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I realize it even before I pounce on the phone and call the college’s weather hotline Oh, yes Classes are canceled for the day The school is closed The city, in fact, is shut down Only necessary eency personnel should be on the streets Yes

Except, of course, when you live two blocks away froet in

But still You can be late

I take --because why stand up if you don’t have to?--and getting dressed I have to resort to the backup jeans because of the bloodstains on htly snug Okay,wadded-up socks along the waistband ofdeep knee bends I tell myself it’s because they just cao

And when I re downstairs, they are a little less tight At least I can breathe

It’s as I’ unfamiliar At least, unfas

I hurry down the stairs--Lucy at my heels--and am horrified when I walk into the kitchen and find Cooper there, reading the paper, while my dad stands at the stove in a pair of brown cords and a woolly sweater Cooking breakfast

"This," I say loudly, "has to stop"

Dad turns around and s, honey Juice?"

Cooper flicks down one side of the paper "Why are you up?" he wants to know "They just said on the ne York College is closed"

I ignore hinore Lucy, who is at the back door, scratching to be let out I open the door, letting in an arctic blast Lucy looks disappointed by what she sees out there, but bravely soldiers ahead I close the door behind her and turn to faceto do with the wooden flute

"Dad," I say "You cannot live here I’m sorry, Cooper It was nice of you to offer But it’s too weird"

"Relax," Cooper says, from behind his newspaper

I feel my blood pressure shoot up another ten points Why does this always happen whenever anyone says the word relax?

"Seriously," I say "I ht Investigations Don’t I get a say in this?"

"No," Cooper says, fro around and handingof coffee "Drink this You never were aperson Just like your h I take the coffee Because it s like her Do you see, Cooper? Do you see what you’ve done? You’ve invited thislike her"

"Then let hi out from behind his paper, "and find that out for himself"

"Your mother is a lovely person, Heather," Dad says, as he puts two sunny-side-up eggs and sos Rather like you Here" He hands the plate to irl I hope you still do"