COLD AIR

She left for a walk. Didn’t latch the leash. Let the cold explain everything.

It was cold outside.
There was no doubt about that.

She wasn’t sure where she was going—she just knew she needed air.
She paused at the coat rack near the door. There was a jacket for every occasion, every type of weather, and in every size for everyone in the house. The waste annoyed her.

The number of hats was repulsive. Since when did everyone need five?
She didn’t even want to think about the gloves overflowing in the basket. Soon it would be spring. She’d clear it all out.

She reached for the warmest pair of mittens she could find and placed her favorite hat—from an uncle in Moscow—on her head. She grabbed the dog leash and promised the family she’d be back in a few minutes.

She just needed to get out.

The dog was in no rush. He barely lifted his head from the fire. But when he saw the leash and heard his name, he yawned, stretched his front paws, and ambled toward her like someone doing her a favor.

She opened the door, and the arctic air spilled into the hallway like smoke. She shut it quickly.

She didn’t make it more than ten feet from the house.

She never latched the leash. Just stood there, in the cold, hoping it would numb her.
The dog leapt through snowdrifts like a cat—paw to paw, light-footed and wild. She knew he’d be frozen in minutes. She would be too. But for now, the silence was a balm.

There was something about winter nights.
The way the snow muffled sound—like the world had been blanketed in hush.

She wished she could stay outside longer.

But the dog started hopping on one paw. That was her cue.
They both turned back toward the house, toward warmth and tea and the familiar creak of floorboards.
Inside, she wiped snow off the dog, stomped her boots, brushed off her jacket.

She placed her gloves in the basket.
Hung her coat back on the peg.
Admired, for a moment, the absurd variety of coats.

The dog had already curled up on his pillow, in front of the fire, as if he’d never left.

Her family was exactly where she’d left them.