Snow Day

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Crunching a mouthful of cornflakes and milk, I watched the snow come down outside. Because of that snow I had a whole day off from school. Not much fun without anyone to spend it with, I thought as I poured myself another bowl of cereal.

Loud thumps on the stairs announced that my 15-year-old brother, David, was awake at last. David and I used to spend lots of time together zipping our toboggan down icy hills in winter or passing lazy summer days in the three-story treehouse that overlooked the creek. But now that he was 15, David had better things to do than hang out with his 10-year-old sister.

The cornflakes stuck in my throat as I remembered the last time I had gone to David's room for a chat. "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" he had yelled. "I shut the door so I wouldn't be bugged—by you!" I had backed out of the room, but not quite quick enough to miss hearing David tell his friend, "My little sister is a real pest."

The breakfast dishes rattled as David jumped down the last three steps and landed with a thud in the hallway. "Hey, Renea!" he called. "The guys and I are planning a snowball fight, and I need some target practice. Get your snowsuit on." I froze in mid-chew. David wants to play with me?

I jumped up and pulled on my coat and hat before he could change his mind. David wound a scarf around my neck. "Let's party," he said, giving me a wink. It felt like old times.

Outside we stumbled through piles of snow, our heads bent down against the wind. The snow came up almost to my waist and hit David right above his knees. He held my hand tightly so I wouldn't fall, the way he always had. When I learned to ride a two-wheeler, it was David who ran behind me steadying the back of the seat.

Now my big brother was already talking about going away to college. David was not scared of being on his own. He was not scared of anything. When I got frightened, he was always there to protect me. He won't be around much longer, I thought, gripping his hand tighter. Who will look out for me then?

Through the whirling snowflakes I recognized some girls from my class. David waved to some boys his own age. One of them tossed a well-packed snowball toward my friends. "Snowball fight!" someone shouted.

Continued on page 2: My plan was sure to work. I'd get my brother's attention.... »