The Christmas House Read online

  Michael returned to the kitchen and found David holding a box that once contained the glassware, which was now laying on the floor in a thousand pieces. Michael failed to tell David about taping the bottom of the boxes shut before loading them.

  “Are you all right?” Michael asked.

  “I’m sorry Dad,” responded David in a sad voice.

  “It’s okay David. Glasses can be replaced but you can’t. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah I’m fine,” replied David.

  “Okay then. Let’s clean up this mess and get packing. Watch your step,” Michael said.

  Arianna overheard the entire conversation and wondered how Michael could remain so calm and collected during all of the chaos. She always admired him for his strength and quick wit. These traits were the most attractive qualities he had to offer when they first met. Overtime, he matured and become even more confident and in control. She loved him for that, but was concerned that the undertaking of the house and another child would really be the test of his patience and strength. She could only hope that everything would go as planned.

  April 10th

  10:00 a.m.

  First National Title Company

  “Miss Martha Kennedy and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Carter?” said the receptionist.

  “Right over here,” replied Michael from a section of office style chairs near the window.

  “Please follow me. They are ready for your closing.” the receptionist responded.

  Michael, Arianna and Martha followed the receptionist down a large hallway and into a conference room that was about halfway down the corridor. They were met by their respective attorneys and took their assigned seats.

  Michael’s attorney greeted Martha and introduced himself, as Martha’s attorney made his introductions to the Carters. The closing agent from the Title Company entered the room.

  “Good Morning everyone. We will be addressing the buyers throughout most of these proceedings, so if the seller would simply be patient, this process should take less than an hour.”

  The people in attendance simply nodded to show acceptance and she continued.

  “First of all I would like to review the closing statement and confirmation of the mortgage payment and how that payment is broken down. The buyers are putting down $10,000.00 dollars as a down payment and are mortgaging the balance, which is $190,000.00. As you know the mortgage was approved almost instantly due to the appraised value of the property being at an estimated worth that is ten times the purchase price. In other words, even if the mortgage goes to foreclosure, the bank has zero risk on this loan.”

  Michael and Arianna smiled at Martha as if to once again say thank you for her precious and generous gift. The closing agent continued.

  “The mortgage payment per month will be $1545.00 plus taxes and PMI, which brings the total payment per month to $3578.00.”

  Michael was in total shock asked, “Excuse me? I was expecting a payment of around $2000.00 a month, not $3500.00! Why is it so much more?”

  The agent replied, “Well Mr. Carter, the taxes on this property are very expensive. These are four-acres of prime property in Lake Forest and the taxes alone are approximately $20,000.00 a year.”

  “Oh my God! $20,000.00 a year! I can’t afford that!” Michael stated frantically.

  Michael’s attorney grabbed his arm and explained that the property was a steal for what he purchased it for and to just go along with the closing since it was already approved.

  Martha spoke up and said, “Michael, if you would like, I can lower the price of the house some more?”

  Her attorney stated, “No, you can’t do that Martha. If you do that at this time, the closing has to be rescheduled and all of the timetables are invalid. A new closing date may not be rescheduled until June.”

  “Thank you Martha, but don’t be silly. You have already done so much for us I could not and will not accept any more. I will find a way to make the payments. Let’s get on with it,” Michael said.

  As the closing agent continued to discuss the details of the mortgage, Arianna gazed into Michael’s eyes and saw his apprehension and fear in reference to the increased mortgage payment. She was no longer working and the baby was due next week. Michael was on his own to not only pay for the house but to also move them into the house, as well as fix up and remodel the home. Michael was already under an extreme amount of stress and it just increased tenfold in the blink of an eye.

  As the closing agent finished the summarization, Michael’s attorney started to disperse papers for him and Arianna to sign. As he handed them each a set of documents, he explained what they were signing. Michael signed each document without hesitation. He didn’t hear a word his attorney said to him about each document. He was only thinking about how he could generate an additional $1500.00 per month to pay for the house he was in the process of buying.

  His attorney placed another document in front of Michael and said, “This document is your promissory note to Miss Kennedy that states you will never demolish or destroy this house. Nor will you ever resell this house to another party unless that said party agrees to the exact same terms of this contract. You are allowed to remodel and build onto the house if so desired however the foundation of the home must remain in its original form. Violation of these promises are punishable by a lifetime of sadness and disappointment knowing that you have broken your promise to a generous old lady.”

  Michael and Arianna both looked at the attorney with a puzzled look on their face.

  “Well that’s what it says,” he said.

  They both turned and looked at Martha and she softly smiled back at them and raised her eyebrows. Michael and Arianna just smiled back and realized that she was absolutely right. They were the type of people that would feel terrible if they were to go back on their promise.

  “And that’s it. Congratulations on your new home Mr. and Mrs. Carter,” said the closing agent as she startled Michael and Arianna who were still trying to comprehend Martha’s conditions of the sale.

  “That’s it?” Michael asked.

  “All done.” said Michael’s attorney. “Congratulations.”

  They all rose and shook hands. As they proceeded out of the room, Arianna said to Martha, “Do you need a ride or something Martha? Where are you going to live now?”

  “I have a cab waiting for me dear, but thank you so much for asking. I am moving into a retirement center temporarily until I relocate to be with my family,” Martha said.

  “Family? I thought you said at one time that you didn’t have any family Martha?” Arianna asked.

  “Oh, we all have family Arianna. Mine have been waiting for me to join them for a very long time,” Martha said.

  “Okay, well it has been a real pleasure knowing you. Can we come and visit you at the retirement center. David would like that,” Arianna asked as they continued to walk.

  “I don’t plan on being there very long dear. And with the baby and your new home you are going to be very busy. I will probably be visiting you long before you get a chance to visit me,” Martha said.

  “Why sure, that would be great. Please feel free to visit at anytime,” Arianna said.

  “Well, I don’t know about that. Maybe around the holidays,” Martha replied.

  “Sure, we would love to have you over for Christmas. Call us on Christmas Eve and we’ll come pick you up,” Arianna said.

  “Okay dear, I just might do that,” said Martha as she reached up and kissed Arianna on the cheek.

  Martha turned to Michael, who said not a word since the closing.

  “Michael, it will all work out. I promise you that. Have a little faith and you will be surprised how much good fortune will come your way.”

  “Martha, I believe I used up all of my good fortune when I bought this house from you. My only concern right now is keeping it,” Michael said.

  “You will be able to keep it. Just never give up. There are people counting on you,” Martha said.


  “Yes I know. Arianna, David, the baby, the bank, the tax collector... They are all depending on me,” Michael said with a defeatist attitude.

  “Many more people than just those you mentioned need you to succeed Michael. You have no idea how important this truly is, but you will in time,” Martha said.

  “Thanks for everything Martha. We will visit you soon,” he said as he gave her a kiss on the cheek with a warm and gentle hug.

  Martha hugged Michael back and turned to her waiting cab that sat at the curb just outside the entrance of the building. Michael held open the cab door for her as she stepped inside. Martha waved to the both of them and said, “Love will find a way if you let it. I love you both. Take care and God Bless both of you.”

  As the cab pulled away, Michael and Arianna waved good-bye to Martha. The cab was soon out of sight. They began to walk back to their car parked in the parking garage located across the street.

  “Well, I guess we should probably go over to our house and start cleaning up,” Arianna said.

  “Yeah, I guess I will put the painting off for a while. We just don’t have the money right now.”

  As they continued to walk down the street Arianna continued the conversation. “But we still have some money in the bank right Michael?”

  “Yes, but it’s only about $10,000.00. That will help make up the balance of the mortgage payment that we can’t cover right now. But it will only last a few months.”

  They entered the garage and Michael pushed the elevator call button.

  He continued, “When I did the inspection on the house I noticed that the furnace needed to be replaced as well as some of the electrical wiring in the house. Those aren’t cosmetic improvements. Those are things that cost big money. They are problems that can’t wait. The last thing I want is for our new baby to be in a cold a drafty house that is unsafe.”

  “Well as soon as the baby is born and I feel well enough,” Arianna said to Michael as they exited the parking garage elevator and walked toward their car, “I will go back to work.”

  “And who is going to take care of the baby? We don’t have any family and daycare will eat up 75% of your paycheck; why even bother?” Michael said.

  “Because 25% more income is better than nothing that’s why,” she replied and kissed him lightly on the lips.

  “How did you ever get yourself involved with me?” asked Michael. “Every guy in school wanted to date you and yet you picked me. What a mistake that was.”

  “Now you hold it right their Michael James Carter. If we can’t make it with this house than we will have to deal with it, but no matter what ever happens, I will always love you. Do you understand that mister?” Arianna said.

  “Yes, I understand, but I still question your sanity,” Michael said.

  “Just drive the car and take me to my new mansion Mr. Carter,” responded Arianna.

  Chapter Five- The Move

  April 30th

  Lake Forest, IL

  Since the closing, Michael, Arianna and David spent every evening and weekend at the house at 148 Festive Lane, cleaning, tearing down wall paper, ripping up carpeting and tile floors, rodding out plumbing and doing whatever else they could, that would not cost hard cash; only hard labor.

  Michael inspected the furnace thoroughly and found that it was not in as bad as shape as he originally thought. He replaced the flute and the filters after giving it a good cleaning. It seemed to make the difference and Michael was very pleased to have saved thousands of dollars that he would have spent for a new furnace. Unfortunately, with the electrical wiring he was not as lucky. As he inspected outlets and light switches he found frayed and bare wires that were a serious fire hazard.

  As he pulled the old wiring out and replaced it with new, he ran into problems with light fixtures and fuses. The old wiring was BX, long since outlawed by the building code standards of today, would have to be replaced with conduit that was now the industry standard. The wiring replacement would cost the thousands of dollars he saved by breathing extended life into the old furnace. It just seemed that every time he saved money on one problem, he ended up having to spend those savings plus more on another.

  The house was still a disaster area with walls ripped open and floorboards removed that left gapping holes that looked directly into the basement from the first floor. Michael barricaded the opening to alert anyone who walked in the area, but promised Arianna by the time the baby was born, he would have the floors repaired. Martha left behind several pieces of furniture including all of the guestroom furnishings as well as the grandfather clock that still chimed every hour on the hour as it stood ominously in the corner of the dining room.

  Arianna was still pregnant and she was not very happy about it. She was overdue by 21 days and felt like an overgrown watermelon. She managed to keep her depression and frustration a secret from Michael, for she already knew his plate was full. Michael worked double shifts at his construction job and worked side jobs on weekends when available. Between his work schedule and trying to fix up the house, Michael was totally exhausted every night and fell fast asleep on the couch with the remote to the television still in hand.

  But this day, Michael was full of energy, because this day they were moving all of their belongings from their apartment to their new home. The lease for the apartment was up and they had to vacate the premises.

  Michael drove the car to the moving truck rental facility at about 11:00 a.m. that morning. He left the car parked there and would pick it up when he returned the truck later that evening. He was already upset with himself because he overslept this morning and was running behind the rigorous schedule he planned for this day. He wanted to start packing the truck by 9:00 a.m. Here it was already 11:30 a.m. and he was just now driving the empty truck back to the apartment.

  As Michael pulled into the driveway in front of the apartment, he saw David coming out of the apartment door struggling with another box.

  “David, just hang on a minute and I will help you with that,” he yelled out from the truck cab.

  “It’s okay Dad, I got it,” David replied.

  Michael parked the truck and jumped down from the cab. He ran over and grabbed the box from David just as he was about to lose his grip.

  “I got it buddy,” Michael said.

  “Well, I thought I had it,” David reluctantly admitted.

  “It’s okay David. You are doing a great job,” Michael said.

  Michael started to arrange the boxes in the garage. Michael spent all night carrying the heavier boxes and some of the furniture down from the apartment to the garage to prepare for the move this morning.

  “Well, I have to get the larger pieces inside the truck first so I can fill in the empty spots with the smaller boxes so the load doesn’t shift,” Michael said out loud talking to himself.

  David ran down the stairs and bolted into the garage.

  “Whoa, David. If you keep up that kind of pace you’ll be sleeping in the truck before we get the first load packed,” Michael said.

  “Aw Dad. I’ll go slower.”

  Michael needed to load the dressers, the love seat, the couch, the dining room table and chairs, the washing machine, the dryer and the refrigerator into the truck first. These were all heavy and large pieces. He knew that David didn’t have the strength to help much, but hoped that he could steady and help balance the weight of the items as they were moved. Michael would use a two-wheel cart to load the washing machine and other appliances by himself. Arianna came out to the garage.

  “Are you going to be able to move all of this yourself?”

  “Yes, I can handle it. I have done it before,” Michael replied.

  “But I was helping you then and you were much younger,” she smiled.

  “I will be fine if you just stay out of the way and rest, okay?”

  “Yes dear,” she replied in a snotty little voice.

  It was a cool overcast day for April and the temperature was a mild 58 degree
s. No rain, which was a blessing and Michael felt pretty good physically. Maybe oversleeping had done him some good after all.

  After several hours of loading the truck with David’s help, Michael turned to David and asked, “Okay, what’s next?”

  “That’s it Dad. There’s nothing left to load,” David said.

  A smile came to Michael’s face as he realized that he accomplished at least half of the process and it was only 6:00 p.m. He sighed and leaned up against the truck and took a breather.

  He heard Arianna from a distance. “You guys forgot this box of dishes.”

  As Michael turned he saw his very pregnant wife carrying a very large and heavy box out of the garage and toward the truck.

  Before he could say anything, Arianna stopped in her tracks and dropped the box to the ground with a crash. She grabbed her stomach and doubled over in pain.

  “Michael!”

  Michael rushed from the truck to the garage apron where Arianna fell. “Are you okay?”

  “I think my water broke,” she replied.

  As Michael looked down at her legs he saw that she was covered in blood. “Water? My God! You’re hemorrhaging!”

  Michael picked her up in his arms and told David to run in the house and call 911.

  “The phones are already shut off Michael. Just drive me yourself,” Arianna said.

  Michael was frantic and desperately tried to find his car.

  “Where the hell is the car!”

  “You left it at the truck place Dad!” David shouted.

  “Oh right. Okay, everyone in the truck,” Michael said.

  Michael lifted Arianna into the cab of the truck on the passengers’ side as David jumped in as well. Then Michael ran back to the apartment to lock the doors when he realized, “there’s nothing left to steal! What am I doing!”

  Back in the truck, Michael started it up and floored it. Unfortunately he forgot to close the pull down door on the back of the truck and several boxes went flying out and crashed to the street.

  “Dad, boxes are falling out of the truck!” David said.

  “Son of a bitch!” said Michael as he slammed on the brakes and brought the truck to a screeching halt. He heard the load shift toward the front of the trailer. “CRACK!”