A warmth returned, and they walked in the world under clear of sun and sky in light. Beside the trail, in shade of the trees, ice and snow remained; but on the path and lawned open of park, earth was open again.
She wore a stocking cap drawn low, it and hair in press and covering of her ears. He wore one too, with ear flaps that fell and warmed without needing tighten and down of draw.
In hats and coats and covered hands, walking in move and touch of light, they were warm on winter day that gifted park all to their selves.
In meander and slow of walk’s pace, she wondered so she asked, “Are you happy?”
“I am,” he answered with a smile.
Seeing his brought forth her own, and she felt it’s warmth in face.
“I’m glad,” she answered, and in attest to her own state and spirit, before he ever asked, she spoke so that he knew, “I am too.”
“And I am glad.”
Day and sky seemed brighter.
Still, there was a question, one she didn’t know quite the way to shape or how to say. Still, she tried.
“Then why?”
She didn’t know the rest.
“You said once that ‘nobody can be everything to another.’ I just thought, maybe we could be something to each other.”
Her smile stayed; so, too, his own. They felt warmth of themselves they could not see, but other did.
“I’d like that,” she spoke.
She removed a glove. He did the same. In hold they walked, joined in hands and warmth.
Day and sky seemed brighter.