Summary

Susan's encounter with the enigmatic Treeman at a Christmas tree lot leads to an unexpected magical and real experience, where her initial attraction to him and the subsequent purchase of a wreath turn into a curious mystery when the wreath is found destroyed the next day.

Abstract

On a crisp winter afternoon, Susan visits a Christmas tree lot seeking a festive wreath for her apartment door. She meets Treeman, a ruggedly charming attendant with a magnetic presence that unexpectedly stirs her attraction. Despite haggling over the price, they strike a deal, and Susan leaves with a wreath, intrigued by Treeman's allure. The next day, she discovers the wreath has been mysteriously destroyed, prompting her to question whether Treeman's intentions were more than met the eye.

Opinions

Susan is initially captivated by Treeman's rugged appearance and charming demeanor, which she finds both alluring and disconcerting.
The narrative suggests that Susan might be projecting her own desires onto Treeman, as she seems to sexualize ordinary interactions with him.
The story hints at a deeper mystery surrounding Treeman, especially after the wreath's destruction, which makes Susan wonder if she was lured into a trap or if there's a magical element at play.
The author plays with the idea of perception versus reality, as Susan's initial impression of Treeman and the lot shifts dramatically after the wreath's demise.
The revelation of Treeman's bald head beneath his hat is a twist that adds to the enigmatic nature of his character and the story's magical realism genre.

FICTION | SHORT STORY | MEET-WEIRD | MAGICAL REALISM

A Holiday Bait & Switch

LADYBUG

Susan did not see beyond the sexy Christmas tree lot attendant — she missed the signs that something was off.

It was a crisp winter afternoon when Susan ventured out to the Christmas tree lot on the corner. Her apartment door lacked the festive touch, and a wreath seemed the perfect remedy. In her rushed break between virtual meetings, she set out with determination, unaware she was about to experience someone and something magical and real.

The lot was a coniferous wonderland, with trees of all shapes and sizes standing in their full majesty as if vying for the title of the grandest evergreen in the city.

It surprised her that no other customers were in the lot.

As Susan stepped between the aisles, she ran right into the burly man, a towering figure with a weather-beaten complexion that spoke of years spent battling the elements.

His hazel, sparkling eyes peeked out from under the shadow of his worn cap, proudly displaying the defiant scrawl of ‘TREEMAN’ across the bill.

She stepped away, drawn towards the mountain man but repelled by the sudden proximity of their bodies.

She said, “Hey there, Treeman! I need a wreath to spruce up my door. Got anything that screams ‘festive chic’?”

He grinned, making her eyebrows tent upwards and tugging the corners of her lips into a hesitant smile. Why was she turned on?

He replied, “Festive chic, eh? We got just the thing for you, miss. How ‘bout this one?” Gesturing toward a wreath adorned with twinkling lights and miniature ornaments.

She dragged her eyes from his face and glanced at the specimen he referenced. With the force of a powerful magnet, her eyes snapped back to him.

She said, “Looks good, but my budget is more ‘festive thrift.’ What can you do for me?”

Her eyes followed his thick fingers as he stroked his lush gray-brown hair. She was embarrassed when a groan escaped her lips.

He said, “Well, I can make a deal for a lovely lady like yourself. How ‘bout thirty bucks?” Her eyes, alight with play, locked with his. She noticed his gaze registering her invitation to spar.

She said, “Thirty? I was thinking more like twenty.” The brute feigned over-the-top shock, gripping his sturdy, dark red plaid flannel shirt and making her eyes take in his broad chest. She also noticed the weather-worn black leather jacket. The outfit exuded a rugged charm, reminding Susan of a winterized ladybug navigating the mountainous terrain with strength and a hint of whimsy.

Just then, a rogue thought fluttered into her brain. Could he lift me as easily as a 6-foot spruce?

He interrupted her thoughtful departure when he said, “Twenty? That’s practically giving it away! Let’s meet in the middle, say, twenty-five?”

In the middle. She was curious why every word from this man sparked lustful thoughts within her.

She said, “Treeman, you drive a hard bargain. How about twenty-two, and I’ll throw in a smile?”

He chuckled heartily and stroked his beard, causing her stomach to flip.

He said, “Deal, but the smile better be worth it.” At his command, her face blossomed with a wide smile.

She said, “You drive a hard bargain, Treeman, but I appreciate the discount. Thanks!”

Grinning with his lips and eyes, he said, “Enjoy your wreath, miss. But if you don’t, come to me. I’m here until Christmas Eve.”

As Susan walked away, wreath in hand, she couldn’t shake off the image of Treeman’s mischievous eyes and the invitation they seemed to hold.

She looked back one last time and what she saw shocked her!

Treeman took off his hat, revealing a gleaming bald head, with his thick hair only flourishing around the edges of his skull.

She turned away from the sight faster than Santa’s sleigh departing the house of a naughty kid.

Still, she couldn't stop thinking about the man's red shirt, black leather jacket, bald noggin, and gray hair hanging off the edges of his head all day and into the night.

The following day, Susan eagerly approached her apartment door to make her way to work. Her festive excitement crumbled like a gingerbread house as she swung open the door.

Instead of the lush and vibrant wreath she had adorned her door with the day before, a disheartening scene awaited her — most of its needles lay strewn in a sad heap on the ground. While she slept, something blew out the twinkling lights and shattered the ornaments. They now lay amidst the decaying pine needles or hung like broken holiday wishes from almost bare sprigs.

“What in the world--,” she said, disbelief stealing her voice.

Despite noticing the mess in front of her, she realized she couldn't waste any time as it would make her late for work. So, she stepped over it and hurried towards the train station. However, she made a promise to herself to return to the Christmas tree lot later that evening and confront Treeman.

Then, she had a concerning thought. Was that what he wanted all along?

🆂🆄🅱🆂🅲🆁🅸🅱🅴 🆃🅾 🅶🅴🆃 🅼🆈 🆂🆃🅾🆁🅸🅴🆂 🅸🅽 🆈🅾🆄🆁 🅼🅰🅸🅻🅱🅾🆇

I weaved in a response to the Ladybug prompt to create this story.