13
On her last morning walk to the clearing, Jenny lingered, taking in the feel of the earth under her boots, still heavy with the weight of melted snow. Many leaves had fallen in the storm and now lay in a thick, squishy layer along the path. Some of fall's colors were still present in the limbs above her, but the snow had been cold enough to turn much of the brilliance to brown and it was only a matter of time before all of the leaves would fall and turn into mulch on the ground.
She was sorry to see the wonder of autumn go. Perhaps it would make leaving tomorrow to return home to her condo and her job more tolerable. Perhaps not. She took in a deep breath and smelled wet woods and damp leaves. The glow of dawn was getting stronger, illuminating the path and the detailed texture of the
