On Christmas Eve, I Visited My Missing Parents’ Abandoned House and Found It Beautifully Decorated

After Megan’s parents kick her out at eighteen, she turns her back on her family. But one day, she drives back to her childhood home, only to discover that the house is in her name and her parents have been missing. Years later, she drives by again, only this time, she sees the old house decorated for the holidays. Are her parents back?

It’s been twenty years since I last spoke to my parents. Twenty years since they kicked me out for getting pregnant.

I was 18, young and terrified, but stubborn enough to stand my ground. I still remember my dad’s voice, the anger almost chilling me to my bones.

An upset girl sitting on her bed | Source: Midjourney

An upset girl sitting on her bed | Source: Midjourney

“If you leave with him, Megan, don’t bother coming back!” he yelled. “I don’t want to see you again! You’re a mess, and instead of choosing to be better, you’re choosing self-destruction.”

I left anyway.

That same night, my mom stood quietly at the door, her arms wrapped around herself, watching me go. She didn’t say anything; she just let me walk out into the cold.

A shouting man | Source: Midjourney

A shouting man | Source: Midjourney

“That’s it? You’re not going to say anything? Mom, really?” I said.

She opened her mouth for a second. Instead of saying anything, she just went inside and closed the door.

They never forgave me.

But here I am, twenty years later. I’m thirty-eight, with three beautiful kids and a man who’s been by my side through it all. Evan and I were high school sweethearts, and when I got pregnant, I really thought that he was going to leave me.

An upset woman standing in a doorway | Source: Midjourney

An upset woman standing in a doorway | Source: Midjourney

“Why would I leave you?” he asked, holding the pregnancy test. “We’re in this together, Megan.”

“But what about your football scholarship to college? You’d give that up?” I asked.

“Of course, I would,” he said. “Let’s do this, Meg. You, me, and the baby!”

Just like that, I decided to tell my parents, which is how my father threw me out.

A teenage couple sitting on a bench | Source: Midjourney

A teenage couple sitting on a bench | Source: Midjourney

Despite everything, we built a life. A really good life. And let me tell you, I don’t regret a single thing. Evan works hard, and our kids, Ella, Maya, and Ben, are everything I ever dreamed of.

If you had told my 18-year-old self that I’d still be with him two decades later, I would have laughed through my tears.

But here we are.

Happy.

Three children sitting together | Source: Midjourney

Three children sitting together | Source: Midjourney

The last time I visited my parents’ house was five years ago. They had gone missing on a hiking trip in the mountains. It was supposed to be a short getaway, apparently.

Just a weekend.

But they never came back.

“I’m sorry, Megan,” our neighbor, Mr. Smith, said when I went over to ask about my parents. “You really didn’t hear about it? The incident?”

An older man standing in his doorway | Source: Midjourney

An older man standing in his doorway | Source: Midjourney

“What incident? What are you talking about?” I asked, an uneasy feeling taking over me.

“They went hiking, Megan. You know, the usual long weekend trips that they make? They left the keys here for me to feed the dog. But at the end of the weekend, they didn’t return.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

A couple hiking | Source: Midjourney

A couple hiking | Source: Midjourney

“When they didn’t come back, I reported it to the police, and a search party was sent out. The officers said that all they found were their abandoned backpacks on a cliff,” he sighed.

“No… bodies?” I asked, my voice threatening to break.

As strained as our relationship was, I always expected my parents to be here, at home. For them to always be within those four walls for when I needed them.

I always counted on them to be there for the day I decided to bring my children to meet them.

An upset woman standing on a porch | Source: Midjourney

An upset woman standing on a porch | Source: Midjourney

And now?… they were gone.

“No, sweetheart,” Mr. Smith said. “No bodies, no footprints, nothing. They were just gone. They vanished without a trace.”

After that, it was all about getting the house signed over to me. I didn’t want to do anything with it, I just wanted to keep it there. I went to the police station and the detective signed off on the case as a cold case.

“Move on, Megan,” he said. “We’ve had no leads in years.”

The issue was proving that I was their daughter, luckily there was a clause in my father’s will, stating that everything would be mine if he and my mother passed.

For five years after, the house sat empty. I never had the courage to sell it, though. Something about letting it go felt wrong.

An empty house | Source: Midjourney

An empty house | Source: Midjourney

So, it just stood there, gathering dust and neglect, frozen in time like a ghost of the past I wasn’t ready to confront.

Until tonight.

It was Christmas Eve. And for reasons I couldn’t explain, I found myself driving toward the old place instead of getting the extra butter that Evan and I needed for the turkey the next day.

The house was abandoned and had been for the past five years. As I drove, I imagined exactly how it would look after all these years. I imagined the cracked front windows and the streaks of graffiti across the walls like battle scars.

An abandoned house with an overgrown garden | Source: Midjourney

An abandoned house with an overgrown garden | Source: Midjourney

I imagined the weeds swallowing the flower beds that my mother used to love, and the wooden porch, which was most likely splintered and sagging under the years of neglect.

When I pulled into the driveway, my chest tightened at the sight of the house.

It was decorated.

Not just randomly decorated, but beautifully decorated. The old garlands of twinkling lights my dad used to string along the eaves were glowing softly against the evening sky.

Christmas decorations on an old house | Source: Midjourney

Christmas decorations on an old house | Source: Midjourney

There was a faded wreath with little bells, which hung crookedly on the front door. There were the familiar plastic candy canes lining the path to the house.

I even recognized the same wooden reindeer we used to set up every December. They were all old and chipped but still standing proudly on the lawn.

My heart raced as I stepped out of the car. How could this be?

Wooden reindeer on a lawn | Source: Midjourney

Wooden reindeer on a lawn | Source: Midjourney

Who would have done something like this? No one lived there. No one had for years.

As I walked around, I saw a little generator on the porch. It was hooked up to the lights, fueling them among the rest of the desolate house.

The decorations looked exactly the way my dad used to do them. The same lights, the same setup. A lump formed in my throat. It was like stepping back into my childhood, as if time had rewound itself.

A connected generator | Source: Midjourney

A connected generator | Source: Midjourney

Even if it was just for one night.

I had to know who was behind this. I needed to know if it was real or if it was in my head.

The front door was slightly ajar. I hesitated for a moment, my pulse quick and uneven, before gently pushing it open.

Inside, the house smelled of dust and memories, but the living room…

The front door of an empty house | Source: Midjourney

The front door of an empty house | Source: Midjourney

The living room took my breath away.

A Christmas tree stood by the fireplace, just like the ones from my childhood. It was decorated with mismatched ornaments and too many strands of tinsel. The stockings were hung on the mantel, and beneath the tree were a few wrapped presents, tied with fraying ribbons.

And then I saw him.

A man hunched by a fireplace | Source: Midjourney

A man hunched by a fireplace | Source: Midjourney

A figure sat in front of the fireplace, hunched slightly, silhouetted by the glow of the dying fire.

I couldn’t stop myself. The word slipped from my lips before I could think.

“Dad?” I called.

The figure stirred and turned slowly toward me, the firelight flickering across his face.

It wasn’t my dad.

It was a young man in his mid-thirties, I think. His dark hair was tousled, and his face was shadowed by exhaustion. He wore a threadbare coat, and his cheeks were pink from the cold.

But as soon as I saw him, I knew exactly who he was.

“Max?” I whispered.

A close up of a man | Source: Midjourney

A close up of a man | Source: Midjourney

His eyes widened, and a small, embarrassed smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You remember me? Megan?”

Of course, I remembered him.

He used to be the little boy who lived next door, the one with the messy hair and a toothy grin. But then, he couldn’t have been older than me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

A smiling young boy | Source: Midjourney

A smiling young boy | Source: Midjourney

Max glanced around the room.

“I’ve been staying here. Just for the winters, Megan,” he admitted. “It’s the second year now.”

I stared at him.

“Why?”

“I don’t really have anywhere else to go,” he said, holding his head.

A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney

A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney

It took me a minute to process what he was saying.

“Max, are you homeless?” I asked.

He gave a small nod.

“Yeah,” he said. “My adoptive parents, the Smiths? They kicked me out, actually. It was after you came around about ten years ago, and my dad told you about your parents. I’ve had some rotten luck, and I guess they just didn’t want to care for me anymore. It’s hard, you know? Finding work. I was between friends for a while… but even they got tired.”

A man sitting next to a fire | Source: Midjourney

A man sitting next to a fire | Source: Midjourney

My chest tightened at his words.

He glanced around the room, a smile playing on his lips.

“I remembered how your dad used to decorate the house. You guys had the nicest house in the neighborhood. When I was walking around for old time’s sake, I saw that the house was still empty. And I made myself at home… I found the decorations in the basement.”

A basement | Source: Midjourney

A basement | Source: Midjourney

We were both quiet for a while.

“Why didn’t you get rid of the place?” he asked me.

“I don’t have any good answers,” I said. “I just wanted to keep it the way it was.”

Max nodded.

A man sitting next to a fire | Source: Midjourney

A man sitting next to a fire | Source: Midjourney

“I’m sorry if I shouldn’t be here,” Max said. “I just… had nowhere to go. No parents to turn to for the holidays, and honestly, I didn’t think anyone would mind.”

Something broke inside me at that moment. I had been through everything Max had just described.

“Come home with me,” I said. “Nobody should spend Christmas alone. And anyway, I have three kids who will need distracting from the pile of Christmas presents at home.”

A pile of presents under a Christmas tree | Source: Midjourney

A pile of presents under a Christmas tree | Source: Midjourney

Max’s eyes widened, and for a second, he looked like that same little boy from all those years ago, the one who had been desperate for someone to care.

Now, sitting in my living room, watching my kids get to know someone from my past, I realize what I need to do.

Evan and I have some savings. It could be enough to do the house up properly. Once it’s fixed, Max can live there. He can rent out a couple of rooms to boarders if he needs the extra income. It’s not much, but it’s a start, and I know it will give him a chance to get back on his feet.

I put my cup of hot chocolate down on the coffee table. I was getting excited.

House renovations in progress | Source: Midjourney

House renovations in progress | Source: Midjourney

I don’t know if my parents would approve of the plan, but it doesn’t matter. That house doesn’t belong to their memory anymore. It’s time to give it a new purpose.

And who knows? Maybe the money we make from it will go toward Ella, Maya, or Ben’s college fund someday.

What would you have done?

A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney

A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney

If you’ve enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you |

I Dropped My Naughty Kids at My Parents’ Home — I Was Shocked When They Were Good as Gold When I Picked Them Up

When Cara and her husband get an invitation to an adult-only party, they welcome the break from being parents of three for a few hours. Thankfully, her parents are ready to save the day and babysit the kids. But when Cara and Jason go back to fetch the kids, they’re shocked with the change in their behavior.

“Are you sure that the kids will be okay?” my husband, Jason, asked me as I went through my closet trying to find something to wear.

A woman looking through her closet | Source: Midjourney

A woman looking through her closet | Source: Midjourney

“Yes!” I exclaimed. “They will be absolutely fine with my parents.”

“It’s just that you know how they can be,” Jason said. “The kids, not your parents. They’re a handful.”

“They’ll be fine,” I repeated.

A close-up of a smiling man | Source: Midjourney

A close-up of a smiling man | Source: Midjourney

But my husband wasn’t wrong.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

A Pup’s Party of One: A Story of a Forgotten Birthday Bash.

In the world of our beloved pets, birthdays hold a special significance. It’s not just another day on the calendar, but rather a momentous occasion when love and affection abound, and tails wag with boundless excitement. Nevertheless, there’s a unique tale of a dog who has realized that sometimes, birthdays can be a lonely affair, even for our four-legged companions

As the sun peeked over the horizon, a small furry friend with a wistful gaze welcomed the day. It was the dog’s special day, one that typically brings merriment, well-wishes, and a delectable cake decorated with glowing candles for humans. However, the dog noticed something peculiar – nobody seemed to remember. The hours ticked by, and the dog’s heart sank deeper into solitude, yearning for a pat on the head or a jubilant chorus of “Happy Birthday.” But alas, the silence remained. As the day progressed, the dog’s mind raced with questions, “Am I not significant? Does no one care?”

dog birthday

The dog’s heart felt heavy due to the absence of well-wishes from family and friends. It did not receive any cheerful phone calls, cards, messages, or even a simple text with a “Happy Birthday” message. As a result, the dog felt unimportant and forgotten. Despite this, the dog found comfort in the presence of its human. The familiar scent and reassuring presence of the person who had always been a source of love and support brought solace to the dog. In the absence of external celebrations, the dog sought joy in simple pleasures such as a gentle pat or a favorite treat.

However, the day lacked the festive atmosphere that is typical of birthdays. There were no balloons, streamers, singing, or laughter. The dog particularly missed having a birthday cake, a symbol of celebration and a treat that signifies a special day for both dogs and humans. The absence of the sweet, fluffy delight left a void in the dog’s heart.

Nevertheless, the dog found comfort in the furry companion by its side. Although equally uninterested in fanfare, the furry friend was content to share the solitude without judgment or disappointment. To this canine companion, the dog was simply a friend, perhaps feeling a little downcast but a friend nonetheless.

dog birthday

As the dog was alone, it began to contemplate the true meaning of birthdays. It realized that it had been placing too much importance on external validation and grand gestures. Birthdays were about more than just celebration; they were about connection, love, and being in each other’s company. The dog came to a realization that it was not unimportant or unloved, but instead valued for the everyday moments spent with its human and furry companion. This newfound appreciation filled the dog with gratitude for the companionship it had, instead of focusing on what it didn’t have on that particular day. As the day came to an end, the dog found comfort in the embrace of its human and the warmth of its furry friend. Although the day was not marked by extravagant celebrations, it was filled with simple togetherness and the profound understanding that significance was not measured by grand gestures, but by the bonds we create and cherish every day. This valuable lesson was learned on a quiet, uncelebrated birthday, shared with those who truly mattered.

Related Posts

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*