After my son steps onto the school bus, I nod and salute the driver. New guy with a gap-toothed smile.

Walking back to the house, the biting wind scatters a pack of yellow leaves.

Sip coffee at home, scrolling through the news.

War. Earthquake. Escaped Convict.

Calamities with gap-toothed smiles.

Tim Boiteau is a Writers of the Future winner currently based in Michigan. Find more at timboiteau.wordpress.com.