As I swam in the sounds of cars driving and kids laughing with their families, I felt a tug on my scarf. It was my brother. He managed to say, “Alex, c-cold…”

“I know buddy. Mother will be here soon. Here.” I took off my hat, scarf, and gloves and gave them to this skeleton boy who was shivering at my side. Just then, I saw a familiar sight. And a dreaded one. An old beat-up car with a dent on the left side. Half the paint is gone. Rust by the wheels. Multiple cracks in multiple windows. And, the most horrible and damaged part of all, Mother.