Winter in the city was never pretty. The smog and dust, makes the snow gray and unattractive. That is the main reason why David leaves the city and stay in his country home during winter. To him, snow should be white not gray. So, as always, during the first day of spring, he drives back to the city, to his townhouse, where he spends spring and summer, and part of fall. When the leaves changes colors, he drives to the country.

David has always wondered what he would have done if he has a regular nine to five job, how he would have survived the winters. Being a writer, David can afford not to be in an office and punch the clock so to speak. He works at his own pace. And other than his publisher, he really does not have to deal with anybody. Of course, there was the occassional TV or newspaper interview. As a best selling author, he cannot avoid that. Part of his contract with his publisher was that he would help with the promotion of all his books.

As he was driving in the street where he lives, he noticed that there was a new store being opened. He wondered what would it be and if would be able to stay afloat. Every few years, that particular space changes hands. Some goes to better locations, some to file for bankruptcy.

David noticed the pretty woman who were talking to the workers. She has that classical Greek beauty that he had always read about, but never saw. In David's eyes, the woman looked like a Greek goddess. David dismissed it as his overactive writer's imagination. He drove on, and has completely forgotten the woman until it was time for him to have dinner. He saw her as he was locking the door of his apartment.

"Hello there," the woman greeted David. It was not only her lips which were smiling, the smile reached her eyes too. "My name is Precy, your new neighbor," the woman said as she extended her hand.
"I'm David," he extended his hand too, and when they shook hands, David felt so alive, as if Precy's touch gave him an extra zest.
"I just moved in this morning," Precy continued. "The building manager told me about you."
"All good I hope."
"Actually," Precy was weighing her words, "he said that you are very particular about your neighbors. And that you like things quiet, being a writer and all. And since you own, the building, well, you have a right to choose." The last part of her sentence, Precy was almost giggling, as if it was so funny to her.
"He said that?" David asked, participating in the joke, although it was about him. "Then, I better talk to him for spreading rumours about me."

"Oh," there was now concern in Precy's eyes. "He actually was very nice and he was just looking out for your best interest. Please don't fire him," Precy's voice and eyes were pleading. "And, do you really own this building?"
"Guilty as charged," David said.
"Then, I better be nice to you," Precy's eyes were alit with laughter again. "Because you are also my landlord in my little shop below."
"Oh, you own the store?"
"Yes, it is going to be a lingerie store, you know for women. Very small, very intimate. It's called Lady Lace."
"Lady Lace?"
"Well, I wanted to call it Victoria Secret, but it won't be original"
There was that sound of laughter again, that zest for life in Precy's voice. David could not help himself but be attracted to the fullness of life, to Precy herself.
"Then, I better be unoriginal myself, and invite a very pretty woman for dinner."
"Ah, I will accept," Precy said. "Food is always a good place to start a friendship."

David was not surprised when Precy told him that she wanted to eat some Greek food. And, he was not surprised either that Precy could speak Greek, and they were given the best table although it was obvious that it was their first time at the restaurant for both of them.
Precy ordered with confidence, consulting with the waiter. The chef even came out of the kitchen, seemed very pleased that finally someone knew real Greek food, prepared the old way in the old country.

When the food arrived, Precy ate with gusto. David looked at her fascinated. She was slim and tall, and how she was able to keep her figure by eating like a horse, David wondered.
"I haven't eaten for three months," Precy said, her eyes smiling again.
"That's usually how I feel if I worked the whole day," David answered, thinking that Precy was using a figure of speech. "Dealing with contractors can be tiring and stressful. That's why I have a building manager. I cannot take that kind of stress anymore."
"Yes, today was a pain. I had to get an apartment, then get a contractor who can start as soon as possible, and by the time we started negotiating and I could show him the place, it was already past five o'clock. But, then again, your gem of a building manager helped me out a lot." Precy smiled. "He pointed me to the right directions of who to talk to and which hardware stores to go to."
The conversation turned into business, and David became more fascinated with Precy - her sharp mind, her depth of experience for her young age. (David figured that Precy was no more than 25, compared to his 40 years.)
There were some personal touches in the conversation too. David found out that Precy originally came from Greece, which explained her knowledge of the language and its customs; that her parents were still in Greece, although they visit her occassionally, when their time permits. David seemed to get the impression that Precy's parents, although they did not work like regular people had a very busy schedule, almost like a member of the jet set. Maybe, Precy was actually a Greek Princess incognito.

"So why are you not married David?" Precy's question knocked David off from his retrospection.
"I was married once, for a week. We were in our honeymoon when she met an accident. After she died, I could never look at a another woman. I blamed myself for what happened to her. If I went with her shopping, instead of just staying by the pool, then she would have not been hit by a car."

David was waiting for the usual, 'Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," but instead, Precy held his hand and with kind but firm words she said. "She died because it was her time. Clotho gave her a short thread and once the thread was cut, it cannot be changed. Just be glad that you had spent time with her. It was her fate to die that day. Her thread ends that time. And, no one, not even the gods can change that."
With Precy's hands on his, David felt for the first time the peace he had been seeking since his wife died. It felt as if a knife that was buried in his heart was lifted. And for the first time, he felt alive again. Then, he saw Precy smiled, and David knew that starting at that moment everything will be alright.

The dinner with Precy at the Greek restaurant became a ritual for the two of them. Every Friday night, after Precy closes her lingerie shop, David will pick her up and they will take a cab to the restaurant. David found being with Precy relaxing. She made him laugh, opened her eyes to the classical Greek literature, and introduced him to subjects that he found boring before, like gardening for instance.

Precy was an avid gardener. Her porch in her apartment although she had only lived there for three months was full of plants, some abloom with flowers, some just there for the greenery and some according to Precy's words, just to give serenity.

"Who taught you how to take care of plants?" David asked one night.
I was born with a green thumb. That is my purpose in life, to grow things. Why I became a shopkeeper, I do not know. I guess it was just a twist of fate."

By that time, David knew Precy's quick humour, and he laughed. And by that time too, David knew that he had fallen in love with her, but was afraid to tell her. Their big age gap was foremost on his mind. So, he kept his feelings to himself.

Spring turned to summer, and to David's eyes, Precy became more beautiful. Her shoulder lenght dark hair glistned with the rays of the sun, almost giving her a halo; deep set dark eyes alit with laughter. Her love for her grew leaps and bound. So one night, he gathered enough courage to tell her.

"I love you, Precy. I have not told anyone that for a long time. And, if you will have me, I would like you to be my wife."
Precy did not show any surprise on her eyes when she met David's gaze. "I knew this was coming, and I was dreading it. I am not free David. I am married."
"Huh? To whom? I don't see anybody coming to visit you, and you have not even mentioned him to me just once."
"Our marriage is unconventional to say the least. I only see him three months out of the year, during winter time. I have to go and see him."
"Go and see him? Why can't he come and see you? In fact, why are the two of you not living together. And how long have you been married?"
"A long time," Precy answered with sadness in her voice, the first time that David heard a sad note on her. So David did not press the issue and accepted the fact that Precy and him will be just friends.

Summer turned into fall, and David started his weekend treks to the country side, to get his winter home ready and to see the colors of fall. One Friday night, Precy surprised him with a request to see the country, and if she can go with him. David was so happy with the request, knowing that at least, Precy has not changed her countenance to him, although he has told her what he really felt.
"Gosh, I'm going to miss you," Precy commented as they were taking a walk.
David's heart leapt. "Are you leaving soon?"
"First day of winter, I have to go and see him, that is the arrangement."
"The arrangement?"
"Yes, that was the arrangement of my marriage. My mother and father went through a lot just to get that, or I will always be with him."
"I don't understand."
Precy let out a deep sigh. "Do you remember Persephone?" "Yes, she is a Greek goddess, daughter of Zeus and Hera. She was abducted by Hades to be his bride. And during the time that she was in Hades, the earth was barren, dead because Persephone takes cares of the plants. So, when she left, the plants all died. Zeus and Hera would not give up their daughter and did all they can. I forgot how it was accomplished, but Persephone can go back to earth, but since she ate three seeds of the pomegranate from Hades, she has to be there for three months out of the year. And, according to that story, Persephone is the reason why the earth has seasons.
"It is not a story to me David. I am living it," Precy said almost in a whisper that David doubted if he misheard. But, he looked into her eyes, and he knew that she is telling the truth. "This has been going on forever, how do you hide?" David asked, knowing full well that no one can stay young forever, that people will question you if you don't age.
Precy laughed. "It was easy on the old days. People don't travel much. No records like today. So I just move on, from town to town. To lots of them, I die during winter, then when I wake up, I move to a different village. Then, the world changed, and it became a little harder, but not as hard as it is now. People started keeping records, tax forms, social security. So, I started living in a town for a few years, then I move to a different town. After a time, I allow myself to die. But before that, I give myself what I used to own before, like a long lost relative. Then, I take another identity that I have set up.
"And then?"
"And then, I'm alive again, as a new person. This is the first time I moved in your city. The identity I'm using now is five years old. I have another five years to use it, then I will change identity again. But, this time it is different." And Precy gave David her infectious smile again. "This time I met you, and like all the others before me, like my father and my mother, I fell in love with a mortal. I love you David, and I want to be with you."

That was all that Precy had to say. David wrapped her in his arms and gave her a long kiss. "I love you Precy, and Hades or no Hades, I want to be with you. I will face Hades if I have to."
Precy laughed. "Do you know what you just said? I know that for you it is just a figure of speech, but for me, it is literal and it can be literal for you too."
"I know, and I don't care. I have found love again, and I will not let you go."
"It is not as easy as that David. I have to honor the arrangement or all hell will break lose literally."
"So, what do you want me to do my love?"
"Will you wait for me while I am in Hades, until I come back in spring?"
"I will wait for you forever," David said with finality.

David and Precy spent the rest of fall in the city, and spent their weekends in the country. On the last day of fall, Precy gave the key to her store to the building manager, knowing that he will manage it with care the same way that he manages the building. David and her drove to the country silently, scared to talk about the long winter months ahead.
When they arrived in the country house, Precy laid out her clothes in the closet, labeled with dates, and what shoes goes with what clothes, including accessories. David was observing all her movements, wondering what it was all about.
Dinner time came and it was bitter sweet for both of them. There were tears in Precy's eyes. "I will not see you for three months, but you can see my shell. So at least you can see me."
David did not understand but allowed Precy to continue.
"When I go to Hades, only my essence goes, my physical body stays on earth. During the olden days, I turn into a statue. As the world changed, I changed with the times so that I can blend with my environment and be inconspicous. And with the industrial revolution and the creation of the mannequin, I found out that to hide my identity better, I could be a mannequin during winter time. A mannequin in storage is less conspicious than a statue in storage."
"You put yourself in storage during wintertime?"
"Yes, because I cannot trust anybody with my physical body. I have to hide somewhere. And with the world changing, I cannot be just a statue anymore."
David held Precy's hands. "I will take care of you my love, while you are away."
"My physical body with you while I am in Hades. When the moon reaches its peak tonight, it will be officially winter, I will have to go. You will see me change. But, don't be alarmed. I will be back here with you on the first day of spring, the same way I have came back for thousands of years. The transformation takes only several minutes, as I leave my body. I will be frozen. On the first day of spring, I will be flesh again."
David and Precy spent the rest of the evening talking, laughing, making love. When the moon was near its highest point in the night sky, Precy stood up.
"It is time my love, I have to go."
David saw the transformation. It only lasted several minutes like Precy said. Her feet started to harden first, going towards her neck, and then her face, the last was her eyes. Precy was looking at him till the last moment, and when her eyes became blank, the love that she has for him was frozen in that blank stare.
David spent the winter in his country home as always, but this time he has company. His routine changed a bit. Every morning after he has taken a shower, he would dress up Precy, following the labels she left on the clothes. He would comb her hair. He bought books on how to take care of mannequins and read every word in them. He even learned how to fix Precy's make-up in her frozen state.
David would write for a few hours and when taking his break, he would talk to Precy, as if she was still there. Sometimes, he would tell her about the story he was writing. He would tell her goodnight before he goes to bed.
Christmas Day, he gave her presents, but did not open it. He left it under the tree. He had decided that he will keep the tree until she returns, so that they can open presents together.
He was missing her so much, but Precy was right. At least, he could see her physical form. He could not talk to her, nor feel her warmth, but at least, he knew that she was there and that she was coming back.
David counted the days, and marked on his calendar the first day of spring. He went to the city two days before springtime and ordered Precy's favorite food from the Greek restaurant. He decided that if worst comes to worst, he can always heat it in the microwave.
He was so excited the last day of winter, he was restless. He cannot write, so he gave the house a spring cleaning. He set the table for two, ready with candles and took out his best cutlery. He looked at the moon, and waited until it was on its peak. At that exact moment, he looked at Precy, the mannequin. This time the transformation was in reverse.
It was her eyes that came alive first, and when her lips became flesh, Precy, spoke. "I'm here my love,"
David wanted to hug her but knew he had to wait. So, he watched her become flesh again. He saw her take her first breath of air, the first movement of her arms and then her fingers. And finally her legs and her feet. At that moment, David jumped, took Precy in his arms, and whispered in her ears. "Welcome home my love."