Their Favorite Season

They step outside of the school cafeteria as the autumn chill air greets them and penetrates the light jackets that cover their otherwise bear arms. Kelli receives a chill and then lets out a discouraging sigh, “I hate this season.” Sean stops in his tracks at the very moment of hearing such a statement. “Are you serious? This is my favorite season.” “Really? I can’t see it.” She says kindly and curiously. 1

“Oh come on! The light chill in the air, the leaves painting beautiful colors on the trees, what is there not to like?” Sean feels that he had won such an argument but Kelli has not given up yet.2

“But the weather is so cloudy.” 3

“You kidding? I love cloudy weather!”4

“It’s kind of depressing.”5

“Well only if you look at it depressing.”6

“How else could you look at it?” Kelli begins to look at him with wide eyes, like that of a small child intrigued of what will be said next.7

“I never see it as depressing. I see it as mysterious. Sure, a sunny day where there’s not a cloud in the sky is beautiful but you see everything. Everything is revealed to you. A cloudy day reminds me a lot more of life. Not that life is dreary but that you can’t see what’s coming next in life. Cloudy days just fill me with so much excitement because you never know what’s coming.” Kelli takes all of this in for a moment and is then held silent. Sean continues his defense of the season, “Plus who cares about the cloudy weather. Just take a look at the beautiful colors on the trees. It’s enough to sit back in awe for several moments.” 8

“The fact that the leaves are dying. It creates such a symbol of death” 9

“The leaves are dying? Scientifically, yeah, the leaves are dying. But I see it differently. This is the first time the leaves are truly free. They break from the bonds of their branches and are released into the wind. This is the time where they are free to dance through the air and enjoy themselves. To break through prisons and to be able to dance in the wind, man that would be a dream of mine.” Sean takes a deep breath gazing at the falling leaves in pure envy, but with an admiration for those leaves for they are using their freedom well.10

“But these leaves, they hit the ground and then just get raked up and bagged.”11

“Well, if you want to look at it negative, they are eventually going to die when they bud in the spring. Yet, although they are being born in the spring they are held captive all summer. Sure when they fall from the tree, they will eventually hit the ground but it is what they do before they hit the ground that matters. When they fly from their branch they can just float to the ground and wait to be picked up. Or they could fly, dance in the wind, explore the atmosphere that has been given to them. It is their chance to be free and it would be criminal to throw such a gift away.” 12

Kelli gazes into the eyes of this boy. He still stares in wonderment of this beautiful world. As she stares at this foolish boy, still lost in thought, she realizes her attraction for him. For a moment, Sean escapes his mystical world and catches Kelli staring at him, yet she never falters. Her entrancing stare locks on him. She would long to kiss him right here and now. She has broken from the bonds that held her before and desired to dance in the wind. She hesitates for too long, she looks down and then laughs to herself. 13

Kelli is disappointed with herself, she doesn’t dare show it though. “I have to get to my student council meeting.” They embrace and for that very moment the wind begins to kick up forming a chill around them. Leaves are released from the branches flying and twirling around them. In the midst of the wind, the words “I missed you” are uttered, somewhat muffled into Sean’s coat. As they depart, the howl of the fall air grows silent once again. “I’ll seeya later, Kelli.” Sean says as he steps back and waves and walks back toward his dorm. 14

The regretful girl walks slowly down the leaf covered concrete path. She wishes she could have done everything differently but at the same time she knew not to dwell on such notions for that itself is deadly. She continues to walk on the concrete, as her clogs crunch leaves that dwell in her path.15