Ice storm

Short story

For 20 years I worked out of an office in Austin, Texas, that was less than two miles from my house.

I was truly blessed with such a short commute.

We rarely have snow, freezing weather, or ice storms, but when we do, they can be devasting as we’re never well prepared.

A few years ago, it was forecasted for us to have rain, sleet and freezing temperatures.

So Austinites did what they always do when they receive such a forecast.

Total panic.

Grocery and liquor stores were wiped out. People actually left the area. A 24-hour weather news cycle started and non-stop phone calls, emails and text.

And warnings galore, like: Do not attempt to go outside or drive in this catastrophic forecasted event.

Please note when we do have these events, they usually only last a day or two.

Now, although my office is very close, my house is on a cul-de-sac off of a long steep street that I have to drive up to get to the main road that takes me to this destination.

In preparation, and in my brilliance, I parked my car at the top of this long steep street so I would not be stuck if the roads froze.

And, the event did happen and the roads did freeze.

However, I was not deterred as I planned ahead.

So, I got up at my regular time, showered, dressed and departed.

The first thing that happened was I slipped and fell on my street. Not a good start.

Once I gathered myself, I figured it was better to walk on the frozen grass.

This worked well.

Now, I made it to the long-inclined street where my car was parked at the top.

A challenge.

Although my car was parked at the top of this street it is on the opposite side from where I stood. The street was completely frozen, and I had to cross at this juncture as there was no grass on my side to enable me to go up.

So, I attempted to cross.

I did pretty well with my first few steps but then I started to slide downhill.

However, I only slid a few yards, and I did not fall, so I decided to continue.

I took a few more steps forward and then slid down two more yards.

This process continued and I finally was at the middle of the street, although 20 yards further downhill than when I started.

I now was at the point of no return. I am halfway across, so turning back would be just as difficult as pushing forward.

Now, one thing I forgot to mention is that I’m carrying a briefcase. This becomes important.

I took my next few steps forward and slid down another 2 yards. However, this time I lost my balance and dropped my briefcase, which proceeded to slide down the hill another 30 yards.

Now, what do I do?

I decided to sit down on the ice and slide down to recover the briefcase.

I started off well.

This strategy seemed that it would work.

The problem was I was building momentum.

When I got the brief case I was moving at some speed.

I was able to snag my case as I was going by and with it, I slid another 50 yards until I stopped at the bottom of the street.

Some good news.

Even though I am still in the middle of the street, I am at the bottom, so now I can walk across carefully without sliding down.

Thus, I get to the side I need to be on.

Now, this side of the street has some grass so I can walk up.

Even though it is a long walk up a steep incline I made progress.

Now, my car is parked in a church lot at the top of this hill. This church put in long wooden staircases to make it easier for partitioners who had to park on this street if their lot was full. A blessing I could take advantage of.

I started up one of these staircases and found out the hard way that they were frozen.