Part One:
Dan Peterson turned onto Townline road for the first time in 10 years.
The signs of new development were evident with old farms now bare of trees, the old Patterson house boarded up, the yard overgrown and tangled.
Farther along, the Johnson house was now nothing but a foundation, Mrs. Johnson鈥檚 prized rhododendrons and azaleas trampled into the mud by heavy equipment.
Around the corner he drove up behind a man standing beside a truck with a flat tire.
鈥淣eed a hand?鈥� Dan inquired.
鈥淭hanks, I鈥檝e been moving and I left my spare at home. If you can give me a lift, it鈥檚 just around the bend.鈥�
They pulled up at a farm house and Dan said, 鈥淭his was where I grew up, my family home.鈥�
鈥淲ell come on in, my name is Barry and we鈥檙e renting here. My wife lost her nursing job when the hospital cut staff and had to sell my Kenworth because the plant closed down, so we鈥檙e here for a while 鈥檛il we get back on our feet.鈥�
Barry introduced his wife June and 10-year-old son Donny.
Dan looked around and said, 鈥淔our days before Christmas we always had this place decorated inside and out.鈥�
Barry smiled.
鈥淲ell we can鈥檛 afford lights or a tree so maybe Christmas takes a back seat this year.鈥�
Dan pointed to a back closet.
鈥淒onny, in there is an access to the attic, and I鈥檒l bet there are four boxes of lights and decorations up there. I鈥檒l take your dad back to his truck, and then you and I will go cut a free tree on Mr. Fraser鈥檚 farm next door.鈥�
Dan and Donny knocked on the door of the Fraser house, and it was opened by a young lady in a community nursing uniform.
She told Dan that Mr. Fraser was sleeping.
鈥淗e refuses to sell to NOS Developments, but he鈥檚 going to need a full time nurse if he plans to stay at home. He is very proud and stubborn, but he can鈥檛 be alone. He needs someone to check on him every day, and we can鈥檛 provide that service.鈥�
Dan smiled, 鈥淲ell, I might just know a nurse who is looking for work. I鈥檒l have her stop by.鈥�
Dan and Donny went into the forest behind the old faded barn, and it didn鈥檛 take long to find a seven foot fir tree that would fit nicely in the front window.
They dragged the tree through the snow back to Dan鈥檚 truck and were just throwing it in the back when an SUV with yellow flashing lights pulled up. A man got out wearing a jacket with an NOS Security logo on the front.
He put on his cap and approached Dan鈥檚 truck.
Looking Dan straight in the eye he questioned, 鈥淐an I ask where you cut that tree?
Will they have to surrender their Christmas tree? Stay tuned for Part Two on Dec. 25!
At least that鈥檚 what McGregor says.
