The summer that followed the thaw was unlike any Maya had ever experienced. It was a season of warmth and joy, of long days and starry nights, of love and laughter and the simple pleasures of being alive. The sun seemed to shine brighter, the flowers seemed to bloom more beautifully, and the world seemed to be filled with a sense of possibility that she'd never felt before. She woke each morning with a lightness in her chest, a sense of anticipation for what the day would bring. The birds seemed to sing more sweetly, the breeze seemed to carry the scent of wildflowers and fresh grass, and the sky seemed to stretch on forever, blue and infinite.
She spent her days in the shop, working on projects that challenged and inspired her. She was designing logos for new businesses, creating custom
