A Winter Dream Come True

“Yaaahhhh,” I yawned. It was January 4, a charming day, and it seemed that nothing could break my spirits, until . . .

“Sunday? Already? Winter break is almost over!” I fell back against my bed.

Murmuring mindlessly to my cat, Moose, I looked outside my window at the evergreen trees. They stayed green forever and lasted for some time. If only break did, too.

I went downstairs. When I arrived, I asked my mom, who was redundantly engaging in cleaning our already-clean kitchen, why school started so soon.

“Oh, Max. I believe you’ve discovered the question that every child asks: ‘Why is school so torturous?’”

I made a face.

Noticing my discomfort, Mom said, “Honey, school is a privilege not everyone has. You should consider yourself lucky.” With that she put a bag of bread in the fridge.

The day passed by quickly, almost too quickly. As I dreadingly pushed myself into bed, I began slipping into darkness.

In my dream, I was trudging in snow on a mountain. At the top stood an icy castle. I raised my hand to knock on the double doors, but they creaked open before I could.

Nervously, I took a step in. “Hello?” My breath was visible as I exhaled.

When no answer came, I took another. I slipped. As I kept walking, I slid and laughed past the purplish blue walls. I was walking on ice. I slipped and skated and had the best time. Snow cascaded the walls. I made snow angels, snowmen, and slipped some more. I didn’t want it to end . . . until it did.

Mom awoke me, saying, “Time for school!”

“No!” I grumbled, pulling a pillow over my head.

When I arrived downstairs, I found my mom watching a meteorologist giving the weather.

“. . . snow. Three inches at most. These schools will clo--”

As the list continued, something brightened my day. My school was closed! Snow! Another whole day of break!

“Well, look at that. Winter has turned in your favor, Max. How about we go play?” Mom asked, turning the TV off.

I beamed. It was like a dream come true!