Stave 3
Enter the memories.
"I must be daydreaming. Yes, that's got to be it!"
Was he really day dreaming? Or was it the appearance of his old friend that made him nervous? What if the ghosts were really coming? Who were these ghosts anyways? Why would they try and help him? All these questions were traveling in Grant's head. He wasn't sure and he couldn't sleep either. The snow was now falling in ernest. Grant took his sun glasses and put them in one of his coat pockets . He then put the coat on the coat hanger. The phone rang. Grant didn't want to answer it, but he did. Maybe it was something important that he couldn't miss.
"Hello?" he sighed.
"Mr. Rayburn, it's me again, Marius."
"What do you want?"
"Sir, something has happened."
"I don't care." Grant snapped.
"Sir, I need your help." Marius sounded worried.
"You need my help? Since when do you need me? What is it?"
"My daughter, she's really sick."
"I'm not a doctor neither I'm God, I..."
"No no, I know that, I know that."
"Then what? How do you want me to help?"
"I don't know how to tell you this. It embarrasses me."
"Spill it Marius. I'm all ears." When he said that he put the phone away from his ear. But when he put it back on he heard something that made his jaw drop. "You want what?"
"I know I'm asking too much. But its my daughter's life."
"I know it is. I can't believe you asked me that."
"I know I don't have the right, but I had no choice."
"How much is it?"
"I'm not asking for an specific amount."
"But how much does it takes?"
"Well, I heard it was around 60,000 dollars."
"60,000 dollars?!!! Marius, I may be supposedly rich, but I can't be giving away my money like that."
"I know that. But I didn't ask you for 60,000 dollars sir."
Grant sighed. "All right. I'll call you back. I have to think about it." he hung up the phone.
"What did he said?" asked Jenny, Marius's wife.
"He said he had to think about it."
"Think about it? It's someone's life."
"I know honey, but he just didn't seem to have cared."
Marius was another of his long time assistants. He has been married with Jenny for 10 years and had a daughter called Lourdes. They were staying in New York since they discovered the illness Lourdes was suffering. Her heart was bigger than normal and it was making her disabled to do many things. She was 6 years old and had a little bear called 'Kitty'. Yes, 'Kitty', she name to the bear that because her parents didn't let her have a cat. They said she was too little for it.
"What are we going to do? We need that heart transplant? said Lourdes worried.
"I know. We're gonna need to go live."
"Live? Are you sure? Can you do that?"
"I have to." said Marius.
Back to Grant's place...
"Didn't you just heard what I ordered? That's not what I want! What are you? Deaf?"
Grant was ordering some food over the phone. So many things made him hungry. But the cater didn't understand him, that's why they were both yelling.
"Just forget it! You shouldn't be working here." Grant hung up the phone again and started dialing a number. "Nicolas!!? Go get me some pizza. Now!" he said angrily. The bell rang once more. It was 11:00pm and Grant was still waiting for the magic to happen. "He said at 1:00, but I'm not gonna wait that much." He stood up and went to the window. He opened it and said: "NICOLAS!! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?"
"I'm going!" he yelled back.
At that moment, some old people started singing in front of Grant's neighbor's door. They were singing 'Sleigh Ride'. They had the sweetest voices Grant ever heard. He opened the door and stared at them. A few seconds later a woman, about 23 years, opened the door and let them in. She had a huge smile on her face and was holding a baby in her arms. The baby was crying. But in the moment the baby heard the people, she stopped. From Grant's point of view, you could see that the room was decorated with all sorts of assortments; lights, a Christmas tree, small figurines with the shape of Santa Claus and baby Jesus and a star shining brightly over it. It was such a beautiful moment. Grant slowly closed the door without blinking and went straight to bed. He layed down and covered himself with the pillow. He stayed like that until the door was knocked by Nicolas. Grant opened the door, took the pizza and went back to the bed. He didn't want to talk with anyone. He was feeling melancholic.
An hour passed after that. The pizza was dead cold and the old people left from the building. Grant fell asleep with the pillow still in his head. He had his shoes on and was sweating intensely. He forgot to set the air conditioner to a higher level when he arrived. It was hot... way too hot. Hotter than the normally hot. Too hot for the cold that Christmas always brings. Suddenly all colors faded to black and white, like in old cartoons. All noises went quiet like if there was no one in the world. The clock's hands were spinning extremely fast until they reached 1. The bell rang once more and Grant woke up. He took the pillow off his head.
"Oh my God!" Grant was scared. "It must be 1." He stood up and look out of the window. He noticed that his limo wasn't there, neither was Nicolas or his assistants. The pizza nor his coat were in the apartment. "What happened?" he asked to himself. When he looked up to the sky, he saw another shooting star. He was sure thst this one was real. It was burning in fire and was traveling directly towards him. He opened his brown eyes and panicked. When he wanted to leave the room it was too late. The star landed in the room without making any noise or harm. It just went PUFF! There was a lot of smoke and a man's voice started coughing. Grant went near him and couldn't take his eyes away from him.
"What are you?" asked Grant scared.
"Hello there... agh sorry for the mess. Lately I've been having problems to have a good landing." Coughed the man between the smoke. "I'm the Ghost of Christmas Past. Nice to meet you." said the man in an English accent.
When the smoke passed away a young man with blue eyes and blonde hair appeared. He was wearing red and green robes and had some sort of crown in his head. He also had a pocket clock hanging from his neck. He was tall as a building and thin as a feather.
"So he was right..." whispered Grant softly.
"Sorry, what?"
"Nothing. Uh, so you're the Ghost of what?"
"Past. Ghost of Christmas Past."
"I see. You don't look like a ghost, at least no like Kevin. And why are you here?"
"Oh yes, I came here to make you remember. Well actually, we are all here to make you remember. But that's not the important thing. We're also here to teach you a lesson."
"We? What are you talking about? There's no one here. " said Grant.
"Well, let's welcome them!"
The ghost gave a spin letting lots of snowflakes out of his red robes. A huge thunder made the place move and within 5 seconds, Grant found himself in a place that he have not visited for a very long time.
"Here we are." said the ghost.
It was raining. Many people were holding umbrellas and walking slowly through the snow. It was freezing, but Grant didn't seem to feel it.
"I know this place." said Grant looking all over it. "This is home. This is where I lived part of my childhood. This is..."
"Arizona my friend. 30 years, all the way back!" said the ghost while fixing his clock.
"It is! Wow this is just like I remember. There is Cole's market... and Molly's house and... Tim?" he said while walking and pointing at everyone.
"Yes. Tim. But not usual Tim." said the ghost.
"TIM!!!!! Hey TIM!!" yelled Grant.
"Don't even bother on calling these people."
"Why is he not answering me?"
"We're in 1971. These are just shadows. They can't hear or see you."
"Oh, I understand. Why did you bring me here anyway?"
"Well, this isn't the place I wanted you to see. This one is."
In a glimpse of a white light Grant and the ghost appeared in a place that Grant never cherished.
"Oh my God!" Grant said to himself. "My house!"
"Yes, your house. December 23th." said the ghost moving closer to the house.
"December 23th?"
"Yeah."
"Wait... why did you brought me here? This is the day when my mother was killed."
"Yes it is and it's also the day where it all started. Remember? This is the day when your hate and anger towards people started flourishing."
"I don't wanna be here. Take me back."
"Come on. Let's go a little bit closer to the window."
"I don't want to."
"You know, Kevin was right about you. You really are stubborn." said the ghost.
The ghost gave another spin. This time Grant was looking directly at himself when he was 10 years old. He was inside his house. An old wooden house filled with candles. The Rayburn's were poor but he and his brother were rich in their hearts. They had the love of their mother and fortunelly, there was always food on the table for them everyday. His house was not decorated, but they were sure celebrating Christmas on this day.
"Grant. Come over here quick." said his older brother when he notice that his father arrived drunk from work.
"My mom... where is she?" Grant asked to the ghost.
"You'll see her, soon."
Young Grant went upstairs and called his mom. She went downstairs and opened the door.
"Don't do it mom!!" whispered Grant.
"You can't change the past Grant." said the ghost.
When she opened the door, his father started shouting at her and gave her a slapped her face.
"Michael, what's the matter?" cried Grant's mother from the floor.
He went to the kitchen murmuring words and when he got back he was holding a bat in his hand. Little Grant and young Ryuichi were both far from their parents. Grant was crying and Ryuichi wanted to stop his father. But he punched him and told him to stay away. He broke Ryuichi's nose and started beating his wife with the bat.
"Why are you doing this to me?" asked Grant with tears in his eyes.
"Let's see another Christmas." replied the ghost seriously.
Everything went white again. They were now in front of a beautiful house surrounded by flowers and Christmas lights. Grant heard laughter from some people and the voice of his brother from outside.
"Remember this one?" asked the ghost.
"Not much."
"Today is December 17, 1979. Matthew's 3rd birthday. Two years before you started acting. Let's go inside." They started walking until they entered the house.
"Now I remember. Ryuichi was so happy. Oh, there's Vivian, his wife. And uncle Ernie and aunt Melinda. Yeah, I remember everything now."
"Yes, but where are you?" asked the ghost while moving his head to his left.
Grant was alone in a chair next to no one. He was holding a birthday present in his left hand and a bottle of water in the other one. Everyone was cheering and celebrating Matthew's birthday in front of him. But he didn't care about it.
"Hey Grant! Come over here, Matthew wants to see you!" Vivian called him.
"Do you even appreciate your nephew?" asked the ghost. Grant couldn't take off his eyes off the baby. He saw his 18 year old self getting up from the chair and heading to the table. But he just stood there as if he really didn't even wanted to be there.
"I do more than that." said Grant firmly.
"Then why do you keep avoiding him?"
"I don't know. I forgot what it was like these days." Grant kept on looking at the baby.
"I would like to propose a toast. Grant come here, sit next to me." so did young Grant. "I want to thank God for making me understand that life, is nothing without your family. I want to thank God for giving me the most precious and honest woman in the world. One that I love with all my heart. For giving a healthy son. For making me see life in a whole new different way. And for giving me a brother. A brother that gave me all the strenght I needed back when my mother died. The reason I had to live for... Cheers everyone!"
"Cheers!" replied the people.
"Do you see how much your family loved you?" said the ghost from Grant's back.
"I always knew they loved me. But their love wasn't enough. I think my mom was the only thing I was proud of. Her death really shocked me."
"I know."
"These two past Christmas aren't the only ones that maded me angry and sad."
"You're right. I know of one that was... how shall we call it...? devastating?" said the ghost while taking Grant's hand.
"Oh no, no please. I don't wanna go there."
"But we must."
Everything turned white again. On this ocassion, Grant and the ghost were standing in a large street full of trees and bushes. It was raining and everything was quite. From a distance a car was approaching.
"Ghost. I demand you to get me out of here."
"Just a few more minutes."
"I don't wanna see us getting killed."
"Stop whining, you already lived this."
"Yes but I don't want to remember it."
"Today is December 23rd, 1986."
"I know what day is today. This is the day when Kevin was killed."
"But why was he?"
"We were drunk and I was driving."
"Exactly."
"There were two more people with you right?
"Yes. Alexander and Marius."
"That's right. Now watch."
In that moment the car crashed onto a the tree and the impact made Kevin come through the frontal window. His neck seemed broke and his face was all full of blood. Alexander broke the mirror from his side with his head. He was unconscious. So was Grant. He had a big impact in his head with the steering wheel and was bleeding intensely. There were pieces of glass all over the place.
"I don't know why you say this made you angry. You can't blame people for this."
"I'm not angry with people."
"Can you tell me why are you angry with?"
"Let's go. I don't want to talk about this now."
"You think you killed him don't you?"
"I..." said Grant lowering his head.
"Grant, this wasn't your fault. You were all drunk. It was everyone's responsibility."
"But I was driving."
"So? Let's suppose that Kevin didn't die this day. Do you think he was going to tell you that it was all your fault after all this ended? I don't think so. Marius didn't blame you, neither did Alexander. No one did."
"I know."
"Well?"
"I don't know what to say."
"You never knew how you got rescued did you?"
"I don't think so."
"Marius was the only who didn't get hit. Let's watch."
"Alex? Grant?" called Marius. "My God! Kevin! " he cried.
"He was the one who run all over to that phone booth over there to call for help. But that's not really that important is it?"
"It is. We probably would've died if we hadn't got any help."
"Good thinking. I think you owe him your life."
"I think I owe him more than that." they both smiled.
"Let's see one final Christmas, shall we?"
"Alright. Just one more."
"I promise."
The ghost gave another spin. This time everything went so bright he could barely open his eyes. But when he could, he was standing in the funeral of his brother. Around 32 people were there with tears in their eyes and wearing black suites.
"What year is this?" asked the ghost.
"I think 1996."
"That's right."
"Why are you showing me all the people that have died?"
"I thought you already knew. I know that you have gone through a lot of things. But these past 4 Christmas are the ones that made you suffer. You began experiencing many feelings and you were confused."
"I wasn't confused."
"Yes you were. You still are."
Grant nodded.
"Why aren't you here?"
"How could I?"
"You were making another movie?"
"That's right. Besides, I didn't want to come. It was enough knowing that he was dead. After he left, I had no one." sighed Grant.
"What about Matthew?"
"Matthew? What about him? He had his girlfriend at that time. He wanted to get married and leave town. Look at him."
"And he did."
"He sure did. So, after all this I decided to focus on my career and forget about my past. That's until you came."
"That's my job. At least you learned things you didn't know about your past."
"Yeah. Can we go?"
"Sure. Let's go forward in time, 2001. The same night and time I arrived."
Everything turned white one final time and Grant woke up in his apartment. It was 1:00 o'clock in the morning. The bell rang loudly and Grant was laying on the bed.
"It's gotta be 2:00 o'clock. The second ghost will arrive." he looked at the clock that was hanging from the wall. "1:00 o'clock?"
It seemed that Grant didn't remember the exact moment when the Ghost of Christmas Past arrived. He was conscious of being exhausted, and overcome by an irresistible drowsiness. He then sank into a heavy sleep.
Enter the memories.
"I must be daydreaming. Yes, that's got to be it!"
Was he really day dreaming? Or was it the appearance of his old friend that made him nervous? What if the ghosts were really coming? Who were these ghosts anyways? Why would they try and help him? All these questions were traveling in Grant's head. He wasn't sure and he couldn't sleep either. The snow was now falling in ernest. Grant took his sun glasses and put them in one of his coat pockets . He then put the coat on the coat hanger. The phone rang. Grant didn't want to answer it, but he did. Maybe it was something important that he couldn't miss.
"Hello?" he sighed.
"Mr. Rayburn, it's me again, Marius."
"What do you want?"
"Sir, something has happened."
"I don't care." Grant snapped.
"Sir, I need your help." Marius sounded worried.
"You need my help? Since when do you need me? What is it?"
"My daughter, she's really sick."
"I'm not a doctor neither I'm God, I..."
"No no, I know that, I know that."
"Then what? How do you want me to help?"
"I don't know how to tell you this. It embarrasses me."
"Spill it Marius. I'm all ears." When he said that he put the phone away from his ear. But when he put it back on he heard something that made his jaw drop. "You want what?"
"I know I'm asking too much. But its my daughter's life."
"I know it is. I can't believe you asked me that."
"I know I don't have the right, but I had no choice."
"How much is it?"
"I'm not asking for an specific amount."
"But how much does it takes?"
"Well, I heard it was around 60,000 dollars."
"60,000 dollars?!!! Marius, I may be supposedly rich, but I can't be giving away my money like that."
"I know that. But I didn't ask you for 60,000 dollars sir."
Grant sighed. "All right. I'll call you back. I have to think about it." he hung up the phone.
"What did he said?" asked Jenny, Marius's wife.
"He said he had to think about it."
"Think about it? It's someone's life."
"I know honey, but he just didn't seem to have cared."
Marius was another of his long time assistants. He has been married with Jenny for 10 years and had a daughter called Lourdes. They were staying in New York since they discovered the illness Lourdes was suffering. Her heart was bigger than normal and it was making her disabled to do many things. She was 6 years old and had a little bear called 'Kitty'. Yes, 'Kitty', she name to the bear that because her parents didn't let her have a cat. They said she was too little for it.
"What are we going to do? We need that heart transplant? said Lourdes worried.
"I know. We're gonna need to go live."
"Live? Are you sure? Can you do that?"
"I have to." said Marius.
Back to Grant's place...
"Didn't you just heard what I ordered? That's not what I want! What are you? Deaf?"
Grant was ordering some food over the phone. So many things made him hungry. But the cater didn't understand him, that's why they were both yelling.
"Just forget it! You shouldn't be working here." Grant hung up the phone again and started dialing a number. "Nicolas!!? Go get me some pizza. Now!" he said angrily. The bell rang once more. It was 11:00pm and Grant was still waiting for the magic to happen. "He said at 1:00, but I'm not gonna wait that much." He stood up and went to the window. He opened it and said: "NICOLAS!! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?"
"I'm going!" he yelled back.
At that moment, some old people started singing in front of Grant's neighbor's door. They were singing 'Sleigh Ride'. They had the sweetest voices Grant ever heard. He opened the door and stared at them. A few seconds later a woman, about 23 years, opened the door and let them in. She had a huge smile on her face and was holding a baby in her arms. The baby was crying. But in the moment the baby heard the people, she stopped. From Grant's point of view, you could see that the room was decorated with all sorts of assortments; lights, a Christmas tree, small figurines with the shape of Santa Claus and baby Jesus and a star shining brightly over it. It was such a beautiful moment. Grant slowly closed the door without blinking and went straight to bed. He layed down and covered himself with the pillow. He stayed like that until the door was knocked by Nicolas. Grant opened the door, took the pizza and went back to the bed. He didn't want to talk with anyone. He was feeling melancholic.
An hour passed after that. The pizza was dead cold and the old people left from the building. Grant fell asleep with the pillow still in his head. He had his shoes on and was sweating intensely. He forgot to set the air conditioner to a higher level when he arrived. It was hot... way too hot. Hotter than the normally hot. Too hot for the cold that Christmas always brings. Suddenly all colors faded to black and white, like in old cartoons. All noises went quiet like if there was no one in the world. The clock's hands were spinning extremely fast until they reached 1. The bell rang once more and Grant woke up. He took the pillow off his head.
"Oh my God!" Grant was scared. "It must be 1." He stood up and look out of the window. He noticed that his limo wasn't there, neither was Nicolas or his assistants. The pizza nor his coat were in the apartment. "What happened?" he asked to himself. When he looked up to the sky, he saw another shooting star. He was sure thst this one was real. It was burning in fire and was traveling directly towards him. He opened his brown eyes and panicked. When he wanted to leave the room it was too late. The star landed in the room without making any noise or harm. It just went PUFF! There was a lot of smoke and a man's voice started coughing. Grant went near him and couldn't take his eyes away from him.
"What are you?" asked Grant scared.
"Hello there... agh sorry for the mess. Lately I've been having problems to have a good landing." Coughed the man between the smoke. "I'm the Ghost of Christmas Past. Nice to meet you." said the man in an English accent.
When the smoke passed away a young man with blue eyes and blonde hair appeared. He was wearing red and green robes and had some sort of crown in his head. He also had a pocket clock hanging from his neck. He was tall as a building and thin as a feather.
"So he was right..." whispered Grant softly.
"Sorry, what?"
"Nothing. Uh, so you're the Ghost of what?"
"Past. Ghost of Christmas Past."
"I see. You don't look like a ghost, at least no like Kevin. And why are you here?"
"Oh yes, I came here to make you remember. Well actually, we are all here to make you remember. But that's not the important thing. We're also here to teach you a lesson."
"We? What are you talking about? There's no one here. " said Grant.
"Well, let's welcome them!"
The ghost gave a spin letting lots of snowflakes out of his red robes. A huge thunder made the place move and within 5 seconds, Grant found himself in a place that he have not visited for a very long time.
"Here we are." said the ghost.
It was raining. Many people were holding umbrellas and walking slowly through the snow. It was freezing, but Grant didn't seem to feel it.
"I know this place." said Grant looking all over it. "This is home. This is where I lived part of my childhood. This is..."
"Arizona my friend. 30 years, all the way back!" said the ghost while fixing his clock.
"It is! Wow this is just like I remember. There is Cole's market... and Molly's house and... Tim?" he said while walking and pointing at everyone.
"Yes. Tim. But not usual Tim." said the ghost.
"TIM!!!!! Hey TIM!!" yelled Grant.
"Don't even bother on calling these people."
"Why is he not answering me?"
"We're in 1971. These are just shadows. They can't hear or see you."
"Oh, I understand. Why did you bring me here anyway?"
"Well, this isn't the place I wanted you to see. This one is."
In a glimpse of a white light Grant and the ghost appeared in a place that Grant never cherished.
"Oh my God!" Grant said to himself. "My house!"
"Yes, your house. December 23th." said the ghost moving closer to the house.
"December 23th?"
"Yeah."
"Wait... why did you brought me here? This is the day when my mother was killed."
"Yes it is and it's also the day where it all started. Remember? This is the day when your hate and anger towards people started flourishing."
"I don't wanna be here. Take me back."
"Come on. Let's go a little bit closer to the window."
"I don't want to."
"You know, Kevin was right about you. You really are stubborn." said the ghost.
The ghost gave another spin. This time Grant was looking directly at himself when he was 10 years old. He was inside his house. An old wooden house filled with candles. The Rayburn's were poor but he and his brother were rich in their hearts. They had the love of their mother and fortunelly, there was always food on the table for them everyday. His house was not decorated, but they were sure celebrating Christmas on this day.
"Grant. Come over here quick." said his older brother when he notice that his father arrived drunk from work.
"My mom... where is she?" Grant asked to the ghost.
"You'll see her, soon."
Young Grant went upstairs and called his mom. She went downstairs and opened the door.
"Don't do it mom!!" whispered Grant.
"You can't change the past Grant." said the ghost.
When she opened the door, his father started shouting at her and gave her a slapped her face.
"Michael, what's the matter?" cried Grant's mother from the floor.
He went to the kitchen murmuring words and when he got back he was holding a bat in his hand. Little Grant and young Ryuichi were both far from their parents. Grant was crying and Ryuichi wanted to stop his father. But he punched him and told him to stay away. He broke Ryuichi's nose and started beating his wife with the bat.
"Why are you doing this to me?" asked Grant with tears in his eyes.
"Let's see another Christmas." replied the ghost seriously.
Everything went white again. They were now in front of a beautiful house surrounded by flowers and Christmas lights. Grant heard laughter from some people and the voice of his brother from outside.
"Remember this one?" asked the ghost.
"Not much."
"Today is December 17, 1979. Matthew's 3rd birthday. Two years before you started acting. Let's go inside." They started walking until they entered the house.
"Now I remember. Ryuichi was so happy. Oh, there's Vivian, his wife. And uncle Ernie and aunt Melinda. Yeah, I remember everything now."
"Yes, but where are you?" asked the ghost while moving his head to his left.
Grant was alone in a chair next to no one. He was holding a birthday present in his left hand and a bottle of water in the other one. Everyone was cheering and celebrating Matthew's birthday in front of him. But he didn't care about it.
"Hey Grant! Come over here, Matthew wants to see you!" Vivian called him.
"Do you even appreciate your nephew?" asked the ghost. Grant couldn't take off his eyes off the baby. He saw his 18 year old self getting up from the chair and heading to the table. But he just stood there as if he really didn't even wanted to be there.
"I do more than that." said Grant firmly.
"Then why do you keep avoiding him?"
"I don't know. I forgot what it was like these days." Grant kept on looking at the baby.
"I would like to propose a toast. Grant come here, sit next to me." so did young Grant. "I want to thank God for making me understand that life, is nothing without your family. I want to thank God for giving me the most precious and honest woman in the world. One that I love with all my heart. For giving a healthy son. For making me see life in a whole new different way. And for giving me a brother. A brother that gave me all the strenght I needed back when my mother died. The reason I had to live for... Cheers everyone!"
"Cheers!" replied the people.
"Do you see how much your family loved you?" said the ghost from Grant's back.
"I always knew they loved me. But their love wasn't enough. I think my mom was the only thing I was proud of. Her death really shocked me."
"I know."
"These two past Christmas aren't the only ones that maded me angry and sad."
"You're right. I know of one that was... how shall we call it...? devastating?" said the ghost while taking Grant's hand.
"Oh no, no please. I don't wanna go there."
"But we must."
Everything turned white again. On this ocassion, Grant and the ghost were standing in a large street full of trees and bushes. It was raining and everything was quite. From a distance a car was approaching.
"Ghost. I demand you to get me out of here."
"Just a few more minutes."
"I don't wanna see us getting killed."
"Stop whining, you already lived this."
"Yes but I don't want to remember it."
"Today is December 23rd, 1986."
"I know what day is today. This is the day when Kevin was killed."
"But why was he?"
"We were drunk and I was driving."
"Exactly."
"There were two more people with you right?
"Yes. Alexander and Marius."
"That's right. Now watch."
In that moment the car crashed onto a the tree and the impact made Kevin come through the frontal window. His neck seemed broke and his face was all full of blood. Alexander broke the mirror from his side with his head. He was unconscious. So was Grant. He had a big impact in his head with the steering wheel and was bleeding intensely. There were pieces of glass all over the place.
"I don't know why you say this made you angry. You can't blame people for this."
"I'm not angry with people."
"Can you tell me why are you angry with?"
"Let's go. I don't want to talk about this now."
"You think you killed him don't you?"
"I..." said Grant lowering his head.
"Grant, this wasn't your fault. You were all drunk. It was everyone's responsibility."
"But I was driving."
"So? Let's suppose that Kevin didn't die this day. Do you think he was going to tell you that it was all your fault after all this ended? I don't think so. Marius didn't blame you, neither did Alexander. No one did."
"I know."
"Well?"
"I don't know what to say."
"You never knew how you got rescued did you?"
"I don't think so."
"Marius was the only who didn't get hit. Let's watch."
"Alex? Grant?" called Marius. "My God! Kevin! " he cried.
"He was the one who run all over to that phone booth over there to call for help. But that's not really that important is it?"
"It is. We probably would've died if we hadn't got any help."
"Good thinking. I think you owe him your life."
"I think I owe him more than that." they both smiled.
"Let's see one final Christmas, shall we?"
"Alright. Just one more."
"I promise."
The ghost gave another spin. This time everything went so bright he could barely open his eyes. But when he could, he was standing in the funeral of his brother. Around 32 people were there with tears in their eyes and wearing black suites.
"What year is this?" asked the ghost.
"I think 1996."
"That's right."
"Why are you showing me all the people that have died?"
"I thought you already knew. I know that you have gone through a lot of things. But these past 4 Christmas are the ones that made you suffer. You began experiencing many feelings and you were confused."
"I wasn't confused."
"Yes you were. You still are."
Grant nodded.
"Why aren't you here?"
"How could I?"
"You were making another movie?"
"That's right. Besides, I didn't want to come. It was enough knowing that he was dead. After he left, I had no one." sighed Grant.
"What about Matthew?"
"Matthew? What about him? He had his girlfriend at that time. He wanted to get married and leave town. Look at him."
"And he did."
"He sure did. So, after all this I decided to focus on my career and forget about my past. That's until you came."
"That's my job. At least you learned things you didn't know about your past."
"Yeah. Can we go?"
"Sure. Let's go forward in time, 2001. The same night and time I arrived."
Everything turned white one final time and Grant woke up in his apartment. It was 1:00 o'clock in the morning. The bell rang loudly and Grant was laying on the bed.
"It's gotta be 2:00 o'clock. The second ghost will arrive." he looked at the clock that was hanging from the wall. "1:00 o'clock?"
It seemed that Grant didn't remember the exact moment when the Ghost of Christmas Past arrived. He was conscious of being exhausted, and overcome by an irresistible drowsiness. He then sank into a heavy sleep.