- Am I Talking About Skating?
- Am I Talking About Skating?
Since our return from the outing, I’ve been avoiding Michelle. I know from Vero that her daughter is fine, so I’m at ease, but
I can’t stop thinking that maybe I was being intrusive. To make matters worse, now I arrive earlier just to avoid running into her in the hallway.
Yes, I know. I’m acting like a clueless teenager.
Unfortunately, Vero has already noticed my interest. And if she’s noticed, I fear others have too.
“Why do we have to be so obvious when we fall in love?” That’s the million-dollar question.
That night, in the solitude of my room, I started to analyze my feelings. No matter how much I tried to avoid them, I had to admit the truth: the day I saw her again, I felt something very much like a second love at first sight. Or maybe it’s not even a second love, but the same one that had remained dormant inside me and now awakened with renewed energy, like a volcano erupting. Not even Susy’s mother managed to stir such deep emotions in me, even though I’m sure I loved her.
“Dreaming of love so early?” I startled at Vero’s voice behind me.
I turn around and find her watching me with a mocking smile.
“What?” I tried to feign seriousness, but with her, it’s useless.
“Boss, you’re not fooling me. I’ve already told you. I’m on your side, you know that. Do you want me to tell you what happened yesterday?”
Curiosity is killing me, but I also have dignity.
“If it’s something she told you in confidence, better not tell me.”
Vero shrugs and prepares to take the employee elevator.
“But if you think it won’t affect anything, you can tell me,” I add, and in response, she lets out a silent scream of excitement before pushing me into the elevator that just opened.
Upon reaching my office, I close the door, leave the briefcase on the table, and settle into my chair, trying to appear professional.
“Well?” I asked soberly.
Vero sits in front of me and begins to tell me what happened: Michelle met with her husband and daughter, the divorce is a done deal, and the girl stays with the father. This last part makes me sad for Michez, but I know the girl is just confused.
“For a moment, I thought the i***t was going to beg her, but he’s been one for so long that it’s already ingrained in his DNA,” I said sarcastically.
She smiles slightly upon hearing me.
“It’s their loss,” she says, unable to help herself. “It’s time for Michelle to have a new beginning. She’s already closed chapters with her future ex-husband, although I know she’ll fight for the love of her daughter, the only worthwhile part of that relationship. I hope she soon finds someone who shows her there are still good loves to discover.”
I hesitate for a moment before asking that’s burning inside me.
“A-and, um… How long do you think I should wait before letting her know how I feel?”
Vero remains silent, thoughtful. Then she smiles with a certainty that unsettles me.
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I’d suggest waiting a month for every year she is married.”
I opened my eyes in astonishment.
“Ten months? But that’s such a long wait!”
She shakes her head.
“It’s not. If she believed she loved that man for so long, ten months to a year is reasonable. If you rush things, you might lose her trust. But there’s also the possibility that she’ll realize sooner that someone else can make her happy. That’ll be
up to you, boss.”
I feel a sense of relief. Having an ally in all this is more comforting than I imagined.
“Thank you so much… Ahem, and speaking of work, have you chosen the person who will accompany me to the
convention next month?”
Vero shakes her head, but there’s a mischievous glint in her eye.
“Not yet, but we’ll have a draw in the coming days.”
She stands up and, before leaving, winks at me.
Just have faith.”
Faith. I must be a man of faith.
Because what’s at stake is my heart.
Michelle
The computer screen flickers with a brightness that’s almost mocking. The words don’t flow, my mind is blank, and the
pressure to come up with a brilliant idea for the new campaign only intensifies the block. I sigh, letting my head fall into
my hands.
It’s not just work. I know exactly what’s happening. My divorce is consuming me. It’s weighing on me more than I want to
admit. And, as if that weren’t enough, it now even interferes with my ability to create.
I pick up a pen and start twirling it between my fingers, trying to trick my mind, to give it the illusion that I’m still active.
Suddenly, a small hand reaches over my desk and places a handmade pink card with a tiny cut-out skater glued on the
cover.
I looked up, surprised. I gave a slight smile and sit up straight in my chair, already suspecting who it might be.
“Susy?”
The girl stands up with a big smile and nods enthusiastically.
“I brought you an invitation to my party,” she says with that childlike sweetness that tugs at my heart. “My uncle said that if I gave it to you, and you didn’t return it, you would definitely come. I want you to come! Can you come, Michez?”
Her sincere and straightforward request disarms me. I can’t help but smile at her tenderness.
“Well… I had plans with my parents, but since you took the trouble to come all the way here with such a lovely card, I can’t
say no.”
Susy squeals with excitement and starts jumping for joy. Before I can react, she leaps at me and wraps her arms around my waist. Her small body presses tightly against mine, and for a moment, I stay still, feeling her warmth.
The gesture shakes me more than it should. It’s the same kind of hug Candace used to give me… and just thinking about
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- Am 1 Talking About Skating?
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her brings a sharp pain to my chest. This morning I woke up planning to make her favorite breakfast, only to be hit by reality moments later. We’re not together anymore. We no longer live under the same roof.
“Thank you, thank you,” Susy exclaims, stepping back and doing a little jump. “We’re going to have so much fun. Don’t forget to bring your skates.”
I watched her run towards the door. Before leaving, a man’s head briefly peeks around the door; he simply raises his hand in a farewell gesture before disappearing with her. I know exactly who it is, and I also know Dylan won’t be too pleased that his brother brought Susy here.
sighed and lowered my eyes to the card. I open it carefully and read the message written in a child’s handwriting:
“I’m inviting you to my party, but you’re the only guest.”
A smile involuntarily curves my lips.
So I’m the only guest, which I guess puts a bit of pressure on me.
Ryan
“Love… I’ve already been looking at places for the wedding, and my mother said we could go dress shopping on Saturday. She’s very excited.”
Blake speaks with enthusiasm, but I could barely concentrate on her words.
Leaving work, I received a message from her asking me to stop by her house; she said she had something important to discuss with me. Although her insistence on the wedding preparations was becoming overwhelming, I decided to go. However, my mind was elsewhere. Over the next few days, it would be best for me to spend the afternoons with Candace. Her mother used to take care of her homework, but in her absence, that responsibility fell entirely on me.
My daughter didn’t say anything, but I knew she was affected by her mother’s absence. I saw it in her eyes when she thought I wasn’t watching, in the way she fell silent when other moms were mentioned. And although I tried to be strong for her, Michelle was right: the mistakes were ours, mainly mine.
I sigh in frustration. Blake’s urgency to get married made me uneasy. She had been pushing for the preparations for days, even though the resolution of my divorce hadn’t even come through yet.
“Don’t you think you’re rushing a bit?” I asked, trying to make her notice the weariness in my voice.
She looks at me but ignores my tone.
“Not at all. Six months fly by, and I don’t want to do everything in a hurry.”
I ran a hand through my hair, feeling trapped.
“Blake… I haven’t even asked you to marry me yet.”
I see her eyes widen and her face pale. It’s as if she had been hit with a bucket of cold water.
“What are you talking about? Aren’t we getting married right away?”
I shook my head and looked down. This shouldn’t be like that.
“I want to prioritize my daughter. This is a difficult process for her, and I need to be present. I hope you understand. Besides, her skating practice resumes on Saturday.”
I see the look of someone who has forgotten something important on her face.
“I’m sorry, that’s true,” she says after a moment of silence. I’ll tell my mother we’ll go another day. So, would you like to join
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C21 Ami Talking About skating?
us at the rink on Saturday?
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“No, she mentioned there’s a very nice place where her friends go. They hold children’s parties there, but it’s also open to the public. Would you like to join us?”
Blake hesitates for a moment, but eventually nods with a forced smile.
“Of course! Anything for my dear Candace.”
“Then we’ll pick you up on Saturday. I have to go now.”
I leaned in to give her a kiss on her lips before leaving.
As I walk away, it’s clear to me that she’s not happy with my decision at all. But I hope, for the sake of our relationship, that she understands that my daughter will always be my priority.
Michelle
The skating rink. The place that was once my refuge, my passion, the stage where I built dreams and faced defeats. I loved it with all my being, but I decided to leave it behind for my daughter.
Was it a mistake? Yes, a massive one. A regret that weighs on my chest every day. I close my eyes and the echo of applause resonates in my memory. I can see myself gliding gracefully on the ice, feeling the wind brush my face as I spin and jump lightly. But I also see the moment when everything changed. The fall. I not only stumbled on the ice but also
over my own insecurity.
And the worst part wasn’t falling, but failing to get back up. I was a coward, I know. I felt disappointed, frustrated, unable
to move forward.
“Michez!” A child’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.
I look up and saw her. A girl dressed in pink, with a radiant smile and eyes full of hope. She is beautiful.
“Congratulations, sweetheart”, I say tenderly as her father approaches and takes the gift I brought.
“Thank you for coming, Michelle. I really appreciate it,” he tells me sincerely.
Before I can respond, I feel a light touch on my shoulder. I turn and see a pair of skates in front of me. They are new,
pristine. Ready for use.
*Size 8. Ready for use,” says a familiar voice. My friend looks at me with a meaningful smile. Come on, Michez. This is a new beginning. Your rebirth.
I can’t help but laugh at his words. With a shaky sigh, I take the skates and head to a nearby bench. I sit down and, with
trembling fingers, adjust them to my feet. The fluttering in my stomach is a mix of nerves and excitement. I stood up and walked slowly towards the rink.
The cold of the ice under my feet feels strangely comforting. I take a step. Then another. I take a deep breath and slide my foot forward… and I fall.
The impact shakes me, but before embarrassment can take over, a hand extends towards me. I look up and find a warm and understanding gaze.
“Don’t worry. If you fall, I’ll help you get up.”
I hesitated for a second, but then I take the hand offered to me. Ás I do, an unfamiliar warmth fills my chest. I get up, wobbly, but with a spark of determination igniting inside me.
Maybe it’s worth taking the risk once more.
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