The Community Tree on Evergreen Lane

THE LIGHT ON EVERGREEN LANE At the center of Evergreen Lane stood a tall evergreen

tree. It had been there longer than anyone could remember, stretching up toward

the sky like it was reaching for something. Every year, the neighbors decorated

it together. Not with store-bought ornaments or fancy designs, but with whatever

people brought—handmade decorations, old family ornaments, ribbons, drawings,

and lights. It was called the Community Tree. And this year, like every year,

it waited patiently for the neighborhood to come together again. As Dolly got closer,

she noticed someone sitting on the steps of an apartment building just off the main sidewalk.