December 31st, Seaside City, cold.
The weather grew colder, and in a month or two, it would be the New Year. In the depths of winter, pedestrians brushed past each other, missing connections as life's pace quickened and people no longer stopped for anyone they met on the street.
When Violet Don got off work, Wayne Don and Hazel Forest were already home—Wayne's school had given him a few days off for New Year's, and he was enjoying his consecutive days of rest. Hazel had turned on the heating, and Violet's nose, reddened from the cold, finally felt relief as she entered their home.
Hazel had finished work earlier. At the moment, she and Wayne were sitting beneath the air conditioner, faces turned to the warmth, a grown up and a child, both their faces turning red from the heat.
Seeing Violet return home from work, Wayne rushed over, "Mommy, today I was home before you again!"
Violet smiled, "Yes, because you pay more attention in class than Mommy does."