A Fall in New York City

It was getting to that time of year when the leaves on the ground outnumber those on the trees when Hellen's plane touched the earth in New York City.

Although it was her first time out of the tiny New Hampshire town she had grown up in, tiredness had trumped excitement. She was asleep as the plane landed, and it was only sluggishly that she took in the bustle of the airport.

Again she fell asleep in the cab on the way to her hotel. Her parents, however, were not willing to let her miss the sights as the cab slowly enter Manhattan. Once they came to Times Square, her father softly said, "Hellen. Wake up."

Her eyes opened and in that moment it seemed she would never wish to close them again. More people than she had ever seen in her life stretched out before her beneath the backdrop of huge buildings. She focused on nothing in particular, but what in that moment did she not see?

Thousands of people, each more unique and different than the last, each with their own story to tell, who by either fate or sheer luck, were all in New York as fall came sweeping in to greet them.