This story is the sequel to “A Cold Morning in Toronto,” inspired by Dorothy Colleen’s Weblogue “Minus 35 degrees Celsius” that she posted January 16th, 2012.

There’s cold, and then there’s cold!

Connor and Caitlin only moved to Toronto with their mother less than two weeks ago. Then today the schools are closed. So what can they do home alone, in the cold, with the power down?

I'm nor sure how long I was unconscious, but when I woke up, I could feel my ass was sore and sticky - it had been no dream.

James and I had been doing more role playing lately as a way for him to get to know his softer side a bit more. Jasmine shad been out of the house a few times and I was hopeful that she would be ready to spend more time out together, rather than hiding in the shadows of dark restaurants, then rushing to the car and home.

Promptly at ten thirty on Thursday morning Beth was sitting in the chair in Professor Tandy's office a tea cup nearby. Beth had come prepared this time with a cup of tea of her own.

My name is Emile and here I am reminiscing about a pointless fight what should have only ended one way and that is not in my favour. This happened when life was normal but now that normality has ended just like my life and everything I knew has changed.

How strange. I had no desire to dress up in drag today when I saw the dresses. Come to think of it, a few weeks back, I found my stash of jewelry: the peridot flower dangly earrings and matching necklace, the faux ruby earrings and bracelet, my "goth girl" accoutrements. BUT I didn't find the urge to dress.

I felt curious and like a kid poking the bruise to see how much it hurt, I conjured up images of my past...

"Stupid skirt!" Beth was mad.

The trip to the professors office had been a waste of time.

(Copyright 2013)

Beth's afternoon classes were hectic. Her lab partner in her basic chem class was a bore. Ty was a nerdy know it all that liked to speak to her as if she was a product of a by gone era.