The Christmas House (31 page)

    
“Morning Michael.
Did your appointment go well yesterday?” she asked as she set her case on the floor and took a seat on a sawhorse a few feet away.

    
Michael startled by the brush against his leg, turned swiftly.

“Oh. Good morning Sharon. Yes, my appointment went just fine.”

Sharon crossed her bare legs and let her high-heeled shoe tangle off her toes on her right foot.

“I have some wonderful ideas for you Michael,” she said.

The electrical contractor replied under his breath to Michael, “I’ll bet she does.”

Michael dismissed the man’s comment.

“That’s great. I would like to talk about what you have in mind. Maybe we can sit down in about an hour or so. I have to meet with the HVAC contractor in a few minutes, but after that, I’m all yours.”

“That’ll be just fine Michael. I’ll go up to the master bedroom and start laying out my notes and drawings. C’mon up when you are finished down here,” she said.

Sharon slid off the sawhorse and picked up her briefcase. She walked out of the dining room, through the foyer and started up the stairs. Two workers, who were carrying an interior six-panel door, couldn’t help but notice her as she ascended the staircase. As they walked, they watched Sharon as she slowly climbed the stairs. One man said to the other, “Is she wearing anything under that skirt?”

“I don’t think so,” replied other man.

The two men were not watching where they were walking and ran the door they were carrying right through one of the front entry sidelight windows.

Everyone within the sound of shattering glass stopped to see what had happened. Sharon nonchalantly continued up the stairs and giggled to herself knowing all too well that her presence was the cause of the mishap.

“What are you guys
doing!
” Michael yelled.

“Look what you did! That sidelight is part of the entire entryway that connects to the door and the other sidelight. The whole thing has to be replaced now!”

“Sorry Mr. Carter. The door we were carrying got away from us. We’ll pay for the replacement,” answered one of the men, who
was
too embarrassed to say why they really ran into the sidelight.

Michael calmed himself and exhaled.

“It’s okay. Just be careful and watch where you are going next time.”

Michael turned back to the worktable and continued his conversation with the electrical contractor.

As Michael and the contractor discussed additional outlets and ceiling fans for the bedrooms upstairs, another man entered the room and asked, “Is Michael Carter here?”

Michael turned and answered; “I’m Michael Carter. Can I help you?”

“Hi Mr. Carter, I’m Steve the HVAC contractor. I’m here to install the furnace,” replied the man.

Michael just stared at the man for a moment and then replied, “The furnace?”

The man looked back at Michael.

“Yeah, the big thing that sits in a basement and heats the house.
Ya know
..
a
furnace.”

“Yes, I know what it is. I just didn’t think you would install it today. Don’t you have to finish running the basement ductwork first?” asked Michael.

“Yeah, but that will only take a few hours. I should have the whole system installed and operational by about four this afternoon. You wanna show me where you want it?” Steve asked.

Michael, still uncomfortable with anything to do with a furnace, reluctantly led the man to the basement area.

“The stairs aren’t in yet, so you are going to have to slide the unit down the ladder. Is that okay?” Michael asked.

“Yeah, sure no problem Mr. Carter,” he replied as he looked around.

“Hey, this is going to be a really nice place. I heard that the family that once lived on this site was killed in a fire. That’s a shame. I have 25 years experience installing furnaces and air units. You don’t have to worry about anything going wrong with the work I provide Mr. Carter.”

“I’m glad to hear that Steve. Do you need me for anything else?” Michael asked.

“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 feeling 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.