Months For The Seasons «Browser»

“They listen to the Earth,” Lena said finally. “Not to us.”

Maya seemed satisfied. She closed her eyes, and the snow kept falling, silent and certain, paying no attention at all to the calendar hanging in the kitchen. months for the seasons

That night, Lena tucked Maya into bed. Outside, the first real snow began to fall, covering the dying grass, the bare branches, the last forgotten pumpkin. “They listen to the Earth,” Lena said finally

Her seven-year-old daughter, Maya, tugged her sleeve. “What’s wrong, Mama?” That night, Lena tucked Maya into bed

According to the glossy wall calendar in her kitchen, winter began on December 21st. But Lena had lived in Michigan her whole life, and she knew better. Winter started the moment the last October pumpkin rotted on the porch. By November 15th, the air already had teeth.

Maya tilted her head. “Then what do they listen to?”

“See?” Lena smiled. “Winter’s early this year.”