The Christmas House by Barry KuKes

a used pick up that will serve your purposes for work,” she replied.
         “I think that’s a good idea. Oh, boy a new air conditioned truck!” Michael exclaimed.
         “New? Air-conditioned? The car doesn't have air conditioning Michael. No way are you going to be riding around all day in the luxury of a new truck with air conditioning, while I am driving that old beat up piece of garbage!” she blasted back.
         “Piece of garbage? A minute ago you would have sold our daughter for that old piece of garbage!” he shouted back.
         “Well that was still when you were going to be driving this old beat up truck with no air conditioning and fuzzy dice in the window!” and she started to laugh.
         Michael laughed as well and walked up to her and hugged her tightly. “I love you Arianna. What do you say we get the kids to bed early and ya know... ” ( as he raised his eyebrows)
         “In this heat? Have you lost your mind!” she replied as she pushed him away.
         “Well, if you would let me get air conditioning in the truck that would solve that problem wouldn’t it!” Michael replied.
         “Michael in the truck? Why I never... well there was that once... was that with you?” and she smiled.
         “Brat! You wait, you are gonna get it,” he responded as he moved toward her.
         “Promises, promises!” she said as she started to run away from Michael who started to chase her. He tackled her as she made it to the family room. They fell to the floor next to the playpen where Nicole was sleeping.
         “Quiet Michael, you are going to wake the baby,” Arianna said in a hushed voice.
         “Too late, she’s up,” said Michael as they both looked at the playpen and saw Nicole smiling and gurgling.
         “Well, now that she is up, we might as well all eat and then take a drive over to the dealership to see what’s available in a 'used' truck,” said Arianna.
         Michael jumped up and volunteered to barbecue some hot dogs and burgers on the grill. Arianna was happy to let him, for it was much too hot to be cooking inside of the house.
         After dinner they all hopped in the car and drove over to Evanston, where there were several car dealerships. After hours of looking and negotiating, they returned home empty handed and with the following revelation.
         “We’re broke,” said Michael.
         “Did you hear what that one guy said about my credit history? “ Buddy, your credit is so bad I couldn’t sell you a car if you paid cash ! Ha, ha, very funny...wise guy!”
         “Michael, what are we going to do? We not only need a car, but we still have so much work to do on this house. I see the bills piling up. We are just falling further and further behind. We have to do something. What about a home equity loan? There is a ton of equity in the house,” Arianna asked.
         “Hon, what do you expect me to do; use the equity loan to make the mortgage payment and then have to make the equity loan payment as well? We would only be stealing from Peter to pay Paul,” Michael responded.
         “I know that Michael, but it would at least buy us some time,” she replied.
         “Time for what? A slow and painful death?” Michael stated.
         He then looked over to David and said, “Why don’t you go up to your room and watch TV for a while before bed David. Your mother and I need to discuss a few things.”
         David agreed and left the room.
         Arianna looked at Michael and said, “I don’t like where this is going Michael.”
         “I was trying to do everything I possibly could to avoid having to do this, but I see no other choice. We have to sell this house,” Michael replied.
         Arianna sat down at the kitchen table and shook her head.
         “I know honey. You have tried so hard to make this work. I guess we are just in over our heads.”