by Lisa Rosenkranz

Created on: August 05, 2011   Last Updated: August 09, 2011

When Janice left her sister’s apartment building the dim twilight was being overtaken by long shadows.  The streets lights were already on at the corner and endless rows of head and taillights stretched out from across the park.  The snow was starting to get heavy.  What were once light fluffy flakes, “Champaign Snow” the weatherman called it, had turned into huge balls that held irregular shapes and fell to the ground with a light nearly inaudible sound.  Her car was covered in more than an inch of snow already.

She started the engine and let it warm while she freed the windows and light casings from the suffocating white blanket, wishing she had left before dark.  That was her intention, but they had lost track of time shopping online for a friend’s baby shower.  Once the car was unburied, she got inside and took off her gloves.  It was a ninety-five Ford Escort with a manual transmission, but it faired well in the snow being front wheel drive.  You either had to have front wheel drive or four wheels if you lived in the Snow Belt. 

The Escort plowed effortlessly through the accumulated snow in the parking lot but things looked dreary when she reached the highway.  The road was completely snow covered and it was coming down heavier by the second.  She carefully pulled the little car out into the two-line highway, using her best judgment because she couldn’t make heads or tails of anything, it was all white.   There was no other traffic to be seen and no tracks in the snow. 

Once on the highway, the blinding snow forced her to turn on her low beams.  The dense whiteness devoured her headlights, rendering them almost useless. She thought about turning back, but it was straight shot, just a couple of intersections.  She’d be fine if she took it easy.  For a moment it seemed like it let up a bit, allowing her to see a little ways ahead of her.  She reached for her purse in the passenger seat and pulled out a cigarette.  She cracked the window before putting it between her lips and lighting it.  The cold night air poured in, chilling her hands.  She turned up the heater.

The absence of traffic was starting to unnerve her.  She turned on the radio and found nothing but static.  The snow was much lighter now and she could see the first intersection up ahead.  The two green traffic lights glowing like sentinels.   

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>