Chapter 9: The Slow Turn of Seasons

The profound shift happened entirely imperceptibly, moving slowly like the gradual turning of vibrant autumn leaves into crisp winter frost, quiet and completely undeniable once it had finally taken deep root. It did not arrive with a theatrical declaration of emotion or a sudden, dramatic summer thunderstorm, but rather manifested within the quiet, breathing spaces between their usual banter, in the lingering glances exchanged across the dusty truck hood, and in the strange, electric awareness of physical proximity that made the hair on their arms stand up whenever the evening air grew chilly.