Tree of Youth

The exuberant din of our classmates playing beneath was not an intrusion. On occasion, the teachers made us get down only to have us sneak back up the moment they were distracted. It was a time of fewer rules and wiser teachers thus the apple tree never became totally verboten. Their adult admonishments, so like what our parents would say, “get down, you’re going to fall.” was at once serious and kindly. I don’t recall any penalties for our disobedience.
The tree had to make do without us at the end of June as we vacated in search of summer fun. No spray touched its leaves so its fruit bore the brunt of insects and dropped prematurely to crunch under our feet as it welcomed us back come September.