My Short Story: The Trees

© 2009 Hachiko Yukimora

The sun was high up in the sky, beckoning for the snow to leave. As the two forces intercepted the little girl was out and about once more. Her little piggy bank went to Heaven, and she was holding in her pocket enough coins to hopefully buy her mother a little present. Passing by a man towing a tote of trees, she wonders to herself if mother was going to get one this year. One eye half open, she watches briefly as the man unloads the fresh pines in front of the store close by. Some were small, and some were big. She found one that seemed to be just her size, and was unsure whether anybody would really buy that tree. The man unloading the trees smiles at her, placing the last one on the ground. He was all ready to go, with customers waiting to be noticed. She runs off, having her own agenda.

Upon arrival, the store was already open, with the lights on within the store. The sign on the door had already been flipped around, with its old lettering enscribed long ago. A little bell tinkles as she lightly pushes the door open. She heaves a deep breath, walking into the wonderfully warm shop. She could smell carved wood and sawdust of all kinds. The old man, she saw, was sitting behind the counter, working away at his toys. Noticing a young customer in his midst, he smiles, as if he knew she could come in some day.

In a far corner, she is amazed. The tallest tree that she has ever seen was being put up. A woman was decorating with white frost and lights. Ornaments were put on the side, waiting to be hung. She wanted a tree like that this year. And perhaps she would have one, if her mother would allow her to hang an ornament for her.

“I would like to buy that over there.” She points towards it over by the window. The woman smiled, and carefully picked it up. And soon, the girl pays, receiving the carefully wrapped package in her hands.

At home, her mother makes breakfast just for the two. The girl hurries in with a parcel wrapped in beautiful red ribbon, in which she hands to the older woman. A small tree, the size of her daughter, stands on the kitchen table, adorned with a  pretty star and lit lights all around.