Writing 3 - Misheard Lyrics

 Prompt: Misheard Lyrics - Think of some of the song lyrics you have misheard throughout the years. Pick one and use these lyrics as the title of a new creative piece. 

My selection - in honesty, I'm borrowing this one as I cannot think of my own. The actual lyrics: Oh Canada! We stand on guard for thee! Misheard: Oh Canada! we stand on cars and freeze! 

There is nothing like the middle of winter in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This city is known to have not only the hottest temperatures in the summer but the coldest in the winter. It is not uncommon to hit a week of -45C or colder at least once a winter. There was one experience that is burned into my memory about one such winter and one such journey into the storm. 

I saw her step out of the airport. Driving up to the sidewalk, I powered down the passenger side. "Hey! Looking for a ride?" I asked with a smile on my face. 

"Katie!" the woman screamed. 

I jumped out of the car and ran around and hugged my cousin. I had not seen her for years, and yet she was instantly recognizable. "I can't believe we're doing this!" I said as I picked up her luggage and put it in the back seat with mine. 

She got in the passenger side and took a deep breath and I got behind the wheel. 

"How are you doing? What are you doing?" We talked over each other and broke into laughter. 

"Ok, girl! We got hours ahead of us and there will be lots of time to catch up!" I smiled at her. I was so excited to spend time with her, even though the reason was not the best. "How was your flight? I asked. 

"It was good. We hit a bit of turbulence over the prairies, but for the most part, it was good. I got most of my book read!" she said. 

"Oh? What book is that?" I asked, thinking maybe I'll get another recommend for my never-ending "TBR" pile. 

We eased into an easy conversation as I made my way out of the city. We had planned this impromptu trip, coming from different places in the country, to visit our ailing aunt. This would likely be the last time we both would see her and it was important to make this trip. Both our fathers (and brothers) had passed away years before and Katie and I stayed in loose contact over the years. When Aunt Maude got ill and entered into her final time, we decided we needed to bring memories of her brothers to her once more. 

As I hit the edge of the city, I noticed that the wind was beginning to blow and the snow was starting to dust across the road. "I hope you dressed for winter," I said. "I know you live in a place that isn't known for the bad weather, but this might not be pretty by the time we get back," I mentioned. 

"I did, but I probably don't own what is needed here," she said. 

"Well, we will pray nothing happens," I said. "Have you heard about the horrible weather they have been having? Record-breaking cold snaps!" I said. 

"No!" she said. "How bad has it been?"

"A week ago, the weather was consistently around -50C without windchill. I don't ever remember it getting that cold for that long, even when I lived here," I said. "Today the report was that it will warm up. To -38C, " I smiled. I had brought my winter boots and parka and I know it might be cold for me, too. I will have to keep an eye on her. 

Once we got on the open road, the wind had picked up and was gusting more and more. I put my headlights on, even though it was in the early afternoon. I hope it wasn't going to get worse as it has been a long time since I drove in a storm. 

We continued chatting about the lives we left behind - her and her family and adventures; me and my work and projects. It was nice to connect again. 

About an hour down the highway, things were definitely getting worse. "I hope this is as bad as it gets," I comment. "I'm not too worried, but if something were to happen, it wouldn't be good." 

"I trust you," she said. 

"Maybe we should call on our fathers to help us?" I said. 

We smiled but not from humour. The road ahead was definitely getting worse. I began to really watch the center line of the divided highway so I knew I was where I should be. The wind was blowing the snow so badly that I could barely see 100m ahead of the car, and I knew it was getting worse. 

I slowed down. I knew the turnoff onto a side road was coming, but I didn't know where. And I didn't want to pass the road and miss the sign. "Katie, if you could help me watch for the turn-off to Winkler, that would be great. I don't want to pass it by accident in this weather." 

"For sure!" she said. 

Shortly after that, the turnoff came. The snow was blowing so hard by this time that we barely caught it. I noticed we had passed no one on the highway for quite a way. 

"That's the sign, I think!" she said and pointed. I slowed and made sure I took the road safely. The car made a slide to the left but I was able to bring it back. There was no doubt that the road was sheet ice. I would have to be very careful or we ran the risk of not making our destination. And to be stuck in a ditch in this weather and this cold would be deadly.