Often we’re told to ‘stop and smell the roses’. Perhaps we should also say, ‘stop and see the leaves’? – Not sure what that means, but your story made me think of it.

Very sweet little portrait of a person, a likeable sort of person at that. Nicely done and nicely captured. Not sure why the ellipses in the first paragraph though.

At least the dad was supportive.

I think I excused the illogical ellipses as I wrote this (although not in first person) from the character’s POV. He takes a pause to search for the appropriate adjective, I guess.

Thanks for your comments, guys! Summer always makes me long for autumn.