INDOOR BEACH

My husband Steven and son Alex came into the house knocking the snow off their shoes and unzipping their coat. A blast of cold air followed them in.

“We cleared the driveway and the sidewalk and steps are sanded.” Steven said as he hung his coat on the closet door.

“Thanks you two.” I said as I pulled the broom out of the closet.

We’d been hit with another snowstorm and Steven and Alex had spent the last few hours clearing it away.

“I made some chicken soup if you’re interested. It’s on the stove, ready to go.” I began sweeping the sand from our front foyer. “All the sand you’re spreading over the sidewalk seems to be making it’s way in the house.”

“Well, at least you don’t have to worry about slipping on the ice.” Steven reminded me.

“True.” I nodded as I already had a pile swept together. “I’ll just pretend it’s like having a little bit of summer right here in the house.” I laughed.

Alex hung up his coat and pointed to some specks of sand near the foyer table. “You missed a spot.”

I saw where he was pointing to and swept the sand into the pile I already had. I grabbed the dust pan, swept the sand into it, took it over to the kitchen garbage and dumping it in. “I don’t want to even think about all the sand I have in my car from the sidewalks being sanded.”

I went to put the broom and dust pan back in the closet.

“I thought the sand in the car was from this summer?” Alex said.

“What? No.” I said. “I had the car cleaned from all the summer sand.” I went back into the kitchen and got out some bowls. “It definitely has winter sand in it now.” I handed him a bowl.

“There’s really no difference between winter sand and summer sand is there?” Alex laughed as he took the ladle and got some soup. “Isn’t sand just sand?”

“Oh, I beg to differ.” I said as I took the ladle from him. “Summer sand is like a vacation. It’s warm and soft and makes me smile.” I handed a bowl of soup to Steven. “There’s some bread in the cabinet if you want some.”

“Just the soup is fine.” Steven took the bowl and headed for the dining room table. “I could use something to warm me up.”

Alex was standing next to me waiting for me to finish getting my soup. “And winter sand?”

“Winter sand comes out of a spackle bucket that’s by the front door. It’s something your Dad spreads around so we don’t fall and crack our heads open.”

Alex laughed again. “Well, when you put it that way!” We went in to the dining room and sat down.

I looked out the window at all the snow. “Have I mentioned how much I hate winter?” I sighed.

“Every day.” Steven laughed.

“If you want I can get another scoop of sand from the spackle bucket and spread it over the floor again.” Alex offered.

I looked over at him with a confused look on my face.

“Didn’t you just finish saying you were pretending that the sand you just swept up reminded you of the beach?”

“I’m done pretending.” I said as I stirred my soup and looked out the window again. “I’m never going to like the winter sand.”