this fantasy that had been their lives for the last 24 hours, was quickly coming to an end. How would they be able to wait an entire year to see their loved ones again? How would they cope with the loss of not being able to talk and hug them for another 365 days?

  Martha found Michael and Arianna sitting at the dining room table and joined them.

  “Don’t be sad or depressed children. It is very difficult to understand the feelings you will experience the first year that this happens. I have been through it many times. The first year after my father died, I was a basket case when I was finally able to see him again. I never wanted him to leave me again but alas he did have to leave. It’s difficult to say goodbye again. But you have been given a great gift. Other people say good-bye forever. You can see your families, if only for one day, for the rest of your lives and beyond. It truly is a blessing,” Martha stated.

  “We know that this is a great gift Martha. We can’t thank you enough. It’s just so hard to say good-bye to someone you have already missed for so many years. We just want them to stay here forever. But I guess that wouldn’t make much sense. It would kind of defeat the whole purpose of this magical house,” Arianna said.

  “Time passes quickly. Before you know it, Christmas will be upon us once again. And just think, next year you will be so much better prepared for all of this.” Martha replied.

  “That’s an understatement. It’s too bad we can’t exchange presents though. I would love to give my parents something for Christmas.” Michael replied.

  “You have given them something more valuable then anything you could ever buy for them at a store, Michael. You have given them your love and a new memory that they never had before. The memories they will take back with them mean more than a thousand neck ties or jewelry boxes. And in turn, they have given you memories of them that you would have never had otherwise. Memories are the very best gifts in the world. Long after the necktie is out of style or the jewelry box has broken, the memory of sharing time together is still strong and meaningful. The time you share is the most valuable present of all,” Martha said.