Michele Boyer

A Crossroads in Winter

The sky is quickly turning from hazy red to a light pink and grey as the sun sets and day swiftly transitions into night. It is only 5:10 pm but darkness comes early and stays past its welcome in the New England winter months. I can see my breath, coming out in long plumes, swirling and disappearing, as I make my way through the brightly lit sidewalks. The path ahead takes me from the ornate mansion, which houses the Health & Healing department where I work, winding up towards the low-slung, modern building that seems to disappear into the hillside where the main lobby and check-in for the hotel are located. The walkways are clear and tidy, recently salted, with piles of sparkling white snow on either side, from the weeks’ recent snowstorm. Luckily, there is no snow in the forecast tonight, so my commute should be a quick and easy one. Fingers crossed.