The Death of His Dream - a Winter Short Story

Time was running out. Jim Malay had promised to pay Corey on December 1. Already, that was more than three weeks ago.

Corey had just hung up the phone after speaking with Jim. "No money again," he repeated to himself. Until Jim received payment for his part of the work, Corey knew Jim would not be able to pay anyone else. Just a couple of months ago it had all looked a sure bet - and so easy.

Corey owned Baltimore Construction Company. He'd known Jim Malay for many years and Corey was the best dirt man in the area. The end of October Corey had completed $200,000 of work for Jim's Company. It didn't seem a problem to wait until the job was done. At the time money was flowing through the channels. But then, suddenly, the housing movement came to a quick halt. Nothing was moving and no work was being done.

Corey would have to tell Maddie, his wife, the bad news. A big lump formed in the back of his throat.

Of course he was angry, but mostly, he was upset with himself. He'd stretched his company too thin as he and Maddie were building a new house. He'd felt the money would come in quickly and they would be able to both complete the house and move in before the baby came. Not only were they unable to finish the house, but would they ever be able to move into Maddie's dream house. Worse than that, would they lose their business?

Corey and Maddie had twin six year old boys, Matt and John. And now they were going to have their long awaited baby girl, Ashlie. Maddie always helped Corey in the office, but during the past two months she'd been on bed rest. She wanted this little girl so badly and agreed with her doctor that she'd do anything possible to keep her safe. Because the work was so slow, Corey and his guys were able to handle things without Maddie. Winter time normally was slower in construction work so they thought things had been planned quite well. They worked a few odd jobs enabling Corey to keep the main bills paid. Luckily, thought Corey, he and Maddie had agreed just to get each other one small gift and it would be from Santa. Maddie's parents couldn't come down from Minnesota this year, so they'd asked if it would be all right to send money.

Indeed it was, as Maddie and Corey decided to use the money to buy two new bikes. These were "big boy" bikes that the boys had whispered to Santa about when he'd asked what they wanted for Christmas. Corey added Legos and books, a game and a couple of movies. They knew the boys shared their gifts and hoped they would be very pleased. He closed the office door and said a quiet prayer to God in thanks for the money the folks had sent.

The family enjoyed a quick supper and both Corey and Maddie joined in with laughter and excitement. After all, it was Christmas Eve. Maddie decided to attend the Christmas Eve service at church with her family. There was no snow that may have caused her to slip or fall and it was a warm winter evening. She knew the boys would want her there.

Corey held Maddie's hand as the boys walked up the aisle. Their shepherds were dressed in robes and had blue towels around their heads. Thank goodness they weren't hitting each other with the canes they each carried. During the last stanza of Silent Night, Maddie felt a stabbing pain throughout her body. She grabbed the pew ahead of her with the hand not holding the candle. Maddie was going to tell Corey, but the pain left quickly and everyone was turning and visiting.

Matt and John put on their warm p.j.'s and had a cup of cocoa with 5 marshmallows apiece. For once, they eagerly climbed the stairs. They knew Santa would soon be arriving at their house. Maddie had just given them their good night kisses downstairs and said that their daddy would come up to listen to their prayers. "Good night, mommy, we love you," their voices chimed in unison.

Corey and Maddie sat on the sofa together and listened to the carols softly echoing across the tree-lit room. "Maddie," Corey said. "I can't go to bed without telling you something. It's bad news. Jim has not been able to pay me. And worse yet, Maddie, he doesn't know when he'll have the money. Jim was teary when he told me, Maddie." Corey's eyes were misty and red as he held his head in his hands.

"I didn't ask," said Maddie, "as I've had so much to just keep myself and the kids going. And I guess I didn't really want to know. Everything's always gone pretty well for us and I kept hoping it would this time. But I could tell when you came in the door tonight that you were hurting. It's OK Corey. I love you. I've been secretly thinking of some ways maybe we could work things out. I'll share them next week if no money comes forward."

"But I wanted us to be in the new house before Ashlie arrived. That just isn't going to happen," Corey said softly.

Maddie looked away and smiled. "When you see Matt and John's eyes in the morning, you'll feel better," she said. Maddie then asked Corey if he'd sleep downstairs with her tonight. The past couple weeks he'd slept upstairs to be able to hear the boys if they needed something during the night. Maddie had hardly ever gone upstairs lately. "Sure, the boys will be fine tonight. They will sleep hard and fast." Maddie didn't say anything about the stabbing pain.

The winter dawn broke and soon they were awakened to the sounds of twin boys yelling at the top of their lungs. They were riding their new bikes around inside the house. Corey asked if Maddie wanted to come out to the sofa. He would bring coffee, cocoa and Christmas coffee cake in for everyone. "Don't run into mommy," Corey said as he went toward the kitchen.

Maddie missed her parents, but was glad her family could just have the day at home together. Corey and the boys finally fixed some lunch and they'd all watched the new movies in the afternoon. It was a wonderful day.

Corey was packing his lunch the next morning when the phone rang. It was late as he just wanted to play with the boys and Maddie had been very quiet. The winds were howling and drifts were forming. He didn't want to leave Maddie alone as she hadn't looked very well this morning. "Who is calling now?" thought Corey sort of with disgust. At first he was going to hang up. Someone was on the phone and he was talking fast, mumbling and yelling all at the same time.

Finally Corey was able to understand - but he could barely make out that it was Jim. "The man who owed me so much money was killed in a car accident late last night," mumbled Jim, between sobs.

They had told Jim that the man was upset because he couldn't pay his bills. Not only was he gone, but he'd killed an entire of family of six. He'd hit them head-on at 90 miles per hour on a gravel road. "His brother told me he could not afford insurance, so has nothing, Corey, nothing!" yelled Jim. "I'm done!" said Jim who was afraid he'd lose everything. "Me too," Corey thought.

Almost in shock, he hung up the phone and begin to shout the conversation as he walked across the room. Then he looked closely at Maddie. Her favorite pink quilt was covered in blood. He bent down beside her and touched her.

"Matt, call 911," he yelled. "Tell them to get here now!" He didn't know if he should be pressing down on Maddie, but it seemed the only choice. "Bring mommy's pill basket, and Matt, go open the front door. Coats on, jump in the car and get buckled up", he shouted in alarm. He kept looking at Maddie. "Why this?" he asked himself. "Please God" he shouted."

Hopefully they wouldn't see all the blood. Hopefully it wouldn't drip in the white snow.

"No Maddie, no," he was screaming as the rescue squad came rushing inside.