First Winter

Tobias refused to go back inside. Sure, it was cold, but if what he heard was correct, it would be worth the chilly wait.

He wore down a path in the newly frozen grass and thrashed about in the soggy leaves as he paced and paced. At least moving helped to keep him warm in his meager coat. He kicked a ball found buried under the leaves and watched it scatter away across the yard. He sniffed the thick air with a cold, runny nose and breathed in the scent of wood burning in the fireplace. Winter had finally arrived.

He jerked his head to the side. He caught a glimpse of something and then looked forward again. He jutted his head forward a bit and held his breath for a few seconds while he focused on what he was seeing. There it was. He was sure of it. He sprinted down toward the trees. He stopped. Looked around. Nothing. Then he sauntered back to where he had worn a path.

Tobias sighed heavily, his breath visible in the air. He looked up at the cloudy sky and wondered if his mother's words were true. He would wait as he wanted to find out for sure. Maybe he was just imagining things. Maybe he just wanted to believe.

Suddenly it happened. Tiny specks of ice followed soon after by big fluffy flakes fell from above. Tobias opened his mouth and grabbed a fragile morsel from the crisp air. Instantly it melted and seemingly disappeared from his tongue. Trying to catch the biggest before they fell to the ground, Tobias frantically ran about.

Energized but tired from his quest, Tobias stood in the heavily falling snow and took in his surroundings. As he blinked away a flake caught in his eyelash, he decided his mother was right. It was a good day to catch little pieces of heaven. Oblivious to the cold, he continued to leap into the air and happily wagged his tail.