Tina's plane touched down at LAX at ten o'clock on another brutal Southern California winter day: 72 degrees with a mild wind blowing from the east. The sky was bright and clear and free of smog.
"Mom!" yelled Tina as she spotted Natalie Wallace in the baggage claim area. They hugged.
"You look great, Mom! Nice tan!"
"You look wonderful too, Dear," said Natalie. "Chicago life must agree with you."
"Yeah, it does. Except for the fact that it's freezing-ass cold there. What's it like outside?"
"It's in the seventies and very sunny," said Natalie. "I hope you brought warm weather clothes."
"Jesus," said Tina. "It's almost Christmas. How can it be so hot?"
"Why do you think so many people want to live here, Tina?"
Natalie's driver grabbed their luggage and within a few minutes the wome
