Autumn, named after her dad's favorite season, sat alone in her apartment, pondering
how to start the day. It was Saturday, with fall just beginning, crunchy orange leaves littering
Autumn's balcony and a slightly warm breeze blowing. Autumn felt defeated, and the day had
only begun. It was hard to decide what to do with your time being terrified of every encounter.
She was scared to go outside, even on her balcony, for fear of having to interact with neighbors
whose balconies were in view. She really only left home to go to the store in person as she
worked from home. That suited her alright, but she was coming up on the anniversary of her
dad's death, and she wanted to visit his grave. She hadn't been since his passing and wanted to
talk to him.
This Saturday, she spotted something on her balcony. The initial movement caused her to
jump in terror as she thought maybe it was intruder, although unlikely since she was on the third
floor. She crept over to the glass balcony door and saw a small brown squirrel had leapt from the
nearby tree to her balcony's edge. Its fluffy tail was shaking and it looked pensive as its tiny
hands curled in front of its chest. It had a grey stripe on its leg fur and a black spot near the side
of its mouth that made it look like it was smiling. Autumn was hesitant to stare too long, afraid
she would scare it off. She promptly decided the squirrel was a girl and was probably hungry. "I
will find you some food," she whispered, surprised she was talking to a squirrel behind a wall of
glass. She always liked animals and wanted to help them, feeling more connected to them than
people, fearing most human interaction. She slowly walked away, scared that the creaking wood
beneath her bare feet would scare the squirrel away before she got the chance to feed her. She
found some honey roasted peanuts, raspberries, and sunflower seeds that she thought would
suffice, although she wasn't sure if squirrels should eat honey roasted anything. She washed the
raspberries (to wash off any pesticides) and made her way slowly to the balcony door. As she
tried to quietly slide the door open, the squirrel skittered away, jumping into the tree like a bird
taking off in flight. "Oh sorry, little squirrel," said Autumn. "I didn't mean to scare you, but I
brought you some food. I will leave it on the edge here for you if you decide to come back." She
laid out the food gently, arranging it carefully into three piles. She went back inside and decided
what she was going to do today: she was going to sit and see if the squirrel returned, which was
fine for her because it didn't require going out interacting with people. So she watched and
waited, through her coffee and lunch, reading a book in between to pass time. Then, after lunch,
she saw movement again outside. The same squirrel came back! She crept to the door, which she
had slightly cracked earlier. The squirrel shot a glance her way and proceeded to the nuts. "Hi
friend." Autumn said. "I suppose you need a name, how about..Springy? It's my favorite season
and that's how you jump." Springy moved onto the sunflower seeds, which seemed to be her
favorite, and, as she munched through them held in her tiny hands, Autumn found herself
surprised that she began talking to her, as talking was never her strong suit. She never knew what
to say to people, but talking to a squirrel through a screen door? It flowed so naturally for her,
even though she thought she probably looked crazy. She talked and talked while Springy ate and

ate. Once Springy had had enough (she didn't really like the raspberries), she jumped back to the
tree. Autumn thought, "Oh I want to go pick out plain nuts and more seeds specifically for her!"
But that would require leaving her apartment, and she wasn't too keen on that. She formulated a
plan that she would go see her dad's grave and stop by the store on the same day to strengthen
her outing skills. She just had to gain the courage to leave.
Over the next few days, Autumn (using up all her nuts and seeds) fed and talked to
Springy. She had groceries delivered to supply more, and as the weeks and weeks passed,
Autumn even ventured out onto her balcony, waiting patiently for Springy. Springy often came
with other squirrels, which required even more food, but Autumn always talked mostly to
Springy. She would spot her on the roof, peering down at her like a curious child peeping behind
a parent's leg. Autumn got more comfortable sitting outside and talking to Springy, even though
her neighbors could probably see and hear her. Autumn looked forward to the encounters so
much that she didn't care if she looked weird for talking to an animal. She already knew she was
weird, she just found something more important than worrying about it.
Autumn spoke to Springy about her fears and life and wondered about Springy's. Was she
cold as the winter was settling in? Do squirrels get cold? Autumn looked forward to the
connection every day. She no longer felt so alone and had someone to speak to, even if it was an
animal, which was far easier than talking to people. One crisp winter day, as Autumn felt the icy
wind ruffle her hair, she thought about how she had wanted to visit her dad's grave in the fall.
Well, fall was over now and she hadn't had the courage to do so. She didn't know why she was
so scared. Other people went out into the world all the time, no issue. What she did know was
that she wasn't like them and never would be.
For a few days, Autumn hadn't seen Springy. She had nothing to do but worry. Other
squirrels came and went, but the one with the grey striped leg and black smiley mouth? Not yet.
Autumn's worry consumed her and she had to face her fears that something bad had happened
and she would probably never know what. She still made herself go outside and talk, even
though she couldn't really say why. "I love you and I miss you Springy and I hope you are
alright," she said. At that moment, Springy jumped from the tree right onto the balcony edge and
started twitching her tail. Autum stood completely still by the ledge, having never been this close
to Springy. They stood and stared at each other for what seemed like hours. Autumn silently took
in the moment, overjoyed with happiness and gratefulness. "Welcome back, Springy," she finally
whispered as quietly as the wind. Springy began munching on the seeds with a small crunching
sound. When Springy hopped away, Autumn, hoping Springy would be back tomorrow, went
inside and jumped for joy. She was so relieved she was back. What she felt in her absence was
fear, uncertainty, anxiety, and sadness. She realized these were the same feelings she felt when
thinking about leaving the comfort of her home. But when Springy returned? Autumn felt joy,
relief, and surprisingly: strength. She felt like she had superpowers and could do anything in the
world, which was a new feeling for her. She decided it might be time to visit her dad. He would
love to hear all about the squirrel who gave her hope and strength. So, she quickly packed a bag,

afraid this feeling might pass, and made plans to leave, including a stop by the store and get all
kinds of new raw nuts for Springy and her friends. She felt shaky and slightly sick to her
stomach, questioning herself. She wasn't sure she would be okay once she was out there, but she
had to believe she would make it just fine. She thought of her friend and how she had come back,
and, looking out the glass door to her balcony filled with sunflower seeds, she felt braver than
she had in a long time. If Springy was okay, then maybe she would be okay too. Autumn grabbed
the door handle with one last deep breath, and braved the world for her dad, her squirrel, and
herself. The relationship she built with the squirrel and with herself had awakened strength that
was hidden underneath all her fear, enough for her to leave. And that is just a story of a squirrel
and her girl.
By: Lisa Navarro