The Christmas House II - Martha's Return: Recent Episodes
Barry KuKes
Picking up where the first book left off, Michael Carter sells the magical house on Festive Lane to a new and unsuspecting family, the Hills. A much different family nucleus than the Carters, Harry and Susan Hill, are dealing with a myriad of challenges brought on by the sudden custody of three stepchildren awarded to them by Susan's recently deceased sister, Carin. Unaware of the Christmas House's magical forces, the Hills receive assistance from Martha Kennedy, the house's twice-removed matriarch, to navigate the ups and downs ahead of them. The first Christmas Eve brings many questions and few answers to the family regarding relationships, deceit, and even murder.The Christmas House II, Martha Returns, is the second book in the series, The Christmas House.
As the church bells chimed for the sixth time, the doorbell rang. Harry took a deep breath and said, “Okay, here we go.” He opened the door, and there stood Martha.
“Merry Christmas, Hill Family!” she exclaimed.
“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Kennedy,” replied Harry as he hugged Martha.
“Who ordered this warm weather? I was pulling out my winter coat for the trip, and Joseph said I didn’t need a coat, gloves, or hat this Christmas on earth,” she said.
“Ah… who is this Joseph dude, Martha?” asked Victor as he hugged her as well.
“That Joseph dude is God’s most trusted and dependable angel. He manages heaven and gives the assignments to the other angels. Best be respectful to him, Victor, or he might just turn you into a donkey,” said Martha.
“A donkey!” he exclaimed and laughed but then stopped when Martha gave him a look. “Oh.. you are serious. Okay then… sorry about that most righteous Joseph. I was just goofing around. No offense meant,” Victor replied.
“Victor, are your ears growing? Look at his butt Rose; any tail growing there?” asked Caitlin.
“Knock it off, you guys! My ears aren’t growing! Are they? Oh, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, please help me!” Victor screamed.
“See, you have known Joseph all along Victor as well as Jesus and Mary, I see,” said Martha.
“Oh, that Joseph. Okay then. I’m cool with that,” replied Victor as he continued grabbing his ears to make sure they are not growing.
A year had passed, and life continued for the Hill family. Each, a year older and for a few wiser as well, but the subject of conversation persisted in being would Rick and Carin be joining the family this second Christmas at the magical house on Festive Lane.
“For December 24th in Chicago, the weather feels more like Florida than Illinois,” said Harry as he finished stringing the lights on the garage roofline.
“I know. I’m soaked to the bone from sweat. I need a shower and some clean clothes,” replied Victor, who helped Harry with the lights.
This year the Hills were much better prepared for the events that would soon evolve once the clock struck 6:00 pm on this warm and sultry Christmas Eve. Susan and Caitlin were busy setting up extra seating in the kitchen and family room, where most of the guests assembled last year. Susan also prepared several turkey and vegetable courses to complement the sweets the guests would be bringing. Last year even the elderly were sugared up and bouncing off the walls from too many sweets. Susan wanted to make sure the guests received a couple of solid meals while visiting her home.
“Wow, something smells great,” said Harry as he and Victor entered the kitchen from the back-garage entrance.
“It’s one of five turkeys I have prepared for our guests. I hope it’s enough,” replied Susan.
“It’s enough for Harry and me, but I don’t know what the guests are going to eat,” said Victor as he started picking at one of the already cooked turkeys resting on the counter.
6:00 pm Christmas Day
As the church bells rang out, the guests at the house on Festive Lane began to gather their belongings and bid their hosts a good evening until next Christmas. Harry, Susan, and the kids stood by the front door and wished each guest a Merry Christmas and safe travels to their place on the other side. Guests would leave in the reverse order that they arrived; thus, Harry and Susan’s parents, who arrived first, would depart last. The guests walked out the front door and into the night, disappearing into a blizzard one by one. Carrying only the trays that they brought with them, now void of all cakes, cookies, and waffles, the guests filed out in quick order. Now it was Ernest who was preparing to leave.
“Ernest, what do you have there?” asked Martha.
“My phone that Santa gave me,” he replied.
“Oh dear, you are not allowed to take anything back with you that you didn’t bring with you when you arrived,” Martha said.
“But I have to keep it with me so I can talk to daddy,” Ernest said desperately.
“Martha, Santa did give it to him. It wouldn’t be right not to let him keep it,” said Susan, unaware that the phone was actually Victor’s old phone.
“What’s the worst that can happen if he takes the phone back with him?” asked Harry.
“He won’t be allowed to return to this house ever again,” said Martha.
With a puzzled look on his face, Harry asked, “What’s that you say? It sounded like you said he was my son.”
“That’s what I said, and that’s who he is. Ernest, this man is your father. His name is Harry,” said Martha.
“Daddy? Are you dead too? My momma told me my dad had died in a war,” said Ernest.
Harry stood there dumbfounded and looked at Susan, who was as confused as Harry.
“See, there… I was never in the service, and thus proves I am not this boy’s father,” said Harry.
“His mother just told him that, so she didn’t have to tell him you were just a one-night stand,” said Martha.
“One-night stand?” Moi? Why I never… how long ago… was she a blonde…oh oh,” said Harry.
“Oh-oh? Oh-oh? What do you mean, oh-oh?” asked Susan doing the math in her head.
“How old is he again? When did he die?” questioned Susan.
“Don’t get crazy, Susan; his mother was a one-night stand with Harry about a year before Harry met you,” replied Martha.
“Now I remember her but not her name,” said Harry.
“Ernest, what was your mother’s name?” asked Susan.
“Mommy. I called her mommy,” said Ernest.
7:00 am-
As the sun shines into the master bedroom, the interior is bright and bold. Harry squints to see the alarm clock on his nightstand.
“7:03? It’s Christmas morning, for Pete’s sake. Why can’t I ever sleep in? If it’s not the kids, it’s Max. (Max pushes the door open and enters the room, jumping up on the bed.) Speak of the devil. Susan, are you going to let this beast get away with this? Susan?”
Harry looks to the other side of the bed, but it is without his wife. Max makes himself at home and lies belly up as Harry rubs the pooches’ tummy.
“I bet you would like to go outside, wouldn’t you?” Harry asked Max.
“WOOF!” is the reply.
“Okay, big guy, let’s proceed to the backyard post-haste, shall we?” Harry asked.
Max leaps from the bed and is out the door in a flash. Harry dons a pair of sweats and throws on a ball cap as he slips on a pair of slippers and begins his trek down the stairs to the kitchen. As Harry walks through the house, the reality of the previous night sets in once again.
“I thought maybe I was just dreaming the whole thing, but no, there are 70 dead people in my house. I feel like that kid in that movie… I see dead people.”
Harry lets Max out to do his morning business and then grabs the orange juice from the fridge. As he pours himself a glass, a little boy comes up behind him and pulls on his sweatshirt.
As the hours passed, Susan's immediate family, Harry, and the kids talked to the magical house visitors. Susan had explained the circumstances of the evening to Rose, Caitlin, and Victor. As predicted, Caitlin questioned Susan why their parents hadn’t come to the house for a visit. When Susan explained a grieving period, Caitlin immediately pointed out Doris's presence, who had just passed weeks before. Also, Lindsay wasn’t even at the house to take advantage of her recently deceased mother's surprise visit. Susan reminded the kids that Doris was also a friend to their family and was visiting for that reason and not necessarily to see Lindsay.
It was nearing midnight on Christmas Eve, and Martha suggested that the guests gather around the Christmas tree to sing Silent Night. As the guests made their way to the family room, suddenly, Max began to bark. He ran to the back door leading to the garage. His tail wagged non-stop as he jumped at the door as it slowly opened.
“Max, get down, buddy. It’s just me,” said Lindsay as she entered the mudroom.
“Lindsay! We were so worried about you. Are you alright?” asked Caitlin.
“Yes, I’m fine. I-80 and I-5 are both closed going west to Omaha, so I had to stop and turn around. I was thinking of getting a hotel room but decided to come back instead,” Lindsay replied.
“Lindsay, I’m so glad you made it back safely,” said Victor as he wrapped his arms around her. How far did you get, Iowa?”
“Iowa? Are you kidding? I didn’t get to Ottawa. The roads are terrible,” responded Lindsay.
The house on Festive Lane was once again filled with over fifty guests, all deceased but allowed to return for twenty-four hours due to the magic of the Christmas House. Some of the guests had been dead for only a short time, like Doris. Some had been dead for over a hundred plus years. In most cases, Harry and Susan didn’t even know the visitor because they were twice or three times removed. Great grandparents who had passed on before either of them were born visited the home to share the advent of Christmas.
It was now 9:00 p.m., and Martha was sure that all of the visitors, who were going to attend the reunion with life thanks to Harry and Susan, were already present. Unfortunately, Rick and Carin were not present.
As the guests settled in, Martha asked Harry to help her up onto the coffee table to be seen and heard. Once standing a foot above the crowd, Martha began.
"First of all, welcome to the Christmas House. The reason you are all here is that this is a magical house. This house has allowed spirits from the other side to rejoin their loved ones for over 100 years. My family visited me every year, just like this, until I passed away, and then I joined them. When I found out that I was going to die, I had to pass on the wonderment of this house to a family that would appreciate and utilize the magic that this house offers. Selling this house to a family that had no use for it or that would tear it down was not an option. Michael and Arianna Carter met the requirements to be owners of this home, and in turn, Michael sold the home to Harry and Susan Hill based on the same criteria.
As the doorbell's tone faded into silence, Harry, Susan, and the kids all stood frozen in anticipation and disbelief. Susan stood up and walked to her father. She reached out her hand and poked him in the shoulder. His physical body was real.
“Daddy? Is it really you?” she asked.
“Yes, sweetheart. It’s really your mother and me. Your sister could be waiting just outside as well. You might want to answer the door,” he replied.
Susan looked at Harry, and Harry turned to the kids.
“Are you guys ready for this? Rose honey, do you understand what is happening here?” he asked.
“Sure… we live in a magical house that is bringing mom and dad back to me. What are you waiting for? Open the door,” she replied.
Harry hesitates and stops short of opening the door. He looks at Susan.
“Can we talk privately for a second, Susan?”
“Sure, Harry,” she replied.
“Do not open the front door. Just give us a second,” Harry told the others.
Harry and Susan walk toward the back of the house into the family room, just past the kitchen.
“This is frickin unbelievable, but how do we handle this knowing that Rick killed Carin?” he asked.
THE HOUSE GUESTS
As the doorbell's tone faded into silence, Harry, Susan, and the kids all stood frozen in anticipation and disbelief. Susan stood up and walked to her father. She reached out her hand and poked him in the shoulder. His physical body was real.
“Daddy? Is it really you?” she asked.
“Yes, sweetheart. It’s really your mother and me. Your sister could be waiting just outside as well. You might want to answer the door,” he replied.
Susan looked at Harry, and Harry turned to the kids.
“Are you guys ready for this? Rose honey, do you understand what is happening here?” he asked.
“Sure… we live in a magical house that is bringing mom and dad back to me. What are you waiting for? Open the door,” she replied.
Harry hesitates and stops short of opening the door. He looks at Susan.
“Can we talk privately for a second, Susan?”
“Sure, Harry,” she replied.
“Do not open the front door. Just give us a second,” Harry told the others.
Harry and Susan walk toward the back of the house into the family room, just past the kitchen.
“This is frickin unbelievable, but how do we handle this knowing that Rick killed Carin?” he asked.
Thirty days had passed since the Hill family celebrated their first Thanksgiving at the Festive Lane home. Unfortunately, Lindsay’s mother, Doris, had also died during this brief period. She was placed in a hospice center on December 2nd and passed away in her sleep on December 5th. Lindsay was at her side when her mother drew her last breath. Victor had asked Harry and Susan if Lindsay could stay with them instead of moving to Omaha to her Aunt Maria’s, but Harry and Susan agreed that they should honor the wishes and arrangements that Doris had made for her daughter. Lindsay did stay with the Hills on Festive Lane after the funeral. Her Aunt returned to Omaha to make arrangements for relocating Lindsay but felt it would be better to move her after the first of the year. Aunt Maria asked the Hills if they would mind letting Lindsay stay with them for a month while attending to the details. The Hills agreed and moved Lindsay into the guest room temporarily. Harry made it clear to Victor that he was to stay in his own room to sleep each night, or a padlock would be placed on his door and windows. Victor agreed.
Caitlin loved having Lindsay stay at the house. Lindsay was a significant influence on Victor and was beginning to have the same effect on Caitlin as well. Lindsay was just one of those great girls that would do anything to help out a fellow human being. She was not quite as accommodating when it came to dogs. She had been bitten by a dog when she was 6-years old and ever since had been scared of all dogs regardless of size or demeanor. Lindsay shunned even Max, a very sweet dog, out of fear. A week after moving into the house, Lindsay didn’t close her bedroom door all the way, and Max pushed it open and jumped up on her bed as she laid there.
Victor parked the car on the driveway because the garage floor area was cluttered with boxes and extension cords due to the decorating mission.
“Wow, it looks great, Uncle Harry and Aunt Susan. You put up all the lights since I left? I was only gone for an hour or so. You guys are fast!” said Victor.
“Your aunt was a great help since she is fearless when it comes to heights. She was hanging off the eaves and bouncing the ladder over a few feet at a time. She was scaring the hell out of me,” Harry said and then continued. “Hey, Lindsay! Don’t you look beautiful tonight!”
“Hi, Mr. Hill. Thank you as usual. This is my mom, Doris… Doris Dunne,” Lindsay replied.
“Hello, Doris. How very nice to meet you. My name is Harry,” he said as he took her frail hand into his and gently held it.
“Very nice to meet you, Harry. Thank you for inviting Lindsay and me to join you for dinner. That was very nice and much appreciated,” Doris said.
“Hi, Doris. I’m Susan, Harry’s wife, and the kids’ aunt,” she said as she placed her hand on Doris’s back and gently rubbed it.
“Hi, Susan. Nice to meet you as well. I was going to say that you two look nothing like Victor. Now it makes sense that you are his aunt and uncle,” Doris said.
“Mrs. Dunne, I don’t look anything like my parents either. I was adopted from Uruguay as a baby, so I have Latin blood and steamy good looks,” Victor said and then laughed.
“Are your parents in the house?” Doris asked.
Susan removed the letter from the light pink envelope and could smell Carin’s scent on the stationary. The fragrance brought her back to an earlier time when she and Carin were in high school.
“This letter is scented. Carin scented the letter for me. Aw, isn’t that sweet? It smells just like her, too,” Susan noted.
“I wouldn’t know. I never sniffed your sister. Will you please read the letter? The suspense is killing me!” said Harry.
Susan looked around to make sure none of the kids were within earshot, but they were all still asleep.
“Okay, here we go. It says…”
“Hi Sis, If you are reading this letter, then I have died. It was just a matter of time before he killed me.”
“Before who killed her? Rick?” asked Harry.
“I don’t know. What in the world?” replied Susan.
“We haven’t been getting along for over a year now, and I have asked him for a divorce, but he refuses due to the children. He said if I file for a divorce, he will kill me. I guess he wasn’t making just idle threats because here we are. I hate to lay this in your lap Susan, but you are the only one I can trust to protect my kids. Go to the police and tell them that Rick killed me. I don’t know if they have already figured that out, but the kids need to be taken away from him before he hurts or kills one of them in a drunken stupor. Never let an alcoholic own a bar. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
“Holy crap! I can’t believe this! Rick killed your sister?” Harry said.
“No, Rick and Carin died together in the car crash. It was a drunk driver, remember,” said Susan.
THE CARTER’S ARE OUT AND THE HILL’S ARE IN
At the end of March, Michael followed a moving truck to a new yet smaller home in Algonquin, IL. Algonquin was a lovely middle-class suburb just 60 miles west of Lake Forest. Michael sold the house on Festive Lane to Harry and Susan Hill, who believed the home would be a fresh beginning for the three children they had taken into their family due to the tragic deaths of the children’s parents, Carin and Rick McCann.
Carin was Susan’s sister, although you would never know it. Susan, a tall and thin natural blonde, could easily have been a model in her younger years, whereas Carin was short and stocky with dark, almost black hair. Rick and Carin owned a bar and grill located on the Northside of Chicago called McNasty’s.
When Susan and Carin’s father died from complications from a gallbladder operation, the hospital was found guilty of negligence and the doctors of malpractice. After attorney fees were paid, each sister received around $2,500,000.00. Carin and Rick bought a bar and grill on Lawrence Ave. and renovated it from top to bottom. It had been a dream of Rick’s always to own a restaurant and bar. Rick is the source of the bright red hair that his girls inherited. A short, stocky man with a spare tire, Rick, when he was sober, was always willing to help anyone in need but was overly protective of his children.
Susan and Harry bought their condo at Lake Point Towers and made some very shrewd investments with the money from the settlement. The investment gains allowed Harry and Susan to purchase the Festive Lane house.
About seven-months had passed leading up to the first anniversary of Rick and Carin’s passing. Thanksgiving was but a day away, and the tension was building in the house on Festive Lane.
Harry and Susan had discussed taking the kids away to Hawaii or Florida for the holiday to change the setting as much as possible. Still, a friend of Susan’s who is a therapist advised Susan that running away from the anger and sorrow is not a very effective way of dealing with the situation's reality. They decided to stick it out for Thanksgiving, and if things did not go well, they would take a trip at Christmas to avoid another meltdown.
The holidays are difficult for anyone who has lost a loved one, but it is very challenging when the loss occurs so close or on a holiday, as in the case with Rick and Carin.
Susan took her last train ride from downtown Chicago to Lake Forest for a week due to taking a few extra days off to recharge. Despite her troubles with juggling the kids' demands with her job demands, her bosses extended her an offer as a partner, and she now works for Milner, Polk, James, and Hill as an Executive Vice President. She couldn’t resist the offer of partner. She had worked most of her life trying to attain this position, and she couldn’t say no just because of suddenly having three kids.
As the train pulled up to the station, Harry was standing by Susan’s car.
“What are you doing here? Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yes and no. Let’s sit in my warm car, and I’ll explain,” Harry replied.
As Harry, Susan, and the children entered the home at 148 Festive Lane, Michael offered them hot chocolate and some freshly baked cookies.
“Oh no, thank you, Mr. Carter; we won’t be here that long. We just wanted to take a quick look around,” said Susan.
“Don’t be silly. Come on, have some hot chocolate. Please let me take your coats. Come in and sit down. There are several trays of cookies just out of the oven waiting for a hungry kid. Any hungry kids around here?” he said as he shaped his hands like binoculars and scanned the hallway.
“I’m starving!” shouted Rose.
“You are? And who might you be, little one?” Michael asked.
“My name is Rose. My daddy calls me his little Rosebud. It’s cute, but I think I’m getting a little too old for silly names,” she said.
“You are never too old for silly names Rose. My little girl is named Nicole Miracle, but I only use her middle name when I am upset with her,” said Michael as he winked at Harry, thinking he was Roses’ father.
“Is she here? How old is she?” Rose asked.
“She is only 5 years old, but I have a son David who is 16; neither are here, though,” replied Michael... listen now.
A cold day in March, even for Chicago, but the sky was a bright blue, and the frigid winds embraced the city as it has done for hundreds of years. A brisk 18 degrees above zero was not the best day to be house hunting, but this family of five huddled into a luxury Mercedes sedan, braving the cold to find a much-needed new home.
“Yes, that’s it up ahead. East Townline Road, route 60. Take that exit and go east toward Lake Forest,” said the adult woman sitting in the passenger seat.
“Aunt Susan, this is far from our school and all of our friends. I don’t think we should look this far out,” stated a cute 10-year-old redhead girl with freckles.
“Rose, we all decided we cannot stay in your current house. There are just too many memories of your parents. We have to find a new home and have a fresh start,” Susan replied.
“This is a load of crap! I hate this area of the city. We play against Lake Forest in football every year, and they are so stuck up. The girls here think they are better than anyone else. I can’t go to Lake Forest High School. I won’t go,” said a cocky young man of 16 years old.
“Victor, knock it off, or you can walk home, you little piss ass. You will do what we tell you to do. You are lucky you aren’t in jail after that stunt you pulled, taking my car out for a joyride. You don’t have a license yet, you idiot. Then to sideswipe another car on Washington Street downtown and run from the police, thinking if you made it home, you would be safe. What the hell were you thinking?” asked the man driving the car... listen now.
As Harry, Susan, and the children entered the home at 148 Festive Lane, Michael offered them hot chocolate and some freshly baked cookies.
“Oh no, thank you, Mr. Carter; we won’t be here that long. We just wanted to take a quick look around,” said Susan.
“Don’t be silly. Come on, have some hot chocolate. Please let me take your coats. Come in and sit down. There are several trays of cookies just out of the oven waiting for a hungry kid. Any hungry kids around here?” he said as he shaped his hands like binoculars and scanned the hallway.
“I’m starving!” shouted Rose.
“You are? And who might you be, little one?” Michael asked.
“My name is Rose. My daddy calls me his little Rosebud. It’s cute, but I think I’m getting a little too old for silly names,” she said.
“You are never too old for silly names Rose. My little girl is named Nicole Miracle, but I only use her middle name when I am upset with her,” said Michael as he winked at Harry, thinking he was Roses’ father.
“Is she here? How old is she?” Rose asked.
“She is only 5-years old, but I have a son David who is 16; neither are here, though,” replied Michael.
Listen now.
At the end of March, Michael followed a moving truck to a new yet smaller home in Algonquin, IL. Algonquin was a lovely middle-class suburb just 60 miles west of Lake Forest. Michael sold the house on Festive Lane to Harry and Susan Hill, who believed the home would be a fresh beginning for the three children they had taken into their family due to the tragic deaths of the children’s parents, Carin and Rick McCann.
Carin was Susan’s sister, although you would never know it. Susan, a tall and thin natural blonde, could easily have been a model in her younger years, whereas Carin was short and stocky with dark, almost black hair. Rick and Carin owned a bar and grill located on the Northside of Chicago called McNasty’s.
When Susan and Carin’s father died from complications from a gallbladder operation, the hospital was found guilty of negligence and the doctors of malpractice. After attorney fees were paid, each sister received around $2,500,000.00. Carin and Rick bought a bar and grill on Lawrence Ave. and renovated it from top to bottom. It had been a dream of Rick’s always to own a restaurant and bar. Rick is the source of the bright red hair that his girls inherited. A short, stocky man with a spare tire, Rick, when he was sober, was always willing to help anyone in need but was overly protective of his children.
Listen now.
A cold day in March even for Chicago, but the sky was a bright blue, and the frigid winds embraced the city as it has done for hundreds of years. A brisk 18 degrees above zero was not the best day to be house hunting, but this family of five huddled into a luxury Mercedes sedan, braving the cold to find a much needed new home.
“Yes, that’s it up ahead. East Townline Road, route 60. Take that exit and go east toward Lake Forest,” said the adult woman sitting in the passenger seat.
“Aunt Susan, this is far from our school and all of our friends. I don’t think we should look this far out,” stated a cute 10-year old redhead girl with freckles.
“Rose, we all decided that we cannot stay in your current house. There are just too many memories of your parents. We have to find a new home and have a fresh start,” Susan replied.
“This is a load of crap! I hate this area of the city. We play against Lake Forest in football every year, and they are so stuck up. The girls here think they are better than anyone else. I can’t go to Lake Forest High School. I won’t go,” said a cocky young man of 16-years old.
“Victor, knock it off, or you can walk home, you little piss ass. You will do what we tell you to do. You are lucky you aren’t in jail after that stunt you pulled, taking my car out for a joyride. You don’t have a license yet, you idiot. Then to sideswipe another car on Washington Street downtown and run from the police, thinking if you made it home, you would be safe. What the hell were you thinking?” asked the man driving the car.
“Harry, let it go. You’ve been yelling at the poor kid for over a week now. We are all stressed from living in close quarters in our condo. Lake Point Towers has been great for us, but it’s no place to raise three kids and a dog,” stated Susan, Harry’s wife.
“Ya Uncle Harry quit picking on Victor. If he were in jail, he wouldn’t be able to protect me from all of his friends who want to get into my pants,” said a lovely 13-year old redhead that was overly developed for her age.
“Damn it, Caitlin, how many times have I told you that you are not old enough to date. No more boys. It’s bad enough that Victor goes after every guy that hits on you, and then he hits on them literally, but you don’t help the situation by wearing clothes like that short skirt you have on today. Jesus, it's 18 degrees outside, aren’t you cold?” asked Harry.
Listen now.