Driveway Shoveling

The cold, wet snow that made for great snow forts made for lousy shoveling. Each shovelful weighed a hundred pounds. At the rate we were going, it was going to take us the rest of the afternoon to finish the driveway.

I sighed heavily.

“Twenty dollars,” said Scooter sarcastically. “Sure beats building our snow fort.”

“I know, I know.” I said, scooping up another two inch, fifty pound load of snow.

“I’m done,” said Scooter, throwing his snow shovel down on the snow pile next to the driveway.

“You’re what?!” I exclaimed.

“Done” said Scooter emphatically. “Enjoy your twenty dollars.”

He turned his back on me and started walking towards home. Five seconds later, I tackled him into the snow.

Greek gods looked down from Olympus with pleasure at the epic wrestling match taking place below them. We rolled through the snow tight in each other’s grasp, occasionally breaking free just to pounce on each once again, neither doing much damage through the heavy padding afforded us by our winter wear.

I flipped Scooter onto his back and pinned his arms under my knees. I grabbed a big handful of snow and packed it in preparation for shoving it in Scooter’s face.

“Hey guys.” came a soft voice to my left. “I thought you could use some help.”

There stood Molly Ravenhardt wearing a pale blue ski jacket with matching snow pants, shovel in hand.

I knelt speechless on top of my brother. He squirmed underneath me, pushing me with his knees.

“Get off”

I stood and offered a hand to Scooter to help him up. He slapped my hand away and stood on his own, not wanting any help from the brother who attacked him only moments ago, and was now only offering this act of kindness in the presence of the lovely Molly.

“I’m going home,” said Scooter.
“Bye Scooter,” said Molly sweetly.

Molly dug her shovel into the snow. I grabbed my shovel with gusto and verve, plowing through the wet snow, each shovelful weighing no more than an ounce.