Fall at Once

by Nora Everly

The leaves had turned into myriad bursts of ochre, scarlet, yellows, and burnt oranges, mixing in with the lush, spiky peaks of evergreen. September in the Colorado mountains was a sight to behold.

“Why is fall so pretty when everything is literally dying?”

He always said life was like a mirror. It will smile at you if you smile at it.

I spun in a circle, taking everything in. It was a girlie paradise, with pastels, flowers, cozy, overstuffed furniture, and books, so many books. I took note as my eyes scanned the shelves. All my favorites were present and accounted for,

You’re nice. Did you actually smile at her? Did it hurt? Is your face going to be okay?”

Never sneak up on a woman. That was one of the many pearls of wisdom my father had doled out to us boys over the years.

Where did all my hopes and dreams go? That wasn’t the right question. Why had I set them aside to work for my mother and settle for a man who wasn’t sure if he even loved me? I had let other people steer me in the directions that benefitted them, which was what I needed to think about.

“Are you sure you aren’t a Disney Princess?” he teased. “You resemble Belle right now with all these books everywhere and your pretty brown hair,” he murmured. “Plus, everyone seems to have fallen in love with you since you got here.

“You’re a hero. Are you sure you aren’t a Disney Prince? Wait, you’re already a firefighter; that’s even better than a prince, except for Prince Eric because he has a dog.”

“Leave. Now,” she yelled at him. “I’m going to hurt your feelings or your face, Drew. It’s up to you and totally depends on what you choose to do next.”

“Never underestimate the power of cheese, Cole.

This entire damn town was the best place I’d ever lived. Freaking look at it. It was like the set decorator for Gilmore Girls had stopped by and did her thing. It was an ode to fall in all its glory, dang it.