Now that I’m not in school every week day for six hours, I don’t get excited about snow days, because I only have class on Mondays and Wednesdays.  I enjoy being home when no one else is, so when everyone’s home because of the snow, I want to jump into oncoming traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Mom blasts her gospel music and talks to her man friend on the phone. Dad gets pissed and stomps around the house, muttering things such as “nigger lover” and “whore.” My sister doesn’t help, and makes wise ass remarks to make him angier. My brother blasts his music. I try to watch tv.

They argue. My sister grabs her ukelele and plays nonstop. I get a migraine. My ears pop. I’m so frustrated that I don’t even answer anymore when someone talks to me.

Old man winter, you win. I surrender.