“The snow’s finally let up,” Mrs. Houper said as she poured a cup of hot coffee. Clark nodded, still coming around.

“Seren and I’ll probably head out soon,” he said. Weaving a little in his seat, Mrs. Houper set the mug before him and his hand searched for it a bit too far to the left.

“There’s no need to rush,” she said. Watching and idly grabbing a towel hanging on the stove.

“We don’t mean to- ah shit.” He hit the mug and knocked it over. Clark snatched at the overturned mug but missed. Mrs. Houper tossed the towel onto the spilt coffee before it went over the counter. She took the mug and turned it upright again.

“I’m sorry,” he said, covering his eyes.

“That’s all right,” She said. Putting the cup in the sink and cleaning the mess. “Bad day?”

“Yeah, too much activity yesterday. Missed my medication.” Clark admitted quietly. Mrs. Houper sighed.

“You shouldn’t do that. You keep missing doses you could risk another stroke.” Mrs. Houper chastised. “It’s a miracle you’ve made it this far.”

“Don’t remind me.” Clark hissed. Mrs. Houper sighed and poured another cup of coffee, placing it into Clark’s hand instead of placing it on the table. “Thanks,”

“Of course,” Mrs. Houper said. Focusing her attention onto the soaked towel on the counter. “I was wondering about something. When was the last time Seren saw a doctor, for an actual check-up and evaluation?”

“I… recently?” Clark asked, unsure himself. “Why? Are they sick?”

“Oh no, nothing like that.” Mrs. Houper shook her head. “It’s just… I’ve noticed Seren has a few. Quirks.”

“Quirks?” Clark asked, sipping the coffee and wincing at the bitterness.

“Yes, I think it would be beneficial to get them evaluated. They show the signs of autism.” Mrs. Houper said quietly. Clark choked on his coffee and sat up.

“What? No, no way.” he put the mug down. “They're a kid and they act like a kid. That’s all it is.”

“I understand this is a bit sudden, but it might be worth looking into.” Mrs. Houper said gently, tossing the towel into the sink. “Worst thing that happens is I’m wrong.”

“No, worst thing is the medical debt that comes with seeing a doctor for something that isn’t real.” Clark said. “It’s nice that you can afford to go running to the doctor every time your kid sneezes but we can’t.”

“So your medical issues are real but Seren’s aren’t?” Mrs. Houper snapped so severely it almost knocked Clark out of his chair.

“That is not-”

“That is exactly what is happening here. Not to mention if you don’t get that on record now and gods forbid, something happens to you. Do you think your family will go through with evaluating Seren? Or treating those struggles as if they’re real?” Mrs. Houper said. Clark started to object but stopped as the dawning realization hit him.

“What’s with all the noise in here?” Eric asked groggily entering the kitchen.

“Seren needs to be evaluated.” Mrs. Houper said, then she looked at the clock. “You slept in?”

“Did I?” He looked at the clock that read eight o’clock. “Damn I did. What did Serenity need?” Eric dissolved into mumbling about how much sleeping in would affect the day.

“A doctor’s evaluation. For ASD.” Mrs. Houper said Clark glared at her but she pretended not to notice.

“You think so?” Eric asked and looked down the hall.

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“I do,”

“Well they need to be updated on their vaccinations anyway. See how early you can get that scheduled.” Eric said as he took the mug of coffee from Mrs. Houper and shooed her out of the kitchen.

“I’ll work around Mondays,” She said.

“Don’t bother, I’m thinking of cracking open the resume drawer again.” Eric said and the kitchen froze.

“What do you mean?” Clark asked, hoping he was mistaken.

“You’re going to take on another enforcer?” Mrs. Houper asked. “What about Seren?”

“What about them?” Eric asked.

“Oh, Seren. Good, grab your boots. We’re just leaving.” Clark said, spying Seren in the doorway.

“I’ll send you a note when the appointment is,” Eric said. “And I’ll see you, Serenity, bright and early on monday.”

“Okay?” Seren said quietly. Their dad took their hand and led them to the front door. Their dad and Seren put their boots and coats on solemnly. Seren took their dad’s hand and they led out into the morning snow.

The fresh white snow, covered in a thin layer of crisp ice, had grown another foot overnight. Once cleared roads were now covered in fine unbroken snow. Crunching underneath Seren’s boots and trying to sound satisfying but instead it stabbed into their eardrums. For the rest of the district, the morning started lazily. Too close to yuletide for anyone to move with haste.

“Did I do something wrong?” Seren asked quietly.

“No, I don’t think so.” Their dad said.

“Then why does he want to replace me?” They asked.

“I don’t know,” he said. Though Seren could almost see other words behind his eyes. They looked down at the snow as they walked.

“What do I do?” They asked, “I don’t want to be replaced. Is it possible to get on with someone else?” Clark made a face but stopped himself before he said anything.

“No,” He said finally. “I mean, yes there are others who would be more than happy to poach you. But I don’t think any of them would actually treat you well. As much as I hate to say it, I’d say stick with it. We’ll keep an eye out but given your age I don’t think you’d be able to find something better.”

“But what if I get replaced?” Seren asked.

“Then we cross that bridge when we come to it.” Their dad said. “But I promise you, it’ll be okay. Whatever happens, we’ll be okay.” Seren nodded but stared hard at the ice crystals laced over the surface of the snow. Seren was quiet all the way back home.

Their house was quiet, much more quiet than it usually was. Seren’s stomach churned as they entered their house. They didn’t miss much about Mr. Asche’s house, but the warmth and light that seemed built into walls was definitely missed.

Their dad stumbled into the threshold and Seren snapped out of their thoughts to run to his aid. Leaving the front door wide open behind them as they helped their dad to the kitchen. Realization dawn on them and came with a wave of guilt.

“We didn’t bring your medication.” They said quietly, “I forgot entirely, I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, there was no way to know we would get stuck there.” Their dad said as he picked up the cold bottle from the table.

“I’ll get you some water,” Seren said. Climbing up on the counter so they could reach the cupboards. Pulling down a glass and rocking the house when they jumped off the counter. Seren turned on the tap but no water came out.

“Uh-oh.” Seren announced. “I think the pipes are frozen,”

“That’s okay, they should have been dripping anyway.” Their dad said with a shrug. “I don’t need it, Seren. It’s okay.” Seren looked at the empty glass feeling equally empty on the inside.

“Mrs. Houper taught me to knit.” They said idly. Placing the glass on the counter.

“Oh that’s nice of her.” Their dad said, wincing as he took the medication dry. “What did you make?”

“I don’t know,” Seren said. “I sort of just kept going until I heard everyone in the kitchen.”

“Probably a scarf then, a long one.” Their dad smiled weakly. “You cold?”

“Yeah, but I’m always cold in the winter,” Seren shrugged and kicked at the dirt on the floor. Keeping their shoes on in the house meant there was always dirt on the floor. Compounded by the fact the broom had broken long ago and there wasn’t any way to clean the dirt on the floor.

“That’s fair,” their dad sighed. Looking around the house and back onto the table. “You know, I don’t think we’ve done anything for Yule yet. Should we make a pair of Yule Goats?”

“Ooh! Yeah!” Seren jumped up. “Are we gonna make the mulled Cider too? And the Yule log cake? And the bells? I love the bells. They sound so pretty.”

“Yeah, we can find and ring the bells. I think they’re somewhere in your dresser.. Or under my bed.” Their dad said scratching his head as he tried to remember where they put the bells.

“What about the cider and the cake?” Seren asked worriedly. Pulling and pushing on their fingers until they cracked.

“Uh… yeah. We can go shopping and get the stuff for the cider and cake.” Their dad nodded. “And get some ribbon for the goats… and probably some new bells… Whatever we can grab I guess.”

“Hooray!!” Seren jumped in the air with a screech. “Let’s go! Let’s go right now!”

“Ha. Okay, okay. Wait! You have to grab the money first!” Their dad laughed, Seren was already halfway out the door and slid across the floor to the sink. Cackling madly the whole way.