Kitchen, out of order. Photo by Katelyn Avery.

It was during one of the January or February snowstorms that hit Connecticut. The Sunday before one of the many Monday snow days I ran from my college dorm room to the dollar store to stock up on supplies. I was thoroughly convinced it would snow so bad that I wouldn’t be able to make it to the dining hall, if it opened at all. I imagined my college’s city would be buried under snow, and the workers wouldn’t be able to leave their homes.

To make matters worse I passed my floors kitchen, and was greeted by an “Out of order” sign. It was like being slapped in the face. My food options were cut down to nonperishables.

Forty minutes later I carried a bundle of chips, cookies, and juice back into my residence hall. I was satisfied with my purchase, until I stepped out of the stairwell.

Somehow my floors kitchen had been fixed. The sign was gone, but I wasn’t smiling. My money was spent, and as much as I love junk food I couldn’t help but wonder what it would have been like to bring Hot Pockets back to the kitchens refrigerator. The completely functional one. Unfortunately, I had just missed it.

I’m over analyzing the situation, because I’m a writer, and that’s what we do. I had left too soon, when patience, or a sluggish Sunday attitude, would have been in my favor.

On the bright side they did serve food in the dining the hall the next day. I still dove into my chips though. College and its lessons.

– Katelyn Avery

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