They sat in silence for a minute. Then Leo leaned forward, his joints cracking a soft protest.
Elara thought about this. “For me,” she said slowly, “winter starts when the streetlights come on at four-thirty in the afternoon. It feels like the day gives up. Like it just… quits.” when does the winter start
He looked at the bare maple tree. “See that tree? All summer it was busy. Leaves chattering, sap running, birds nesting. It was loud. It was alive. Then fall came, and it put on a big, dramatic show. All that red and orange. A goodbye party.” They sat in silence for a minute
Leo nodded, his eyes soft. “That’s a good one. A sad one, but a good one.” ” she said slowly