Chapter Fifteen- Another Year Passes

The Christmas House

148 Festive Lane

Christmas Eve- One Year Later

6:00 p.m.

“Chime, chime, chime, chime, chime, chime.” The grandfather clock announced that it was once again 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, exactly one year later.

David ran to the front door and swung it open.

“Merry Christmas, David!” yelled a group of eight people.

“Merry Christmas,” David shouted back to the people entering the house.

The first to arrive this second year of Christmas were Michael’s parents, his brother Billy, Arianna’s parents, Uncle Wally and his wife, who now joined him, and Dennis Kowalski from down the block.

“Mom, Dad, Billy!” Michael said as he came to the door from the kitchen.

“Merry Christmas and welcome back; God, it’s great to see you!”

Uncle Wally being the proverbial wise guy, said, “God? Yes, I am mistaken for him frequently, but no, it’s just me, Michael, just old Uncle Wally, and my lovely wife, Louise.”

“Aunt Louise! Sorry to hear of your passing, but we’re glad you are here with us! Come on in,” Michael replied.

As Wally took off his coat and handed it to Michael, Michael asked in a hushed voice.

“So, how’s Aunt Lucy taking the arrival of your wife, Uncle Wally?”

“Michael, she was agitated at first. I thought she was going to kill me, but then I realized, too late! I’m already dead! Ha! Ha!” Wally said.

Michael just laughed.

“You will never change, Uncle Wally.”

As Arianna entered the foyer, she greeted her parents.

“Mom, Daddy. Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas, honey!” responded Art and Marie.

They hugged their daughter, and as she looked over her father’s shoulder, she saw Denny Kowalski.