In February - a story

His disappointment was palpable; she could see the expectation dripping from him, as his shoulders sagged, and his earlier brightness faded away. Perhaps it was the wind, but she thought she heard a long slow sigh. And suddenly she smiled at the thought of him being caught up and thrown squealing around the garden; blown up into the tall trees like a deflating balloon.

No words were spoken, there was nothing to be said. His head slumped forward, but not quite enough to hide the bead of water that traced a line down his face. She watched it trickle over his rounded cheek and down into the scarlet scarf tied so tightly round his neck. There would be others who’d pity him, but she knew that what caused his weakness made her stronger. And she knew that soon there’d be no need to seek shelter from his brittle coldness.

So she stood and watched the snowman in the slowly warming sun.

--------

We had our first snow last night. First snow of 2012 and the first time it's snowed since we've lived in Otford. Philip will be up soon, and urging me to go out and play. I'll wrap up warm and join him, but I'll be thinking of the sun.