For Howard, the world appeared as if everything was being held in abeyance until some unknowable change had occurred to set life on its proper path again. Anita accepted the world as it was; she never worried over late springs or summers. She knew that the Earth had its calendar and would proceed at its own pace. The early spring breeze was cool as Anita had expected and their windbreakers kept them warm until the exercise took the chill of early spring off their bones. They walked until they reached the playground, then rested on the swings for a few minutes before they moved over to the merry-go-round. Anita mounted the steel platform of the merry-go-round and leaned against one of the tubular safety railings that radiated out of the center and extended to the edge of the playground amusement. Howard gave the railing a push to start the merry-go-round in a slow widdershins rotation, then hopped on himself. Anita talked about her week at work, then asked Howard how he had faired at home alone during the week.