Chapter Thirteen- Christmas Day Revelations

The Christmas House

Christmas Day-December 25th

148 Festive Lane

6:55 a.m.

Michael was sleeping soundly, spooning with his lovely wife as they lay in their king-size bed under the warmth of a down comforter. His eyes opened slowly as the aroma of freshly brewed coffee titillated his nose. Still half asleep, Michael thought Arianna had gotten up and made breakfast until he realized she was still lying beside him.

It dawned on him that yesterday was not a dream. It actually happened. The laughter and music he could barely detect from downstairs confirmed his thoughts. He sat up in bed and yawned as he put on his robe. He hoped that the guests had not wakened David or the baby. During all of the previous night's chaos, Michael forgot to place the Christmas presents by the tree for the traditional Christmas morning ritual of opening the toys Santa delivered while they all slept. He knew David would be very disappointed if he ran down from his bedroom and into the family room to find a tree without colorfully wrapped presents surrounding it.

“Poor kid will think Santa left his toys in Florida instead,” Michael said to himself.

As Michael walked out of the bedroom, he shut the door softly not to wake Arianna. Toward the winding stairway, he heard laughter and giggles coming from the guestroom down the narrow hall.

He knocked on the 6-panel hardwood door. “Hey! You two better be of age in there.”

Michael started to walk away, laughing and then heard a response from the room.

“Don’t you worry about us, Mikey. We’re doing just fine.”

“Uncle Wally?” asked Michael. “Who’s in there with you?”

“Just little old me, Michael,” responded Arianna’s Aunt Lucille.

“Aunt Lucy?” Michael asked.

“Uncle Wally, you should be ashamed of yourself. Wait until Aunt Louise hears about this.”

The guestroom's door flew open and Uncle Wally, wearing only a white sheet, came running after Michael.

“Mikey, hold on a minute, son,” Wally said in a shallow soft voice. “Let’s keep this our little secret, okay. I love my wife, and I know she will be joining me soon, but Mike, I’m dead. She’s in a nursing home a thousand miles away, and I can’t leave this house to see her. I promised at the altar, “Until death do us part.” I died, we parted, and now I’m doing Arianna’s, Aunt Lucy. Hubba Hubba!”

“Uncle Wally!” Michael said. “Why don’t the two of you get dressed and come downstairs for breakfast before everyone knows what you, or should I say “who” you are doing up here!”

“Relax, Michael. They already know. Hey, I haven’t been with a woman in over 20 years. Don’t you think I deserve a break?” Wally asked.

“Well, I guess you’re entitled. Besides, by this time next year, your wife may be here, and you’ll have to be good again,” Michael replied.

Wally’s smile turned to a frown.

“Wow, Mikey, you really know how to take the wind out of a guy’s sails.”