Distances

"Going on an OFFICIAL dog walk?" she asked him at the front door as he struggled with his coat. "We are not allowed in the backyard right now," he explained, smiling. "The trees are holding hands and need their space." She made an "oh" face and put her hands to her heart. "That is the cutest thing," she said. "We'll be back in a bit," he said softly, opening the front door to leave. "We have to stay inside?" she asked her son, who had dragged a step stool to the kitchen window to watch the trees silently. He simply pointed. She joined him looking out and, somehow, it DID seem that they were reaching for each other, branch-to-branch, closing distances as far as she could see. "I think they know about Australia," he whispered and she surprised herself when she started to cry.