Deep Freeze (West Coast 1)

Jenna walked to the pantry, pulled out a drawer, and started searching for a flashlight just in case they lost power. Oh God, what would that mean?

“I don’t think having Dani over tonight would be such a good idea,” Jenna said. She hated to burst Allie’s bubble, as her younger daughter had made only a handful of friends since moving to Oregon. She’d become shyer and more withdrawn than she had been in L.A. “I’d love to have Dani over another time, but today’s not that great. The reason school’s been cancelled is because of the weather.”

“But we could sled and build a snow fort.”

“Are you out of your mind? It’s going to be below freezing tonight,” Cassie said, staring at the small screen where a newswoman dressed in a red parka was standing near the Interstate in what appeared to be a blizzard. Snow was blowing everywhere, and a long line of huge trucks had pulled over to chain up.

“…and temperatures are predicted to keep plummeting, much to the dismay of some of these long-haul drivers…” she was saying, before attempting an interview with an unhappy trucker only slightly shielded from the elements by his eighteen-wheeler.

“It’s really not safe to be driving,” Jenna said.

“But Mr. Settler said he’d bring her over,” Allie wheedled.

“And how do you know this?” Jenna was testing the first flashlight she located. Its beam was weak but steady.

“I already called.”

The lights, television, and everything else electrical blinked off for several seconds before coming on again.

“T

his is getting creepy,” Cassie said.

“I think it’s cool.” Allie was undeterred. “Can Dani come over Mom, pleeeease?”

The phone jangled and Allie snagged it from the receiver before the second ring. “Hello?” she said and waited. “Yeah…just a minute.” She straight-armed the cordless to her mother. “It’s Mr. Settler,” she stage-whispered as Jenna took the phone. “Please, please, please.” Now she was begging, her hands clasped desperately under her chin as if she were praying.

Cassie rolled her eyes and Jenna ignored her youngest’s supplications. “Hello?”

“Hi.” As expected, Travis Settler was on the other end of the call. “I imagine Allie told you the plan.”

“For Dani to come over.”

“Yeah. She’s twisting my arm, but I said I’d have to check with you first.”

“I think they’re working us both, but if you can get her here, it’s fine with me,” Jenna said and heard Allie whoop behind her. “However, I was out about an hour ago. The roads are nearly impassable and my electricity’s been flickering. Also, we don’t have running water, at least not yet, but I’ve got a couple of men working on my pump and I did pick up some bottled water in town. It might be like camping over here.”

“Which Dani will love,” he said, a little bit of pride in his voice as he spoke of his athletic daughter. “But this is definitely your call,” Travis said.

Jenna felt Allie’s eyes boring into her back. “She’s always welcome.”

“Fair enough. Anything I can pick up for you on the way?”

“Thanks, but we’re okay. I was at the store stocking up earlier. We’re set for the next couple of days.”

“Then if you’re sure it’s okay, I’ll be over within the hour.”

“Great. I’ll tell Allie.”

She hung up and found that her daughter was already bounding up the stairs. “Hey, wait, Allie, don’t you want a sandwich?”

“Later!” Allie sang down the stairs.

Cassie announced, “I’m not hungry.”

“Fine. They’ll keep,” Jenna decided and was glad that her youngest daughter was happy. For the moment. Which was more than Jenna could say for Cassie, who had finished her yogurt and dumped the container into the garbage can under the sink, then stood, arms folded under her chest, as she watched the news. “This is sooo lame,” she muttered when the weatherman predicted subfreezing temperatures for the rest of the week.

“We’ll survive.”