New York City, February 11, 2016

★★★ The blinds opened on royal blue sky, on its way to daylight well before the 7 a.m. airport car was due. The younger boy dragged his comforter off the bunk and wrapped himself in it on the couch, complaining of the chill. Out in full morning, a loose tangle of cloud came blowing over the roofline of a building so fast it seemed like a steam plume. It was cold but not cold enough for desperation. Here and there people walked with parcels or bags swinging from their wrists, hands jammed in pockets. The wind played its tunes on the apartment building. At night, the air in the heater cabinet, above the controls, was frigid.