Pitter-patter, Susan ran as she waved, trying to catch the train conductor’s attention while shouting, “Wait!”

She didn’t want to wake up that morning. When the alarm sounded, she punched the snooze button and shoved the alarm from the nightstand. The first day back to school after a two-week break has always been hard for Susan and it’s especially hard when it’s 15 degrees-Fahrenheit outside. All Susan wanted to do that morning was hide beneath her thick covers where she was warm. Still, three minutes later, Susan threw back the covers and forced herself to confront the frigid air in her bedroom.

To save money on electricity, her mother had opted to keep the apartment at the minimum required temperature of 55 degrees-Fahrenheit. “Just wear a couple of extra layers,” her mother liked to say, “pretend you’re outside.”

Fifteen minutes later, in her leather shoes and school uniform, Susan dashed out of the apartment, down five flights of stairs, and began her sprint toward the train station. I can make it, I can make it, she mentally chimed, as if it would give her more time. She was just about to cross the platform when ding, ding, ding sounded, signaling the train’s imminent departure. “Wait!” She shouted while frantically waving, hoping to catch the conductor’s attention. Still, the train left the station.

When she finally crossed onto the platform, she checked the time on her watch. I should still make it, she thought when the announcement came on, “Due to winter weather, the train departing from this station is canceled for the remainder of the day.”

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