The words of Charles Dickens's story A Christmas Carol are not only famous, but resurrected often at this time of year. This following story puts a little twist on things and despite there being some familiarity with three ghosts, don't be lulled into thinking that you can guess the ending. For the record, no character here is under the age of 18, there is no violence, nor is there any abuse. Enjoy!
It was mid-December, the days had grown quite short and the weather decidedly colder. Lori shut down her computer and headed for the coat rack. She kicked off her shoes and pulled on her red wellies knowing that the slush that still blanketed the city would make her walk home a wet and messy one. A stocking cap, mittens and a warm woolen coat completed the ensemble.
She walked to the elevator and pressed the down button. Hardly two minutes later Lori arrived at the lobby and along with dozens of others similarly dressed for the weather she exited the building, turned right, and headed up the street. The city had been festively well-adorned for the holidays and nearly everyone was in a joyful mood. Well, let's just say nearly everyone because Lori was one of those few exceptions.
Several blocks later the commercial district transitioned into an older residential one. Lori, just 30 years old and having a decent job, was able to afford the rent for a first-floor apartment in a former house. It's tall windows, hardwood floors, and high ceilings gave the place a distinct Victorian flavor. After putting her key in the lock and giving it a turn Lori entered, removed her hat and coat and kicked off the wellies. She headed to the kitchen, got herself a glass of wine from a half-used bottle in the fridge and then wandered into the living room. Not bothering to turn on any lights because whatever illumination there was came from the streetlight shining through the window.
"I'm going to be glad when these holidays are over!" she thought to herself. "All this happiness seems so phony and artificial," she mused. Another big sip of the wine not only warmed her gullet but started to relax her. After a full day in front of her computer, Lori felt her eyelids getting heavy and soon dozed off to sleep.
Sometime later, and she had no idea of how long, there came a knock at the door. Getting up, she went to the entry, and opened it only to find a somewhat familiar face—somehow she felt that she had met this person before. It was a handsome guy, who looked very much like an old boyfriend from her college days. He introduced himself as the Ghost of Christmas Past. She invited him in offered him some wine as they sat down to chat.
"Those were fun days," she began but then tears welled up in her eyes when she remembered that during senior year of college he was the one to finally take her virginity. A moist warmth was felt in her bikinis as those fond memories returned. She longed for his touch and no sooner had that thought crossed her mind when he leaned over and gave her a tender kiss. He led her by the hand to her bedroom where she saw the vision of herself lying naked on the bed with him making passionate love to her. She watched herself as her body writhed with an intense climax as Adam ejaculated. The scene was like a hologram, realistic for certain, but not totally there for real. Still her previous damp bikinis were now totally wet with lust.
Lori turned to say something to the ghost, but when she did both he and the hologram disappeared. "That was just too strange!" she exclaimed. "But it was like he was really here and I was watching as the two of us were having sex on my bed just like we used to do years ago."
Lori made her way back to the living room. She could see by the streetlights that the snow was now coming down harder. She went to the front entry and opened the door. By now the snow had covered up any footprints, assuming, that is, that there ever were any.
Back in the living room, the glass of wine that she had poured for the ghost was largely gone. "Somebody or something was definitely here. Either that or I'm going crazy," she said to herself. She took another long swallow of her own wine and sat down to recall what she thought that she had seen just a few moments earlier. She then relaxed and let herself doze off once more.
Sometime later, and again Lori had no idea of how long, there came another knock at the door. She wondered if it might have been the ghost coming back, but when she answered it, there stood a different ghost. He was covered with snow and introduced himself as the Ghost of Christmas Present. She invited him in, but he refused but told her to get her hat, coat and wellies on because they were going to go for a walk.
Now totally curious Lori wasted no time getting ready to brave the storm and soon they were walking back towards downtown. The snow was deeper now, but air was still and without any breeze the night felt magical and not the least bit biting. She seemed surprised when he took her hand and held it as they crossed the street that at this hour was uncharacteristically lightly traveled. They walked, no they really strolled at a romantic pace that only lovers do. Lori loved every moment of it and hoped it would never end.
Some blocks down the avenue they stopped to do some window shopping. It was a jewelry store and inside there was a young couple the woman of which looked uncannily like her, who were looking in a display case. A clerk came over and the ghost pointed out something in the case, but Lori could not immediately see what it was. Moments later the clerk placed a diamond ring on her finger. "My gosh but that stone is huge. It's gorgeous!" she thought to herself. She watched the events with keen attention and noticed that the ring fit her finger perfectly. It was a wonderful scene and Lori was fixated on it.
She diverted her gaze from the interior of the store to look at the ghost, but there was nobody there. He was gone. Then when she looked back into the jewelry store the place was closed and the lights had been turned off.
"What the . . .?" she asked herself. "Am I dreaming again." She turned and looked both ways up and down the street. There were a few people out in the storm, but certainly nobody who looked like the ghost. Lori realized now that she was alone and sadly headed home. Still, the thoughts about what she had seen lingered in her head. How she would love to be engaged to a handsome guy and ultimately get to marry him.
Several minutes later Lori found herself back home and let herself in. Again, she took off her coat and wellies. Then she retrieved her empty wine glass and went to the kitchen where she refilled it. She was now very much concerned about her sanity but also knew that she hadn't had enough wine to make her drunk enough to possibly hallucinate. Another healthy gulp and she again sat down in that comfy old Queen Anne chair, the wings of which gave a cozy feeling and she dozed off yet for the third time. Her mind played games with her as she flashed back to happier times. In the faint light from outside if someone was watching they would have noticed a slight yet contented smile come to Lori's lips.
As before there came yet another knock at the door. Hoping it might be that ghost coming back to be with her, she answered it, but was surprised by the presence of an unknown man who was well-groomed and immensely handsome.
"Yes?" she asked.
"I'm the Ghost of Christmas Future," he said. "You have already met my two colleagues, the Ghost of Christmas Past and the Ghost of Christmas Present."
"Oh, no! That could not have been who was here earlier," said Lori.
