A House Divided Cannot Stand

by Maura F.

( Standard infringement disclaimers apply...I write for love, not profit. Of course, Delia would disapprove! )

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To: captmreynolds@serenity.firefly.shp

from: dhammond@hammonds.europa.pl

re: snow

M.-

It's September 18, and the snow started five hours ago. It took Hank and I by surprise. Didn't expect first fall for two weeks. Luckily, we had already put up the long tunnel connecting my house to the Ag building. Took us an hour to connect Hank's house to the Ag building. By time we were done, there was an inch on the ground. I just finished putting up the high pitched cover for the top deck. Fourteen feet of snow would collapse the deck.

We received the last shipment of supplies five days ago. Included were two additional snow melters I bought for Stapleton. Ag building filled with food, fuel rods & emergency supplies. We've done this before, we'll do it again. Previous Snows were relaxation, contemplation, rest. This one only offers only loneliness and isolation. My carefully planned projects hold no joy, except for Kaylee's dress and the new bed that sits in my room, waiting for your return. We spent the last month since you left preparing for the snow. Now, I wait for it to melt. Vid forecasts heavier than normal snow. If you don't hear from me for a while, don't get too concerned. Sometimes the satellite connection is poor in the strongest blizzards.

- D.

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Delia looked out the living room window. She wanted to enjoy the view while she still could. In a matter of weeks, snow would cover the first floor windows. Curled into her favorite crimson chair, she held her portable tablet in her hand absently. After sending the wave off to Mal, there was little to do. She needed to ration her projects and tasks. She had Kaylee's fluffy dress to transform into something fashionable. Delia also wanted to paint her bedroom. She had picked a grayish blue paint that reminded her of the