A shuddering frigid touch coursed through my body in jolts of fright. It was difficult to catch any heat from a measly quilt, much less one that was knitted by Grammy herself. I cannot stand the weather, and Stella just looked towards me with a belligerent smug look on her face. She was dressed cozily and was as warm as the hood of the car. I was cozily dressed, yet I couldn’t understand why I was still cold.

Grammy busied herself by the confines of the kitchen, with Gramps close to her side by side. I was a bit shocked by the silence. But, they weren’t quacking at each other. Grammy then approached Stella and I, holding a tray with two cups. Steam flowed out of the cups, and a delightful chocolatey smell reached our noses.

“Enjoy, you adorable little darlings.” She said, motherly in tone, gravelly in voice. I appreciated Grammy, she was one of the most admirable people I’ve ever gotten to know, and anyone would say so.

I took the right cup, Stella took the left.

“Thank you, Grammy.” I stuttered from the cold. Grammy shone a smile, and pinched my cheek.

“You’re growing up to be a fine young man, aren’t you Neil. Just remember to take your time. Growing old is simply a journey, and that’s what matters. Now go and drink your hot chocolate before it turns cold.” Grammy replied, before she returned to the kitchen.

Stella stayed quiet, but for a moment I saw a tear flow out her eye when she drank her hot chocolate.I blew the steam off the cup, and drank the chocolate. For a moment, I felt like I had just met Jesus himself…

Then, the front door opened, bringing about an even colder spell onto my back. Both of us reared our heads to see who was going in the house. It was Aunt Sophie, who was looking grim and tired. She ignored Stella’s greeting, and simply went upstairs, dragging her bag along.

“Mom looks sad.” Stella bluntly said.

“Could be snow, it’s miserably pouring out there.”

“Speaking of which, could you close the door?”

“Why me? Why don't you do it since you asked?”

“You sit right next to the front door, so you do it.”

Stolen story; please report.

I sighed, “Fine…”

While I was about to go out into the snowy lawn, the phone rang. I quickly slammed the door and raced to the

“Don’t slam the door, Neil!” Gramps shouted from the kitchen. I immediately apologized, while a snicker echoed from Stella's snobby mouth.

“Hello?” I answered. “Rockbell residence, Neil speaking. Who's calling?”

“Hey Neil!” An enthusiastic voice came out the other end, “It’s Colin on the phone, sorry for calling late at night. I couldn't earn a dime to pay for this, haha.”

“Colin? Good morning,” I yawned, “Why’re you calling?”

“Oh, nothing per the usual. Tell me what’s going on back there, Neil! Is Keith and Georgie doing fine over there?”

“Yep, they’re doing fine. Not much has happened, but uhh, tell me what you're doing in Louisiana."

"I’ve got to say, mothers know best." Colin eagerly began "It’s just a mighty fine place, and Momma and her family cooked the best food I've ever tasted. My soul felt otherworldly! Nobody can beat her chicken. Neil, if you ever visit Baton Rouge, come visit my home. Dylan and I are going to fill your belly up, and send you to the moon!"

I began salivating at the thought.

“Well, uhh… Talk to you later.”

"Bye, Neil!"

***

“You! What are you doing?!” Gramps heckled angrily towards two police officers. The officers were

“Don’t just disassemble my snow remover! I worked way too hard to construct this beauty.” He then blocked the police from touching his snow remover, which was a lawn mower fitted with a shovel that rotates… My gramps had a talent for stuff like this, but he’d never tell me how he does it.

“Sir, that thing is a danger to the neighborhood.” One of the cops stoically said to Gramps,

“Danger? I’m a selfish man, this snow remover is for my own use! If the neighborhood kids get hurt from this baby, fine by me! They shouldn’t approach danger, see.”

I shook my head as the law and my grandfather began the siege of Ann Arbor. The Germans couldn’t get past my grandfather, but police batons may break him. I really hope things don’t escalate further. This world has been through a lot, and a war between him and the police don’t seem to be good prospects.

“Neil, what are you doing?” Stella’s voice barked behind.

“Gramps has a problem with the cops again.” I bluntly said.

“What’s he done this time?”

“A lawn mower with a shovel. Hey, wanna make snow forts?”

“Snow forts? Is there a neighborhood fight happening?”

“No, I’m just doing it for me. Maybe a ball fight can happen, I umm.. Don’t know.”

Stella nodded and as we began to make one, the police and Gramps continued their heated stand-off.

“Sir.”

“No!”