Amy Aday

Snow Day With Her Professor

Selena tried to concentrate on what her psychology professor was saying, but she was too distracted by the snow coming down outside the window. Unlike many of the other freshmen in her class, she did not live in one of the on campus dorms that were within walking distance. She was going to have to drive about fifteen miles in this mess to get to the house she shared with several other students.

She continued to watch from the window as the snow fell. There was already a considerable pile on the ground and it showed no sign of letting up. Finally, there was a buzz from the overhead speaker at the front of the large classroom in which she sat. She was relieved to hear the voice of the Dean of Students overshadow whatever her professor had been talking about.

“Attention faculty and students: This is Dean Wharton speaking. Due to current weather conditions, we have cancelled the remainder of this afternoon’s classes, effective immediately. We ask that all faculty members release your students at this time in order to allow them time to make it home safely before the pending snow storm worsens. Thank you and be safe.”

The professor tried to get a few words in about assignments for next week’s class, but he was drowned out by the sound of almost one hundred students sliding out of their desks and grabbing their things before clamoring to get out of the classroom. Outside, Selena was concerned to find that the sidewalks were already becoming slick. She had to get home quickly.

She jumped in her Jeep Liberty and headed off campus, trying to beat the rush of other students with the same intention. She was on the road home within minutes. The snow was really coming down now, making it hard to see very far in front of the Jeep, but at least she was on her way.

She had only gotten about eight miles from campus when she heard a strange clanking sound coming from somewhere and then the Jeep began to sputter. She managed to pull it off to one side of the road before it went dead altogether.

Immediately, she felt panic begin to set in. She tried to restart the Jeep but nothing happened. Unbelievable! Her father had bought this for her as a high school graduation present and it was less than a year old. What could be wrong with it and why now? She fished her cell phone from her purse to call for roadside assistance.

Dead. She stared at it in disbelief. Son of a bitch!

Wrapped tightly, she stepped out of the Jeep. The snow was really coming down; she would need to get home as soon as she could before this got much worse. She took a deep breath and began walking.

Less than a mile into her trip, she was already freezing. She was relieved when a car stopped beside her and the driver rolled down the window. She walked over and bent down toward the car.

“Selena?” the man said as he got a glimpse of her face. Thank goodness! It was her American Literature professor, Carl Sansom. “Get in the car, Selena,” he told her, pushing open the door from the inside.

“What in the world are you doing out in this mess, Selena?” he asked as he checked his rearview mirror for any other traffic approaching.

“My car quit and my phone was dead. I was trying to get home,” she said, still somewhat breathless from the breathing the cold air outside.