Learning to Love Christmas

Chapter 7

VII: Tree Shopping

December 6, 2013

“I think you should get a Douglas Fir.” I told Oliver as we browsed the Christmas tree farm.

It was a pretty Friday afternoon and since the president of book club declared to move our meeting to next week on account that most of the club members haven’t finished the book. I thought that it would be a great time to find a tree. Luckily, I found Oliver on the steps of the school’s front entrance on my way out. But as usual, he was talking to a girl – well, more like flirting. I didn’t want to interrupt so I decided to save the tree shopping for another day. Yet when he saw me, he ditched the girl without so much as a good-bye and fell in step with me.

I had to admit, I was really flattered that he abandoned a potential plaything for me.

Now here we were strolling down the aisles of many beautiful trees, finding the perfect tree for the Hasting Household. I suggested a lot of different types to Oliver but he didn’t seem to take interest in any of them.

“They’re very pretty.” I added. “It may be difficult to decorate the tree because of the lack of room between the branches though but it’s your call.”

I turned to my side to see what he thought about it. He had his hands in the pockets of his jacket with his gaze on the ground. I sighed and wondered if he was thinking about going back to the cute red head he was talking to at school. “Oliver?”

“Huh?” He looked up from the icy ground. “Sorry. I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Oh, do you want to do this another time?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I’d like to get this over with.”

“Just pick a random tree then.” I said and gestured to the line of trees behind me.

“Why don’t you pick the tree and I’ll pay?” He smiled. “You seem to know a lot about them anyway.”

The reason for that is when I was a little girl my grandfather taught me all there is to know about Christmas trees. There’s a tree farm where he lived and he liked helping out the family who owns it. We used to visit every year back then when Daniel was just a baby. My grandfather takes me to the farm and point out all the trees and their names.

“I’ll pick a pink tree then.” I teased before walking over to a Colorado Blue Spruce and examining it. It had lovely blue foliage that appeared silvery in the sunlight.

“How about this one? It looks pretty.” I turned to look at Oliver but he was staring into space once again.

I looked around and saw a man holding an artificial snow maker that looked like a leaf blower. I grinned in a sinister fashion, an idea forming in my mind. I tapped him on the shoulder and asked if I could borrow it. He smiled and gladly gave it to me then pointed to what button I should push.

I walked back to where Oliver was and positioned myself behind him so he wouldn’t know what would hit him. I yelled “Hey Oliver!” before turning on the machine and spraying him with the fake white flakes from head to toe.

“Wha – “

I laughed and ran off before he could process what happened. I handed the machine back to the man and said thanks. I heard Oliver say, “Crap, Elle! I’m going to get you for this!”

I hid behind trees and peeked through the branches to see if he caught up with me. He was standing in the middle of an aisle, eyes searching wildly. I saw a hose on the ground below me. It was still on and the water was running out onto the pavement.