DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Isn't That Terrible?

"Tornado Kills Child in Twin Cities" read the headline on the website.

I hope it wasn't anyone we know, Rick thought.'Two years before, they'd moved from Minneapolis. Scrolling down, he saw that the tornado had hit St. Paul. Good, they didn't have friends over there. Wow, look at that! The house was blown to splinters! Standing outside was the victim's aunt, holding his photo. A towhead with a devilish grin. Cute kid.

A minute later, Rick called out: "Sarah, come here for a second."

"What is it, Honey?"

"They say gas could be four dollars by summer. Isn't that terrible?"

— DAVID MILLER