“Are you sure? It’s a near white out.”

“Really, I’ll be okay.”

“They won’t find your body until spring.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Call and let me know how you’re doing.” She waited until his figure was engulfed by the storm and then dropped the cell phone battery into the wastebasket.

Ray Wirth has survived more than 30 Maine winters. He teaches English in Searsport, Maine.