That December day I would have never thought a Christmas tree could cause so much trouble for me. I was in high school and it happened during our Christmas break. I was going with a girl named L.L.L. who was the daughter of a Church of Christ minister.I was working for my father and when I arrived home she called and ask if I wanted to take her to get a Christmas tree, of course I said yes. I found a handsaw and drove to her house to pick her up and go tree hunting. Back in those days no one in our small town sold Christmas trees and I don't remember any artificial ones you could purchase. " Hey, Nick I know a place out in the country where there are plenty of cedar trees. The man who owns the farm gave me permission to select and cut a tree.
Three inches of snow covers the ground as we drive a few miles out into the country side. The old Ford is slipping and sliding all over the road but we make in to the farm. The snowy hillside is covered with cedar trees of all shapes and sizes as we depart from the car. There is a lovely tree just off the road. No, I don't like that one she says, imagine that? We begin the quest for her perfect tree. She doesn't like any of the ones I like. This tree hunting has become an ordeal for me. Finally after about an hour she selects the tree she wants on top of the hill. With my handsaw I cut the six foot cedar down and begin the climb down the hill to where I parked the car. Guess what?? as we come to that first tree I liked she stops and gives it another look. You know Nick I think you were right about that tree, that's the one I want. You can have the other tree from the top of the hill. I learned early in life that women like to change their minds.
We arrived back at her house and we begin to decorate the tree. She is finally happy with how the tree turns out with all the globes, lights and roping and icicles. Anyone remember when we used icicles on our trees?? Later after supper her parents retired to their bedroom and we stayed in the living room watching TV while cuddled up on the couch. What happened next is when it hit the fan!!!!
After all our efforts to get the tree and the decorating we both fell asleep on her couch. Her father awakes at 5:00 am to get ready for work and finds us asleep on the couch. "GET UP AND GET GONE!!!!!!! I remember him saying in a harsh voice that didn't become a minister. It didn't take me long to get out the door. He didn't forbid his daughter from dating me but I always knew he never trusted me again. She was grounded for a few weeks and couldn't drive the family car for a while.
Dad when I got home early that morning asked, " where have you been all night ?" I tell him what happened and he says that doesn't change a thing, young man you are going to work all day with me." Man that was one long day!!
