Nature’s Magic
The magic of winter was lost on Irene. Standing ankle deep in the brown slush that bordered Riverside Park, she watched her three kids and husband pelt each other with snowballs. Irene didn’t get the appeal. People tried to change her mind anyway: Don’t you love the way the snow wraps nature in a blanket for a long winter nap? Nope. What about the way the sunlight sparkles off the pristine white surfaces? Hard pass.
“Come play, amor.” Carlos waved a gloved hand at Irene.
Irene shook her head at her husband and stood firm with her hands stuffed in her jacket. Carlos would accuse her of being a grouch, but this wasn’t her thing. Snuggling her family by a fire while sipping hot cocoa, that was her thing.
Her southern California offspring were her opposite. They lived for rare snow days where they could board, ski, and sled. Irene was less than thrilled about bone-chilling cold that assaulted her while she dragged a sled up a hill for a two second ride. No. Snow was not magical. It was wet, frigid, and made her nose feel like it would fall off. She was ready to head back to the hotel and soak in a hot tub.
Carlos chased Rosalind past the swings and through the play equipment. Rosalind’s shrill laughter died and was reborn each time she appeared from behind a plastic wall with a newly formed snowball. In the distance, Sophie twirled through a patch of untouched snow. Even the arctic breeze couldn’t suppress Irene’s smile. They were crazy, and she loved them.
In the distance a gun-metal grey Dodge Charger slowed it’s speed, creeping along the far border of the park in a way that made the hair on Irene’s arm stand up. She scanned the park. A jolt of adrenaline coursed through her body, every nerve alert to the absence of Stephen’s lanky form. She stood on her toes to get a better view of the field behind the swings.
A familiar shadowy human figure grew on the mud tinted berm in front of her. She exhaled a white cloud of relief and smirked. “Don’t even think about it.”
The shadow paused, then lunged.
Snow showered her, falling down the collar of her jacket. Squealing at the arctic burn that ran down her spine, Irene spun and latched onto Stephen’s arm.
He squirmed and laughed. “Papa, help!”
Carlos pulled the red beanie from his head and placed it over his chest in mock solemnity. “Sorry, mijo.”
Irene wrapped Stephen’s thin body to her chest and whispered, “You’re mine.”
He laughed. “No, Mama, please.”
She carried his squirming body out into the snow. “I warned you.”
Stephen laughed and jerked forward, managing to break Irene’s hold. She belly flopped into the snow and grabbed his ankles. Stephen tumbled face first into the powder and rolled away from her grasp.
Irene laughed and dusted the snow from her stomach and chest. She felt a bit warmer after the tussle. Perhaps Sophie wanted a dancing partner. She looked up to a wall of her family. Her moment of joy vanished at the mischievous glint in Carlos’s eyes.
Sophie smiled as she exposed two snowballs in each of her slender hands. Stephen hugged a pile of snow to his chest, and Rosalind tossed a snowball up into the air.
Irene swallowed hard and took one step back. “Wait.”
They each took one step closer.
“Don’t do it!” Irene’s warning rang with authority.
The kids froze and looked to their father.
Carlos winked. “We’ll risk your wrath, amor.”
Confidence renewed, they descended , frosty ammo clutched in each of their hands. Irene shrank in on herself, hoping to protect her vital body parts.
A siren chirped, distracting her family.
Irene sprinted for safety. The siren chirped again. She stopped and faced the parking lot. The suspicious Charger that had been patrolling the park adorned the exterior of Irene’s minivan in a riot of red and blue lights.
A female officer exited the Charger and waved her arm at Irene and her family. Irene joined the procession toward the parking lot.
Carlos waved. “What can we do for you. . . .” He squinted to read the Officer’s name tag, “. . . Officer Smith?”
As if disappointed by good manners, Officer Smith’s frown deepened. “According to Provo City Miscellaneous Criminal Provisions Chapter 9.14.100, throwing a snowball or ‘other missile’ at a person is a misdemeanor.” Her face remained neutral.
Carlos glanced at Irene and nodded toward Officer Smith as if to say, Is she serious?
Irene shrugged.
“Wait, it’s illegal to throw snowballs?” Rosalind’s forehead creased in confusion.
Sophia laughed, but it was cut short by Officer Smith’s glare.
“This isn’t a joke. There’s a fine.” Officer Smith nodded toward their California license plate. “But since you’re visiting, consider this a warning.”
Wide-eyed, they stared at the police car. Irene wrapped an arm around Stephen’s shoulders and started to guide him to their van.
The window to the Charger hummed as it rolled down. Officer Smith leaned out. “Look, it’s illegal in Provo. Just get out of the city limits.”
Irene, Stephen, Carlos, Rosalind, and Sophie huddled together and watched the unmarked police car roll out of the parking lot.
“That’s a stupid law.” Stephen said.
Laughter broke through the cloud of incredulous silence.
Carlos threw his hands in the air. “Who wants hot chocolate?”
Now he was speaking Irene’s love language. She nodded along with the chorus of “me’s” from her kids.
With one final glance at the park, she paused at the image of the sun sparkling off the war-torn snow. There was beauty in her family’s joy. She slipped into the passenger side of the van and was showered with snow. Nope. Irene still hated snow.
