It was closer to go to Mom and Dad's, so I stopped in on the pretense I wanted to know how Mom was doing. The truth? I was an icicle by the time I reached their street, so it was a no brainer to run up their walk and knock before dashing inside. Why, oh why did I leave my puffy coat in the kitchen and take my dressier wool one instead?

My need for warmth came up against a giant roadblock. The front door was locked tight and though there were lights on, Mom's car and ...