The Mat That Answered Back — By the time the porch boards smelled like dust, mums, and dry corn silk, Lenox had lined up seven pumpkins by size and turned the leaf wreath three clicks to the left. Read the full story →
By the time the porch boards smelled like dust, mums, and dry corn silk, Lenox had lined up seven pumpkins by size and turned the leaf wreath three clicks to the left. He wanted the porch to say welcome before Aunt Faye’s leaf-band marched up the street. The corn stalk bows stuck out like floppy ears, the lantern glass winked, and the doormat sat square as a serious little stage.
Lenox cleared his throat and practiced. “Welcome, autumn!”
A crunchy whisper answered, “Autumn welcomes you.”
He froze with one hand on a pumpkin stem. The doormat had not moved, exactly, but three maple leaves on it had shuffled into an arrow pointing under the railing. From there, a chipmunk in a tiny acorn cap popped out, cheeks full of sunflower seeds. It bowed so low its cap slid over one eye.
Lenox laughed until the lantern hook rattled. He added a seed saucer beside the mums, then tilted the pumpkins so the chipmunk had a parade route. When the leaf-band arrived, Aunt Faye said the porch felt as if it had been expecting everyone, even the small guests. If you spot the mat between the pumpkins, maybe its plaid is still saving a place for exactly where you belong.
