Chapter 4: A Christmas Carol
Chapter 4:
"Psst... Sheridan... hey Sheridan, wake up."
"Mmmm... Ethan? Go away, I'm sleeping..." Sheridan mumbled, snuggling deeper
into her down pillow.
"Sheridan, you must get up now... we have places to visit..." The voice
persisted. "And I am not Ethan... I am the ghost of Christmas Present."
"Oh," Sheridan groaned. "Not again." She sighed and sat up in bed. Sure
enough, not only did the ghost sound like Ethan, he was a mirror image. She
stood and slipped on her dressing gown before holding her hand out to the
spirit. "Very well, I'm ready."
Sheridan and the spirit were at the Harmony mall. There, before them, in the
toys store was Sheridan's other self a mere three days ago. "I'm buying
presents for the community centers Christmas charity program." Real Sheridan
explained unnecessarily to the spirit. "I could've just given them money,
but this seemed more in keeping with the holiday."
The spirit nodded as they watched the other Sheridan putting toys into a
shopping cart. Real Sheridan frowned. "I didn't seem very happy... did I?"
The Ethan-like spirit shook his head. "No, you didn't. You looked troubled."
"I was thinking how I wished I were buying presents for my own children..."
Sheridan murmured. They watched a few moments longer and then the spirit
touched her softly and they were surrounded by the light...
The Crane mansion was filled with expensive decorations and fancy holiday
baubles. Julian was dressed in a tux, his usual brandy in hand. He looked put
out, which was not unusual for him.
Sheridan stood by the spirit and watched, realizing that this was last night,
before the start of the annual Crane Christmas Eve party. Ivy entered,
looking exquisite, as always, and Julian sneered at her. "Is that what you're
wearing? Very plebeian Darling."
Ivy sniffed. "I like this ensemble. Simplicity is not necessarily a bad thing
Julian. Besides, what difference does it make to you?"
"All the difference my Dear. You are my wife. A reflection of myself as it
were..."
"Well, there you go Julian... as a reflection of you I must be perfect..."
Ivy rolled her eyes and sighed wearily.
"You made your bed Ivy..."
"No. Our families did that Julian. God save the rest of humanity from
marriages of convenience."
Julian chuckled. "Oh Ivy, get over it... what's done is done. If only we
could get Sheridan married off to some wealthy heir... or perhaps even a
duke... we would be all set. That combined with a Crane/ Hodgekiss merger
would be a major coup for the family."
"Sheridan will find her own man Julian...one she loves." Ivy said, with a
trace of bitterness.
Julian snorted loudly. "Sheridan will do as she's told..."
Sheridan shuddered at the tone of her brothers voice. It was determined and
final. "Why are you showing me this?" She asked the spirit.
"Because it sets the stage for many Christmas' to come..." Then the spirit
whisked them away again.
This time they were back in Sheridan's cottage, and Sheridan was watching
herself only a few hours ago, just after Luis had left to go home. She
watched herself mope around the cottage, trying to keep busy and she realized
how truly pathetic she was.
"How can I do this to myself?" She asked as she saw herself arranging the
tree ornaments over again. "I should've been out having fun... or at least up
at the mansion joining the party."
"Perhaps..." The spirit said. They watched as the other Sheridan moved about
the room turning out the lights... then the spirit touched her again...
Sheridan sank onto her bed and looked at the Ethan spirit. "Why? Why are you
ghosts showing me how miserable and empty my life is? What do you want from
me?"
"You will find out soon enough Sheridan. Your final visitor will be here
soon. I must go now." As Sheridan watched the spirit burst into a light that
slowly faded away.
"Great... the last visitor." She thought about Scrooge's last visitor in the
movies and shivered. "Maybe he won't show up... it must be a busy night for
him..."
To Be Continued...