Under The Mistletoe

Part 13

Lumberjack

She pulled her hand from mine and I pouted. My hand suddenly felt empty and I didn't like it. Mr. and Mrs. Hall would never say anything to anyone. They didn't have social media, they didn't have a computer, hell I don't think they even owned a television. I just sighed and left it alone. "Mr. Hall?"

He looked up and smiled. "Avriel! How are you son? I missed you with your father the other day, figured with you leaving the band that you'd be home for the holidays for a change and could come with him to cut the tree. OH!" He looked at Lizzie and blushed. "Who is this lovely lady? Friend of yours?"

"Something like that." I smiled and he gave me that knowing look. I shrugged. "This, lovely lady is Lizzie. Of course, she is my friend. How have you been?" Our exchange was light and joyful as he caught me up on the affairs of the farm and directed us to where the 6-foot trees were. "Do you remember how to do it?"

"Yes, but tell me again so I don't get it wrong."

"Where is this tree going if your dad already has one?"

I wanted to tell him that he asked too many questions but that was disrespectful So I gave him an honest answer without giving him too much information. "My place. Lizzie is helping with it, cause I don't know much about decorating a tree. Esther and Mom did that." He just winked at me and nodded like he believed me when he didn't. He knew better than what I was telling him.

He explained the process of cutting the tree and smiled. "I'll leave you two to it. Come get me when you've got it cut. We'll wrap it." He shook my hand and nodded at Lizzie winking as he went. I heard him mumble "More secrets than the CIA that one, so silly." As he took her hand and leaned over it. I rolled my eyes. He just chuckled and left us alone.

I smiled at him. I could see why they came back year after year. Avi took the saw and we walked out to where the trees were. We passed itty bitty trees, and medium-sized trees before we got to the size we were looking for. I was wondering how we were going to get it back to wrap it when I saw the carts lined up.

"Okay, the marker says these are 6-foot trees. They are taller than me and shorter than Scott so they must be. Pick one." I smiled while I mentally slapped myself. How? "He's crazy. That is why I love him. What did he say to you?"

"Something about you having more secrets than the CIA." I giggled and looked at the trees. I got about halfway down the second row when I found our tree. It was almost perfectly shaped. It was nice and full. I could picture it decorated in his living room. I almost started crying. I pointed to it. "This one. This is the one."

"I don't have more secrets than the CIA. I just have a giant one that I want to protect and keep safe from all of the buzzards." I paused and looked at the tree she selected. It was perfect. I don't know why I started crying but I did. I wrapped my arms around her. "Perfect."

His tears choked me up. I laid my head against his chest while we both pulled ourselves together. "I love you." I pulled away from him to get a cart while he prepared to cut the tree.

"Oh, okay. Cool. I was just about halfway through cutting the tree. We will need that. We have to go back and get him. He'll bring the rope to bind the boughs then he and I will load it on the cart. We'll need your help tying it and getting it on the top of the car. Want to help me while I put the last cut in? We don't want the tree to fall and break any of her branches. Just reach inside and grab the trunk and hold her steady. The saw will cut it fast enough that it shouldn't fall with you holding it, then we can slide the end off the stump and to the ground. Cool. At least that is the way it worked with Dad. Let's see if I can cut this thing right."

I followed his instructions and it worked just like it was supposed to. Mr. Hall came walking up with the twine just as we got the tree off of the stump. The two of them got the branches bound and the tree loaded onto the cart so that we could go get it loaded onto the car.

I smiled. "Just as smooth as when Dad does it. I might get this down yet."

"You're a Kaplan, son, of course, you will. Now let's get her on the car and properly tied down. Then you two go and enjoy some cocoa. I can see some other customer's pulling in." We tied the tree to the top of my car stump end to the front and made sure it was secure enough to go down the highway. "Boy, you need a truck."

"I know. I know." I hugged him tight, thanked and paid him then took Lizzie's hand. Let's go get that cocoa. She puts tiny marshmallows in it too." I was once again a happy bouncy little boy Avi complete with a beard and very long hair. I felt like my eyes were huge and my smile a mile wide. "This is one of my very favorite Christmas traditions."

"I like it too." I let him lead me into the house. He was so happy and excited that I could feel it. "This is going to be the best month ever."

"Yes. It is." l let Lizzie's hand go when we got into the office.

Mrs. Hall clicked her tongue and laughed."You shouldn't be so shy, Avriel. It's not like I can't see what you two have going all over your faces. Besides, you've only always come here with family and since she doesn't look like a natural Kaplan I can only assume that you'll make her one if you're lucky." She moved about preparing our cups and getting our sandwiches. She winked at Lizzie while I turned scarlet. "I won't be saying a thing to your mother when I talk to her next. If you don't tell her you were here, she will not know that you were. You know I love her, but you are grown now. You can pretty much do as you please so long as you don't go breaking the law. You've got to live your own life. Bless her heart she raised a good and sensitive boy. He's a mess alright," she turned to Lizzie. "We've seen him once a year for every year that he's been alive. Mr. Hall would say we've known him since before he could pee standing" Her imitation of her husband's slight drawl was spot on. I coughed and sputtered. She just laughed. "He's so precious. Avriel. You are so sweet, come here and give me that hug. You know I love you."

I was beside myself and helpless to disobey. I moved over and gave Mrs. Hall a loving warm hug. We settled into a decent conversation that didn't involve my love life or quirkiness.

I loved her so much. It was kind of nice to not hide our relationship for a minute. She pulled me into a warm hug and got us seated at a little table. The conversation while we ate and drank was very nice. We finished our treats and headed off on our way. We needed to stop at Walmart on the way home for a stand, ribbon, and a glue gun.

"I don't want to go in with the tree on top of the car. We should have done this first. I'll wait in the car okay."

"Okay. I'll be quick." I ran into the store and picked out a stand that looked easy to put water in. I found the ribbon and the glue gun easily. I checked out and was back in the car in under thirty minutes.

I put my phone down as she joined me and smiled. "Ready. I am so ready to put this baby in ou-, the apartment and get her decorated." I smiled to hopefully cover that slip. "It's been an interesting day. She goes in the door stump first."

I heard the slip, but I let it go. "That it has. I need to stop by my place and pick up the blanket to get it wrapped for your parents too."

"Okay."