And we walked...

As soon as I pushed open the door, I could feel the cold air, thick with moisture, wrap around me as if to give me a welcoming hug.  I zipped up my jacket, stuffed my hands into my pockets and started off on my canter.  I looked up at the cloudy sky and took a deep breath; it was a beautiful day.  As I walked, I felt little ice water kisses on my face--the weather hadn't yet decided if it was going to rain or snow, so it picked something in the middle.  It seemed a little more confident on how it would fall--it had chosen slow and soft.  The fall colors on the trees under the canopy of gray clouds was the most beautiful thing I had seen all year...well, almost.  I don't know what it was that made this otherwise gloomy day stand out as one of the most beautiful days of the year, but I was stricken by it.  Quickly, my mind transitioned to an image of me going home and gathering up my sweetheart, making sure she was bundled up and showing her firsthand what an amazing day it was.  This, of course, was a ridiculous thought, due to the fact that I don't have a sweetheart waiting at home for me.  But that didn't stop my imagination from continuing on with the fantasy.  I could see myself walking down a sidewalk with my beautiful companion hanging on my arm, occasionally leaning her head on my shoulder.  When a little gust would pick up, she would flinch from it and retreat closer to me, tightening her grip on my arm.  We continued down the path, talking and laughing, catching each other's gaze every once in awhile and feeling that electricity shoot through our bodies.  As quickly as it started, the vision began to fade--I reached for the door and pulled it open.  The warmth of the office wrapped its heating arms around me, welcoming me back...I liked the first hug better.