'Tis the Season

Chapter 1: Chill

Chapter One: Chill

I hold my coat tighter against my chest as I trudge up and down the aisles of trees for sale. The strong scent of pine needles and the brisk winds cause my nose to flare and I keep my head mostly focused on the ground in an attempt to shield my face from the cold.

A little boy runs past me, almost tripping and falling in his excitement. Not a second later, his parents scurry by me after him, laughing. I'm not a particular fan of the holiday season, mostly because I'm not a fan of winter in general, but I'm also no Grinch and I can't help but smile as I watch him waddle over to a huge tree and pull on the branches eagerly.

My younger sister and I always spend the first of December searching for the perfect tree to decorate. We have the same taste and it's easier for us to come out and pick it ourselves since our criteria is very strict and the rest of our family doesn't really see much difference tree to tree.

As I turn down another aisle I brave the cold and look up, immediately squinting as the harsh air stings my eyes. Madeline insisted we split up this year and I had kind of hoped she would find a tree on her own right away so I wouldn't have to stare down the wind like this, but she hasn't come to find me yet so I may as well actually do some inspecting myself.

Most of the trees are too skinny- we like a nice full, fat one. The fatter the tree, the more presents you can fit under it after all. Unfortunately, most of the fuller ones I'm seeing along this dirt path are way too short- only a couple inches taller than myself. We usually opt for one at least one to two feet taller than us for optimum star-hanging.

Rounding yet another corner, I hope to see Madeline guarding her perfect tree while she waits for me so we can get out of here, but she's still nowhere to be seen. Seeing that there are some fuller trees towards the opposite end of this aisle, I perk up a bit and head towards them.

I weave through the couple of families in the walkway, taking in a few rounder trees before finding one that makes me stop in my tracks. I tug a couple branches, pleased when they seem strong enough for our ornaments. The pine needles are a healthy green color and don't shed too much as the branch bounces back.

I struggle to get as close to the tree as I can and measure it in terms of my own height. It ends up being just about a foot taller than me, maybe a few inches more and I let out a satisfied breath.

I'm all set to go grab one of the assistants up front to cut it and help me take it to the car when I realize that Madeline still hasn't made an appearance. Not wanting to abandon my tree, I try calling her a few times, groaning when I only get her answering system.

I look around again and realize that aside from very few straggling families, this part of the tree farm is pretty bare. What are the chances that by the time I find Madeline and bring her back here someone else chooses this exact tree? Probably none, but I tend to have bad luck around holidays so I come up with the clever plan to tie my scarf around the base of the tree. It's a powder blue color so it stands out among the dark greens and browns around it, and since I tied it so particularly I'm sure it gives off the memo that this tree is claimed.

Not bothering to brush the dirt from the knees of my jeans, I stand back up and hurry down the end of the aisle, making my way back to the front clearing where the employees who help to chop down and load the trees stand by the payment booth. I scan the area for my sister and feel my shoulders drop when I don't see her. I take notice of the label on the row I'm leaving and start to walk along the different lanes, peaking down each one for Madeline.

It takes me about ten minutes to find her, frowning as she bumps into me turning the corner of another aisle.

"Oh, thank God," I put my hands on her arms to stop her from falling. "I found our tree, I've been looking for you for forever now."