New York City, November 15, 2017

★★★ Everything was clear except in the far distance, where a muddy haze smudged into the purple hills. Workers were planting ornamental cabbages in the forecourt. The breeze came in the door and flapped at the elevator-out-of-service notice taped to the lobby wall. It was cold enough for a real coat but safe to leave it unbuttoned. The light mellowed and colored on its way out. The six-year-old bounced around in the night so excited to have his new gloves that he somehow cast off a shoe.