"How are you doing?" those words pierced through my coat bypassing the buttons that I didn't notice were open until he spoke them How I froze words intended to warm into a pointed intrusion meant to warn me of my icy exterior It jabbed at my heart like icicles pressed into the wound that throbbed and pulsed He maintained eye contact when he asked and my eyes were wide with weariness I couldn't truly hide but I could disguise "I'm doing well and you?" I replied to the man holding a stop-sign my voice pleasant like springtime when the wind rustled green-leafed trees during the early sunrise and the morning doves sang a sweet melody covering up my shivering heart "I'm doing good," he said and nodded his head in response to my quiet 'thank you' he waited until I crossed the small street eyes at my back, tracking my slow, steady steps and when I got to the other side I paused for my crossing guard said one more thing "I hope you have a good day!" and I said with a smile too bright, "You too," and went on my way marching through the bright, winter day hoping that this road would just take me away Just take me away