| THOMAS J. PRESTOPNIK |
| ~ The Author's Official Website ~ |
| _________________________________ |
| _________________________________ |
| Copyright © Thomas J. Prestopnik 2005 - 2012 All rights reserved. www.TomPresto.com |
| Read Chapter Thirteen from A CHRISTMAS CASTLE |
| CHAPTER THIRTEEN |
Jack held out a hand, his fingers glowing against the luminous backdrop, his
face basking in the lustrous light. Only a few more steps and the star would be
within reach. Only a few more steps… Jack lifted his boot just as he heard the
voices.
A side door to the nearby house had suddenly opened. Several people spoke
at once, apparently preparing to step outdoors. Somebody laughed. Another
voice responded. Hurry and put your coat on! Jack craned his neck, scanning
the terrain in every direction. He had to get out of here. Got that camera? Jack
glanced over his shoulder, observing the trail of footprints leading back up the
slope into the birch and sugar maples. He would never make it that way
without being spotted. It’s quite a sight! Jack’s heart pounded. He’d have to
circle around the block and up the hill to get back home. Wait’ll you see this! It
should only take five minutes. But there was no more time to think. He had to
run. Now!
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
Jack spun to his left, crunching through the few remaining yards of snow until
his feet hit the narrow stony road in front of the house. He dashed down the
street, his eye catching a blur of Christmas tree lights shining through the front
picture window. There were the voices again, and more laughter. Jack’s lungs
burned with the cold. He felt as if he were in trouble. He couldn’t let them see
him.
Then a door slammed. They were outside. Voices and footfalls through the
snow grew louder in the chilled night air. Jack didn’t bother to look over his
shoulder as he ran, fearing he’d be spotted in the next instant. Ahead of him
was a refuge of pine shrubs draped with Christmas lights in front of the only
other residence on the street–a beige aluminum sided house with olive-green
shutters. Jack veered to his right and leaped into the shrubs, wrapping himself
into a ball as he leaned against the frozen wood latticework beneath the front
porch.
Jack breathed heavily, his heart pounding. The sweet scent of pine invaded
his nostrils and helped to calm him down. He gazed through the snow-dusted
branches ablaze with colorful lights, the soft pine needles brushing against his
cheeks. The voices and laughter in the distance echoed under the evening
moonlight but grew no closer. No one had spotted him. Jack smiled, proud that
he had eluded the strangers. Now it was merely a waiting game.
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
And then ten minutes later, they were gone. The laughter drifted off and a door
slammed shut. Once again Jack’s world was filled with the silence of the night,
brutishly cold and splashed with lunar light. He waited another minute before
moving to make sure he was alone. Then slowly, Jack turned and peeked
through the frozen branches at the other house. He could see his star in the
distance, still glowing in the snow bank, alone in the night. All clear.
Jack stood up, the stiffness quickly draining from his aching knees. Then
another door suddenly opened. Jack dropped to the ground again, realizing
that the noise was directly above him on the front porch. Somebody had
opened the inside door to the house. A moment later, a wooden storm door
swung outward and two people stepped onto the porch. Bits of laughter and
conversation drifted outdoors as the lilting notes of Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh
Ride played in the background. Both doors quickly closed and a momentary
silence followed.
Jack craned his head back and looked up through the pine shrubs, unable to
see anyone near the porch railing. He wondered if someone had spotted him
through a window and wished he were invisible. But when no one peered over
the railing or called out to him, Jack felt a little better. He hoped whoever was
on the porch would hurry back inside so that he could escape. Then he heard
two voices.
“It’s cold out here, Charlie. Why can’t you tell me inside?”
“Because I don’t want anyone else to hear us. Here, button your coat.”
“All right.”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
Jack heard playful laughter and a dull stomping of shoes on the floorboards as
if someone were trying to keep warm.
“Well, Charlie, what did you want to say? Or are you just trying to sneak
another Christmas kiss?”
“I have a present for you, Alice.”
“You already gave me gifts, Charlie–the Beach Boys album and the hairbrush
set. And that was very sweet.”
Jack could hear Alice give Charlie a brief kiss and rolled his eyes.
“But I have one more present I don’t want anyone else to see. It has to be
secret.”
“Now I’m intrigued. What is it, Charlie?”
“First you have to close your eyes and hold out your hand.”
“Oooh, you’re teasing! But all right.”
Jack strained his ears to hear every detail, trying to imagine what gift Charlie
had bought. A snow brick maker? What could be better than that?
“Okay. You can open now.”
“Oh my gosh, Charlie, it’s beautiful! Is this…?” Alice nearly sobbed. “Is this
really…?”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“It is. I want you to marry me, Alice.”
“Oh, I love it. I really do!”
“I’m glad.”
“I know we had talked about it…”
Jack heard a quiver in Alice’s voice and thought he could hear her sniffle once
or twice, as if she were on the verge of tears.
“You are happy, right?” Charlie asked.
“Of course I am, but right now I’m just…” Alice took a deep breath and finally
laughed with giddy delight. “Thank you, Charlie! This moment is perfect.”
“You’re welcome, but…”
“But what, Charlie?”
“But–do you want to marry me?”
“Of course I do, Charlie! I love you. So that’s a yes.”
Charlie laughed. “Just making sure. And I love you too.”
A brief silence followed. Jack imagined that Alice and Charlie were kissing
again. Jack ran a finger through the pine needles out of boredom, wondering
how long he would be stuck here. He could almost smell the tomato soup and
saltine crackers waiting for him at home, cooling down with each passing
moment.
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“Oh, Charlie, but how could you afford this?”
“Well, I…”
“Did you spend your savings?”
“It’s not what you think, Alice, but I suppose I should tell you the truth.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, that isn’t–a diamond. But it is a real gemstone. White topaz.”
“Looks just like a diamond to me, Charlie. And I do adore it.”
“Maybe when I make some money in a few years, I can buy you the real thing.”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“No, Charlie. Never. I love this ring just the way it is. I don’t ever want to part
with it.”
“Thanks for saying that, Alice. I’m glad you like it.”
“You gave it to me with your heart. It’s more than I ever hoped for.”
Then there was another silent pause, testing Jack’s patience. He bent his
head, gazing listlessly at his boots. His toes were growing as numb as his mind
by the second. And it wasn’t even a real diamond, Jack irritably mused,
wondering how long that girl could stand in the freezing cold and just stare at it.
This was pure, unadulterated tedium that he had to endure–even worse than
being dragged along clothes shopping with his sisters. Why was it happening
to him? And when would it ever end?
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“But, Charlie, my parents will never let–”
“I know, Alice. That’s why I don’t want anyone else to hear about this yet, at
least for a couple years. When we’re almost done with college we can tell
people.”
“Yes, we can do that. We’ll be older and they won’t be able to object too much.”
“So in the meantime, Alice…”
“…this will be our secret engagement!”
“That’s just what I was thinking–a secret. A gargantuan secret.”
Alice giggled. “It is rather romantic, Charlie. In this whole wide world, only the
two of us will know. What a great secret to share as a couple.”
Jack tightened his arms around his coat, shifting his eyes suspiciously,
imagining that someone was watching him as he reluctantly played the role of
an inadvertent spy. He felt guilty for having overheard Charlie and Alice’s
conversation, wondering if he should block his ears from this moment forward.
But it was too late now. Their secret had been spilled. He felt miserably cold
and just wanted to go home.
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“But there’s one other problem.”
“What, Alice?”
“I won’t be able to wear your beautiful ring!”
Charlie laughed. “I didn’t want you to be able not to, so I solved that problem
too. Here.”
“A silver chain!”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“You can slip it around your neck and hide the ring under your sweater. No
one will know.”
“Except us! Here, let me put it on now.”
Jack yawned as another moment passed. The fragrant pine was making him
sleepy. If Charlie and Alice didn’t hurry up, Jack pictured his frozen body being
discovered here by a gardener some time next spring. He quickly rubbed a few
snowflakes on his face to revive himself.
“There, Alice. No one will be the wiser.”
“Won’t it be wonderful to walk through the high school corridors together,
Charlie, knowing what we know?”
“Just don’t let any of your girlfriends see it. Or your kid sister.”
“Trust me, I won’t. I’ll only wear the ring when I’m sure it’ll be safe. Otherwise I’
ll hide it in my jewelry box. It has a lock and key.”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“Good idea. Hey, your cheeks are turning red. We better go inside before
everyone misses us.”
“I hope I can stop smiling, Charlie, or I might give our secret away.”
“Oh, you better not do that!”
Jack heard the front door reopen. The sounds of conversation and Christmas
carols again drifted outside, then a door slammed shut and all was silent. Jack
exhaled deeply, remaining still for a few tedious seconds as he listened for any
more hint of talking, laughter or footsteps. There was nothing but cold quiet.
Jack stood up, popping his head out of the shrubbery and surveying the
surroundings. Not a soul was in sight.
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
He bounded out of the pine like a startled deer and ran to the end of Spruce
Lane, taking a sharp right onto the next street. Jack took another right at the
end of that block and trudged up a steep hill until he reached his own. He held
his gloved hands to his face to keep warm as white wisps of breath escaped
into the air like pallid ghosts. Jack made one more right turn, marching eagerly
toward the fourth house down the street, its windows ablaze with light, thinking
only of hot soup. Then the front door swung open. Jack looked up as his sister
Loretta stepped outside like a school principal.
“Where have you been, Jack?” she said, folding her arms. “I was about to go
looking for you. Mom called out the door three times.”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“I had to–look for something.”
“Well, get inside. Aunt Marge and Uncle Dave have a present for you.”
“Great. Probably another itchy sweater,” he muttered. Jack glumly recalled the
red checkered sweater he received from his aunt and uncle last year, as well
as the clip-on tie and shirt set for his eighth birthday. Could a boy’s life be any
crueler? “Merry Christmas!” he said sarcastically, shaking his head while
stepping into the warm house.
Jack quickly shed his hat and scarf, dropping them on the floor. The voices of
his parents and relatives sitting around the kitchen table drifted into the front
hallway wildly decorated with strands of silver garland.
“You look sunburned.” Loretta smirked, noticing Jack’s ruby cheeks. She hung
up her coat on a wall peg. “Maybe Mom won’t scold you.”
“I just want hot soup.”
Loretta nodded as she started to leave. “All right. I’ll reheat it.”
“Thanks.” Jack sat on the floor and untied his snow boots. “Hey, Loretta. Can I
ask you something?”
His sister turned around. “Sure, Jack. What?”
“Promise not to tell anyone?” he whispered, removing one boot.
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“I promise,” she said. “What do you want to know?”
“Do you really promise? I don’t want to get in trouble.”
“I really promise.” Loretta sighed impatiently as Jack removed his other boot.
“What is it?”
“Just, umm…” He rubbed his nose. “I need to know what a…” Jack’s heart
pounded. He suddenly wondered if he should tell his sister about Charlie and
Alice, terrified he might get into trouble. It was a secret after all, a gargantuan
secret, and Jack felt guilty for even having heard it. But keeping such
information to himself was about as easy as falling asleep on Christmas Eve
night. So Jack decided to take the risk. He signaled for Loretta to step closer
and stood on his tiptoes, whispering into her ear.
Loretta stepped back, puzzled. “A secret what?”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
Jack indicated for Loretta to lean down as he again whispered into her ear. His
sister’s eyes opened wide.
“A secret engagement? Now where did you ever hear about something like
that?”
“Well, I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but…” Jack rubbed his chin as a
debate briefly raged in his mind. “I really don’t want to get into trouble, Loretta,
so you have to promise me one thing. Okay?”
“Okay. What am I promising?”
“That you’ll never repeat what I’m about to tell you to anybody–ever.”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
Read Chapter 14
face basking in the lustrous light. Only a few more steps and the star would be
within reach. Only a few more steps… Jack lifted his boot just as he heard the
voices.
A side door to the nearby house had suddenly opened. Several people spoke
at once, apparently preparing to step outdoors. Somebody laughed. Another
voice responded. Hurry and put your coat on! Jack craned his neck, scanning
the terrain in every direction. He had to get out of here. Got that camera? Jack
glanced over his shoulder, observing the trail of footprints leading back up the
slope into the birch and sugar maples. He would never make it that way
without being spotted. It’s quite a sight! Jack’s heart pounded. He’d have to
circle around the block and up the hill to get back home. Wait’ll you see this! It
should only take five minutes. But there was no more time to think. He had to
run. Now!
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
Jack spun to his left, crunching through the few remaining yards of snow until
his feet hit the narrow stony road in front of the house. He dashed down the
street, his eye catching a blur of Christmas tree lights shining through the front
picture window. There were the voices again, and more laughter. Jack’s lungs
burned with the cold. He felt as if he were in trouble. He couldn’t let them see
him.
Then a door slammed. They were outside. Voices and footfalls through the
snow grew louder in the chilled night air. Jack didn’t bother to look over his
shoulder as he ran, fearing he’d be spotted in the next instant. Ahead of him
was a refuge of pine shrubs draped with Christmas lights in front of the only
other residence on the street–a beige aluminum sided house with olive-green
shutters. Jack veered to his right and leaped into the shrubs, wrapping himself
into a ball as he leaned against the frozen wood latticework beneath the front
porch.
Jack breathed heavily, his heart pounding. The sweet scent of pine invaded
his nostrils and helped to calm him down. He gazed through the snow-dusted
branches ablaze with colorful lights, the soft pine needles brushing against his
cheeks. The voices and laughter in the distance echoed under the evening
moonlight but grew no closer. No one had spotted him. Jack smiled, proud that
he had eluded the strangers. Now it was merely a waiting game.
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
And then ten minutes later, they were gone. The laughter drifted off and a door
slammed shut. Once again Jack’s world was filled with the silence of the night,
brutishly cold and splashed with lunar light. He waited another minute before
moving to make sure he was alone. Then slowly, Jack turned and peeked
through the frozen branches at the other house. He could see his star in the
distance, still glowing in the snow bank, alone in the night. All clear.
Jack stood up, the stiffness quickly draining from his aching knees. Then
another door suddenly opened. Jack dropped to the ground again, realizing
that the noise was directly above him on the front porch. Somebody had
opened the inside door to the house. A moment later, a wooden storm door
swung outward and two people stepped onto the porch. Bits of laughter and
conversation drifted outdoors as the lilting notes of Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh
Ride played in the background. Both doors quickly closed and a momentary
silence followed.
Jack craned his head back and looked up through the pine shrubs, unable to
see anyone near the porch railing. He wondered if someone had spotted him
through a window and wished he were invisible. But when no one peered over
the railing or called out to him, Jack felt a little better. He hoped whoever was
on the porch would hurry back inside so that he could escape. Then he heard
two voices.
“It’s cold out here, Charlie. Why can’t you tell me inside?”
“Because I don’t want anyone else to hear us. Here, button your coat.”
“All right.”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
Jack heard playful laughter and a dull stomping of shoes on the floorboards as
if someone were trying to keep warm.
“Well, Charlie, what did you want to say? Or are you just trying to sneak
another Christmas kiss?”
“I have a present for you, Alice.”
“You already gave me gifts, Charlie–the Beach Boys album and the hairbrush
set. And that was very sweet.”
Jack could hear Alice give Charlie a brief kiss and rolled his eyes.
“But I have one more present I don’t want anyone else to see. It has to be
secret.”
“Now I’m intrigued. What is it, Charlie?”
“First you have to close your eyes and hold out your hand.”
“Oooh, you’re teasing! But all right.”
Jack strained his ears to hear every detail, trying to imagine what gift Charlie
had bought. A snow brick maker? What could be better than that?
“Okay. You can open now.”
“Oh my gosh, Charlie, it’s beautiful! Is this…?” Alice nearly sobbed. “Is this
really…?”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“It is. I want you to marry me, Alice.”
“Oh, I love it. I really do!”
“I’m glad.”
“I know we had talked about it…”
Jack heard a quiver in Alice’s voice and thought he could hear her sniffle once
or twice, as if she were on the verge of tears.
“You are happy, right?” Charlie asked.
“Of course I am, but right now I’m just…” Alice took a deep breath and finally
laughed with giddy delight. “Thank you, Charlie! This moment is perfect.”
“You’re welcome, but…”
“But what, Charlie?”
“But–do you want to marry me?”
“Of course I do, Charlie! I love you. So that’s a yes.”
Charlie laughed. “Just making sure. And I love you too.”
A brief silence followed. Jack imagined that Alice and Charlie were kissing
again. Jack ran a finger through the pine needles out of boredom, wondering
how long he would be stuck here. He could almost smell the tomato soup and
saltine crackers waiting for him at home, cooling down with each passing
moment.
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“Oh, Charlie, but how could you afford this?”
“Well, I…”
“Did you spend your savings?”
“It’s not what you think, Alice, but I suppose I should tell you the truth.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, that isn’t–a diamond. But it is a real gemstone. White topaz.”
“Looks just like a diamond to me, Charlie. And I do adore it.”
“Maybe when I make some money in a few years, I can buy you the real thing.”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“No, Charlie. Never. I love this ring just the way it is. I don’t ever want to part
with it.”
“Thanks for saying that, Alice. I’m glad you like it.”
“You gave it to me with your heart. It’s more than I ever hoped for.”
Then there was another silent pause, testing Jack’s patience. He bent his
head, gazing listlessly at his boots. His toes were growing as numb as his mind
by the second. And it wasn’t even a real diamond, Jack irritably mused,
wondering how long that girl could stand in the freezing cold and just stare at it.
This was pure, unadulterated tedium that he had to endure–even worse than
being dragged along clothes shopping with his sisters. Why was it happening
to him? And when would it ever end?
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“But, Charlie, my parents will never let–”
“I know, Alice. That’s why I don’t want anyone else to hear about this yet, at
least for a couple years. When we’re almost done with college we can tell
people.”
“Yes, we can do that. We’ll be older and they won’t be able to object too much.”
“So in the meantime, Alice…”
“…this will be our secret engagement!”
“That’s just what I was thinking–a secret. A gargantuan secret.”
Alice giggled. “It is rather romantic, Charlie. In this whole wide world, only the
two of us will know. What a great secret to share as a couple.”
Jack tightened his arms around his coat, shifting his eyes suspiciously,
imagining that someone was watching him as he reluctantly played the role of
an inadvertent spy. He felt guilty for having overheard Charlie and Alice’s
conversation, wondering if he should block his ears from this moment forward.
But it was too late now. Their secret had been spilled. He felt miserably cold
and just wanted to go home.
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“But there’s one other problem.”
“What, Alice?”
“I won’t be able to wear your beautiful ring!”
Charlie laughed. “I didn’t want you to be able not to, so I solved that problem
too. Here.”
“A silver chain!”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“You can slip it around your neck and hide the ring under your sweater. No
one will know.”
“Except us! Here, let me put it on now.”
Jack yawned as another moment passed. The fragrant pine was making him
sleepy. If Charlie and Alice didn’t hurry up, Jack pictured his frozen body being
discovered here by a gardener some time next spring. He quickly rubbed a few
snowflakes on his face to revive himself.
“There, Alice. No one will be the wiser.”
“Won’t it be wonderful to walk through the high school corridors together,
Charlie, knowing what we know?”
“Just don’t let any of your girlfriends see it. Or your kid sister.”
“Trust me, I won’t. I’ll only wear the ring when I’m sure it’ll be safe. Otherwise I’
ll hide it in my jewelry box. It has a lock and key.”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“Good idea. Hey, your cheeks are turning red. We better go inside before
everyone misses us.”
“I hope I can stop smiling, Charlie, or I might give our secret away.”
“Oh, you better not do that!”
Jack heard the front door reopen. The sounds of conversation and Christmas
carols again drifted outside, then a door slammed shut and all was silent. Jack
exhaled deeply, remaining still for a few tedious seconds as he listened for any
more hint of talking, laughter or footsteps. There was nothing but cold quiet.
Jack stood up, popping his head out of the shrubbery and surveying the
surroundings. Not a soul was in sight.
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
He bounded out of the pine like a startled deer and ran to the end of Spruce
Lane, taking a sharp right onto the next street. Jack took another right at the
end of that block and trudged up a steep hill until he reached his own. He held
his gloved hands to his face to keep warm as white wisps of breath escaped
into the air like pallid ghosts. Jack made one more right turn, marching eagerly
toward the fourth house down the street, its windows ablaze with light, thinking
only of hot soup. Then the front door swung open. Jack looked up as his sister
Loretta stepped outside like a school principal.
“Where have you been, Jack?” she said, folding her arms. “I was about to go
looking for you. Mom called out the door three times.”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“I had to–look for something.”
“Well, get inside. Aunt Marge and Uncle Dave have a present for you.”
“Great. Probably another itchy sweater,” he muttered. Jack glumly recalled the
red checkered sweater he received from his aunt and uncle last year, as well
as the clip-on tie and shirt set for his eighth birthday. Could a boy’s life be any
crueler? “Merry Christmas!” he said sarcastically, shaking his head while
stepping into the warm house.
Jack quickly shed his hat and scarf, dropping them on the floor. The voices of
his parents and relatives sitting around the kitchen table drifted into the front
hallway wildly decorated with strands of silver garland.
“You look sunburned.” Loretta smirked, noticing Jack’s ruby cheeks. She hung
up her coat on a wall peg. “Maybe Mom won’t scold you.”
“I just want hot soup.”
Loretta nodded as she started to leave. “All right. I’ll reheat it.”
“Thanks.” Jack sat on the floor and untied his snow boots. “Hey, Loretta. Can I
ask you something?”
His sister turned around. “Sure, Jack. What?”
“Promise not to tell anyone?” he whispered, removing one boot.
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
“I promise,” she said. “What do you want to know?”
“Do you really promise? I don’t want to get in trouble.”
“I really promise.” Loretta sighed impatiently as Jack removed his other boot.
“What is it?”
“Just, umm…” He rubbed his nose. “I need to know what a…” Jack’s heart
pounded. He suddenly wondered if he should tell his sister about Charlie and
Alice, terrified he might get into trouble. It was a secret after all, a gargantuan
secret, and Jack felt guilty for even having heard it. But keeping such
information to himself was about as easy as falling asleep on Christmas Eve
night. So Jack decided to take the risk. He signaled for Loretta to step closer
and stood on his tiptoes, whispering into her ear.
Loretta stepped back, puzzled. “A secret what?”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
Jack indicated for Loretta to lean down as he again whispered into her ear. His
sister’s eyes opened wide.
“A secret engagement? Now where did you ever hear about something like
that?”
“Well, I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but…” Jack rubbed his chin as a
debate briefly raged in his mind. “I really don’t want to get into trouble, Loretta,
so you have to promise me one thing. Okay?”
“Okay. What am I promising?”
“That you’ll never repeat what I’m about to tell you to anybody–ever.”
© Copyright 2008 Thomas J. Prestopnik
Read Chapter 14
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