Love

"You freaky little pyro," Ketih muttered to himself, breathing fogging in the cold. "You can't burn down a Christmas tree!"

"Why not?" she said, scowling as yet another match was blown out by the icy wind. This was her ninth in a book of twelve matches, and the outlook was grim. "The tree is already dead, so I'm not killing it and it no longer holds any religious significance except for what, three people? It's a symbol of peace and love and the holidays are over so I want to set it on fire."

He sighed. "Rhythmi is reading a story under this at twelve, even though it probably isn't safe to bring kids out when it's this cold and no one is walking around town. It's eleven in the morning, on a Saturday when I'm usually sleeping until two, and you've dragged me out here to freeze my butt off so you can set a Christmas tree on fire. I don't know who's more messed up; you because you're sitting a tree on fire or me for finding it an interesting quality." He jolted himself out of finding her intriguing and began to shout, "You're a psycho! What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree! I wish to burn your branches!" she sang merrily. "Here's a match and gasoline! I'll pour them on your branches green! Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree! I'm going to roast your sorry ass!"

His mouth dropped open. "Sicko."

"Jealous," she retorted, though neither quite knew what she could be calling him jealous for.

She struck a match, which lit, much to her joy and surprise, and she attempted to set fire to the tree. She possessed no such luck and pouted as the flame went out, leaving her with very few matches left. Unwilling to take the risk of a tree that needed a little extra push to burn, she gave him a harsh command to stay where he was an after a very long wait (or what felt very long) the girl had come back with a full size lighter and a small plastic bin of gasoline. She poured it on quickly, thankfully not getting any of her or her clothing, and lit yet another match. This time, the tree practically shot up in flames and she barely managed to get out of the way.

Rythmi appeared with the kids not too long later, and, one by one, the little ones began to cry.

"Don't be sad," Kate said in her falsest, happiest voice. "There's lots more trees and this one was dead to begin with!"

They began to cry harder, and the teenage boy muttered, "This is proof that we can never have children."

"No," she argued. "Your unsupportive attitudes of my hobbies confirm this relationship will crash and burn in no time. You do realize this burning tree is a symbol of my love for you?"

"It's a symbol of your love of fire," he snapped.

"Mmm," she agreed softly, smiling at the burning tree. "I do love fire."