Maddison biked along after her brothers truck. They were racing each other down their gravel road, kicking up dust clouds that were carried away swiftly by the chilly December air. Maddi was laughing and breathing hard as she struggled to keep up with Dean. She and her brother were really close to each other and did a lot together, despite being five years apart.

          Dean had plans to join the military, but until he got an acceptance letter, he lived with Maddi and their parents in their log cabin in northern Wisconsin. Dean reached the end of the road before Maddi, but she zipped past him and continued into the grass, before braking and coming to stop next to the river bank. It still flowed swiftly, despite the cold weather. Dean ran to join her, laughing the entire way down. "You were really close that time, Mads." He said, chuckling. "I will beat you before I turn 18, I can promise you that!" Maddi scowled.

           They both stood looking at the water in front of them. Ice had started to form on the edges, but no further than a couple inches out. "Has your letter come yet?" Maddi asked her brother. "No, not yet. I am starting to think that it isn't going to come." Dean replied, sadly. "Don't say that! It'll come!" Maddi exclaimed, suddenly disturbing the silence. Dean laughed again, "If I didn't know better, I'd think you are trying to get rid of me!"

           Maddi flushed, "I didn't mean it like that." Dean wrapped an arm around her. "I know, and I am trying to stay positive about this, but it isn't looking to promising." Maddi sighed. "I know." Dean pulled away suddenly, "How about we head into town and grab something to eat?" He asked her, changing the subject. Maddi grinned, "Race you!" Then she grabbed her bike, pushed it up to the road and started pedaling towards town.