The Christmas House Read online

  “Maybe I can answer your questions Arianna,” Martha said.

  Martha gave David her coat as well as a pat on the head. As she walked into the dining room grabbing hold of Michael’s arm, she motioned for the rest of the group to follow her. The doorbell continued to ring, but David was stationed at the door greeting people as they arrived.

  Martha sat at the dining room table and asked that the others be seated as well.

  “You too Dennis. Please have a seat,” she requested.

  Dennis seemed as confused as the rest of the people, but took a seat at the table nonetheless.

  “Arianna asked some very direct questions and I am the only one that can answer them properly and directly. What I am about to say may come as a shock to some of you here, but trust me, it is a good shock.

  Last year was the first year of this glorious family reunion. Cousins, Uncles, Aunts, Parents, Brothers, Sisters all united under one roof... this roof for a 24 hour Christmas celebration. Among the guests was Mr. Kowalski. I was surprised that no one noticed him sooner, but that is neither here nor there,” Martha said.

  “I remember talking with you a good part of the evening last year. You were a delightful young man,” said Arianna’s mother, Marie.

  Martha said, “Yes, you and Art talked to Dennis for several hours. You got along very well from what I recall. Well, there is a reason for that. It is the same reason why Dennis is here in the first place. Dennis is not a ghost. He is a living and breathing human being 365 days a year. Ironically, he lives right down the block from Michael and Arianna. As I stated last year, no one unless they are family or friends of Michael and Arianna’s are allowed in this house during these 24 hours. Friends must be deceased, but family can attend regardless of their state of being. This is why the Stevens are not allowed to join us. They are friends of Michael and Arianna’s but they are very much alive.”

  “But Dennis is not a family or a friend, no offense Dennis. How is it that he is here?” Michael asked.

  “Ah, but Dennis is family Michael. As a matter of fact he is immediate family,” Martha said.

  At the other end of the dining room table, Arianna’s mother started to cry.

  “Marie, why are you crying?” asked her husband Arthur.

  Marie didn’t answer and looked down at the table with a blank stare. Arianna looked at her mother and then at Martha.

  “What is going on here? Who is Dennis?” she asked.

  “He is your brother Arianna,” Martha answered.

  “My brother? I don’t have a brother. I was an only child,” Arianna stated irrefutably.

  Dennis was as surprised by Martha’s statement as Arianna. He spoke up as well.

  “No, I can’t be her brother. My parents live in California. I too am an only child.”

  “The parents you call father and mother do live in California Dennis, however they are your adoptive parents. Marie gave birth to you 44 years ago. She and Arthur we’re not married at the time. Arthur joined the armed services never knowing that he left behind a pregnant girlfriend. Marie only received one letter from Arthur in 6 months and concluded that their romance was over. She didn’t have the heart to tell him that she was expecting their child. Arthur in fact had written numerous times, but the mail delivery system back then was greatly lacking especially with overseas correspondence. Marie put the baby boy up for adoption. He was taken from her at birth and she never saw him again until last year,” Martha said.

  The dining room went silent. Only the faint greetings of guests arriving at the front door could be heard.

  “Dennis, these are your biological parents, Arthur and Marie Campbell. Art and Marie this is your son Dennis. Arianna this is your brother,” Martha said.

  “I can’t believe this. I had a son and you never told me?” said Arthur as he stood and looked down at his wife.

  “I didn’t think you loved me then. I didn’t want you to feel trapped. I wanted you to love me for me, not because of the baby,” she replied while weeping.

  “But I do love you for you,” he snapped back.

  “But I didn’t know that then! You were thousands of miles away. I never got your letters. I thought we were finished,” she cried.

  Arianna stood and walked over to Dennis. She placed the palm of her hand along his face and caressed it softly.

  “Welcome to the family Dennis,” she said.

  Dennis was beside himself with confusion and disbelief. He placed his hand on top of Arianna’s.

  “Thank you Arianna.”

  Then Dennis looked toward Arthur and Marie.

  “I understand why you did what you did. I don’t blame you for that. Two wonderful people who cared for me and love me with all their hearts raised me. They gave me everything a son could have ever asked for and more. But why is it I am finding out about this now? 44 years later and in this situation? I don’t even know how I got here this evening. All of a sudden, BOOM! I’m standing at your front door.”

  “I can answer that question as well Dennis,” said Martha.

  “Do you remember being here last year?” she asked.

  “Yes, of course I do,” he answered.

  “Do you remember me giving a little 20 minute speech in the family room while standing on a table?” she asked.

  “No, I don’t remember that,” he replied.

  “That’s because you were fast asleep. Every time something pertinent would happen that would make the situation here obvious to you, you would conveniently fall asleep,” she said.

  “What do you mean by “pertinent”? What situation?” Dennis asked.

  “Dennis, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that after 44 years you are finally reunited with your natural parents. The bad news is, they both passed away 15 years ago. Like all of us here with the exception of Michael, Arianna, David, Nicole and yourself, they are dead,” she stated.

  Dennis stood up and took several steps back. He looked at the table of people with a strange puzzled look on his face. He stammered and finally said, “What are you talking about?”

  Michael stood up and approached Dennis.

  “It’s okay Dennis. It has to do with this house. You see, it’s a magical place and...”

  Dennis jumped back quickly and made a cross with his fingers.

  “Stay away from me you zombie!” Dennis shouted at Michael.

  “No, no. I’m not a zombie. They are. No, that’s not true either. They are not zombies. They are spirits that have been allowed to visit their still living loved ones for 24 hours each Christmas. It’s really quite simple. You see-,” Michael stopped in mid sentence as he glanced out the dining room window and saw Jack and Wanda walking over to the house.

  “Hold that thought. I’ll be right back,” Michael said.

  The doorbell rang.

  “David! Don’t answer the door!” Michael shouted as he ran to the door.

  David asked, “But why Dad? Look it’s Uncle Jack and Aunt Wanda.”

  It was too late. Jack and Wanda had already entered the house. Wanda was carrying a pot of steaming soup for the Carters.

  “Hey Mikey. We thought we’d bring you some chicken soup to help cure that nasty flu you said the whole family came down with. I mean, it is Christmas Eve. It’s the least we could do. Hey, who’s that?” Jack asked as he looked toward the dining room.

  “Who’s what?” asked Michael, as he tried to get in the way of Jack’s field of vision. Unfortunately, Jack was several inches taller than Michael and could see just fine.

  “Will you stop jumping up and down in front of my face like a yo-yo! Who is that over there at the dining room table with Arianna? Is that... why yes it’s Kowalski from down the street. Hey Denny, Merry Christmas!” Jack said.

  “Jack? Hey how you doing? Merry Christmas to you too,” Dennis replied as he looked at the table and still saw everyone else who was sitting there originally.

  Michael was panicked. There were people all over the house laughing
and running around. Jack walked around Michael and toward the dining room. In his path was a small group of four guests.

  Michael yelled, “Look Out!” as Jack’s massive body passed right through the people as if they were thin air.

  Michael was in shock. As he walked, following in the same path, he waved his hand in front of him and at the four people. He smacked one of them in the head.

  “Hey, Michael! That hurt!” the man he hit exclaimed.

  “Sorry about that Uncle Roy,” replied Michael as he walked around the group.

  “They can’t see or hear us Michael. Remember, we vanish when any non-family human enters the house,” Martha said.

  “I thought that meant you would leave, not turn invisible!” Michael said.

  “Leave? We just got here!” Wanda said as she placed the pot of soup on the dining room table.

  “I made it myself. Home made chicken soup. With a real chicken!” she said as she lifted off the cover.

  At that moment, Uncle Wally came over to the table and put his face directly over the steaming pot. The steam from the pot poured moisture onto Wally’s face and it was now in plain view to Wanda.

  “Oh my God!” she screamed as she dropped the pot cover onto the table and backed away.

  Martha pushed Wally away from the flow of the steam. The outline of his face faded as Wanda pointed to it.

  “There is a face looking into the pot of soup Jack!”

  Jack looked at the pot, but saw nothing but rising steam.

  “Sure honey. Have some more eggnog. She thought she saw people appearing at your front door all night long too. I told you no one was here honey.” he said.

  Martha addressed Michael, Arianna and Dennis.

  “Well, actually she did. Poor Wanda. You see, we can be seen outside the house. That’s why we are not allowed to go out. The only time we can be seen is when we are coming or going from the house.”

  Jack looked at the three of them, as they were looking at an empty chair at the other end of the table.

  “What are you all looking at?”

  Arianna quickly turned to Jack.

  “Oh, nothing Jack. It’s this flu. It makes you act a little weird. Dennis has it too so he came over to get some medicine. He ran out and the drug store is closed.”

  “Oh sure. Invite Kowalski over but not us. Some friends you are,” Jack said.

  “No really Jack. We really are sick. Hot and feverish. It starts out with imagining that you are seeing things,” Michael said.

  “Yes. Seeing things. Just like Wanda experienced. Maybe you better get her out of here before she gets any worse,” Dennis added.

  Jack seemed a bit perplexed.

  “Yeah, well I guess you’re right. Maybe we better get going. When do you think you might be feeling better?”

  Arianna and Michael quickly answered simultaneously, “About 6 tomorrow!”

  Jack looked at them strangely.

  “Okay then... maybe I’ll come by tomorrow night.”

  “Why not call first Jack. That way you can make sure the coast is clear... I mean clear of germs. You know what I mean,” Arianna said nervously as she stood up and tried to pull Jack toward the front door.

  Jack nodded his head with a bit of hesitation as he took Wanda by the arm and followed Ariannas’ tug back toward the foyer.

  “Well, if you need anything just call okay?” he asked.

  “Will do Jack. Thanks so much for the soup Wanda. Take care now. See you tomorrow. Merry Christmas,” Arianna said as she pushed them out the front door and closed it behind them.

  As Jack and Wanda stood on the stoop four guests were coming up the walk. Jack was still looking at the door puzzled by Arianna and Michael’s behavior. But Wanda, looking straight ahead, saw the people at the same time they saw her. The people quickly turned around and scattered into the darkness.

  “Jack! Look! There are people running!” she screamed.

  Jack turned around but it was too late. The people managed to run back to the edge of darkness where they vanished into the night.

  “What people? I don’t see any people. C’mon. We better get you home. Hope you saved some of that soup for yourself. You’re gonna need it,” Jack said as he took Wanda by the arm and escorted her back home.

  Back inside of the Carter residence, Dennis was totally bewildered.

  “I need a drink!” he stated.

  “Dennis just sit. I need one too. I’ll be right back,” Arianna said as she excused herself and went into the kitchen.

  Michael walked back into the dining room after watching out the side window to make sure that Jack and Wanda returned back to their house.

  “Boy, that was a close one. Why didn’t you tell us that you could turn invisible? That was really very awkward Martha,” he said.

  “I never said we would vanish and leave Michael. Sorry you misunderstood Michael,” she responded.

  Dennis was still in a state of disbelief as Arianna handed him a double Scotch.

  “I hope Scotch is okay Dennis?” she asked.

  “I don’t know; I don’t drink,” replied Dennis as he took a large gulp of the drink.

  “Oh my,” said Martha as she watched Dennis gag on his swallow.

  “What (cough!) are you people trying to do? Kill me too? What’s in this drink…(cough!) paint thinner?”

  Dennis regained his composure.

  “So what is going on here? Can someone tell me the whole story, please?”

  Michael sat down next to Dennis and started to explain. As he told the story, the others at the table added in comments as well. Dennis was listening intently and trying to believe the far-fetched tale. Unlike Michael and Arianna, Dennis had no other deceased relatives or friends at the party. He had no proof to convince himself. As far as he knew, this was just one big practical joke. Michael finished the story with, “and they leave at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow evening and don’t return again until next Christmas.”

  “I don’t know Michael. This sounds pretty unbelievable to me. How do I know these are my real parents? I didn’t even know I was adopted,” Dennis asked.

  Martha spoke up.

  “Dennis you have been fortunate and have not lost a single loved one in your life time. But do you remember a pet you had as a boy? A dog named Lucky?”

  “Yes, a miniature schnauzer. He was with me for 20 years. I got him as a puppy one Christmas when I was 10 years old. He died when I was 30. He was a great little dog,” Dennis said.

  The doorbell rang.

  David answered the door, but there was no one there. He opened the storm door to look out again and a small salt and pepper colored dog came running into the house barking. The dog ran into the dining room and leaped into mid air, landing on top of Denny’s lap.

  “Oh my God! Its Lucky! Lucky! Hi ya boy! Good dog. Lucky, I can’t believe this is happening!” Dennis shouted.

  “Yes it’s Lucky, Dennis” Martha said.

  “He will stay here with you until tomorrow at 6:00, as will your loving parents Arthur and Marie. And by the way, unlike the human spirits here, Lucky ‘is’ allowed to go outside, if you know what I mean.” Lucky barks at Martha as if to agree with her statement.

  Dennis was now convinced and placed Lucky on the floor. He walked over to Art and Marie and hugged them both. Arianna joined in with the hug and the dining room was once again filled with love and family. Arthur apologized to Marie for getting upset. She apologized for never saying anything to him after all these years. They sat with Dennis and talked for hours. Arianna joined the conversation every so often, but figured she could see Dennis anytime, but her parents could not.

  The evening progressed as usual. The guests were laughing, drinking, dancing and listening to music. The trays of food were starting to disappear, slow but sure. Michael and Arianna made the rounds with all of their long lost friends and family. They enjoyed this Christmas even more than the last one last year. They knew what to expect this Christmas even though De
nnis was sprung on them as a surprise they did not anticipate; they still handled the celebration with style and grace.

  Nicole was now walking and as she passed another great Aunt or Uncle, she would be swept up and snuggled repeatedly. She giggled as she was lamented with affection. David was a year older as well and had made major strides with his guitar playing. He was upstairs with his Uncle Billy jamming away. All in all, it was a wonderful Christmas once again.

  Chapter Sixteen- Thanksgiving it is not

  Festive Lane

  Thanksgiving Day

  3 years later

  Several years past and the Carters were very fortunate during this time. It had been 5 years since they first purchased the magical house on Festive Lane. David was growing by leaps and bounds as he quickly approached his sixteenth birthday. Nicole had become a beautiful young lady, with a vocabulary that was very proficient for a five-year-old.

  Michael had been promoted to management with the same construction company, and was now a building inspector. Arianna was the dispatch supervisor for the local Lake Forest Police Department. Their lives were fairly uneventful over the last 3 years. Accept for the Christmas holiday celebration and the annual visit of Tony Cesario trying to purchase the Festive Lane property, life remained steady as she goes.

  Every Christmas, the guests arrived and visited with the Carters. Dennis joined the celebration all three years, but would not be attending the upcoming holiday gathering due to accepting a new job in California. He still considered the parents that raised him, to be just as much his parents as Art and Marie. He felt being closer to them geographically would be beneficial.

  Since last year, Michael had been busy at work and at home. He really liked his new management position because it gave him more flexibility to be with the kids and Arianna. At home, he finally installed a new furnace in the basement of the house. Unfortunately, the unit wouldn’t stay lit for more than a few minutes at a time. He had to keep shutting it off and re-adjusting the gas flow. He just tried to fix it again yesterday, but the problem persisted.

  This morning, Michael left a note on the thermostat to warn Arianna not to turn on the furnace until he came home. He was going to stop at the hardware store later today before they closed early for the holiday. He needed to get a few parts that he felt would resolve the problem with the furnace. He placed the sticky backed note on the thermostat cover in the front foyer so Arianna would be sure to see it.