The Christmas Note [part #02]

• The Christmas Note [part #01]

Samantha threw on her shoes and coat. She couldn't believe her parents left her so much money. She was also still in a relieved shock that her father wasn't a drunk, but instead getting donations for their family.

On her drive to the bank, she wondered what she would use the money for. She thought of taking a vacation, buying some new clothes, buying some new furniter.

As she was almost to the bank, she realized she was close to the street she used to live on. She decided the money could wait, and took a small detour, to view the house she grew up in. She was stunned to see the cream colored home with white trim, still there. Then she noticed the "FOR SALE" sign in the front yard. She pulled into the drive way and got out of the car.

Samantha walked around the side of the house. The doors were locked, but the place was obviously empty. She saw the old swing set in the back yard. The one her father put in for her, when she was young.

She looked at her watch and decided she best move on. She got in her car, and gave her old childhood home one last dreamy gaze. So many memories for her in this old house.

It was time for her to get to the bank, and Samantha started her car and finished her trip to the bank.

Once there, she walked took a deep breath and walked into the bank. She walked up to the counter, where a tall blonde woman, with a light tan and bright blue eyes stood. "Hello, how may I help you?" The woman asked.

"Yes, I called earlier and talked to Henry about an account in my name." Samantha responded.

"Okay, let me go get him for you." The woman said, as she started walking off to some back offices.

Samantha got lost in her own thoughts as she was waiting. Suddenly a very tall man, stood next to her. "I'm Henry" he said in his deep voice.

"Oh..." Samantha said a little startled. "Yes, I called earlier about the four year old bank account."

At that point, Henry directed Samantha to his office, where he took her information again, to verify it was really her. Then he without saying a word, he got up and stepped out of the officed.

Samantha was confused, she didn't know if she should just sit there and wait, leave or what. She waited for a few minutes and started getting up from the chair, when it opened again.

"I had to go find your check book for the account." Henry said, as he handed her the check book.

Samantha took the book from him, thanked him, and got up to leave. She headed straight out to her car, with all her new bank account information.

This time on her drive home, she started to think of her childhood home. She thought about all the cherished memories she had in there, and how sad she was when it had to be sold after her parents tragic death.

When she arrived home, she went straight to her phone to call the Real Estate Agent's number. "Hello, this is Carol."

Samantha didn't skip a beat and asked immediately about the her old childhood home. They only wanted $90,000 for it. Instantly she knew she could afford it. So she insisted on being able to see it right away.

"Well with the holiday's," The lady on the phone started.

"Oh please!" Samantha cried, "I really need to see the house as soon as possible."

The woman on the other end was silent for a moment. "Okay, I can show you it on Christmas day, after that I will be out of town till after the new year."

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Samantha was anxious, it was finally the 25th, and for once she had a good feeling on the day. She got into her car, and drove the thrity minutes to her old home. When she arrived, she saw the real estate lady in the driveway.

"Hello, I'm Linda. We spoke on the phone." The lady said, while approaching Samantha, as she got out of her car.

"Hi, I'm Samantha." She responded. They shook hands, and walked up to the door.

Samantha walked in behind Linda, and just gazed over the walls. A warm feeling came over her, and for the first time in years, she felt like she was home.

"May I explore on my own?" Samantha asked her.

"Be my guest." She responded.

Samantha walked up the stairs of the house to the second floor. She went around the banister and down the hall to her old room. She slowly opened the door to the empty room. When she giggled to herself while seeing the same pink walls and light brown carpet were in there.

She slowly stepped into the room. Shaking her head, she turned and walked out. She wanted to see her parents bedroom. She walked back down the hall and entered her parent's old room. It was a large room with two closets. On towards the front of the room, and one in the back of the room.

Glancing over the room, she decided to go to the back closet, and peek in the attic. She found an envelope marked, "To Martha" in her father's handwriting. It was a letter to her mother. Samantha grabbed the letter and placd it in her coat pocket.

She went back downstairs, and told the lady she was very interested in the house. They set up a time to go over paper work, and then the two parted ways for the day.

Samantha returned home, and sat down at her dinning room table. She wasn't sure if she should open the envelope or not. Arguing with herself that it was her parents business, not her own. Then, she figured since they had now passed away, there was no harm in taking a glance at it at least.

So she slowly opened the envelope, and found a small note tucked inside. The note was dated, December 25th. She began to read...

"Marhta My Love,

You are my friend, my lover and the mother of my only child. I am so sorry I have kept this secret from you, for all these years. On some level I am ashamed of myself. I just couldn't tell you.

I swear I was not drinking a drop when I went to that bar every year. It was to collect donations from people for a small charity... our family. I started going when Samantha was born, and we needed the extra help. I am a prideful man my love, and it was hard to ask for donations for our new born child.

All these years, the money has been piling up, I was too ashamed to actually use it, or even let you know. Please forgive me for not telling you sooner. We will do with the money as you please.

Love,
Michael"

Samantha was suprised by yet another note. She looked at the date again, December 25th. She wish the year had been written down, but it wasn't. She may never know when her father confessed this secret to her mother. However, it was clear to her, that it was her mother's choice for her to recieve the money.

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It was now Christmas Eve, and Samantha had already signed the papers to move into the house. She was excited about moving back to her childhood home, where she could make memories of her own there, and maybe even start her own family.

She was sitting in the living room at her apartment when the count down, to 2008 began. Samantha grabbed a glass of champagne, as she watched the big ball drop.

She toasted to her parents. "In your loving memory mom and dad, Merry Christmas..." She whispered to herself.

Samantha framed the Christmas note from her father, and hung it up in the back closet of her parent's old bedroom. Right next to it, in a smaller frame, was the note from her mother. She would treasure these notes for the rest of her life.

THE END