The cool air sent a creeping chill up Lenore’s back as she waited for Silas. She stood at the mouth of the alley near her apartment, the same place she met him the first time. The stench of the garbage in the dumpster was curdling in her nose. Why did he want to meet me here, she thought with a curl of her lip. 

There was a clattering in the alley that had caught her attention. Maybe he used it as a shortcut? She craned her neck trying to see if she could spot him further down the path. A creeping wind began to brush her arms as she looked, the longer she stood there the harder it became, so hard she had to tuck her head to brace herself. 

“What’re you doing?” Lenore jumped at the sound of the man’s Where did he come from?

“What– You didn’t feel that wind?” Lenore said, looking down the alley as if expecting it to give her some answers. 

Silas leaned around to look toward the alley too, “What wind? I didn’t feel anything, are you okay?” He went to touch her forehead but she brushed him off before he could touch her. 

She stood face to chest with him as he was still peering down the alley. She took a step back, warmth beginning to creep up her neck. He doesn't smell like anything… maybe it's the alley-smell messing with my senses. 

“Why did you want to meet here, it stinks,” she said with a cross of her arms. 

“Well it’s close to your house, and well, who else is going to wait at an alleyway – this way you couldn't mistake me for anyone else,” Silas said with a small chuckle and a wink. Lenore gave him a glance over and noticed his hair was a lot smoother than normal – not that she paid enough attention to him to notice. 

“Alright! Let’s go! I have a great time planned!” Silas said with a clap, pulling Lenore from her thoughts. 

“Lead the way” Lenore gestured towards him, with an unsure expression.

~~~

It had gotten a bit colder out than Lenore had expected. Maybe she should have worn a thicker sweater. There weren't very many people out at this time so they were walking through the park. 

“It's kind of eerie here without the kids laughing and dogs barking, ya’know?” 

“Eh, I prefer it this way. No one to bug you if you came here for some peace.” Silas said with a nudge to Lenore’s shoulder.

“Peace huh? You must live a pretty chaotic life then? 

With a deep breath and raised eyebrows, Silas shrugs her comment off, “You have no idea.” 

“Is it your family?” Lenore asks and then freezes. Shaking her head she continues, “Sorry, that's none of my business, I shouldn't have asked.”

Silas gives her a look from the side of his eyes and chickles, “Hey it's alright, It’s no big deal.” They walk in silence for a few feet before he speaks up again, “They’re just… a lot i guess. Charlotte, my mother, she’s strict and wants a lot from me and my sister.”

“My dad was like that, always wanting too much from us.”

“Was?” Silas asked. 

Lenore hadn’t even realized she said it like that. “Yeah was, he, uh, passed away a few years ago.” As she finished her sentence a strong gust of wind blew past her. Great, not this, can’t you at least wait until I'm alone to bother me? 

Shivering now, Lenore continued, “My mom and brother… they uh, they passed around the same time.” 

“Oh, that’s horrible,” He placed his hand on Lenore’s shoulder, “Do you want to talk about it?”

Lenore shrugged his hand off and said, “Not really. Can we talk about something else?”

“Of course.” 

Neither of them said anything for a while, just walking in silence side by side. It had gotten so cold out that Lenore could see her breath. 

~~~

“C’mon mikey, We should go inside before you get sick.”

“But look Len!” Michael exhaled with a roar, throwing his hands up as if they were claws, “I’m a dragon!”

Lenore stood near the railing of the porch while he sat on the steps. He had been playing with some dead strands of grass. The temperature had gotten below freezing last night which meant all the mud had dried to frozen rocks. 

“Yeah, yeah, c’mon, before dad gets home and sees you out here.” Lenore patted him on the head as he walked past her into the back door, a pout clearly present on his small face. 

~~~

“Hey why don’t we get you some food?”  Silas asked after letting the silence between them grow.

“That sounds good.” If Lenore was being honest, the silence between them wasn’t a bad thing, at least to her. It felt nice being able to hang around someone and not have to talk or explain anything. It was comforting. I hope he feels like that too. 

Silas led her down one of the park's winding paths. It was lined with tall oak trees and, if it were light outside, she would have been able to see the large duck pond that sat not too far away. 

At the end of the path, in a paved clearing close to the street, was a food truck. The area was lit up with hanging bulbs and street lights. There were a few benches and cafe tables and music played softly from the window of the truck. 

“How do you feel about street food?” Silas asked as he led forward.

Lenore walked a little slower, taking in the atmosphere, “Never had it. No money, remember?”

“Well you can get as much as you want, my treat.” Silas said as they approached the window. 

“What about you? It’s late, aren’t you hungry?” Lenore asked as she looked over the menu. There were so many meals listed she felt a little overwhelmed. It smells so good though!

“Eh, I’m good, i'll get something later. You eat, enjoy yourself,” He said with the most gentle smile Lenore had seen in years. 

Lenore felt like a child in a candy store. She had ordered three different meals with the thought of saving them and eating throughout the week. I bet they’ll still taste good cold.