Snowy Warfare

By Tyler Johnston

The sun barely peaks above the horizon and reflects upon the now glistening snow. The trees and houses each glow with the new light shining upon them. The front door swings open as Jason steps through with his trusty shovel. His boots crunch through the few inches of snow as the icy air nips at his nose. At the bottom of his driveway, he makes his first push with the shovel and starts to clear his driveway. The sound of his shovel on the frozen pavement below the snow fills the air with an ugly scratching sound. Yet as kids start to shift within the surrounding houses the cries of excitement at the new snow start to seep through the neighborhood.

The sun continues to rise higher into the sky as Jason finishes shoveling the snow off of his driveway. Filled with a sense of accomplishment, Jason glances around and sees that all of his neighbors still have snow covered driveways. Rather than going back inside Jason walks down to the next driveway and starts to clear it as well. With no ulterior motive Jason shovels the driveway and whistles his own cheery tune. Yet, as the driveway nears completion a trio of teenagers walk up towards Jason, each with a snow shovel in hand.

"What do you think you're doing?!" The first teenager demands, announcing their presence to Jason from the bottom of the newly cleared driveway.

"I'm shoveling a driveway. Why?" Jason says, slightly startled but very confused.

"Well, stop. This is our turf and only we shovel driveways. We don't want trouble makers like you taking our work away from us." The lead teenager says firmly.

"Your work? Wait a second, you three are the group of teens that shovel driveways for ridiculous prices and leave a lot of snow left on the driveway when you're done." Jason argues.

"We offer fair prices for quality jobs. And right now, you're stealing our business. How much is this guy paying you anyway?!" Says the second teenager.

"Nothing. I just thought it'd be nice, so I came over here for free." Jason explains calmly.

"What?! You're not charging anything?!" The lead teenager exclaims.

"Nope. Just being kind."

"That's ridiculous! We can't have you shoveling snow on our turf anymore. We're at war now." The lead teenager states poisonously, giving Jason a death glare.

"I'm sorry, war?" Jason inquiries.

"Yes. War. At the field by Gale Loop, build your snow fort and be ready by this afternoon. Winner gets shoveling rights in this neighborhood, loser gives up his snow shovel." Says the third teenager, smirking deviously.

"Alright. I'll meet you there. Although, I get to bring two friends so it's an even three on three." Jason agrees politely.

"Fine!" The lead teenager sneers, "We'll see you later then." The three troublesome teenagers stalk away from Jason with their shovels and heads held high. Jason watches them leave cautiously, then returns to his work.

After finishing the driveway, Jason strolls back to his house to find his little sister searching for her boots. Her hair is pulled up into a ponytail and a frantic look is in her eyes. Without even looking, Cassidy questions her brother, "Have you seen my boots, Jason? I can't find them anywhere and I wanna go out in the snow." Jason smiles happily as he takes his own boots off and sets them right next to hers, by the door.