ked a
kiss。 It was a whimsical thought。 Not so whimsically； his lank image
shrank steadily in the rearview mirror。 When the car took a curve and he
disappeared； she narrowed her sights on reality and New York。
How different the road looked this time around。 Parched brown leaves
blanketed the ground； forests of bare branches joined evergreens in a
blur of gray…green on distant hills。 Mountains stood stark； more harsh
without greenery on their slopes。 Leaf peepers had long since gone home
to city beat and thoughts of Thanksgiving； barely two weeks away。
Those thoughts had precipitated Anne's trip； or so she told herself as
she drove steadily north。 On one hand； things had improved in New York。
Her return trip had been uneventful； her apprehension at facing life and
its memories eased by the onset of autumn and a renewed strength。
〃You look marvelous！〃 her mother had said the first night of her return。
〃I like that pink on your cheeks。 It bees you。〃
Even after the long drive； Anne was full of energy； which was why she
had stopped at her parents in the first place。 〃It was perfect；〃 she
said。 〃Just what I needed。〃
〃Sit down and tell me all about it；〃 the older woman ordered； and Anne
had。 Almost。 She didn't mention Mitch。 He played no role in her real
life。 She didn't even know his last name。
At first she gave little thought to the idea of returning to Vermont in
November。 The new semester had begun； and she was up to her ears in
translation work。 Friends still hovered； but she had more patience for
it now。 In turn； they sensed her calmer state and began to ease up。
She still refused to date。 But she w
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