Sunset Memories

Chapter 12 - Cold Snow, Warm Hearts

November arrived, and I was wearing toques to school before I knew it. Danielle and I went downtown one weekend and bought scarves, gloves, and sweaters. We were all waiting for winter to show its icy, white breath, and one day late in the month, it did. 

     It was during Math class, one of the three classes that Danielle and I had together, and the only one where we sat beside each other. Mrs. Nimitz was teaching us the division of integers, and Danielle kept nudging me when we were supposed to take notes on her speech. 

     Suddenly, Sebastian Reuss cried out, ''Schnee!'' 

     Even though this was an English class, most of the kids spoke German at home, so they all understood and came rushing to the window. 

     Danielle raised her eyebrows at me. 

     ''He said snow,'' I translated. 

     ''Snow? Really?'' She dropped her pencil on her notebook and ran to the window. ''Luca, get over here!''

     I jumped up and stood beside her. Little white flecks of snow were gracefully drifting down to the cold earth, leaving a fresh layer of white. 

     I breathed out a silent, ''Finally.'' 

     When Mom picked us up at the end of school, Curt said he was excited to get his board up on the ski hill. 

     ''Do you ski or snowboard, Danielle?'' Mom asked.

     She shook her head. ''I've tried skiing, but then I broke my arm. I haven't touched a pair of skis since then.''

     ''How about snowboarding?'' I asked. 

     ''Luca's amazing at that,'' said my mother. ''He could definitely teach you.''

     She smiled. ''Well, maybe I'll give it a try.''

     When we arrived at the house, I watched the snow tremble on the trees and fall slowly to the ground. Mom reminded Danielle and I to do our homework, and we sat in the warm kitchen doing Math. Mom made us hot chocolate, but I still wanted to feel the rush of cold air from winter's arms on my skin.

     ''Luca, what's +291 divided by -193?''

     ''Snow,'' I mumbled.

     Danielle stared at me. ''What?''

     I blinked, seeing that I was still inside the warm house. Damn. 

     ''You know what?'' I said quickly. ''Let's take a break.''  

     ''From what?''

     ''From this,'' I answered. ''Math. Kitchen. Family. Hot chocolate!'' I drained my cup, and then spat it out into the sink. ''It's too warm.'' 

     For a second I thought she was going to argue with me, say that we had to finish our homework and that she didn't want to leave the warm kitchen, but she just cocked her head and grinned. 

     ''What're we doing now?'' she asked, standing up and closing her textbook. 

     I threw over her scarf, gloves and coat and grabbed my own. ''Going outside.''

     The was no regret or reluctance in her face as she put on her jacket. I grabbed my toque and slipped on my Vans; I would have to get my winter boots out later. 

     We stepped out into the cold hands of winter. It was dark, but you could see the thick snowflakes coming down in the glow of the streetlights. It wasn't even that cold. There was a certain cheerfulness in the air that was described in the tone of light and in the weather.