Dreaming of a Lost Christmas
by Jeffrey Scott Holland - part 3

When he came to, he was at the wheel of his car and it was moving at high speed. He grabbed the wheel in panic but could not turn it.

Then he heard someone say, "It's okay, Mr. Potts. Just sit back and relax. We will be at our destination soon."

Edward jumped and turned to see the old man sitting in the passenger seat, "Are you really a ghost?"

The man smiled as he looked out the window, "Yes, I am the Ghost of Christmas Present."

Edward continued to stare at the man, "I don't understand. Am I a Scrooge?"

"No, Mr. Potts. Not at all. I am just trying to help you."

Edward didn't know what to believe anymore, "Well, what can I call you?" The man stared out the window again, "My full name is Grimolotosthanes, but my friends just call me Grim for short."

The car pulled to a halt in an old neighborhood on the outskirts of the city. As Edward looked out the window at the condemned buildings, he smiled, "I haven't been out this way in years." He pointed to one of the dilapidated old houses, "That is the house I lived in when I was a kid."

Grim nodded, "Exactly! Brings back fond memories, doesn't it?"

Edward sighed, "Yeah, but it looks like crap now!" Grim opened Edward's car door for him. Edward had not noticed him get out and did a double-take. On the way up to the house, a tear came to Edward's eye, "What happened to this place? Hasn't anyone taken care of it at all?"

Grim did not comment. When they reached the door, he told Edward, "Go ahead! Knock!"

Edward gave him a puzzled look, "I thought we would just go in because no one can see us. Isn't that how it works?"

Grim shook his head, "Mr. Potts, you are so naive! You're just going to have to trust me!" Edward shrugged and knocked on the door. As they heard someone approaching, Grim said, "Tell them you're from the Fire Department and you're here to inspect the house."

Edward couldn't believe what he had just heard and turned to Grim, "What?!" Just then the door swung open, and a woman with curlers in her hair stood there silently, as if she was waiting for him to say something first.

Edward felt awkward, "Hi, ma'am! We're here from the Fire Department to inspect the house."

She looked around, "We?"

He turned to Grim with a stumped look.

Grim shook his head, "No, Mr. Potts! You're the only one who can see and hear me!"

He felt really embarrassed now, "I'm sorry! It's just me. Too early in the morning, I guess."

She smiled and stepped to the side, "It's okay. Just help yourself. I'm missing my soaps!"

They walked inside, and she closed the door behind them and went back into the living room. She wrapped her robe around her tightly and plopped down on the couch. Then, she retrieved her cigarette from the ashtray on the coffee table.

The old house had been through a lot. It looked the same in several aspects but had hardly been maintained at all, from the looks of it. The door once separated the living room and kitchen was no longer there. The rail to the stairs was broken, and the walls were dirty, scarred, and stained.

Grim walked up beside Edward, who was still standing in the hallway, "Your father built this house with his own hands, didn't he? He loved you and your mother very much."

Edward nodded and said softly, "Yes! We all loved each other more than anything."

Grim studied him, "And what happened to them?"

Edward's eyes began to burn, "They were killed in a plane crash when I was thirteen. I had to go live with my grandparents."

Grim looked away, "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

Edward thought that was strange. He had known his name and everything about him before. He knew where he had lived, but not how his parents had died. That did not make sense.

Grim surveyed the room, "I guess people just don't appreciate things unless they make them with their own hands."

Edward wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, "I guess not."

As they walked back toward the door, a little girl walked out of the room that had once been Edward's bedroom. She was probably about six and looked malnourished. She had dirt on her face, and her hair needed to be brushed.

She looked up at Edward, "Hi, Mister!"

Edward bent down, "Hi there! How are you?"

She smiled, "Fine. Look at what I got for Christmas!"

Edward looked at her hands to see her holding up a Slinky. He smiled, "That's nice! I guess you'll have to wait until tomorrow for the rest, huh?"

The little girl gave him a really confused look, "What are you talking about? The rest of what?"

Edward smiled and stood up. As he looked around, he noticed that there were not any other presents under the poor excuse for a Christmas tree, in the corner of the other room. He looked back at her, "Oh, nothing. Never mind." He turned to Grim, "Let's go!"

They walked out the door, got in his car, and pulled away.

As they drove down the road toward downtown Atlanta, Edward said, with aggravation in his voice, "What was that supposed to accomplish?"

Grim smiled, as if he enjoyed seeing him upset, "I was trying to show you what you had to be thankful for."

Edward's voice got louder, "Well, sorry, Pal! All you did was show me that everything I once had fond memories of is gone forever! Thanks a lot!"