A Year Without Snow

-20-

Friday, 29th October 2010

"Do not forget to put on a scarf!"

"Oh, and a beanie, dear."

"And no eating junk food tonight at Bryson's!"

"Well, as long as it's not cold food I don't see the problem. But don't eat ice cream."

"Oh, now I see! That's how you caught that cold, wasn't it? Going to Bryson house after school and eating ice cream, and leaving the house without a scarf or gloves into the snow-"

"I did not eat any ice cream! And I always go out with a scarf and gloves." I said in a husky voice as I took a big bite from my waffle.

"Daisy Ryland, don't you talk to me like that." My mother warned me in a serious tone.

"Now there's no need for that. Do you want some coffee, Laura?" My grandma asked my mom as she sat down on the head of the table and poured my mother coffee. "But do be careful with the clothing, Daisy, we don't want it to get any worse."

"Yes, don't worry," I assured them both, but could see that my mom was still unsure as she eyed me while eating her toast.

"What shift are you taking tonight, Laura?"

"The night shift. It was supposed to be Rebecca but her son is sick, and of course, I had to be the one filling in for her. The hospital is a mess this time of the year, because of people like here Daisy, who can't take care of themselves." She said looking at me at the end. I discretely rolled my eyes and kept on eating, "Really, it's unbelievable. A person spends six years studying to get to deal with demented people who convince themselves they are sick."

"Well, they have to be assisted any way I believe." My grandma commented.

"Unfortunately. There's this man, Mr. Robert that-" My mom began to exclaim but was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell, which made me sigh with relief as I quickly stood up from my chair.

"It's Bryson. Goodbye." I said while walking out of the kitchen as the two women said their goodbyes back, with two very different quantities of warmth.

I put on my coat and gloves and just as I was opening the door my mom shouts from the kitchen.

"Don't forget the scarf!"

"I wasn't going too!" I shouted back and felt my throat tighten from the effort as I picked up the scarf from the hanger.

I opened the door and found Bryson waiting in the porch, hugging himself, his face pale and his nose red.

"Did I hear screaming at this time of the morning?" He asked me as I step out and we made our way down the front steps.

"My mom was impossible, today," I explained and my voice cracked from the early effort.

"Woah, you really are sick, I thought you were joking yesterday." He laughed as we walked down the sidewalk that was almost all filled with snow.

"Why would I joke about that, Bryson?" I tried to ask, but which word I spoke made my throat ache even more.

"Gosh, your voice..." He trailed and put an arm around my shoulder, "What good are you to me if you can't talk?"

"Shut up!" I said as I hit him in the chest.

"Hey, no hitting!" Bryson commanded, "You are seriously a weak person, Daisy. Every single year you get sick in the snow festival."

"It wasn't in the snow festival this time." I managed to say through a numb throat, "It was two days ago."