Valley So Low by Patrice Wayne Page A

on his neck, hands on his uncle’s shoulders. “We’re almost there.”
    Maude followed him, still smiling as they made their way through a sticker bush thicket.  Some of the sticktights clung to her skirt and later, she’d have a job removing them from everyone’s clothing.  For now, though, she didn’t mind.  They emerged onto the flat ground at the top and a trail cut by generations of wildlife led toward a stand of cedar trees.  The vivid green stood out in stark contrast to the drab winter woods.  A bright red cardinal swooped down from a higher branch and lit on one of the trees.  Maude wished she could have a picture of the vivid color against the softer green and banked it to memory.  Above, the sun climbed to the near center of the sky and sunlight lit the scene with brightness.  One tree stood out, alone and separate from the others, and before Harry opened his mouth, Maude knew it must be the one they’d come to take.
    The trunk stood taller and straighter than most.  Prickly green limbs grew outward in a pleasing pattern.  No gaps or dead spots marred the natural lines of the cedar.  This tree grew upward with branches narrowing from the base to a near-perfect, inverted V at the top.  Maude glanced at Harry for confirmation and he nodded. “That’s the one.  I knew you’d see it right away.  Isn’t it perfect?”
    “Yes,” she said. And so are you, my love.   She watched Harry take George over to see the tree at close range. “This’ll be our Christmas tree, buddy,” Harry said.  Eyes sparkling, the boy repeated, “Kiss-mas tree, kiss-mas tree.”   Maude laughed.
    “It’ll be his first one?” Harry asked.  She nodded. “I doubt he’ll remember it later but he’ll like it fine once we decorate it.”
    Harry set the child down. “First thing we need to do is cut it,” he said. “Then we’ll drag it home.”
    She opened her mouth to protest, to remind him of the picnic, but he added, “We’ll eat after I cut it.  Take George and find a good place to sit while I saw.  I want you two well out of the way.  It’s not so big but I don’t want anyone hurt, not even a scratch.”
    Maude nodded. “C’mon, George, let’s find a place to picnic.”  She took her son’s hand and walked away from the stand of cedars.  A movement to their far right caught her attention and she pointed in time to show the boy a pair of deer as they leapt over a fallen log with grace.  A gray cat squirrel fussed and chattered above their heads and she smiled.  They found a good spot beneath an aged oak, sheltered by the massive trunk of the tree.  Soft green moss grew beneath the wide branches and offered a soft place to sit.  Maude pulled an old, tattered sheet from her basket and spread it on the ground.  “Come sit with Mama,” she told George. “We’ll watch Pop cut down our Christmas tree.” They leaned back against the trunk as Harry lay on the ground to saw.  The boughs trembled and shook but in a very short time the tree toppled away from Harry and landed.  He leapt up with a triumphant grin and wiped his now-grimy hands, sticky with sap, on his overalls. “I’m hungry now,” he announced. “Let’s eat.”
    She brought out the cut cornbread and cold sausage.  George reached for the meat but she broke the patty into quarters and gave him a piece.  The toddler chewed on it but he didn’t seem about to choke so Maude handed Harry his food.  She nibbled hers, enjoying the outing more than the makeshift dinner.  Her son clamored for a cookie after he’d eaten half the sausage so she gave him one.  “These are good, Maudie,” Harry said as he bit into his.  He settled back against the tree trunk and she leaned against him.  George sprawled across her lap, cheeks red from the chill fresh air, and gummed the rest of the cookie.  He’d be sleepy before long and she’d have to haul him home or drag the tree so Maude roused herself. “We’d better go before