Scene

They are next in line.

“Eight dollars each please.”

He reaches into his pocket and takes out a worn brown leather wallet. It looks like one you would find at a local thrift store, or one that has been passed down to him for generations.
He takes out $16 and pays for both of them. She fixes her eyes upon him with a thankful but anxious stare.

“Don’t be nervous,” he says while he takes her hand and slowly slips each of his fingers between hers. Together they sit down on a bench nearby and prepare to do something it seems she has never done before. Carefully he fastens each lace up his before turning to aid her in tying her own.

“I think they’re too tight” she says.

“Can you wiggle your toes?”

She nods her head, “Mm Hm.”

“Then they’re just right” he tells her.

Still firmly grasping his palm, she cautiously takes her first step onto the ice.

He calms her.

“It’s just you and me on the ice,” he tells her. She trusts him and begins to skate. A few times she slips; he always helps her up without ever breaking connection. They smile continuously, and she she becomes more comfortable on the ice she lets go of his hand and she notices they are not alone.

Frog Pond is crowded on a Thursday afternoon and there is a ubiquitous sound of happiness on the ice. People of all ages, different skill levels, families and couples are skating slowly and some skating fast around the oval shaped pond. Behind them, a young girl grasps her father’s hand as they skate side by side. In front of them two teenagers help each other up after colliding. The use of the hand becomes a support mechanism on the ice.

She falls once again. He takes hold of her hand and for a second point in time it is just the two of them, the only sound coming from their blades on the ice.