Christmas tree shopping
When the pulled into the tree farm the familiar smell of jack pine pushed into Vivians nose. Her dad use to take her and her siblings to a tree farm and they would run around looking for the perfect tree. Everyone always picked the biggest bushiest tree but when it was her turn to pick she found one with lots of holes and always thin and ugly. It needed to be ugly to make it perfect. She always had to decorate it just right and put bows, ribbons, and beautiful little birds in with the bulbs to make the tree pop.
"Awwww" she said as the pain from a pinch drew her back to reality she knew where it came from and she dared not look. Olive used her small hand to grab her mothers then turned to look at her sister " Now Ann hold sissy hand so we can pick out a tree for mom it has to be just right." She jumped with glee and her sister made a hmm noise as they started to walk through the pines.Alan leaned over and grabbed her waist and whispered "you are getting heavy loose a little I didn't marry a fat woman. " Used to the comments Vivian whispered back " get more junk in your trunk I didn't marry a man for his three and a quarter inches." Giggling she took off running knowing he was fuming and wouldn't be able to figure out she meant his credit card.
As her and the girls got to the middle they found the perfect tree it was only 6 foot tall had some open spaces in the branches and a total bare spot on the top where she knew she could put a ribbon and then her topper and to the left was a tiny branch to set a bird on she got so excited and Olive yelled" this one this one it's perfect!!!!" Alan less than enthused didn't look twice. He pointed to a different tree wanting something completely full and no bare spots but olive wouldn't have it. "Dad I said this one!" Her little face lite up with anger and she stood her ground. For being little she knew how to get her way when it was with him. Her mother let out a little laugh knowing full well she won, and Alan was getting the tree he didn't want. Agitated he pulled out his wallet and ask the man how much and to cut it and put it in the truck. Ann looking very confused couldn't figure out why dad was angry but she put her little arms up indicating she wanted to be carried and up she went. Then she pointed and said "no mom" and her dad was shocked. It was the first set of words she spoke and Vivian couldn't be any more excited. "Yes baby mom is here and she grabbed her fast", before he could fuss. "Now let's get back to the truck it's cold out." Off they went to find the truck and get warmed up from the cold winter day.
Once they were home the unloading of the tree took some time and then the decorations had to come out. By the time they were done it was close to dark Vivian went into the kitchen to start to cook and olive wandered in to try and help.
"Little woman didn't I tell you not to be in the kitchen you could get hurt." "Mommmmm" her voice sounded so drawn out and hurt. "I just want to help!" "Fine fine get a stool you can put the potatoes in the water. " " Mom is dad mean to you?" "Sometimes adults have a hard time getting along don't worry so much. " Vivian was very stern she didn't want her daughter to think less of her father because she chose the man it wasn't her daughters fault he was mean. "Sometimes dad has a hard time with his anger and he is exhausted he works long hours to help provide for us and I'll be starting a new job and it will take some adjusting. Be patient with him. He is your dad and he has always been and always will be nice and sweet to you."
Afterwards they all sat down to eat and later that night her and Alan where alone.
"I want a divorce if you take this new job and you will get nothing." "I start Monday and I'm not giving in I am doing this job." " I will leave you with nothing and will take the kids. " he said sternly and grabbed her and she blocked him and pushed him away. "No I'm doing this learn to live with it." And like that she walked away tears running down hoping what he said was true begging for him to leave in her heart. She didn't know when this nightmare would end but it needed to for her safety.