If I said that I am allergic to the cold...would you think that I was crazy? That I escaped the asylum? I thought that the doctor was when he told me. I can never forget that day. The news that changed my life forever.

It was three years ago. Ironically, it was April's Fools. I lived with my parents and younger brother at the time. I still do. Dad got a call from the doctor in the morning and told me and my brother to hurry up breakfast. My brother and I are slow eaters. We are the last people to finish our food because we are enjoying it. People work hard to fix the meals. It is only fair that we enjoy them. Not people. Louis and I would never eat people.

Dad did not tell us or Mom where we were heading. He was quiet the entire ride. Mom tried getting him to talk and added that she was afraid. So were me and Louis. I was reassuring him that we would be okay and holding his hand. I am unsure if he was paying attention to me. He was staring out the window. He constantly stares at certain things, like water or video games. He will lose a game sometimes if he stares for too long. I wondered if he had an underlying condition or something.

The doctor cleared his throat and clasped his hands on his desk. "I will cut to the chase. This is about your son and daughter. But it is nothing to get worked up over."

We were sitting across from him and listening to every word. Except Louis. He was invested in the video game on Dad's phone. How could he play at a time like this?

Dad took Mom's hand. "Do not keep us in the dark. Let us have it. What is wrong with our kids?"

"I would not say that something is wrong." He scooped up a pen. "Your son's condition is not life-threatening. He is...drumroll, please."

A nurse scrambled in with a small drum and sticks and did a drumroll.

"Louis is...autistic."

Our parents gasped.

The doctor looked at the nurse. "That will be all. Thank you."

"I do not get paid enough for this boring job," she said. She stormed out.

He looked back at us. "My wife makes me chuckle."

"That nurse is your wife?" I asked.

"Yeah. We have been together for ten years now. She is in one of her moods. She is outstanding and knows her medicines like the back of her hand...but she hates it."

I grasped the sides of my chair. "She hates medicines?"

"My wife hates her job. She has worked here ever since the beginning of last year. She wanted to be an actress, but it was not meant to be. So I put in a good word and am still showing her the ropes to this day."

"Sorry to hear that."

"That she is a nurse?"

"That her dream did not come true."

He slowly nodded and played with his pen. "And...I am afraid that you will be joining her, Lucia."

"I-I do not understand."

My dream was to be a famous snowboarder and reside in a cottage on a snowy mountain. Call me crazy, but I love the cold. I will not stay out if it is freezing. And icy and slippery roads are not my cup of tea. Not anyone's cup of tea. I just love how the cold feels on my skin. My favorite thing about the cold is the snow. Not shoveling it. Playing in it. So soft. So cold. Louis likes the snow as well - and staring at it. I could play with snow all day - but that will never happen now that I am allergic to the cold.

I understand being allergic to different foods - but how can you be allergic to the cold? You can also be allergic to water and sunlight. How is that possible? Why can I not be allergic to something that I loathe, like salads or barking or idiots?

I could not sleep that night. I was still in shock. I could not believe that I was allergic to something that I like. I was upset. I wanted to wake up from this dream. But it was no dream. I would be allergic to the cold forever. It would not be the same. No more snow. No more cold. I could only watch Louis from now on.

Louis was the lucky one. He has autism, but it does not make him allergic to the cold or anything else. I wished that I was autistic. I would rather have autism than the stupid allergy. Autism is difficult to comprehend, but it is nothing to be ashamed of. It is not sinful. So why are parents against autistic kids? Why is this world against them? 'Cause they are different. I love Louis regardless of his autism. He makes me smile every day.

We were bombarded by more news the next day. Good news about my condition. I can be out in the cold. Just not as long as before. I have to be completely covered - except my face - and should be out for half an hour. No more than half an hour. I should wait for an hour or so before returning to the outside world. I assumed that I would burst out crying. Cry tears of joy. I was feeling a mix of emotions. Happy. Relieved. Thrilled. A miracle. I can still do what I love. I can still enjoy the cold. Just not on my skin. I can create snowmen and snow angels and throw snowballs at my brother. I just have to come back in the house after half an hour.

I am still sad that I am allergic to the cold.

My allergy was hard to control when I visited my uncle and my aunt.