Chapter 52

The twins were suddenly attacked with Cabin Fever. They were fully dressed in their cold weather gear (without hats or mittens) and heading for the door when Andi and Yi caught them. “Where are you going?” Andi demanded.

“We want to build a snowman.”

“Not in this weather, you’re not,” said Andi. “It’s way too cold.”

“No, it’s not,” the twins said in unison.

Yi opened the door and said, “Fine, go.” It was dark and gloomy outside. The wind was blowing past, and the temperature was painfully cold. The arctic winds felt like a knife trying to carve off all exposed skin. Sandy and Madeline were shocked to see how cold it was outside, and they were back in the warm cabin quickly.

“This is an Alberta Clipper,” said Andi. “It’s very, very dangerous. This is what Great Grandpa Ole always talks about.” Sandy and Madeline took another step outside, then without a word, they turned around and trooped back upstairs to put their nighties on.

“Great Grandpa Ole?” asked Yi.

“My mom’s father,” answered Andi. “They live in Bismark.”

As the twins stomped their way upstairs, Paul and John both came in the back door, each carrying an armload of firewood. They stacked the wood up under the stairs and went back outside for another armload. “What’s this for?” asked Andi.

“Just in case,” shuddered John. When they were done with that, John filled several 5-gallon containers full of water while Paul went out to the barn and set up a kerosene heater in the henhouse. To Yi it felt like cold was radiating off of the wood that John and Paul stacked up.

“Do you think it’s wise to gather everyone in a tiny cabin in the middle of nowhere in a horrible storm?” asked Yi.

“I don’t see why not,” said John. “If the power goes out, we can’t heat our houses in town, unless you have a fireplace. This cabin is completely self-sustainable if the power goes out. It’s small, so it’s easy to heat. We have wood to heat us until spring and all the eggs you could want. If the power goes out, we just light a kerosene lamp and continue on. You will be warmer in here than in a big house in town.”

“So, we just sit and wait?”

“It’s like a hurricane party,” said Lucy.

“Without the flying debris,” added Macy as Paul brought in a small kerosene heater for the second cabin.

“Come here, Yi, I want to show you something,” said Paul, and he led Yi (followed by the twins) to the loft area in the second cabin. Up there was a large open area, but a quarter was taken up by a large plastic tank. “This is our drinking and flushing water. If the power goes out, we use this sparingly, because the tank is filled with an electric pump. This rarely freezes because we have electric heaters preventing that, and I’m not worried if the power goes out for a couple of days, but when we’re done here, we’ll drain the water lines and I’ll show you how that’s done.”

“Can we play up here?” said Sandy, looking at all the wide open area.

“Yes, but if you leave toys scattered all over, then I’ll lock the door.”

“We won’t,” said the twins in unison. Yi and Paul gave each other doubting side eyes, then Paul continued.

“During the summer, make sure this vent is open,” and he showed her a vent at the peak of the wall. “These cabins can become ovens...” He looked and pondered it for a bit and said, “It really should be connected to a thermostat...”

“I have a few ideas,” said Yi. “Let me put something together for you.”

“You’re hired.”

The roaring of a motor let them know that someone had arrived on a snowmobile. When they got down to the living area, they found a tall slim figure in a helmet, gloves, and one-piece cold weather suit. He pulled off his helmet, and it was Kenny and Yi felt excitement rush through her. “You’re late. We needed you to tow us on our cross-country skis.”

“Sorry, I almost didn’t find the place until I saw the floodlights on the barn.”

The twins were of a different opinion. “Oh, it’s you,” said Sandy.

“That wasn’t nice,” said Yi. “Why would you say something like that to Mister Kenny?”

“It’s supposed to be Uncle Gus!” insisted Madeline.

“Aunty Lucy needs kissing!” Sandy informed everyone, which caused Aunty Lucy to blush.

“I suppose that if somebody needs kissing, I can give it a go,” started Kenny, but Yi grabbed his scarf and glared at him. “ ... or not.”

“Take that gear off, you’re not going anywhere,” said Paul.

“I didn’t intend to crash your party,” said Kenny, “but I just had to say hi to Yi.”

“Well, you’re here. Take that gear off because you’re stuck until the wind drops and the temperature rises a bit,” said John.

“We have plenty for dinner,” said Yi.

“We’re having yeast for dinner,” said Sandy.

“Yeast? I haven’t had a fried yeast in ages,” said Kenny.

“Baked yeast,” said Yi. “You can help set up the tables.”

As Kenny and Paul set up folding chairs, Sandy and Madeline headed upstairs. “Come on Wonka! Nap time is over!” Wonka slowly rose from his place in front of the wood stove and followed the girls into the kitchen. Disappointed that there was no snack being offered, he followed them upstairs. “Come on, boy!” they chimed.

Yi started the broccoli cheese soup quickly, hoping that no one would see that she was using an instant mix. “I thought you were a scratch cook,” said Kenny.