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Chapter One
Christmas Eve, 2000
“Have you ever seen such a beautiful sight? It’s as if an artist painted this scene,” Karen said, looking out the General Hospital 6th Floor window to the winter wonderland below.
“Pretty limited as an artist, if you ask me. Why is everything white? Did the artist forget to add colors to his palette?” Chris Ramsey questioned with his usual sarcasm. It had been a long day for Chris, and he was ready to get out of the hospital. Not that he didn’t love his work; being a doctor was one of the most important things in the world to him.
Not just any doctor, Chris thought, but an expensive, well-known and sought after doctor. Being the best had its benefits, like wealth.
Karen looked at Chris and sighed. “It’s Christmas Eve, Chris. Don’t you feel the least bit sentimental? You know, peace on earth, goodwill toward men and all that?”
Chris gave Karen a look mixed with ridicule and mockery. “Doesn’t pay well enough, if you ask me.”
They both turned and walked toward the Nurse’s station. Karen was shaking her head, but couldn’t hide a smile at Chris and his remarks.
Chris noticed and asked, “So why are you smiling? Anticipating all the wonderful presents you’ll get tomorrow morning?”
“Actually, my family will be exchanging gifts tonight. I’m going to be here tomorrow,” Karen answered.
“Here?” Chris said. “But you’re not scheduled to work. Joe is.” I made sure of that, Chris thought. He and Joe had been at odds since Day One, and the tension only increased since Chris had become Chief Resident. And at times it was necessary for the CR to exert his power, Chris derived.
“Yes, I know that Joe is working tomorrow. I find it strange that he’s pulled the last three or four graveyard and holiday shifts.” Karen raised her eyebrow at her statement to Chris, knowing that he had purposely scheduled Joe to work these. “But Ian and I are throwing a little Christmas party at the Clinic tomorrow and I want to be there to help.”
They reached the Nurse’s desk, and Karen began putting away her patient charts.
“You know, Chris, if you aren’t busy tomorrow, maybe you’d like to come. We do need someone to play Santa. The kids will recognize Ian by his Irish accent if he does it.”
Chris gave a rude snort. “Yeah, right, like I’m going to dress up for a bunch of dirty and indigent people on my time off. No way. I’ll be heading over to Atlantic City to take in a couple of shows and maybe even a few showgirls,” Chris said, wriggling his eyebrows in Groucho Marx fashion. “You should come with me, Karen. I’ll teach you my black jack strategy.”
Karen shook her head. “No, thank you,” she said. “I plan on being here tomorrow.”
“Well, aren’t you the Miss Goody-Two Shoes! So, does this mean that every homeless person in Port Charles will be there tomorrow?” Chris couldn’t help asking.
“We can only hope, Dr. Ramsey,” Karen said. “We can only hope.” She then turned to walk into the open elevator doors. “Merry Christmas, Chris,” Karen called out, as the doors were closing, leaving Chris staring at an empty space.
**************************************
Chris
was in the Doctor’s lounge, having just changed from his hospital scrubs
to his street clothes. He wanted to get out of GH before it got any
later. In his rush to leave, he hurriedly went through the door,
running into the person on the other side.
It was Lucy Coe, dressed in her very, very Christmas best. From her ears dangled little flashing holiday lights. But at that moment, they were dim compared to the loathing in her eyes that was directed at Chris.
Both stared at each other, waiting for the other to draw first blood.
Lucy spoke first, making only a simple statement. “I was looking for Karen.” The coldness in her voice could have rivaled the frosty weather outside.
“She left about thirty minutes ago,” Chris answered. “She said she was going to a family party.” Chris moved closer to Lucy, arms crossed over his chest. “I believe you know them-the Baldwins?”
Lucy’s eyes tightened for moment at Chris’ comment. Lucy and Scott had been divorced a few months now, and Chris couldn’t help but rub it in about the loss of her family unit.
“Yes, I know that.” Lucy rose to take Chris’ bait. “In fact, I will be over there later. I just thought Karen was still here and I wanted to talk to her about the clinic thing tomorrow and…Oh, never mind.”
Chris chuckled quietly at Lucy’s frustration. She still harbored the thought that he knew where Julie and Christina were and Lucy made sure Chris always felt her wrath. It felt good to get her first this time.
“So, what family will you be spending Christmas with this year, Chris?” Lucy asked, feigning sweetness. “Oh, wait, that’s right. You don’t have a family.” Lucy looked piercingly at Chris before turning on her heel and walking quickly away.
Bitch. Like I want to spend Christmas with some family, opening presents that I would have to return the next day.
Chris turned and walked toward the exit of GH, dismissing Lucy and her comments from his mind.
As Chris walked to his car, a homeless man came up to him. His coat was thin and ragged, and the gloves on his hands were full of holes.
“Somethin’ for the holiday season?” the man said, with his hand held out.
Chris looked at the man in disgust. “Get a job, will you? The rest of us have to work, so why can’t you?”
Chris hurried on by, not seeing the pale face of the homeless man glow in the waning light of the day.
***********************************
Chris
was drinking his 2nd glass of wine as he sat in front of the fireplace
in his apartment. He had changed and was now in his plush dark robe,
ready for bed. In his hand was a small envelope, with no return address.
Probably from the building superintendent, wanting me to give money
for the doorman’s Christmas present, Chris thought. Forget
that. I work for my money the same as anyone else.
It wasn’t from the superintendent.
Two small pictures fell out of the envelope. One was of a baby, maybe a little over a year old.
Christina.
Chris hurriedly picked up the other picture. It was of Julie and Christina, both smiling. Julie looked lovely. Her hair was arranged on top of her head, a few of the curly tendrils framing her face. Her eyes may have been a little tired, but they were smiling brightly.
Christina looked healthy and happy. She was starting to favor Julie with her wide smile and curly hair. On the back of one of the pictures, ‘Merry Christmas’ was written in Julie’s handwriting. “We miss you’ was written on the other.
Yeah, right, you miss me. I guess that’s why you left me.
Chris reached inside the envelope for a letter, but found none. He stared at the pictures again, wondering why she sent them.
Forget about it, Chris. Forget them. They’re never coming back. What did you expect-a Christmas reunion, Ramsey?
Like I believe in Christmas, Chris thought.
No Christmas decorations adorned his home, nothing to show there was even a holiday approaching.
He put the pictures aside, determined to not think about either of them again. He was looking forward to his day trip to Atlantic City tomorrow. Bright neon lights, flashy showgirls and the wonderful holiday sound of the roulette wheel spinning. Now that’s Christmas, he thought. The only jingle wanted to hear was from the coins as they fell from the slot machines.
With that last thought, he drained his glass of wine and walked to the kitchen to put the glass in the sink. As he walked toward his bedroom, he was startled by the sight before him.
It was the homeless man from before, the one who was asking for a hand out, standing in the middle of his living room.
“What are you doing here? Leave or I will call security. Right now!” Chris had no idea how the homeless man got in here; he just wanted him out of his apartment.
“Now, Chris,” the man spoke, “is that any way to treat an old friend?”
The homeless man lifted his head higher and pushed back his hair to reveal his extremely pale and ashen face. Chris let out a surprised cry. “You!” It couldn’t be! “But you’re dead!”
It was the face of Jake Marshak.
“Yes, it’s me,” the ghostly face of Jake replied.
Chris shook his head in disbelief. “But you’re dead,” he repeated.
“Well, of course I’m dead! Deader than a doornail. Where did that expression come from? Have you ever seen a live doornail?”
There was a ghost in his home that was a comedian? Chris said shakily, “I think I need to sit down. Maybe I shouldn’t have had those two glasses of wine.”
“Oh, you’ll need to rest, all right. You’re going to be going places tonight.” Jake walked silently over to Chris. “I’ve been allowed to come to see you, to warn you."
”What are you talking about? Going places? Warnings?” Chris said. “Wait-why am I arguing with a figment of my imagination?”
Chris put his head back against the couch. “I will wake up soon. I will wake up soon.” After his chant, he looked up at Jake.
Jake was smiling. “I’m not a figment of your imagination. I doubt that you have any imagination in your head that doesn’t pertain to money.”
“And what’s wrong with that?” Chris asked.
“Everything!” Jake exclaimed. “That’s why I’m here. To warn you that you have to change, or you’ll end up…..” Jake looked down for a moment, then back at Chris. “Life isn’t all about making money, Chris, especially at this time of year. Surely you’ve got to know that by now.”
“It’s all I need, buddy!” Chris stood close to the spirit. “Why not make it and spend it now because it sure looks like you can’t where you’re at.”
Jake shook his head in dismay. “I told them you could change. I thought you could.”
“Well, tell ‘them’ that I’m perfectly happy the way I am now. There’s no need to change. You did your job, but you failed.” Chris looked defiantly at Jake.
“Oh no, the job isn’t finished. You’re going to be visited by three other spirits tonight, each taking you on a journey of your life. Hopefully, you will be able to see what changes need to be made in your life.” Jake started moving toward the front door.
“Well, I hate to disappoint you, Jake, but I’ve already got travelling plans for tomorrow. And they don’t include any woo-woo figures or any of your ghoulish friends.” Chris sat on the sofa, waiting for Jake to respond.
“Listen to them, Chris. It may be your only chance.” Jake just looked at Chris, a sad smile on his face. “Merry Christmas, Chris.” With the last remark, Jake floated through the door, disappearing from the room as if he never existed.
The room was in utter silence. Chris lifted his head from the couch. Was I asleep? I had to be. Wow, that was some dream, Ramsey!
You better get some rest if you plan to win at the tables tomorrow, he thought to himself.
Chapter Two
Flick, flick
Chris kept brushing at his ear. It tickled. Did an insect fly in here somehow?
Flick, flick.
Again, Chris brushed his hand over his ear, mentally concentrating as if to make whatever was tickling him to go away. He finally gave up and reached over to turn on the bedside lamp.
Nothing. Not even the buzzing sound of a flying insect was heard at all. He reached over to turn off the lamp and was surprised to see Lucy Coe perched on the end of the night table. A long feather was in her hand, obviously the “insect” that kept tickling Chris’ ear.
He flew back against the headboard, eyes wide open. “What the hell are you doing here?” he exclaimed. “How did you get in here?”
Lucy sat there, smiling an angelic-devilish smile.
“And what do you have on?” Chris couldn’t help but notice Lucy’s attire. She was dressed like a Barbie doll, the fairy princess kind. Her shiny pink dress sparkled as she moved to the center of the room.
“Do you like it?” Lucy asked, as she twirled in tiny circles. The dress reached the top of her high heeled shoes, which were the same sparkly pink color as her dress. Her long hair cascaded from the very top of her head down her back, reaching to her waist. “When I heard I was going to be a fairy type of spirit, I wanted to look the part.”
Chris lay in bed dumbfounded. What was in that wine tonight?
“Okay, Lucy, I know this is a dream. I bet you’re going to tell me about how I need to change my ways and stop making money and…”
“Making money isn’t bad, Chris,” the fairy-Lucy spoke. “It’s what you do with it that counts. That’s where you need to change your ways.”
“Okay, I get the message. Now, can I get back to sleep? I’ve got a busy day planned tomorrow,” Chris said as he crawled back under the covers.
“No way, buster. You’re coming with me.” Lucy stared down at Chris until he opened his eyes.
“I have to admit you look fetching in that outfit, but I’m not going anywhere until tomorrow when…”
“...when you go to Atlantic City?” Lucy finished for him.
Chris looked at Lucy in surprise. “How did you… Oh, Karen must have told you.”
Lucy just smiled and held out her hand. “Come with me,” she commanded.
“Lucy, I told you I…whoa! What’s happening? What are you doing?!” Chris couldn’t help but sound alarmed when his body began levitating off the bed and toward Lucy.
“I told you that you were coming with me. Don’t you get it, Chris? I’m one of the spirits that Jake told you about.” Lucy lowered Chris to a standing position on the floor beside her. “Now, are you ready?”
Chris was speechless. What was going on? “Am I going nuts?”
“No, you aren’t crazy.” Lucy looked Chris in the eyes and said earnestly, “I’m here to help you, Chris. To show you the real meaning of Christmas, what life and love are all about.”
Chris said, “I think I’d rather be nuts.”
Lucy raised her hand and slapped Chris in the back of the head. “Snap out of it, buster. You’re not nuts and you are coming with me. I’m going to show you the Christmas Past whether you like it or not.”
Chris was rubbing the back of his head. “I thought fairy princesses were supposed to be nice.”
“Well, I guess you don’t know everything, do you?” Lucy took her long feather and made a few circles around them, creating a showy stirring of whirling gold flakes.
Chris waved his hand in front of his face, pretending to choke. “A little heavy on the fairy dust, Lucy. Try going a little lighter next time.”
Lucy paid no attention to Chris. Her gaze was focused on the two little boys watching the small TV in the corner of the room. The older of the two was trying to watch some medical drama on the television, while the younger boy kept pulling on his arm to get his attention.
“Do you think he will come, Chris? Do you?” The little boy was probably four or five and was impatiently waiting for his big brother to answer.
“I don’t know, Jack. Santa Claus may not know that we’ve moved to this place. We’ve only lived here for a couple of months.” Young Chris didn’t want to get his little brother’s hopes up, but he didn’t want to hurt him either. He was just a kid.
“That was sweet of you, Chris. You seem very protective of your little brother.”
Chris realized where he was, or more accurately, when he was. He had been taken back to over 15 years in the past. Lucy and Chris were off to one side of the room, observing the interaction between the two brothers.
“His head was always in the clouds,” Chris said gruffly, but with a little softness in his voice. “Can they see us?”
“No, and they can’t hear us, either.”
Jack began questioning his brother again. “If he does come, what do you think he’ll bring us? Do you still want a steth--, a steth--, one of those things that doctors hang around their necks?”
“Oh, he’s so cute!” Lucy exclaimed over the innocent face of little Jack. “How ever did you get such a sweet little brother?”
Chris wasn’t paying attention to Lucy. He was listening to the two young boys’ conversation.
Jack was waiting for Young Chris to answer. Young Chris knew their chances of getting presents like that under the tree in the morning were slim, but he played Jack’s game anyway.
“Yeah, I still want that. And it’s called a stethoscope. It’s to listen to people’s hearts with,” Young Chris answered.
“Guess what I want?” Jack said eagerly.
Young Chris tilted his head to the side as if pondering an answer. “Hmm. Let’s see. Would that be a…refrigerator?”
“:No,“ Jack said laughingly.
“How about a toaster?” Chris said.
“No!” Jack was giggling now.
“Wait! I know, I know! You want a new pair of socks!” Young Chris was laughing at his little brother’s expression.
“NO!” Both boys were laughing now. “I want a…
“RED WAGON!!” They both finished the sentence together, and fell into each other laughing. Young Chris began tickling his little brother, making him squeal with peals of laughter.
It was such sweet family moment, two brothers simply enjoying being with each other. Chris had such a wistful smile, until whack! Lucy smacked him behind his head again.
“Ow! What did you do that for?” Chris rubbed his sore spot and glared at Lucy.
“Because you turned out the way you did! Look at the sweet and tender way you treat your brother. Why can’t you be like that now?” Lucy demanded of Chris.
Chris continued to rub his head. “Things don’t always last, Lucy. Of all people, you should know that.”
Chris affectionately looked at Jack. “Within the next two years, we will have moved five more times. For a long time, I was the only thing constant in that kid’s life.”
“So what happened, Chris?”
“I went to college and medical school and didn’t find the time to come home a lot. I was working to put myself through school,” he said in defense at Lucy’s raised eyebrows.
“Maybe you should call him,” Lucy lightly admonished.
‘We drifted apart. The last I heard, he was in upstate New York somewhere.” Chris looked so forlorn, staring at his baby brother. “I don’t even know where to start looking.”
Lucy reached over to Chris with her hand outstretched. He pulled his head back and said, “You’re not going to hit me again, are you?”
She laid her hand gently in his cheek. “He’s your brother, Chris. Being a part of a family is the bestest bestest thing.”
Lucy then began twirling her feather again, creating gold fairy dust around them.
“Wait! Wait! I’m not ready to go yet! We were so happy!” Chris tried to move from within the circle of dust, but he couldn’t move.
He woke to realize he was fighting the covers of his bed, as if trying to escape from something.
“Whew!” he said out loud. “That was one weird dream.”
He laid back down but not closing his eyes yet. There was something on his pillow.
The feather. Lucy’s magic feather.
“How did…” Chris never got to finish his thought.
Crash!
Chapter Three
Chris heard a crashing noise, coming from his bedroom closet.
“Hey! Let me out! Let me out of here!” The muffled voice sounded vaguely familiar.
Well, I don’t have a whole lot to lose by opening that door.
Chris got out of bed and went over to the closet. He jerked the door open quickly and a screaming blonde woman descended upon him. Chris lost his balance and fell onto the hardwood floor, with the blonde tumbling on top of him.
“Dr. Ramsey! Will you please let me up?”
“Alison? Is that you?” What was going on tonight?
Alison got up off the floor and straightened her leather jacket and pants. “Yes, it’s me. Who else did you expect?”
“I…no one, I expected no one.” Chris stuttered. They both stood and looked at each other for a moment.
“You like?” Alison questioned, taking a model’s pose.
Chris looked at her quizzically, not knowing exactly what she meant.
“My outfit! Do you like my new leather outfit?” Alison practically demanded.
“Yes, yes, it’s very becoming,” Chris said automatically. What was it about women and their clothes?
“Okay, now here’s the deal. You see, I really didn’t realize what exactly the ghost of Christmas Present was. Well, I knew what it was, I just thought it was something different,” Alison explained, as she began pacing around the room. “I mean, when you say Christmas Present, don’t you think of Christmas presents? You know gifts?”
Chris nodded silently, although Alison really didn’t need his acknowledgement. She continued with her diatribe.
“Anyway, since I realized that I wouldn’t be getting any gifts on this gig, I decided to go shopping for my own present. You know, to myself. And this outfit was just perfect for where we’re going.”
“So where are…” Chris began.
“And before you ask where we’re going, here we are.” With a wave of her hands, Chris and Alison were transported to the Baldwin family living room.
Scott and Lee were on the sofa, talking about the consistency of the eggnog. Each thought their own version was better than the other’s. Gail and Karen were just going in to the kitchen, and Lucy and Serena were sitting on the floor in front of the Christmas tree.
“So why am I here?” Chris asked. “The Baldwins hate me.”
“We’re here to show you how a family celebrates Christmas, even one as disjointed as the Baldwins,” Alison explained with a bit of exasperation. “Look at Karen and Gail. They didn’t meet until a few years ago but you couldn’t tell it by the way they are together.”
Alison and Chris were in the kitchen now, listening to Gail’s and Karen’s conversation.
“So, I thought Ian was going to come over,” Gail asked Karen. “Did he get called back to the hospital?”
“There was a patient he wanted to check on. If it’s not too late, he said he’d love to stop by for some of Lee’s eggnog,” Karen answered.
“You’ve been seeing a lot of Dr. Thornhart, haven’t you, Karen?”
Karen quickly answered, “Only at the hospital. We do work together.”
“I thought you two had been out a few times?”
“Just as colleagues, Gail.”
“And that present you brought in for him-a new sweater wasn’t it? Is it just a present for a colleague?” Gail asked with a twinkle in her eye.
Karen blushed. “Well, he doesn’t have any family here, and it is Christmas…”
Gail chuckled as she put her arm around Karen’s shoulders and led her back to the living room.
Chris was staring at their receding backs as Alison was admiring her manicure.
“Karen’s got a crush on Thornhart? Since when?” Chris was a bit puzzled by this.
“Don’t tell me you have noticed the way she looks at him when no one else is around,” Alison said.
“I didn’t even realize the two of them were dating,” Chris said.
Alison sighed. “They’re not dating. Dr. Thornhart doesn’t know that Karen likes him.”
“Come to think of it though, they’re perfect for each other. Together, they’re a pair of bleeding hearts,” Chris mused.
Chris turned to ask Alison, “So, is this why I’m here? To see Karen moon over Ian?”
“Nooo.” Alison waved her hands again (as Chris ducked from being hit) and they were back into the living room. Serena had come up behind Lucy, who was still on the floor, staring into the fire.
“Do you think Christina is having a good Christmas?” Serena asked as she put her arms around Lucy’s neck.
Tears sprang to Lucy’s eyes as she reached for Serena’s arms. “You know, Sweet pea, I bet Julie is taking real good care of her and buying her lots and lots of toys to open Christmas morning and play with all day long.”
Serena moved to sit in front of Lucy. “I just wish we could see her, to know she’s okay,” Serena said.
“Me, too, Sweet pea, me, too.”
Lucy sniffled for a moment, then put a big bright smile on her face.
“But you know what we can do? We can send her our very bestest Christmas wishes. We’ll concentrate together and send her our love and how that we hope she’s happy wherever she is.”
Lucy grabbed Serena’s hands in hers and they both closed their eyes.
“Are you concentrating?” Lucy asked.
Serena opened her eyes and said, “I think we need more help.” She looked over at the rest of her now misty-eyed family, who were all now staring at the duo on the floor.
Serena let go of Lucy’s hand and extended it out to her family. Lucy and Serena made room as Gail, Lee, Scott and Karen joined them, all holding hands, all concentrating on sending out their love for Christina on this Christmas Eve.
“That’s a little silly, don’t you think?” Chris said to Alison. “Like Christina is really going to feel their wishes,” he smirked.
Alison let out a heavy sigh. “Don’t you get it? It’s for their benefit as much as hers. Just because Christina isn’t here, doesn’t mean that Lucy and Scott and the rest of the family have stopped loving her.”
Alison shook her head. “I knew I should have read the fine print. You’re making this job way too hard,” she muttered.
Before Chris could retort, Alison was wildly flailing her arms around again, and within two seconds they were in the Scanlon household, watching the Scanlons and company enjoy Christmas Eve dinner. There was Frank and Neil, Joe and Gabriela, Mary and Victor, and Kevin and Eve, all seated around a beautifully decorated table.
“Oh, great, you brought me here to torture me?”
“Noooo.” Alison brushed back her hair and said, ”We’re here for the same reason as before; to see a family in action of Christmas Eve.”
Chris squinted his eyes and said, “But does it have to be the Scanlons? Weren’t the Baldwins enough?”
Alison wasn’t paying attention to Chris. She had walked over to the dining room mirror, and was straightening her jacket and peering closer in the mirror to check her makeup.
Chris walked over to where Joe and Gabriela sat. They were discussing with Frank and Neil the new computer game Neil received had received as a Christmas present.
“It’s so cool!” Neil exclaimed. “I can’t wait to play it.” Neil turned to Joe and said, “Can I use your computer, Joe? Mine is to slow for this.”
“Sure, but only if you let me play, too,” Joe said with a smile.
“Great! Let’s play all day tomorrow.” The excitement was shining through Neil’s wide eyes.
Joe’s face fell for a moment as he told Neil, “Sorry, but not tomorrow, buddy. I have to work at the hospital tomorrow.”
Frank became irritated when he heard this. “Again? Ramsey scheduled you to work a holiday again?”
“I am still on probation, Frank. Which means that I’m the low man on the totem pole.” Joe looked over at Neil. “We’ll play on my next day off. I promise.”
“And have you ever known Joe not to keep his word?“ Gabriela teasingly asked Neil.
Neil began smiling. “Only when he says he can beat me at Nintendo.”
They were still chuckling when Eve said, “Did I hear you say you had to work tomorrow? On Christmas Day?”
“Well somebody’s got to do it. Might as well be me,” Joe said. He wasn’t going to let this put a damper on their family Christmas.
“What was Ramsey thinking, putting you on again. You’ve worked every holiday shift lately.”
Frank couldn’t help himself. “Your friend Chris can be a jerk sometimes, Eve.”
Chris looked at Frank, then back at Eve. “Come on, Eve, show them who’s your friend. Tell Frank he’s full of it.”
Eve stared at Frank for a moment and then said, “He’s not a jerk sometimes, Frank.” She paused, then said, “He’s a jerk all the time!”
The end of the table erupted with laughter, as Chris walked over to Alison.
“How can she do that? Shouldn’t she be defending me?”
“Well, with the way you’ve been acting toward everybody, is it any wonder why they talk about you like this?” Alison turned on her heel and walked out of the room.
“But I’m just being Chief Resident! They’re the ones that keep bringing their personal life to work.” Chris couldn’t understand this.
“At least the have a personal life, Dr. Ramsey. What else do you do besides work at the hospital and try to make more money?” Alison had her arms across her chest and was waiting for Chris to answer her.
“There’s more?” Chris said in a baffling tone.
Alison let out an annoyed grunt and stomped her foot. “Do something for someone else for a change! Not because you’ll benefit from it, but just because it’s a good thing!”
Chris stared at Alison blankly.
Alison stepped closer to Chris. “These families you’ve seen aren’t perfect. But they’re here celebrating Christmas the best way they know how. They love and care for each other, no matter what’s missing from their lives. Don’t you think Neil would like his mother and father to get along, if not be together? And the Baldwins-they don’t have Christina. But is any of this stopping them from celebrating the most wonderful time of the year with love and compassion? Do you GET IT YET?”
Alison was practically screaming the last sentence.
Chris was backed up against the wall. “Okay, okay, I get it. I need to treat people better.”
At Alison’s glare, he changed it to, “Okay, a LOT better. I need to treat people a lot better.”
Alison smiled. You’re improving, Dr. Ramsey.”
She stepped back into the center of the room and said, “It’s been fun, but I have to go. Okay, it hasn’t been real fun, but at least I got a new outfit out of it.” Her arms began to move about again frantically and soon Chris found himself leaning against his own bedroom wall, no Alison in sight.
Without Alison’s voice filling the silence, the quietness in the room seemed to echo.
Okay, so maybe I can make a few changes in my attitude. It won’t hurt me to be a little nicer, once in a while, Chris thought. As long as it doesn’t interfere with my long range financial plans, I can change.
Chris made his way into the bathroom for a glass of water. After gulping down a glass and a half, he felt calmer and ready for bed-again.
As he turned out the light, he walked into his bedroom, prepared to do just that.
Until he saw the ghoulish apparition levitating over his bed, with a scythe in hand.
Oh, God. He’s going to kill me.
Chapter Four
Oh, God. He’s going to kill me.
Chris couldn’t help but think that as the macabre apparition floated toward him. The figure stopped a few yards in front of Chris. He couldn’t see the face. Do I want to? Chris wasn’t for sure he did.
“Okay, spooky guy, are you here for me?” Chris heard a slight tremble in his voice.
The ghost slowly nodded his head yes.
Gulp.
“Are we going somewhere?”
The ghost pointed toward the door of the bedroom, and Chris began to tentatively walk toward it.
As he passed through the door, he came upon an enormous office, apparently in a high-rise building because of the skyscrapers viewed from the large windows.
In the back center of the room, sat a huge desk with a older man sitting in an expensive leather bound chair.
“Hey! That’s me!” Chris exclaimed. “I must have done extremely well.” Finally, something that was going right with these dreams, he thought.
The Older Chris was speaking on the telephone, obviously not happy. “He’s here? Okay, send him in, then call security.”
Within a few seconds after hanging up, a man walked, rather limped, into the room. He had the type of face that should have looked younger but life’s hard knocks had taken it’s toll on it.
“Chris, thank God! You’ve got to help me!”
“What is it now, Jack? I’ve told you in the past not to come here.” Older Chris was eyeing Jack with contempt.
“Jack? That’s Jack? What’s happened to him? Why is he limping? And why am I being so mean to my brother?” Chris looked to the ghost for answers, but none came. He only pointed to the two brothers.
“They’re after me, Chris. If I don’t pay back the money I owe, they’re going to kill me! My leg hasn’t healed from the last time, and I just know this time they will kill me.” Jack looked desperate.
“Yes, I noticed the limp. I suppose it will slow you down.”
A knock on the door interrupted them. It was building security.
“Dr. Ramsey? You said there was trouble here?” The guards eyed Jack and his disheveled appearance.
“No trouble.”
Jack let out a sigh of relief when he heard Chris, until the next sentence.
“Just some of the local riffraff that needs to be thrown out.” Older Chris looked directly at Jack, then to the guards. “Get him out of here and prohibit him from ever entering the building again.”
“Why am I doing that? That’s my brother! I should help him!” Chris was frustrated at not being able to help Jack. He helplessly stood by while the guards dragged a screaming Jack from the room.
“Chris! Chris! You can’t do this to me!” Jack’s cries were being ignored by Older Chris, and then there was silence in the room.
Chris went over to the Older Chris and began yelling at him. “How could you do that? He’s your brother!”
Chris walked away in frustration and anger. How could he turn away his own brother?
A buzzer sounded and then a voice announced over the intercom “Dr. Wexler is here to see you.”
“Dr. Wexler? At least I’m still friends with Karen,” Chris said optimistically.
The door and Karen Wexler walked through. She looked old for her age, and her clothes were definitely off the rack-last year’s rack, at that.
“Dr. Ramsey, thank you for seeing me,” Karen said.
Older Chris half-stood and hurriedly shook her outstretched hand.
“Now, Karen, we’ve known each other too long, it’s Chris.” Older Chris leaned back in his chair and opened a box on his desk. It was full of expensive Cuban cigars. He took his time in lighting one, making Karen wait until he was ready to begin the conversation.
“I’m sorry we had to meet today, but it’s the only time I had available,” the older man said, blowing smoke rings in the air.
Karen waved her hand in front of her face, trying to remove some of the smoke before she spoke. “Well Christmas Eve is pushing it a little, but as long as the clinic note gets paid by Monday, everything should be fine.”
“Ah, yes, my yearly contribution.” Older Chris began writing out a check in his checkbook.
“This is very much appreciated, Chris. Since we are no longer located in General Hospital, we wouldn’t be able to keep our current building without your donation.”
“No praise is necessary, Karen. I’m happy to do my part.” Older Chris smiled and handed her the check.
Chris looked at the ghost in amazement. “Well at least I have a few redeeming qualities. I obviously support the clinic.”
The ghost didn’t respond.
Karen stood and shook Older Chris’ hand again. “Thank you again, Chris. You are helping so many people with this.”
“Merry Christmas,’ she said as she left the office.
“I’m helping myself, dear naïve Karen,” the Older Chris said, snickering as he picked up the phone.
“I want you to call the bank before Monday and cancel that $50,000 check I just gave to Dr. Wexler,” he said into the phone. “Yes, I know it’s too late for them to get more funding, but if they don’t pay for their building, I can pick it up for a song from the bank.”
“I don’t care if it is Christmas, DO IT!” he yelled into the phone before hanging up.
The Older Chris leaned back in his chair, blowing smoke in the air, and laughing at his good fortune.
“What have I turned into?” Chris pleaded with the ghost to tell him. “I’m not like this! I would never become like this!”
Have I changed so much? Chris said to himself.
The ghost then pointed toward a door, one that Chris hadn’t seen earlier. He walked to it, noticing that the ghost wasn’t following him.
As soon as he went through the door, it was slammed behind him, making a resounding noise. It was a funeral home, with a funeral just ending. Chris walked up to the casket, fearful in what he would see.
It was his dead body, slightly older than before.
Chris then noticed two undertakers coming to the casket.
“Well, I guess no one is going to show up for this guy. Can you imagine not having any friends or relatives that cared about you? Nobody at your funeral to shed one tear?” one man said.
“Must have been a real mean s.o.b.” the other said.
The two men began moving the casket out of the empty room.
“Where are they taking me? Where are you going with my body?” Chris screamed.
The men walked through a door in the back, and Chris rushed to follow them. As soon as he went through the doorway, he began falling, lower and lower until he could no longer see the light from the other room.
He landed with a thud on the floor, and as soon as he raised his head, he saw the walls begin to erupt with flames.
The room was on fire, and it was coming closer and closer.
“Help me! Somebody help me!’” Chris shouted to be heard, but no one came. “I’ll change! I promise I’ll change! Just let me live, let me live!” His voice was growing hoarse. “I’ll change, I’ll change!” he kept saying.
Chapter
Five
“I’ll change, I’ll change.”
Chris woke up with a start. He was in his own bed, and drenched with sweat. He lay there panting, trying to catch his breath.
Wow, what a nightmare, Ramsey. You need to get a hold of yourself, Chris thought.
It was still very early, but Chris rose from the bed and wandered into the kitchen.
“Maybe if I have some coffee I will feel normal again,” he said out loud to himself.
As he opened the cabinet to get the coffee canister, an object came floating downward.
It was a small pink feather-lightly, softly, floating in the air, before slowly falling to the counter.
Chris looked around quickly. “Lucy?” he called.
Silence.
Chris picked up the feather, turning it sideways to examine every inch of it.
Was it real, Chris wondered. Do I really have a chance to change the future? Change me?
He then knew what he had to do.
I only hope it’s not too late.
********************************************
GH
Clinic
“They’re going to know who I am, Karen. This Irish accent has been with me for a while and I don’t think I could speak any other way.”
Ian and Karen were in the doctor’s lounge, both holding a piece of the Santa Claus suit between them.
“Well, I can’t wear it. I’m a woman,” Karen argued.
“And a lovely woman you are. But…”
“Am I interrupting something?” asked Chris.
“Chris! What are you doing here?” Karen questioned. “I thought you were going to Atlantic City?”
“Well, I decided that maybe this was the place for Christmas this year. Besides, who really wants to spend Christmas in New Jersey?” Chris was smiling at the two dumbfounded doctors.
Both were openly staring at Chris, unable to believe their ears.
“Well, do you still want me to be Santa or not?” Chris said with a twinkle in his eyes.
Ian was the first to recover. “Yes! I think you’ll make the perfect Santa Claus, Ramsey.” He gave Chris the Santa suit. “With my blessing.”
“Are you sure you want to do this, Chris?” Karen was still a bit skeptical.
“I’m positive. Although, I do have to leave the party by 3:00. I’m taking the rest of Joe’s shift today.”
Karen’s eyes widened in surprise, but Chris ignored them.
Chris held up the large suit against him. “I think I’m going to need some pillows.”
***********************************
The party had been in full swing for the past hour, and dozens of children had been enjoying “Santa Claus.”
“Care for a break, Ramsey?” Ian was holding out a glass of punch for Chris.
Chris took it gingerly from Ian. “Is this your good deed for the day, Thornhart? Bringing Santa refreshment?”
“Well, I won’t question your good deed, if you don’t question mine.” Ian raised his cup to Chris’ “Cheers.”
“Cheers,” Chris replied.
As Ian was drinking his punch, some children accidentally bumped him from behind, spilling his punch on his sweater. After assuring them there was no harm done, the children continued playing. Ian began cleaning the punch stains diligently.
“Since when are you concerned with clothes? You’re worse than a woman,” Chris remarked.
“This is different. It was a Christmas present from my secret Santa.” Ian continued to dry the punch.
“Secret Santa, huh? Not too secret if you ask me,” Chris said, drinking his own punch.
“What do you mean, Ramsey?” Ian inquired.
“Just think about it, Ian. Who likes you enough, or even knows you well enough, to know to get you not only the right size sweater, but in your favorite color, and also knows you need help because you have no sense of fashion?”
Ian wondered if he should be insulted or not. “Anybody could have found out the answers to those questions.”
Chris chuckled and shook his head. “Not just anybody, somebody special, I think.”
“Are you saying there’s an angel out there looking out for me?” Ian joked. “And how have I missed seeing this angel on my shoulder?” Ian joked.
“Maybe you’ve been looking in the wrong direction,” Chris said as he nodded his head to the left.
Ian turned to see Karen, talking to one of the volunteers. She saw both Ian and Chris looking in her direction and gave them both a big warm smile, although Chris thought it was mostly aimed at Ian.
Ian looked at Chris. “Karen?” he said in wonderment.
“You’re a smart man, Thornhart. Figure it out.” As Chris started to walk away, Lucy came running to through the door.
“Karen! Karen! Oh, you’re not going to believe this!” Lucy was positively beaming.
Ian had walked over to Karen’s side as Chris stayed behind.
“Lucy, what is it? Is everything okay?” It looked like Lucy had good news, but with Lucy, you couldn’t be too sure.
“Oh, this is just the bestest bestest news we could have! The clinic,” she stopped for a moment, unable to speak.
“This was delivered to me by special delivery to me, just a few minutes ago. It says, “ Lucy paused to take a breath, “it says, ‘an anonymous donation has just been received by the Hospital Board and it is to be used to pay for the clinic’s operating expenses-for the next five years!’ Okay, so that’s not the exact words, but that’s what it means!”
Lucy reached over and hugged Karen and Ian. “Isn’t this wonderful? The clinic will be assured of staying open for a long, long time!”
“That’s absolutely wonderful!” Karen exclaimed. “I can’t believe that someone would donate so much money anonymously.”
“Well, whoever he is, he just bought himself a place in my heart.” Lucy couldn’t stop smiling.
Karen and Ian went to tell the others as Lucy walked over to the punch bowl. She didn’t notice Chris, still in the Santa suit, come up beside her until he spoke.
“Lucy? Can I speak to you for a minute?”
“And what do we have to say to one another, Chris?” Lucy’s voice was as cold as ever to Chris.
“Just hear me out, okay. I have something for you.”
Lucy eyed him warily as he pulled an envelope out of his pocket.
“This was delivered to my apartment sometime yesterday. The doorman doesn’t remember seeing anyone, but I contacted the superintendent. He should have the security tapes some time tomorrow.”
Lucy took the envelope from Chris. “What kind of game are you playing, Chris?”
“It’s no game, Lucy.”
Lucy caught her breath as she saw the pictures. “Oh my God! It’s Christina!” She put her hand to her mouth as tears formed in her eyes. “How did you…?”
“The envelope was there when I got home yesterday. I thought you might like to see Christina, and at least know she’s all right. Maybe Scott’s men can get a lead from the pictures; they might be able to tell where they were taken or something.”
Lucy stared at Chris in wonderment.
“Have Scott call this number tomorrow,” as he handed her a card, “and the superintendent should have those security tapes for him. If a delivery service was used, maybe they can be tracked.”
“I don’t know what to say, Chris. For one thing, I can’t believe you’re doing this.” Lucy looked at Chris. “Why are you doing this?”
“Someone once told me that being a part of a family is the best thing, and I want that for Christina,” Chris explained.
Lucy still looked doubtful that he was being genuine.
“It’s Christmas, Lucy. It’s a time for miracles. Maybe one will happen here,” Chris said, pointing at the pictures.
Karen and Ian interrupted their conversation with requests for a toast.
“We’ve got to give thanks to this mysterious benefactor,” Karen said.
Everyone gathered around and filled their cups with punch. Chris noticed that Ian was staying close to Karen, sneaking glances at her when she wasn’t looking, and couldn’t help but smile.
Maybe I should start a matchmaking business, he thought.
“Everyone have their cups filled?” Lucy looked around the room. “Okay, this will be a short toast, especially since we don’t know who we’re toasting. So, here’s to the most wonderful, most generous person in Port Charles; the person that has made a real difference here by helping us keep this clinic open. May God bless him today, and each day after.”
Everyone drank from their raised cups, saluting the unknown benefactor.
Lucy looked around the room and rested her eyes on Chris. “God bless us, everyone!”
***********************************
The
next morning, the day after Christmas, Private Detective Danny Rollins
opened his office to begin a new workday. His answering machine light
was blinking, indicating that a message had been left. After getting
his morning coffee, he settled in to listen to the message.
“Danny, this is Chris Ramsey. I want you to find someone for me, as soon as possible. Spare no expense, understand? The person’s name is Jack Ramsey…..”
