"Hey, It's Saturday...Your Powers Are Useless Against Me!"

Last Friday, the SSB family went for a beautiful, albeit short (1km), candlelit walk through the local State Park. The sky was clear, and there was a bright 3/4 moon high in the sky. Due to the snow on the ground, any noise in the environment was dampened down to near non-existence.

There was a short break in the frigid temperatures; it was around 32 degrees, and no wind (as in no wind chill!). The path through the woods was set on either side with candles, about 15 or 20 feet apart. Oh, we had a wonderful time...at least until the fast walkers caught up with us near the end of the trail. "Why go on a beautiful candlelit walk and walk as fast as you can?" Sy was heard to remark.

After the leisurely stroll through the peaceful wood, we stopped at the nature center for hot apple cider and cookies. People came and went out of the small building, sharing pleasantries and smiles. We sat down, letting the apple-tones fade from our cheeks.

After a couple of minutes, the door opened, and in walked a young girl, probably about 13 or so. Almost immediately, a woman seated a few chairs down from us took notice. Her face lit up and she enthusiastically called out the girl's name, telling her "hi" and asking how she liked the walk. Turns out the woman was the girl's teacher.

The girl looked at the woman, surprised at first, then wary, and then became entirely uninterested. She stood there, froze, nodding in a barely perceptible way and uttering one word answers only when completely necessary. Soon, the conversation, if it could be called conversation, drifted into nothingness, at which point the girl stood there awkwardly for a few more moments, then turned on her heel and exited the building, forgoing any cookies and/or cider she might have been entitled to.

I felt so bad for that teacher...she seemed so nice.