A Shovel

I couldn't tell you what started this. I mean, shoveling snow for other people isn't that life changing of an event. I've seen countless movies about it. And people have to do it all the time if they want to be able to get their cars out of the driveway and avoid an icy mess later on.

But shoveling snow at three in the morning?

Why in the world had I ever decided this was a good idea?

My breath fogged the air in front of me as I shoved another shovel full of the white stuff off the driveway of the neighbors eleven houses down from my own. I'd only come outside to shovel my own driveway after I couldn't sleep. I'd hoped that the exercise would tire me out enough that I could go back indoors and just crash on the couch and sleep until morning.

But somehow, my driveway turned into the Old McGrady's Driveway, then to the Twin Terror's driveway, and on and on. I was exhausted. That could be said. Nobody in their right mind would shovel so many other houses without a snow blower at least. And even then, they wouldn't be doing it at three in the morning. Or was it four now? I'd started at three. So it probably....well...next time I saw a clock I would know for sure how long I'd been out here. 

I exhaled, leaning on said shovel as I studied my handiwork for a second. One side of the street down, only the other side to go, I thought, turning to cross the unplowed street. Even the snow plows weren't up and moving yet. 

Yah, I'd definitely gone crazy somewhere between my house and Mr. Wallace's place. 

Still. I put foot to shovel. Only 11 more houses to go. Then I'd be done. Everyone would wake up to cleared driveways. And I would hopefully finally get some rest.

-Inspiration from walking out in the morning to go to work and finding someone had already shoveled our driveway for us.