Alone by John Davis Rob awoke suddenly. Dim gray light filtered through the crack in the curtains and washed the room in an eerie, morning light. The television in the other room was already blaring, and he heard the shrill voice of his sister, Allyson, giggling over the antics of a cartoon. _ “Better get up,” he thought, pushing the soft white sheet away from him. The linoleum was cold as he stepped down, and sent shivers from his feet to his neck. “Hell, it’s cold,” he uttered, and stared at the clock. “Eight already. Better hurry if I ever plan on getting on the slopes before the crowd.” Rob turned on his clock radio and staggered into the bathroom. He went over to the sink and looked at the mirror above it. His blue eyes were dull and still filled with sleep, and his long brown hair stood in a defiant mess. “Ugh,” he mumbled and began filling the sink with warm water. He looked along his chin From the monotone voice Ten at his long tanned face. Jagged dark whiskers poked out and cheeks, so he decided he had better shave. other room the ski report came on over the radio. A low, named off the various resorts and their amount of new snow. inches new powder at Alte mine ae irark City, seyen at... Rob concentrated on his shaving, waiting for the announcer to mention Snow Basin, which for some ridiculous reason was always last on the broadcast. “And Snow Basin has received .. .” “Mom says you better get up, “his little sister, Allyson, yelled through the door. es am up!” he grumbled. “Now, I’ve missed the report, stupid little ra. . Ee bac opened , ye “Yeah,” he said, the door and strode in his room. , eyes intent on “Going . skiing Rob- his reflection. “Thanks loads.” Rob said sarcastically, and clicking his heels, saluted her. “But you should go to church.” “No I shouldn’t.” “Why Rob pulled his long underwear and shrunk corduroy ski pants out of the drawer and hurriedly put them on. They felt tight and smooth against his legs. He walked over to his closet and picked out a white turtle neck shirt and his heavy kurgundy sweater. ‘Pulling it over his head, he noticed the smell of old cologne and damp wool. Slamming his door, he walked through the recreation room. The ¢oncrete floor and drab unfinished walls gave the room a cold hostile feeling. Along the center of the room was the wash line, burdened with a rainbow of socks and blouses. Picking a pair of Adlers from the line, he put them on his cold feet. Rob grabbed his skis and polls and headed up the stairs. “BreakHis blonde-haired sister, Sharon, was blocking the door. | fast ready - better hurry,” she growled. “O.K. Will you take my boots?” “Well, I guess so. How come you never take me skiin’ ?? Not waiting for Rob to answer, she grabbed his boots from their rack and tromped upstairs, her golden-blonde hair bobbing at every step. The skis slammed and banged against the walls of the stairway with the rhythm of Rob’s climbing. At the top of the stairs the thick smokey odor of bacon surrounded him. Rob wasn’t hungry. He didn’t like breakfast to begin with, but he knew his mother would insist on his having a “little something to eat.” Leaning his skis against the corner wall in the kitchen, he walked over and sat down on the shiny plastic-covered chair. Boots were next. After slipping them on, he laced the inner boot, leaving the buckles loose. “Eat your breakfast and finish that later,” his mother reasoned. Placing the plate on the table she smiled at him, her light blue eyes setting off the wrinkles around them. “Are you driving today?” “No, I’m going with Jim and Brent, and I’ll be home by six.” Rob looked up from his plate and gazed around at the kitchen. It was in its usual early morning panic - egg shells and bread crumbs all over the counter, food cooking frantically, and the toaster spouting up toast, burnt. “Mom, I’m hungry,” the two girls shouted as they converged on the kitchen, Allyson from the basement and Sharon from the living room. “Rob, did you let the dog out?” Sharon said pointedly. “Not yet,” he sighed. “Can’t you please do it just this once?” “Pll think about it” she said munching on a strip of bacon. ei “Because ... Would you please get out of my room?” Rob finished the last stroke, wiped the remaining lather off his smarting face, and went back into the bedroom. Allyson was still there. She was a cute kid. Her short hair and round pudgy face gave her an impish air, and she never disproved this quality. _ Allyson sat on Rob’s bed and began fooling with his radio, She rhythmically twisted the controls blending hundreds of words and music into one unbearable composition. She laughed, and her dimpled chin bounced with devilish joy. Rob exploded, “Allyson, will you please get out of my room and quit fooling around with the radio! I can’t find any peace in this house.” Allyson jumped up and ran, laughing, out of the room. 12 Just then a high pitched horn screamed outside. Rob jumped up and threw on his parka. “See you later,” he mumbled, clutching his skis and poles in his arms. “Be careful,” Mom said. “I sure don’t need a broken leg.” “T will,’ Ron yelled and slammed the door behind him. The air was cold and brisk, and his breath smoked heavily out of his mouth. “What a beautiful day,” he thought as his heavy boots crunched across the snow covered driveway. Rob‘hurried to the back of Jim’s blue Impala and strapped his skis and poles on the trunk rack. He jumped into the car, and they were on their way. Jim’s canary-yellow hat was pulled over his bushy eyebrows, and Rob knew he was in a hurry. “Don’t say hello,” came a gruff voice from the back 13 seat. It was Brent,