APPLE BASKET

I was in the hallway pulling down the attic stairs when the metal screech from the hinges had my son Alex come out of his room.

“Don’t do it!” he laughed.

“I’m sorry but it’s time.” I unfolded the stairs and began climbing up.

“It’s too early!” he called up to me.

“Fall officially began last Tuesday. It’s definitely time.” I grabbed the white plastic garbage bag that had my apple basket centerpiece for the dining room table in it.

Alex just shook his head as I handed it down to him. He went and put it on a chair in the living room while I grabbed the fall wreath that we hung outside. I climbed back down and handed Alex the wreath while I folding up the stairs and closed the attic hatch.

“I’m sorry but you can’t keep saying I’m rushing the season when our neighbors already have their Halloween decorations up!” I shook my head sadly. So I’m pretty sure I’m not rushing fall by putting these up anymore.” I went outside to hang the wreath.

When I came back in the white bag was missing from the chair. “Hey! Not funny!” I cried.

Alex came out of his room. “Is everything okay?” he asked looking concerned.

I pointed to the empty chair. “Where’s my apple basket?”

Alex looked confused. “I thought you had it.”

“Alex…”

Alex shrugged his shoulders and started to laugh. “Hey, it was worth a shot.” He pushed open his bedroom door and pointed to his couch.

I grabbed the bag and began pulling the basket out of it while I walked to the dining room. “What is it about this basket that we have to go through this every year?” I asked.

“I just don’t like what it stands for.”

Now it was my turn to act confused. “You don’t like apples?”

Alex laughed and shook his head. “You know I don’t like rushing into fall.”

“But fall officially started last Tuesday.”

“Who cares what the calendar says.” he pointed out the front window. “The trees are still green. Can’t you at least wait until they start changing colors?”

I walked into the dining room and looked out the window facing our back yard. “Okay. I see three red leaves on that tree. I placed the basket in the middle of the table. “So I say fall has officially started!”

Alex looked out the window and sighed. “Okay, fine. You win.”

“Yes!” I clapped my hands together. “Would you like some hot chocolate?”

Alex shook his head. “It’s 70 degrees out!”

“I know. I was just kidding.” I moved the basket a few inches to the left making sure it was centered. “Want to go out on the back deck and watch the leaves change colors?”