|
View Near Elizabethtown, N.J., 1847, by Régis François Gignoux
Early Skating
by Gail Denham
The pond looked beautiful this
morning. Cold temperatures
assured it had frozen more last night.
Many skated on the icy middle. Sure,
Billy had broken through on the far side,
at the edge, under trees, but Billy
was known as a reckless dude anyway.
“Mom, can I go?”
“The ice isn’t solid enough yet,
Kate. It’s still early in the season.”
“But Mom, Carlos is waiting for me.
He borrowed his sister’s skates just
for me and they fit. Please.”
“Oh all right.” Mom sighed. “But stay
in the area where the ice is really thick,
where the others are skating.”
It was a glorious time. The fact that Carlos
tucked his arm in mine and guided me
didn’t hurt. I sat down to rest, and marveled
at how good a skater Carlos proved to be.
Just then a huge crack sounded, not far from
Carlos and the rest. My heart leaped to my
mouth. I couldn’t speak. Skaters zipped to
the edges. Soon Carlos was beside me.
It began to mist–rain actually. But nothing could
spoil this day, topped off with drinking hot chocolate
by the fire. And that Carlos and I drank from the same cup.
I’d mention the ice crack to Mom tomorrow.
|
