For Sadje’s photo prompt: https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2020/04/27/what-do-you-see-27-27-april-2020/

Mickey, the tree

Mickey hated liars. He couldn’t stand the thought of anyone else coming and sitting beneath his limbs, pledging their love to another, only to never see them again. He had seen and heard it all for so many years. He couldn’t even say how many years, since he didn’t know how to count his own rings.

Today was different. They came from the city he believed, based on their fashionable attire and sporty car. They laid out a blanket below his lowest limb and took a basket out of the car. They sat closely, talking so quietly that Mickey almost couldn’t hear them nor what they were talking about.

The man leaned past the woman he was sitting with and grabbed the basket handles. He placed the basket in front of his own legs and prepared to open the latch. Mickey could hear the anticipation in the woman’s voice and surely he was curious too. The man slowly opened the latch and lifted the lid.

Mickey couldn’t believe what he was seeing! This wasn’t love! This wasn’t a date! This was a horrific animal let loose to cause damage to others.

The man laid out the contents, rolled up a paper and lit a match. He knew the kindling he brought would make a beautiful fire.

©2020 CBialczak Fiction