The Christmas House by Barry KuKes

Author:Barry KuKes
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-11-14T06:00:00+00:00

Christmas Eve

11:55 p.m.

148 Festive Lane

As the party continued throughout the evening, guests mingled with one another and talked for hours. The Carters and the Campbells talked about their respective children and this opportunity of a lifetime that they had all been given.

The holiday music filled the house with sounds of merriment and Christmas. The assorted cookies and cakes were disappearing at a steady pace. A few couples found their way upstairs to the guest bedrooms. Once again they could enjoy the physical intimacy that escaped them for many years.

As Michael and Arianna, began to tidy up the house a little, they talked between themselves.

"Well it looks like we’ll be hosting this party for many years to come," Arianna said.

"Yes, it sure looks that way doesn't it?" Michael replied.

Michael continued. "Do you think we will ever get used to this? Don't get me wrong. I think this is wonderful. Who else can see their entire family every Christmas even if they are all deceased?"

Arianna laughed. "Yes, this is something you just don't talk about down at work. You know Jack and Wanda are going to be a real problem when next Christmas comes around. Hopefully they will go down to Florida again, but what if they don't? You better start thinking of excuses to tell Jack why they can't come over for Christmas dinner now! It will take you a year to make it sound realistic and believable. You are a terrible liar Michael."

"You're right there. Jack is relentless when it comes to food," Michael replied.

They both laughed as they continued to gather plates and glasses from the main living area and carried them into the kitchen.

As they entered the kitchen, Michael's mother Dorothy was washing dishes. Arianna's mother Marie was drying.

"What are the two of you doing?" asked Arianna.

"You are our guests. Get away from that sink. Michael and I will take care of this mess."

"Honey, we do our share. Some things never change. Michael was actually going to help with the dishes? I'm impressed," Marie replied.

"Hmm, when Michael was a boy he would listen for the clink of the last clean glass to be stowed away, then he would come into the kitchen and ask if I needed any help. He was sneaky back then," Michael's mother said.

"He's still sneaky and he still does that same little trick," Arianna said.

As the dishes were washed and dried, Michael and Arianna began to yawn. It's long past midnight and thus Christmas Day had arrived. As Michael walked from the kitchen into the dining room he spotted David fast asleep on Grandpa Tony's lap. Tony as well, was sleeping soundly as his head touched David's to form a triangle. Michael picked David up in his arms and carried him upstairs to his bedroom. Arianna was not far behind as she followed Michael up the stairs with Nicole cradled in her arms.

The party downstairs was still going strong. The guests didn’t want to waste this valuable and special time on something as silly as sleep.

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