Even though I’m the one leaving for another holiday season far from home, Rachel pretends like it’s her world that gets turned upside-down each year.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1)

Importance: Sierra describes how Rachel, one of her best friends in Oregon, reacts each year when it is time for her and her family to go to California to operate their Christmas tree lot.

The plan for next year has always been to cut down the first one we planted and give it to Heather’s family. / That’s one more reason this can’t be our last season.
-- Narrator (Chapter 2)

Importance: Because the family has been losing money at their tree lot in California, Sierra fears the family will not return the following year. There are several reasons why Sierra hopes it will not be their last year to run the tree lot. An important reason is that she wants to be able to give Heather...