Of Frost & Cinder (Old Version)

A Boy In The Snow

Chapter One

I'm stuck behind a semi again; one with a tall cage full of stripped, decapitated trees, where the steel chains binding them never look secure. We're hauling at fifteen miles in a twenty-five and each time I try to skirt around the eighteen-wheeler, the driver decides to swerve into the middle of the already narrow street.

Dad used to ride the tail of these trucks for the hell of it, even though he knew that I feared them—I still do, thanks to far too many horror films I wasn't supposed to watch.

I think this could act as a testament to our relationship. If only I had learned to keep my mouth shut I probably wouldn't be in this situation. With the simple act of closing my jaw, I could have avoided such a torturous dinner party and left without this heavy ball of pressure encumbering my chest.

Why I thought this holiday would be any different than the last ten, I'm not sure, but I do know that the more I try to guard myself, the harder the punch is delivered.

Katie, one-half of the Twinkie Twins, spent most of dinner drowning chunks of corn into a sea of mashed potatoes. Kennedy—her less annoying counterpart—sat opposite her, so obviously sneaking a go at the handheld video game in her lap.

Our dinner conversations normally consist of whatever political debate is currently plaguing the media, but tonight, Dad chose to talk about Figure Skating Nationals, and how he was so excited about traveling down to Boston in January.

"Hun, you should see the routine we have planned," he had said to his new wife, Nina, with his mouth half full of turkey. "I mean, it needs a shitload of work still, but if Shelland commits to it, I think we have a great chance of placing."

Nina hadn't said a word, only focusing her attention on the baby monitor app she had downloaded on her phone.

"Shelland, you really have to work on your core and leg muscles. I'm telling you, it will help you significantly with your speed and accuracy, not just the jumps."

"Yep," was all the reply I could get out, considering Katie was attempting to hand-carve a castle out of her mashed potatoes.

"You know, Katie, there are starving kids in Africa who'd love to eat that food rather than play with it."

Her brown eyes had beamed at me in a tough little glare as she slowly pressed her fingers deeper into the muck.

"Katie," Dad said, "either eat or sit still."

She growled and waited for Dad to continue talking to me before kneading her plate again.

"So, Shell, don't forget to set your alarm. I'll be at the house around five."

I had dropped my fork at the shocking news. "Five AM? Dad, tomorrow's my day off!"

He shrugged at me. "And? We can work out for a few hours, go over the routine again, and then the rest of the day is all yours."

"But, I'm supposed to meet up with Pete at eight." I groaned, resting my head on my hand.

This is when Nina peered up through her blonde bangs. "Oh, are you two going to meet us at church in the morning?"

"No," I snorted. "We're actually going to head into town and sell the rest of Pete's heroin."

The table had fallen quiet almost instantly, and Nina managed to shoot me her signature glare.

"What's heroin?" Kennedy asked.

I rolled my eyes when Dad shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the two of them left their mouths gaping.