The Christmas House Page 21

  “Just need to look at the prints to verify the positioning,” he replied.

  Michael walked the man back over to the worktable in the dining room and gave him a set of prints for the heating and venting system as designed by the architect.

  Michael stood silently as he recalled the day the old furnace exploded and killed everyone in the home. He tried to shake off the feeling and redirect his attentions elsewhere. At that moment a workman walked by.

  “Hey Michael, some lady is waiting for you upstairs.”

  “Sharon. I forgot all about her. Thanks Rudy,” Michael replied.

  Michael walked through the foyer and ran up the stairs. As he reached the top of the stairs, he started to call out Sharon’s name.

  “Sharon! Where are you?”

  “I’m in the Master Bedroom Michael,” she replied.

  Michael walked down the hall to the last room. He reached the Master Bedroom and pulled back the white sheet tacked to the exterior molding placed there to keep out plaster dust. Sharon was lying on the floor looking at some sketches laid out in front of her. Lying on her stomach, she had removed her shoes and her legs were lifted behind her with her toes pointing toward the ceiling. Michael was in awe of her beautiful physique as he walked into the room and addressed her.

  “Sorry about the delay. I had to take care of a few things down stairs,” he said.

  “Don’t be silly Michael. I know you are busy. Come here and sit beside me. I’ll show you what I have in mind for this room,” she replied.

  Michael took a seat on the floor along side of Sharon and listened as she made her decorating suggestions. As she talked, she keeps tangling her legs within Michael’s view. He was finding it difficult to concentrate on her suggestions. She went on and on about window treatments with matching bedspreads and pillow shams. How the colors of the wallpaper that had been hung would accent the treatments. Michael nodded his head and tried to listen intently.

  “Now that you agree with the color scheme and the treatments I have selected, what about the furnishings for this room? I was thinking of a large king size four poster bed made of solid mahogany or cherry wood, with matching dressers and a tall boy. What do you think about that Michael?” she asked.

  Michael could think about nothing else accept the image in his mind of Sharon lying on the bed that she just described. He was once again caught off guard.

  “Uh…I think that sounds great. Arianna always loved Victorian style furniture. She would really like that type of bed.”

  “Arianna? Your wife Arianna?” Sharon asked.

  “Yes, she loves Victorian style furnishings,” Michael replied.

  Sharon pushed herself off the floor into a sitting position with her legs swung around to the side of her body.

  “Michael, I realize that you are not ready to start dating yet and that’s understandable. It’s been less than a year since you lost your wife so tragically. But, you have to stop referring to her in the present tense. She is gone Michael. She’s not coming back. You have to get on with your life,” Sharon said.

  Michael smiled at Sharon and she thought he was truly smiling at her, when in fact Michael was smiling because in his heart and soul, he knew that Arianna would be back in his arms at Christmas.

  “That’s it Michael. Relax and smile. This is a new beginning for you. You are a young man and can start all over again. You will find another Arianna. I promise you will. You deserve a woman with a heart of gold. Someone who will take care of your every need and be your best friend,” Sharon said convincingly.

  “Wow. For only having met a few days ago you really do know me pretty well. That is exactly the type of woman that I adore. Someone just like Arianna,” Michael replied.

  “Or someone just like me Michael,” replied Sharon as she leaned forward and gently kissed Michael on the mouth.

  Michael was surprised by her gesture and found himself kissing her back. It had been a long time since he felt the tenderness of a woman’s touch. He realized he was getting aroused by the contact and broke off the kiss.

  He stood up quickly.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I am still very much in love with my wife and I can’t do this. I gotta go. Great ideas. Go buy whatever you need and give me the bill. I gotta get out of here.”

  “Michael wait. Why are you so scared of feeling good? Don’t you like me? Don’t you find me attractive?” asked Sharon.

  “Oh, yes. I find you very attractive. Too attractive. That’s the problem,” replied Michael.

  “The problem? Being attracted to someone is a problem? I’m confused,” Sharon said.

  “It’s a problem when you are in love with someone else. I’m sorry Sharon.”

  “Michael, life is for the living. You will be reunited with Arianna years from now when you die at a ripe old age, if you believe in that kind of stuff. At that time you can be faithful to her for the rest of eternity, but don’t waste the rest of your life being faithful to a soul that has passed. She is no longer part of your physical life,” Sharon said.

  “You know who you would have been perfect for? My Uncle Wally. He had that exact same philosophy. He should be visiting me this Christmas, I hope,” Michael said.

  “Well, I would love to meet him and exchange our ideals on sex and friendship,” she replied facetiously.

  “Oh, no you can’t meet him. He’s been dead for 20 years. You’re not allowed to see him,” replied Michael.

  “I thought you said he was coming to visit you at Christmas? How is that possible if he is dead?” she asked.

  Michael struggled to make sense of his strange comments.

  “I meant his spirit always touches my heart around Christmas time. He was my favorite uncle.”

  Sharon stood up and looked at Michael.

  “Are you okay? You say and do the strangest things sometimes. I actually think I could be standing here stark naked begging you to make love to me, and you would leave the room. Michael, do you realize how many men would jump at the chance to be with me?” she asked.

  “Do you realize how many men have never found the love of their life and have no idea how special that is?” Michael replied.

  “I can understand your position Michael. I guess we will just have to be friends. If that’s okay with you?” she asked.

  “That is just great with me Sharon. I do appreciate your friendship but that’s all it will ever be,” replied Michael.

  “I guess I will have to live with that. Okay, how about this? Next week Tuesday the stores are open late. Why don’t you meet me to go shopping for the furniture and then we will catch a bite to eat. Just as friends and business associates. What do you think about that Michael?” she asked.

  “I think that’s a great idea. Listen I really do have to get going. Lots to do around here as you can see. Thanks for being so understanding. Thanks for being a friend,” Michael said as he hugged Sharon lightly and exited the bedroom.

  As Sharon stood in the room alone and looked at the drawings lying on the floor, she thought.

  “I have really blown this opportunity. I just moved too fast. I have to slow down. The faster I move and the harder I try the more he runs in the other direction. I will be the perfectly well behaved friend for the next few weeks. Then, I will get him over to my apartment and seduce him into jelly. He won’t be able to resist my advances then. A little wine, some soft music, a sexy nightgown, a massage.... Hmm, you won’t get away this easy Michael Carter. You will be in my arms sooner or later. Come Christmas Eve you will be sitting in front of a cozy fire staring into my eyes. You will have forgotten all about Arianna and your Uncle Wally. You will see and think of only me.”

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

  The Following Tuesday

  9:30 p.m.

  Michael and Sharon had been shopping for furnishings for the new house at 148 Festive Lane since around 5:00 p.m. Sharon was on her best behavior the entire evening. Michael was feel
ing completely at ease with Sharon. He felt she was just a friend.

  After stopping at several furniture stores and ordering the numerous pieces of furniture for the house, Michael suggested that they stop to get a bite to eat. Sharon was in full agreement since neither of them had eaten since early that morning.

  As they finished eating at a small coffee shop, the waitress approached their table.

  “More coffee?” asked the waitress.

  “No, thank you. Just the check please,” replied Michael.

  The waitress reached into the pocket of her apron and produced the check. She laid the check on the table and bid the couple a pleasant evening. Sharon placed her coffee cup back on its saucer and yawned as she stretched her arms above her head.

  “Tired? It’s been a very long day hasn’t it?” he said.

  “Yes, I am exhausted. Nothing a nice hot bath wouldn’t fix though,” she replied.

  Michael responded, “Speaking of hot baths, I’m going to have a Jacuzzi installed at the house out on the deck over looking the back yard. I think that would be nice to come home to after a hard day’s work, especially in the winter.”

  “Oh, I love hot tubs. I was on vacation once in Colorado and this hotel had a hot tub located in the woods. It was a great setting. You could sit in the hot water and watch the snow evaporate before your eyes as it fell from the sky and into the steamy water. It was so relaxing,” Sharon replied.

  “Well, I’m going to build a sun room over the Jacuzzi at the house. That way it will be totally private and you won’t have to worry about wearing a bathing suit to go in,” Michael said.

  “At this hotel in Colorado, you didn’t where a bathing suit either,” replied Sharon.

  “What did you do? Run naked from your hotel room to the hot tub?” asked Michael.

  “No silly! You wore a robe and slippers. It was really cold and until you actually got into the hot water, you were freezing. One time I went to the hot tub really late at night and an older woman was the only other person there. I slipped off my robe and threw it on the side of the deck surrounding the hot tub and slipped into the water. I was so relaxed I almost dozed off. The old woman must have left during the time I was so relaxed that I didn’t even notice that she was gone. My skin was starting to get wrinkled, so I decided I better get out of the tub, when I realized my robe was gone. The old woman must have picked it up by mistake thinking it was a towel or something!” explained Sharon.

  “Oh no! What did you do?” asked Michael.

  “Well, I didn’t have much choice. Luckily it was dark outside, so I made a mad dash for the villa I was staying in. I was so embarrassed, yet kind of excited. Running naked through the snow right out in the open. Guess I am a bit of an exhibitionist. I was freezing by the time I finally reached the door to my villa. I sighed with relief that no one saw me. Then I realized the key to my door was still in the pocket of my robe!”

  Michael laughed. “So then what did you do?”

  “I didn’t want to run to the hotel lobby and make a grand entrance, so I knocked on the door of the villa that was next to mine. Luckily, there was a woman staying there and not a man. She let me inside and gave me her robe. I explained my situation and she let me use her phone to call the front desk to have another key brought to me.”

  “That’s a great story. Did you ever see that woman again?” he asked as he sipped the last of his coffee from his cup.

  “I saw her when I was checking out. She just waved and said, “Nice to have seen you!”

  “See you is right! Boy, what a situation to get into. But like you said, it could have been worse if a man had answered the door to that villa next door. Then again, what if it was some handsome man? That might have been okay, knowing you,” Michael said.

  “No way Michael. I am very particular about the men I share my life with. Contrary to what you may think, I am not a promiscuous woman,” she stated.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I was just pulling your leg. It’s getting late. We better call it a night. Are you ready to go?” Michael replied.

  “Yes, I am. Do you want me to leave a tip for the waitress?” Sharon asked.

  “No, I’ve got it covered,” replied Michael.

  They slid out of the booth they were sitting at and walked toward the door.

  “So, you wanna come over to my place and fool around?” Sharon asked.

  Michael looked dumbfounded.

  “I was only kidding Michael!”

  Michael started to laugh and realized she was just getting back at him for the promiscuous remark he made.

  “You scared me there for a second Sharon,” he finally replied.

  “Michael, we agreed that we would just be friends. I respect that decision. Now, drive me back to the house so I can get my car and we’ll call it a night.”

  Sharon had been dressing down since she decided to back off from her direct approach with Michael. This evening, she wore a pair of jeans, a turtle neck sweater, a pair of flats and her winter coat. Nothing flashy or sexy. Michael was dressed in his usual attire of a lumberjack shirt, jeans and work boots. Michael was never much of a flashy dresser, but an attractive man nonetheless.

  As Michael pulled out of the restaurant parking lot, he started talking with Sharon.

  “You know, I am really glad I have been able to spend some time with you Sharon. I know we are just friends and that’s all we will ever be, but it’s nice to talk to a female once in a while. Guys don’t talk. I can spend an entire evening with a couple of guys, and not say a word. We just grunt and swear a lot. At the end of the evening we say good night and that’s it. Guys are strange.”

  “That’s the understatement of the year. I have observed my brother and his friends when they are shooting pool or bowling or some other stupid male bonding ritual. They say maybe ten words all night to each other and those words include, “nice shot”, “wanna another beer” and “look at the buns on that one,” she replied.

  “That’s actually twelve words. Your brother must have a pretty extensive vocabulary,” Michael said.

  “Seriously Michael, I am always available for you to talk with if you ever feel the need. Sometimes it is easier to talk to a woman. I guess that’s because we are so much more intelligent then men.”

  “Okay. Let’s not get into which gender is more intelligent or we will be here all night,” he said as he pulled in front of the house on Festive Lane next to Sharon’s car.

  “Okay. That is a discussion for another time. Thanks for dinner Michael. I had a really nice time,” Sharon said.

  “And thank you for helping me select the furniture for the house. I really liked what we decided on. You have a great eye for style.”

  Sharon leaned over and kissed Michael on the cheek very innocently.

  “Good night Michael. I’ll be around later this week. Can you wait until I get into my car?”

  “I am always a gentleman. I would have waited even if you hadn’t asked me to,” replied Michael.

  Michael put the truck into park and waited to hear Sharon’s car start up. Sharon turned the key to the ignition and heard nothing but a “click”. Michael heard the same click.

  “Sounds like you have a dead battery. Pop the hood,” he said to Sharon still sitting inside of the car.

  As she turned the key Michael once again heard nothing but a click. There was not enough juice from the battery to power the radio much less turn over the engine.

  “It’s dead. I’ll get the jumper cables out of my truck,” Michael said.

  Michael went to the back of his truck and looked for the jumper cables.

  “Hmm. I thought they were here just yesterday. Maybe I took them out for something.”

  “Do you have jumper cables? I seem to have misplaced mine,” he asked Sharon.

  Sharon got out of the car and slammed the door shut. “No, I don’t have any cables. This stupid car.”

  “Well, nothing we can do tonight. C’mon, I wil
l give you a lift home,” Michael said.

  They both jumped back into the truck and he turned the truck around to take Sharon home.

  “I am so sorry about this Michael. I guess I need a new battery for that stupid car.”

  “Don’t worry about it Sharon. I’ll pick you up a new battery tomorrow and install it for you. It’s no big deal. Really. Where do you live?” he asked.

  “I live on the north side of Evanston. I hope I’m not taking you too far out of your way,” she replied.

  “Not at all. It’s on my way home. I have an apartment on the East Side of Evanston.”

  As Michael drove Sharon home, they talked about the problems with cars and batteries; just basic small talk to discuss during the short drive to Evanston. A few minutes later, Michael pulled up in front of the apartment building where Sharon lived.

  “There you go. Right to your door,” Michael said.

  Sharon pulled some money out of her purse and handed it to Michael.

  “Hey, I’m no taxi service. There is no charge for the ride,” Michael said.

  “This money is for the new battery you are going to pick up for me tomorrow, not for the ride home Michael.”

  “Oh. Yeah, sure. I knew that,” Michael replied.

  “Well I will be without a car until you install the new battery, so can you call me when it is ready and I will take a cab to the house?”

  “Don’t be silly. I will come pick you up. But I do need keys to your car so I can pop the hood from the inside,” Michael replied.

  “Oh, I have an extra set in my apartment. Why don’t you come up with me and I will give them to you?”

  “Why don’t you just give me the set on your key ring?” asked Michael.

  “Getting keys on and off this ring is really hard on the finger nails. C’mon up, it will only take a second.”

  Michael agreed to accompany Sharon up to her apartment to retrieve the spare set of car keys. As they walked to the common entry door for the apartment building, Sharon smiled and thought; “Well this worked out just as planned.”

  Chapter Twenty-A Critical Night for Michael

  222 East Pleasant Street