Heartlight

by T.A. Barron

  Suddenly Kate felt a crisp breeze against her back. She glanced at the wintry clouds gathering overhead. It felt like the first snowfall of the season was about to begin.

  Slowly, very slowly, a diffuse line of light stretched across the sky. With a strength as irresistible as the first sapling of spring pushing past the lingering snow, the line of light deepened and broadened. Then, with a flash, the Sun broke through the clouds.

  Kate’s gaze fell to a purple chrysanthemum. As she watched, a single petal dropped to the ground, spinning slowly as it fell.