Nothing but trouble was open for business at that hour.

“Grabbing a tree,” Bruce said.

“Don’t,” said Allison. “I’ll pay the fifty bucks tomorrow.”

“Back soon.”

Dawn arrived without Bruce. Allison’s texts remained unread.

She assumed either Bruce was dead or they’d use his mug shot on their Christmas card.

Iain Young still can’t convince his family to get a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.