Ice Skating

Aurora POV:

An oblong ice rink with a low wall or railing around the familiar perimeter, winter sights surrounding the rink.

The whole place was devoid of life this late in the night,

"Sometimes I enjoy skating alone, just to wallow in my thoughts, but I've never had the opportunity of coming out here this late before."

I felt the cold air hit my skin, but it wasn't unbearable. I squinted away from the floodlight's bright glare. the over-bright white of the snow gave me a sudden headache, it reminded me of the short stint at the hospital, but just as it came it disappeared.

The smell of Ozone, ice, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, food smells from nearby eating establishments, and hot dogs cooked at the concession stand all day still hung in the air. I knew edibles were not allowed on the rink, I knew the lingering smell would probably disappear when we got to the rink.

"When you said you know a spot, I wasn't expecting something like this," I said

"You've never skated before ?" He asked curiously

"I don't exactly find it fun," I said

"Well, it's never too late to learn and explore the fun part of it."

"I think I am too old for that"

"No one is too old for ice skating"

"Well I am"

He looked at me with a smug

"Aurora"

"Yes Mr. Jordan"

"Are you scared?"

"Scared?" I wheezed "No, I'm not"

"let's go then"

I gulped hard.

We changed into skating boots and set upon the rink. He drifted effortlessly drifted and danced around the rink. He took a glance at me.

" Your face looks drained" He chuckled

My legs shook violently as I held on to the railing.

He skated toward me and held his hands out to me.

I shook my Head

"I won't let you fall, I promise," He said.

I placed my hand in his, he placed both on his shoulder. He skated very slowly around the rink with my hand still latched on his shoulder.

"Have you ever tried to learn?" He asked.

"The first time and last time I came here was one to remember. "

"I squeezed my daddy’s hand in my two mittened fists. I tried to stand, but the skates slipped and slid beneath me like metal snakes. I eyed the hard ice and squeezed my eyes shut, but that only made the slip-and-slide feeling worse. Abandoning the hand in my grip, I threw my arms around his leg and buried my face in the ice-crusted fabric."

He squeezed his face.

"That must have hurt"

"It did, I avoided it like a plague for a long time"

"So, are you ready to try it once again?" He asked

"As much as I appreciated your motivation, but No please"

"But you've been doing it yourself for the past one minute"

I looked down to see he was no longer holding me. I gaze at him horror-struck, then surprised I didn't fall, then delighted.

I took it slowly, trying to sort out my feet, trying to balance on two thin blades and becoming one with the rink. I did at some point, but never for once did I push my luck. It was the perfect time for me to learn, he watched like a proud teacher.

He skated towards me and ran circles around me.

"You are a fast learner," He said

"You are a great teacher" I replied.

He got closer to me "Did I tell you how awfully cute you look in that dress"

"More than I could count" I chuckled

"There are several more things I'd love to say to you"

"What's that Boss," I said

He got even closer, I could feel him staring into my soul.

"First, I believe you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen"

I flushed hard, In a heartbeat from being euphoric I felt nervous and anxious. I couldn't explain why, but I was.

"Thank you" I managed to say

"And, I think I'm in l-,"

A loud pitched noise interrupted him, I shook, startled by the noise.

"What was that?" I asked.

"The place is closing, it's to alert people before they shut off the lights in the next 3 minutes"

"Does it have to be that loud"

"They made it that loud so everyone can hear, to avoid the accident of the light getting turned off with skaters still on the rink"

"Fair enough"

"We should get out of here," he said

He gracefully drifted over the ice towards the perimeter, he expected me to do the same. I was rooted to the spot, wondering what just happened now, what he wanted to tell me. He stopped to take a look at me, he was surprised to see he was still on the spot, staring at him.

He stopped in his tracks "Well, you might have to introduce me to whoever taught you how to skate in the dark because I'm pretty sure I didn't"

"Oh, I'm sorry," I said and started moving

"What were you thinking?" He asked

"Nothing" I replied

He stared at me bemused before moving on.

We changed out of the skating boots and mittens, before heading out the park.

"You are so late, your mom is going to be so angry. I'm so sorry" He said

"No, it's fine. I told her I would be out late"

He nodded.

He drove me home but stopped a couple of feet away.

"I'm sorry for tonight sir, I'm sorry it didn't go as you planned."

"It's fine Aurora and Thank you for making tonight worth it."

"You are welcome."

"Goodnight Aurora"

"Goodnight Boss" I replied

He didn't leave until he saw I was safely inside.

What a gentleman, I thought!

I turned to see my Mom staring at me.

"Oh my goodness" I exclaimed

"Mom, you scared me. What are you still doing up? You should be sleeping"

"How could I sleep when I didn't know where my only child was"

"Mom, I told you it's Girl's night out" I replied

"How was the Girl's night out?" She asked

"It was thrilling" I replied

"You plan to keep lying to me don't you?" She asked with a raised eyebrow

"What?" I asked confused

"Libby rang less than an hour after you left"

"You know what she said? She told me she hadn't heard from you for over a week."

I said nothing.

'Libby and bad timing' I muttered under my breath

"So why did you lie to me?"

"I'm sorry Mom," I said

"Honey I'm not angry, I don't know what you think you had to hide from me. You are a woman of yourself and could do whatever you want, I'm just sad you thought you had to hide it from me. I didn't know I'd been that difficult recently, but now I have realized, I will try to fix up and become the mother you can open up to again."

"I'm sorry mom"

"Don't apologize, let's just start with a bit of honesty next time, just like we always have.

"I will be sure to do that Mom," I said

"I would be glad if you do, goodnight dear"

She turned to leave.

"Mom," I said

She turned to face me again.

"I was out with Mr. Jordan," I said.

I watched to see her reaction.

"Are you angry?" I said

"No dear, I am not angry. I just don't want to see you attached and get hurt again."

"I won't mom. I won't get attached."

She nodded her head. "I will hold you to your promise, be sure to keep it"

"I will" I replied

"And Mom, I am going to Mr. Angelo's house tomorrow"

I saw her amused and suspicious expression.

"It's to talk about Dad's Case" I assured her.

The older woman didn't look in any way convinced.

"You still like him, don't you" she said completely taking me off guard.

"I don't" I retorted.

"I think you do"

I felt so embarrassed.

"And I thought my life was complicated" the older woman chuckled.

She rubbed her backhand heavily over her eyes. My eyelids were also becoming very heavy.

"I'm off to sleep," she said

"Goodnight Mom," I said

"Goodnight Honey"

I watched her trot to her room before heading to mine. I washed and changed into my sleeping clothes and jumped into my bed.

I thought about the bemusing but chaotic day I had and the thrill that possibly lay install for me tomorrow.