Fantasy story...Christmas themed...part 1

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Richard was seated at his piano, just tinkering away, composing little tunes that he would save for later. He was feeling a little down. Christmas usually got him this way, as his Christmas song which he composed, Christmas Turned Blue summed up his feelings. Without Karen, things just weren't the same. She was the essence of Christmas.


As a child and young adult, he had liked Christmas, but for Karen, it went beyond that. She adored Christmas, and her personality just bubbled. She loved going Christmas shopping, and would spend weeks just doing that, in between recording sessions, promotional planning, guest appearances on television specials, photo shoots, rehearsals. She also would spend hours in the kitchen, cooking up tasty, eye-pleasing concoctions, which everyone had to sample, and of course take home generous portions for them to save.


In the course of their career, as he looked back, they recorded a generous sampling of Christmas classics. Richard closed his eyes to think of what they did together. And what they could have continued to do, had she lived. He felt a pain of sadness enter into his heart. After all these years, he still missed her. Every single day, he thought of her. His musical partner, his sister, his friend. He was also her biggest fan of her voice. Such beauty!


No other voice had ever replaced hers. There were of course some voices that would remind him a bit of Karen, but it was usually only for a second or two. One singer he did like was Japanese singing sensation, Akiko Kobayashi. When he had first heard her voice, he wept. It reminded him so much of Karen that it was kind of shocking. Almost like hearing Karen, except with a slight accent. Or what Karen would sound like if she sung Japanese instead of English. But as great as Akiko sounded, it was no Karen.


As he thought about it, he heard voices at his door. Mary would be home with all 5 of his children. He brightened to see them. They filled his heart. Mary filled his heart like no other. After Karen had died suddenly in 1983, Richard had almost wondered how he would be able to get on without her. He had never dreamed that he would lose her. But then Mary became a beacon to him, leading him away from his grief, to a sense of some normalcy which he needed.

"Look Daddy! Look what Santa Claus gave me!" squealed Colin, his youngest son. He almost looked identical to what Richard looked like at that age.

"What is that?" asked Richard, all smiles. He loved to dote attention on all 5 of his children.

[Rick Henry]

Colin looked back to his daddy Richard, and through his eyes daddy was Santa Claus with the rosy red cheeks and long white beard and moustache. He said with a gleam in his eyes, "look Santa I got a brand new bubble wheel, I like making bubbles that's my favorite thing." And Santa laughed a jolly laugh, "Ho, Ho, Ho".

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:)And so, looking at his wife and children, and seeing all the beautiful Christmas decorations all through his home, he realized, that even if not in person, Karen was there with all of them in spirit. He could imagine that she was smiling at them all from heaven. That made him glad. It also made him glad and feel very blessed that he could teach his kids to play if they wanted, and he had with at least one of his daughters.
He came out of his own thoughts, when suddenly he heard Mary and his kids singing in the kitchen "Home for the Holidays."

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Richard joined them, and began to sing along. OH THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS...CUZ NO MATTER HOW FAR AWAY YOU ARE...

The whole family started to giggle, as Mary began to put away the groceries. Kristi, looking tall and lovely, got the kids ready to start a Gingerbread house. Richard could see how good she was with the younger kids.

Traci went to the living room where the piano was, and sat down and began to play away at some notes. Richard tried to be nonchalent about it, but he was secretely pleased that she would willingly go to the piano to practise. He knew that music really coursed through her soul. He rememberd the time she had played at the Carpenters Performing Arts Centre, and how she had enjoyed singing. At that moment, he really could see a wonderful career for her. That girl could sing...a style very similar to his late sister Karen. He could imagine the music they could play together in the years to come. She had a very deep voice and such control.

Richard went back to his study to do some work. While sitting at his chair, he glanced at all their gold, and platinum albums and singles. It seemed like another lifetime ago when he and Karen were performing the world over to enthused fans. He loved to reminisce over those days of old. With those thoughts he began to doze off.

Richard's eyes popped open to see someone standing over him.

"Richard. Time to get up! You're going to be late for our special Christmas performance at the Centre!" said a voice very familiar.

He rubbed his eyes and looked. Yes, it was Karen. He must be dreaming. What was she doing here?

He looked at his day planner on his desk. Yep, the date was today. December 16, 2003. But what was Karen doing here?

Karen left the room and he could hear voices down the hallway. Karen was talking to Mary. Their voices were muted, so he leaned closer to hear what was being said.

"Mary, what is the matter with Richard? He seems kind of edgy?" asked Karen to her cousin Mary.

"I don't know," said Mary, "He does seem a bit under the weather. Maybe the performance tonight will be the thing that lifts his spirits. You know how excited he is that you and him are reuniting for these special Christmas shows. Maybe he is nervous that tonight's special is being televised "Live." I don't know."

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Karen just made a face to say, she didn't know what was up with Richard.

"Well I will see you later Mary. What time will Traci be at the hall to practise our songs?" asked Karen. As she put on her sweater. Outside, for some weird reason, a few snowflakes fell. This was California, land of sunshine and warmth.

"Traci will be there by 5. I have to pick her up from school so..." trailed off Mary, as she was thinking of the other kids, and the traffic.

"Hey, why don't I pick up Traci? It would be no problem. I won't be too far from her school, and it would save you a trip!" said Karen, in her confident, take charge, kind of helpful way.

"Are you sure?" asked Mary. "I could easily do it!"

"Nonsense. I will do it. Don't worry about it. Traci's a good kid, and as their auntie, I enjoy spending any time I can with them. They grow up so fast. Anyways. We'll see you tonight at the concert," waved Karen as she headed outside to her jag.

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Karen had a bit of running around to do. As she drove on the freeway, she thought about her niece Traci. A good kid, thought Karen. She had even been blown away when she heard a tape of Traci singing some of her hits. She had apparently done it for fun, and when Richard heard it, he almost had a heart attack! She had sounded very similar to Karen! When Richard showed her the copy, Karen's jaw had dropped in amazement. This neice of hers could emulate her so well. It was going to be neat to be able to sing with her neice.

Karen was also excited. Their special guest star tonight was Sandi Patty, the Gospel Recording star, and a friend of Karen's. This lady had a phenomenal voice. Also appearing was recording artist and fantastic male voiced Michael English. Karen and him were doing the duet Mary, Did You Know? which had been a huge holiday hit.

The afternoon was gone in a flash, and Karen had been busy with last minute wardrobe fittings, and getting her hair done. She glanced at herself in the car mirror, and liked her new hairdo. Usually her hair was long and curly, but this year, she had short, with the back side kind of flipped out. Her hair was also bronzed with blond streaks, and she admitted that she liked it like this. She had never had her hair with blond in it before, but she felt that tonight's performance warranted it.

She parked outside the Downey High School, and waited for her neice. She glanced at her watch, and began humming some of the selections for tonight's gala performance. From her rearview mirror, she could see the familiar form of her neice Traci coming towards the car. Traci opened the door.

"Hi Auntie Karen!" said Traci as she settled herself in the passenger side of Karen's jaguar.

"How are you Traci?" asked Karen, as she began to manouever out of the parking space, and speedily pulled out onto the road, although cautious of any kids on or near the road.

"I am fine. Mom called me on my cell to tell me you would be here," said Traci.

"Are you nervous about tonight?" asked Karen.

"Umm...just a bit, I think. But I have been practising alot. You know how Dad is!" said Traci with a mock faced grimace on her features.

"Yes I know," laughed Karen. "You will do fine. We just have to head over to the Centre and do a soundcheck and have a mini rehearsal. We should probably grab a bite to eat. No sense having to sing on an empty stomach."

After a quick bite to eat at a simple McDonald's, they were laughing as they left the restaurant.

"You mean, you used to eat here all the time when you were a teen?" asked Traci in disbelief.

"Well yeah!" said Karen, laughing, "Your Dad and I were constantly going from gig to gig, recording studio, etc. We had to quickly grab a bite to eat whenever we could. You know, I may be old, but I was young once!"

"Oh, Auntie Karen. You will always be young, and you are so very beautiful! I love your new hairstyle. And your clothes look so good on you. You can get away with wearing young clothes. Now if Mom wore that...I would probably just die!" groaned Traci.

"One day, you'll be our ages. You know your Mom was a very beautiful, petite lady when she was younger. She still looks good! Next to her, I always felt bigger and not that pretty," admitted Karen.

They continued talking, and finally they pulled up to the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Centre. Karen parked the car, as they headed inside.

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The centre was busy with people setting up lights, cameras and back drops. It was exciting to know that in a few hours, the centre would be packed with a full house, and of course many celebrities would be there as well. Karen was used to the excitement and slight nervousness that came before a special event. She glanced at Traci's face, and could see the awe, but nervousness.

"Don't worry Traci. You will do just fine. When you open your mouth, let the magic come out. That is what I do. Everything will turn out just great!" said Karen, giving Traci a squeeze on the shoulder. Karen loved to be as affectionate as possible, unlike her late mother. She missed Agnes, and Harold. She wished that they could be here.

They went to the backstage area where the dressing rooms were located. Karen greeted everyone that they met. That was one thing about Karen. She always believed in acknowledging every single person who helped in her career, from the caterers, to the hair stylists, to the wardrobe dept, to the camera operators.

Karen went to a door, and knocked on a door marked "Guest Star."

"Hello?" said a musical like voice.

"Hey Sandi! It's Karen! I just wanted to stop by and see how you are doing. Do you need anything!" asked Karen.

The door opened, and Sandi peeked her eyes out. "Oh Karen! It's great to see you! "

"Sandi, this is my neice, Traci, Richard's daughter. She will be singing tonight. I just wanted to introduce you to her," said Karen, as she glanced from Traci to Sandi.

"Hi ya Kiddo!" exclaimed Sandi, "It's good to meet you. One of my daughters back home is near your age."

"You have a beautiful voice, " Traci quietly said, feeling all shy.

"Why thank you! I hear that you possess a wonderful voice too. I can't wait to hear it tonight?" said Sandi with a vibrancy.

"I can't wait till you do your song STAR OF BETHLEHEM. And our duets of AVE MARIA and HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS. It's gonna be exciting!" said Karen in a joyous voice.

"You know Traci," said Sandi, all beaming, "I have been a huge fan of your auntie Karen. It is such a dream for me to be singing with her. When I was about your age, I used to emulate Karen on the Carpenters records, with my hairbrush. Gee, I was so crazy! But I loved her voice! It was deep and rich, and unlike anything I have ever heard since. So I am pleased to be singing with Karen tonight."

"Oh Sandi. You are too kind! It is a such a joy for me to sing with you. I know that you are refered to the Voice, in the world of music! What fun we will have tonight!" exclaimed Karen with a laugh.

"Well if there is anything you need," continued Karen, "Don't be afraid to ask!"

"Don't worry. I am fine. But thank you for your kindness!" said Sandi.

Karen and Traci moved on to their dressing rooms.

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After the soundcheck, and testing of the microphones, and where they would stand, they left to head back to their dressing rooms. Richard had arrived and would want to spend some time out on stage, practising on the grand piano.

Traci went to a door on the side of Karen's dressing room, while Karen went into to hers to relax a bit. She grabbed a pile of sheet music to go over her songs. She knew them well, and had confidence in her ability, but she was a perfectionist when it came to performing.

A knock at the door, and a familiar voice calling out. Olivia! Oh it would be so good to see her! It had been ages since they had last seen each other! Since Karen had just had a baby boy a few months previous, she had been heavily occupied.

"Hey Karen! Good to see you!" squealed Olivia, as she came to give Karen a generous hug.

"What a surprise! I didn't know you would be in town for our Christmas performances!" exclaimed Karen.

"Well I wasn't planning on being here, but Nora went thru my schedule and moved a few things around so I could be here! I wouldn't miss this for the world Karen! You and your neice, and your reunion with Richard and everything!" said Olivia, as she came to sit down by Karen.

For the next half hour they chatted, until another knock. Karen knew that until the performance, more and more people would be coming by to well wish her, and greet her!

She went to open the door. Another familiar face and voice of the 1960's...Dionne Warwick!

"Oh Dionne! How wonderful to see you!" greeted Karen with exuberance.

They hugged, and then the trio began to talk. Catching up on music industry news and the like. As well as dishing the dirt.