The Tree and Me

  Chapter Ten

  During the night everyone dreamed of that special tree. The evening’s conversation had given them some hope to see it again. Luke dreamed of Angie, but in his dream it was Michelle who spoke. She was trying to get through a forest. She rubbed her arm on some poison ivy vines and became ugly with sores and welts. She was watched by a squirrel in its nest in a tree. The squirrel searched, but would not help. Michelle met an owl who flew her away to safety. She flew near the squirrel with her sad eyes. The squirrel could not leave its nest in the tree. It started eating a nut. The nest caught fire from a lone lightening stroke and the squirrel ran down the tree.

  Luke’s eyes worked hard to open and escape some unknown fear. In time, he got out of bed and looked out the window while thinking of Angie. His eye lids fell and in time he almost went back to sleep when abruptly,

  “That light! Is that my tree?”

  He heard one of the “flopems” barking. Soon footsteps and whispering filled the hallway outside his room. Luke took his time dressing as he tried to wake up.

  Outside, the whole family was looking for the tree.

  “It’s there Herm!”

  Then a Whoosh!

  “Mom, it’s there. On the barn roof” called Matt.

  Luke came outside yawning. “So, is it my tree?”

  Everyone stopped chasing and yelling.

  “Oh, I mean, is our tree here?”

  Mary grabbed his hand. “I think the tree likes you. His star got real bright when you spoke.”

  They walked slowly to the barn. The tree’s lights ran a slow rhythm. Luke paused, feeling a bit foolish, but then stood erect and spoke upwards to the tree.

  “Sorry, I left you at home. Are you here for me?”

  The star and red lights lit up in a straight sequence. Herm slowly approached the barn.

  “Remember me and grandpa and everybody?” The lights again sequenced.

  Herm smiled and the kids started jumping. Michelle made a snow ball and wildly threw it into the air and it fell onto the roof near the tree.

  “Whoosh”

  It flew to the ground and the little kids became giddy. Michelle resumed her role as parent and tried to quiet them.

  Luke spoke, “It seems the tree is all right with people carrying it indoors, but we better approach it slowly.”

  Luke, Mary, Mark and Matt approached. Then Luke and Mark picked it up.

  “We can take it to your room, Luke, since this is your tree now.”

  Luke noticed disappointment upon the faces of Mark and Mary.

  Soon the kids lay in their beds quieted by glasses of warm milk. Herman and Michelle were still buzzing in bed about the recent events. Luke sat up staring at the comforting lights and allowing his mind to wander. He remembered the trip to the town of Carson, the magical night as he wandered the countryside and that curious Roy character at the truck stop; times to be treasured like smooth beach stones kept and rubbed for comfort when needed.

  The next morning Luke was awakened by light knocking sounds at the door”,

  “Luke. This is matt. Are you up yet? I’ve got Mark and Mary here.”

  Matt was persistent. One of Luke’s eyes snapped open and saw the clock.

  “You can come in guys when I am ready.”

  He quickly dressed and looked a bit disheveled when done.

  “You can come in now.”

  Matt stood in front while Mary and Mark peered around his legs.

  “We came up to tell you about breakfast.

  ”

  Mary whispered, “The tree seems different in your room.

  Closer, quieter, maybe scarier?”

  Matt resumed, “We’ve never seen it so close. It’s like seeing a movie star in person. You say the tree was in your home?”

  “Yes it was, but only now do I see it clearly.”

  The tree stood in the corner, its lights blinking randomly in thought. Mary started giggling, then Mark, both rubbing their stomachs. Luke looked at Mark and then they all roared.

  "What does one do in the presence of such an imagination tickling, endearing tree?” Luke asked.

  “Hey you up there.” yelled Michelle from below. “Come on down before we eat all the food ourselves.”

  The kids left in a rush, still giggling.

  Luke whispered, “It was good to laugh tree. Thanks.”

  Soon they were all eating in that sunlit kitchen, getting full in their bellies.

  ”Who’s going to help me make cookies for Santa?” asked Michelle.

  Mary and Mark grinned, “Yeah, Me!” in unison. Matt was quiet and fidgeted in his chair. Then he asked,

  “Want to see me milk the cows, Luke?”

  Luke had forgotten that he was on a farm.

  “Ah! Yeah! Sure Matt.”

  Matt turned to Michelle,

  “Mom, we’ll get you some fresh milk for the cake.”

  Michelle turned and replied “Sure, Luke might like to see some farm life.”

  Matt and Luke carried their dishes to the sink and worked to dodge the small ones making cookies. They walked to the barn, crunching the cold snow, now glazed by the sun that warmed their faces. Luke felt the delicious contrast, like that of hot chocolate over ice cream.

  “You ever been on a farm before, Luke?”

  “No, but I have seen them on T.V. Even saw milk shot from the cow's teat into a farm cat's mouth. It got more than anticipated which delighted the little kids.”

  “Well, no squirting here, Luke. Want to try milking?”

  “Give me a lesson first.”

  Matt got a pail and stool and soon his hand was bringing regular flushes of warm white liquid. Luke then tried but most of the fluid ran over his hands.

  “No need to go on. Ma’s got enough milk anyway”

  “So, why are we out here Matt?”

  “I told Ma I wanted to talk to you privately. She thought I might be more open to you, since you are more my age than Dad.”

  Luke put his hands in his coat pockets preparing for something.

  “Do not make me your father, Matt.”

  "Luke, I got this girl on my mind. She lives in Carson. She’s so good looking and all the guys were chasing her. A year ago I got her pregnant. She wouldn’t have an abortion. So, I’m a dad already.”

  Despite his protest, Luke did feel a desire to be a father to someone.

  “Maybe I should consult with you, Matt.”

  “No, I’m still only seventeen. Well, next month. It does not take much to knock up a girl. We were so hungry and never thought about a baby. But, Stella had it. Cute little guy. Name’s Orion like that constellation up in the sky.”

  Luke felt a connection to this Orion through his childhood love of Astronomy and the constellation, Orion. He also felt that curl in his gut as he started,

  “Angie, the gal I just divorced. Well, we did get an abortion. Maybe you're lucky Matt. You have some little guy. But, how can I help you?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Why’d you get rid of it?”

  That curl tightened and Luke sat down on a nearby wooden box.

  Matt waved his arms, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say it that way. I guess you’d be right in telling me to be Orion’s dad and just get on with my life.”

  Luke’s curl loosened some,

  “That abortion went against something in me. It seemed disappointing and that stuck inside of me. Now it sits there as a reminder of how easy it is to push away life. All life! In some ways it, the abortion, is a gift. A bitter taste that I find at times just to know it’s there."

  Matt was quiet and stood looking out into the barn. Then he smiled,

  “I knew this was a good idea. I mean the two of us talking. I’d wanted an abortion also. But I went along with Stella and.............well, I’m sorry you’ve got to carry that pain Luke.”

  The curl was gone and Luke felt lighter. Something stood up inside him; something that may have been waiting to do so for a long tim
e.

  “What are you and Stella going to do?”

  “Oh, she and I are always finding some reason to argue. She’s pushing me to do something with my life. I’m just a teenager. Got a life to live, things to see.”

  Luke smiled up at the sky outside,

  “I’m just beginning to ‘see things’ myself.”

  That evening all was aglow in the house. Upstairs the tree lights were blinking more than usual and also much brighter. Luke was with the tree and looking for some clothes that fit the occasion.

  This is Christmas eve! And, I am really happy.

  Downstairs, the kids were hovering around the living room tree shaking the gifts from relatives hoping to sound out their contents. Mary and Mark giggled. Matt was sitting in the rocker tapping a finger on the arm rest. He looked off into a corner like some mechanic trying to identify the solution to an engine malfunction from his day at the garage.

  “Hey guys! Wait till morning.” Herman yelled at the kids as he ran into the room and went into a planned slide in his heavy socks along the wood floor. He was a 'bowling ball' as he broke into the “pins”; the kids scattered enjoying the whole event.

  “Just cause we’re all grown up doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun too.”

  Matt arose from the rocker and ambled toward the kitchen and announced his intention to call Stella. Herman smiled.

  Soon, Luke came down the stairs looking just like Christmas: a red turtle neck with a green shirt over it, blue pants and dark green socks.

  “Are you Santa’s helper, Luke?” asked Mark.

  Luke scanned his colorful garb and said he was just trying to help the Christmas spirit and this was all he had packed, "Maybe I will pack more things next time I go on a trip."

  Michelle peeked out around the kitchen door, disappeared and returned with a big glass of eggnog.

  Luke laughed, ”Michelle you remind me of my Angie. She just loves eggnog.”

  Michelle replied without missing a beat. “You could call your Angie. You’re not that far from home despite that long night’s trip you took. Herman told me about your adventure and said it reminded him of a poet.” Luke’s eyes opened wide and then squinted,

  “Ah, she would never get here tonight.”

  “I never said anything about inviting her here, but you must have read my mind.”

  She turned toward Herman, winked and then looked at Luke.

  “Have her drive down tomorrow. That’s a special day and can be for you too. Well, the phone’s in the kitchen and we will stay out while you call. By the way Matt is finally off the phone.”

  He slowly approached Michelle and took her hand for a moment. Then he made tracks for the kitchen.

  Michelle returned to Herman’s attention. “Matt and Stella are fighting again. We had him when I was twenty-eight years old. Those two are so young!”

  Luke played with the phone cord, staring at the glow of the lighted buttons than pushing the white bar to darken them and releasing it to being back the light. Finally he played the unnamed musical scale of Angie's phone number. He listened as the ringing probed into Angie’s life. His thumb lightly rested on the bar ready to cut off any reply to that probe. Angie's voice startled his tensed mind and the white bar went down.

  “Oh! Darn!”

  The next time the keys were pushed with certainty and the ringing now probed, begging for an answer.

  “Alright! Who is this?”

  “It’s me, Luke. Merry Christmas Angie.”

  “Didn’t think I’d hear from you. Say, I thought you were in the Caribbean or, are you with your folks?”

  Luke felt some pride as he quickly reviewed his story that was to be told,

  “No, I’m. Well I’m on a farm with this family and a funny tree.”

  “Honey, you always liked my eggnog, but somebody must have made you a real doozy this Christmas.”

  ”Angie. Forget the tree part. They asked me to invite you. I think it’s a great idea and only a three hour drive down here to Carson.”

  “Is this a family you never told me about? You didn’t have some kids by some previous gal, did you?” This was accompanied by a sarcastic laugh.

  “No Angie, it’s a long story. I am sober and in my right mind and.....I have been thinking of you. I feel the holiday spirit down here and it would be nice to share it with you.”

  “Well Luke, I had planned on vegetating tomorrow, but what the heck. I need some fresh air anyway.”

  Luke gave her directions with his tongue outpacing his mind. Some imprisoned desire had been released, running wild and a bit out of control and finally emerging as a solid laugh as he hung up. He reviewed her answer and realized that she seemed distant and not as excited as he was. That stomach curl came up.

  Oh, it’s no surprise considering my recent lack of interest in her. Maybe we can be relaxed down here and actually talk. Or, I can actually talk.

  It was late for the young ones and Matt complained when Herman and Michelle herded them all up the stairs to bed; maybe for some quiet parent time and to “Prepare for Santa.”

  “Luke! Is she coming?”

  “Yes Herman. She thought I was drunk though.”

  “Well we could make that the truth. There’s lots of eggnog left.”

  “No thanks. You two have been good to me. I’m going upstairs and rest for the big day tomorrow.”

  They all said good night and Luke ascended the stairs.

  Once in the room he sat on the bed and stared at his tree.

  “Sorry tree. I have forgotten you in the midst of all the day’s events. I do need some of your ‘tree power’ for tomorrow. I really want to hold Angie and give her a big kiss.”

  Just then, a giggle arose from beneath the bed. The tree lights blinked randomly and the star went out for a moment.

  “What the heck?”

  He leaned over the side of his bed and peered underneath,

  “What are you guys doing here?”

  There were Mary and Mark giggling,

  “We were talking to the tree and heard you come down the hall. So, we hid under the bed. We heard you talking to yourself.” Sone more giggling.

  “Well, you guys can sit on your granddad’s rocker and watch it for a while.”

  The tree had an appreciative audience and leaned a bit toward the kids,

  “This is a great Christmas eve.” while Mark squeezed into the rocker with Mary.

  Soon they all were falling asleep. Luke caught himself, got out of bed and wakened the little ones. He liked their presence. He thought how nice it would have been to have siblings. His parents had come from large families and had never seemed interested in giving him a playmate.

  Herman’s voice startled him. “Luke, are the little guys in there bothering you? They need to be in bed and ready for tomorrow morning. We don’t want them wired up about Christmas and cranky-tired.”

  Luke prompted their limp bodies up from the rocker and they sleepily touched the tree for good luck. He then guided them into the hall and to Herman. The door closed,

  “Tree, what plans do you have for tonight on Christmas Eve? Those lights are so busy.”

  He finally went to sleep by the slowly undulating glow of the tree bathing the room.

  The whole house was full of Christmas dreams. The moon was hanging about a few clouds lending them some warm highlights. The stars were slowly arcing across the night sky. Cold water flowed in small creeks and rivers. Creatures outside went about their business despite the cold. A lone car sped along some county highway, going home for Christmas. The Schooners, like Roy's, were rolling along those cement arteries as were the late holiday travelers, guided to small towns and large cities. A million oak leaves, brown and brittle, rustled on their trees or scratched along the hard ground, driven by the winter wind. They were reminders of the past summer and the future summer already conceived out of the recent Winter Solstice. Somewhere one dry leaf fell onto sun-glazed snow and sailed with the breeze, fre
er than it had been in life.

  And a thousand dreams of Santa Claus rose like smoke, curling up to the sky and coming together as one big hope for big surprises on Christmas morning. One Christmas tree stood indoors by a window arched toward the stars outside. Its own lights were bright.

  “Whoosh!”

  Luke was startled and rolled over to see the once softly lit corner, now dark. Then he heard a deep throated laugh mixed in with a soprano one muffled by the window in his room. Next came the familiar crunching of snow right after the banging of the back door, then the hurried sound of feet going down stairs and finally a soft familiar giggle. “The tree!”

  He looked out his window and saw a reflection of blinking lights on a second story window. A whimsical thought came to him in his freely flowing, not yet awake mind.

  It’s nice to have friends in high places.

  He opened the window and heard Herman shout to him.

  “Guess what! I’d swear that darn tree is up above your window and trying to signal Santa. It looks so straight and proud. Go back to sleep Luke and we’ll see you in the morning.”

  Luke did and he had a night of pleasant dreams.

  Somewhere in his night came another “WHOOSH”. He cracked an eyelid and saw that the corner of the room was still dark.

  I’m too tired to worry right now.

  All was quiet in the Henley house. In the living room, the big fancy tree was dark, but there was a smaller tree by the fireplace. Its lights were quite busy. The ornaments swung toward the fireplace and then the whole tree arched toward it. The needles started to shiver despite the warm room. Time went by and then came the sound of a soft, cloth-covered bulk sliding against brick. Two black boots soon appeared, announced by a puff of black dust. The tree stood erect and its branches lowered a bit. The lights seemed particularly soft. A red garbed figure emerged and stopped by the tree. It tipped its cap and went on toward the fancy tree.

  “Whoosh”.

  The corner of Luke’s room of dreams was once again in a soft glow; one that barely changed.