His kids used to go with him. Each would find a favorite and plead with him to make it their family Christmas tree that year. He gave them all a turn.
This year everyone had been felled by the virus or was in quarantine. Only he would see the Christmas tree.
At the edge of the woods, he stopped. In the silence, he heard pleas for mercy.
His axe still on his shoulder, he turned around and headed back home.