Kid (about 15 years old with a shovel): Hey do you need some help?

Me (bundled up too much and very sweaty): *Ignoring.*

Kid: Do you want some help?

Me: Well, if you don't mind.

Kid: How much do you need done?

Me: From here, round the corner, and down the side.

Kid: So from here around and down there.

Me: Yep.

Me (thinking): Should I offer him money?

Kid (thinking): Is she going to offer me money?

The kid and I stand there staring at each other awkwardly for a few seconds.

Kid: Are you going to pay me anything?

Me (ignoring and yet appreciating his bluntness): Well, I can give you $10.

Kid: $10 for down here, around there, and then down that way?

Me: Yeah.

Kid: Ok!

And we go on shoveling in opposite directions. He did the harder, longer part in about the same time it took me to do the smaller easier part. I run inside and grab the ten and realize that I have another $3 as well, so I give the kid $13. The kid was very nice and helpful, thanked me for the money, and wished me a happy new year.

I could have done all of the shoveling myself and was prepared to do so (Kevin's at work today). It was light snow and not very much, but a lot of people had already stomped through it, which was making it more difficult to get up. (Stupid across the hall neighbor who apparently believes magic fairies shovel for her went stomping in and out about five times before I got out there to shovel). My thoughts though are that for $13 I got some help so I could return to my week of couch sitting, and the kid gets a little extra money to start the new year. We both closed the year with a good deed and helping someone else out.

Happy new year all!!!