Under the Pear Tree

Under the pear tree they sat, still not believing what they had done. They came from two very different worlds, but loved each other so very much. He had been warned to avoid her by his family, and she felt like she was taking something that didn't belong to her. They had met in the grove of orchard trees what seemed like a thousand times before, where they would gaze at the stars, say little prayers in ritual that would be misunderstood by his faith, or sometimes they would play games, or even dance under the stars. Tonight was different, they had made a vow, one that sealed their fates together in partnership forever. How would he ever tell his family the choice he had made?

The night was peaceful, and there they sat, his arms about her holding her close, and their hands intertwined. She could feel his breath on her neck and cheek as he had his chin resting on her shoulder. She gazed at the stars making a decision on the perfect wish to make to them. He broke the quiet of the night, when he whispered into her ear, "I love you. I wish we could stay here like this forever, but at some point I must take you home, and go to my family with the news somehow." Until that moment, she had forgotten his family, it was as if only they existed in the entire world. She sighed, and made her wish. "I know, and I love you too," she finally softly told him. He kissed her cheek. "What were you thinking?," he asked her. "Just making a wish on Orion's Belt, see the constellation," she answered, and pointed her free hand toward the constellation in the sky. "Are pears good for magic?," he asked her. "Pears are a symbol of love, and intimate partnership, the lore is that witches once danced beneath them," she responded. "Just, as we are about to," he said to her.

It was morning, she could still feel all of his love wrapped around her, and she smiled, knowing how much joy it had added to her weary heart. She was making her morning tea, when a knock came at her door. She opened the door to see one of his brother's smiling faces looking up at her with baskets full of pears and leaves in his grasp. "My Mother thought you might appreciate some pears, and leaves from the big pear tree," he exclaimed, as he looked down for a moment, and then he added, "Father cut the tree down this morning. I believe there are a few switches cut from the branches as well." She took one of the baskets from him, and said, "Thank you, that is very thoughtful. Would you help carry them in, we can unload your Mother's baskets at my table." He followed her into her kitchen, and they proceeded to unload the baskets. "Why did your Father cut down the tree?," she finally decided to ask. "He was angry at my brother for something," he said as he shuffled one foot, and continued, "I am not sure what the tree had to do with it? Mother wasn't very happy. It was our only pear tree." She handed him the last basket, and said, "Curious, do let your Mother know I am very grateful." He headed for the door, and replied, "I sure will," as he scurried off down the road. They had been neighbours a long while now, and his Mother would often come over for tea in the afternoon, the two ladies were good friends.

It bothered her to know the tree was gone, it was very beautiful, sacred, and bore such sweet fruit every year. She went about hanging the leaves to dry to make incenses with, preparing some pears to can, bake as dessert or into pie, freeze, dry to candy or make tea, keeping some to eat fresh, and then she held the sticks left from a branch, and she decided to fashion a mobile with some green crystals she had to hang in remembrance. She had spent the day so very busy with all the preparations, cooking, and crafting, she was surprised when she looked out the window to see the golden, pink, and lavender sunset like a rainbow glowing back at her.

Just then, there was another knock at her door. This time, when she opened it, another of his brother's stood there smiling down at her. He was over a foot taller than her, and she knew him well, it was his eldest brother. "Greetings," he said to her, "I came to invite you to dinner, at my Father's and Mother's request. I brought my car to pick you up, and drive you over." He was always polite and friendly with her, despite their many arguments. The two had long been good friends. His car was a sunny colored cadillac with blue seats, that always reminded her of a sunny sky. "I'll be just a moment," she said. "Do take your time, there is no hurry," he answered her, as he sat in the chair by her door. She hurried about checking that all was secure from the days activities, and then changed into her favorite green dress. Soon, she was back at the door standing beside him. "All ready?," he asked as he looked up at her. "Yes, I think so," she answered.

It was not long before the two were in the car driving down the road. It was dark out now, and you could see half a lit moon in the sky. "You married my brother last night," he said to her abruptly, and continued, "It really caused a stir at our house this morning." She did not know what to say to that, and sat quietly in the passenger seat beside her friend. As he pulled the car into the drive, he added, "I am all right with it. I am happy to call you Sister."

There they all were seated at the dinner table, all eight brothers and one sister with their two proud parents. She felt very out of place and uneasy. As the family was passing the varied courses about the table, the Father spoke, "I had to cut down my favorite tree this morning." Silence fell amongst everyone. "It truly was a shame," he continued, "but I simply can't have it as a way for some to hide their misdeeds from others in secret. Would anyone know what I mean?" It seemed as if everyone was just staring at their plates in quiet contemplation during the awkward moment. "I never thought I would be disrespected, taken advantage of, and lied to," the Father then said, "You had no right to teach my son of such things, knowing it is against my wishes." She knew that all this was directed toward her, and she felt her cheeks redden and grow warm, surely she looked like a Christmas tree now. She felt her ears grow warm like a child's when a parent is scolding them for something they knew they should not do. "However, it appears my wife and elder boys think very highly of you, and my daughter says you have saved her from some trouble before. Knowing these things, I will accept that you are now part of my family, and hope to welcome you as such tonight," the Father said. She was very surprised and relieved at these words.

After dinner, the family gathered around in the sitting room, and started a fire in the fireplace to ward off the chill of the night. They had all gotten out their favorite instruments to play, and went about making music, singing, dancing, and merry-making. It grew quite late, and they had all gathered round enjoying each other's company. She was now seated with her partner. "I know a fairy story about pear trees," the Father said, " where a pear tree was the gate to the fairy world, and a young man was lured away beguiled by a sprite." She frowned at this, but out of respect for her elder, she remained quiet, for the Mother and she both knew, that she actually was a fairy. The Father continued on with his story, where in the end the tree was cut down, so that the two lovers could never return to the land of fairy. At the end, the Father turned to her and said, "What do you think of my story?" She pondered a moment, and replied, "But we are all already in fairy land, Sir. I captured all of you long ago, and the tree was your only way out."

...The End...