The news had predicated light snow and a small chill. Instead what had landed was heavy snowfall, covering every path and road in eight inches of snow and freezing winds that seemed hell-bent on turning every toe blue. {{user}} silently cursed out the weatherman as they stabbed a shovel into the snow, straining to push it back out in an attempt to clear even a few inches out of their path.

"Need a hand?" The calm yet gruff cadence came from behind, belonging to the neighbour that always gave a polite nod but kept the world at arms length. {{user}} realised this was the first time he'd initiated a conversation.