“Me too,” said another.

“Yes,” said Terri, holding her hands up to placate the crowd. “Yes. And in some instances, time passes more slowly. When we relocate, our lives aren’t always going to require that we spend as much time outdoors and for those of you seeking work, the vast majority of jobs will actively keep you indoors most of the time, which I know isn’t what we’ve all grown accustomed to. So, one of the ways folks used to get through the working year was by looking forward to things. Can anyone give me an example of what that might be?”

Teddy jumped up from his seat quicker than a dog after a biscuit. “I know. I know!”

“Teddy, you don’t have to raise your hand, sweetness,” said Terri. “We’re not in class. And as I said, you don’t need a hall pass if it’s the toilet you’re after. I actually can’t be too sure which it is right now.”

The group shared a laugh and Teddy put his hand back down.

“But,” said Terri looking around the room now. “I would be interested to hear from someone who hasn’t spoken before.”

Peter lowered his eyes so Terri couldn’t engage with him. He knew that people used to save up for a whole year just so they could get away on vacation for two out of the fifty-two weeks they spent working. According to his dad, he used to work over Thanksgiving and Christmas just so he could take Mom away in the summer. His colleagues did the same. But Peter didn’t want to be the one to say it.

“Anybody got anything for me?” said Terri. “Or am I just going to have to stand here dodging tumbleweed?”

Terri looked around at all the blank faces, desperately trying her best to ignore Teddy who no doubt already had twenty different answers lined up ready for her. But before she was left with no choice but to defer to him, a voice broke across the other side of the circle.

“Fall,” came a voice, low beneath the silence of the room. “I always look forward to fall.”

Terri turned towards Cooper, her face lit with gratitude for saving her. “And what is it about fall that you like so much, Cooper?”

Cooper shrugged. “The colours, I guess.”

“But what is it about the colours? Can you tell us more?”

“What more is there to say?”

“You tell me. You seem to feel strongly about it.”