The Future
The car swayed in the wind, a loud whistle came from the sunroof that never closed. Music blasted out of the speakers, the electronic beat and Laura Beth's singing making a conversation impossible. For as long as I can remember, this is how the ride to the ice skating rink in Decatur has been.
At the ripe old age of twelve I already saw his shocking blue eyes looking back at me from behind a wall of protective glass. In that moment I could see everything beautiful in the world and was full of wonder and curiosity. His emotion was written across his face and his gaze burned into mine and was gone with a quick blink of his long blonde eye lashes. The last thing I saw before I turned to skate was the familiar smirk, a half smile with more charm than anything I had ever seen.
Standing alone on the sheet of ice, I felt the intoxicating pull of the cold air. The music started immediately, the notes hanging in the cold air and echoing throughout the old metal building. I began my program just like my coach and I had rehearsed. I skated the program flawlessly. The music carrying me through my complicated jumps and guiding me through my complicated footwork. The skating wasn't on my mind though. It was knowing I was going to get off the ice and see him.
Memories like this float through my head while I am having a quiet dinner in the corner of a fancier restaurant. The same boy was smirking at me across the nicely set table. Our waiter, a calm large man, asked for our order. I looked at the boy and smiled in quiet acknowledgement of the peculiar way the waiter spoke. We ordered our food and sat back to catch up. The conversation was punctuated with hearty laughter followed by happy tears and smiles, our feet touching under the table having a conversation of their own. He paid the bill and we left, leaving older couples smiling after us and the ghosts of long forgotten fights behind us. Electricity sparked between us as we walked up the street toward the movie theater together, making me feel whole again.
In that moment I realized I am complete. As a junior in high school I knew my search was over, we had stumbled together in a very precarious roll of the dice.
Sitting in the movie was difficult and soon I convinced him to leave. We jog to the car and start it up, simply enjoying the silence and sitting in each other’s company. Then, I turn and see the same eyes I saw in my 12 year old memory. He leans in and gives me a simple peck on the lips while quietly sighing and finally admitting what I realized earlier.