Page 28 of A Seed Of Peril

I looked at him. “Huh?”

“Your father—did he take you to Rockefeller Center?”

I looked again at the pond, seeing a family call it a day. Who I assumed was the boy’s father threw his son over his shoulder as he pitched a fit, crying because he had to go home.

“No.”

“Why?”

Believe it or not, no, my parents never took me to New York City. After I ran away from my grandparents, I never made an effort to visit The Rink along Rockefeller Plaza. It would’ve just reminded me of the pain of my loss.

“I’m not sure. Dad hid his life so well, maybe he didn’t want to risk ours by bringing us to such a popular spot.”

“Maybe.” He didn’t sound convinced. “You said you remembered a time when it was just you and him?”

I nodded, amused at the memory of the toast. “Dad burned Mom’s toast that morning.” Fresh tears lined eyes. I bit my lip, and Dominic quickly took hold of my hand. I squeezed it, fighting like hell not to cry.

“Maybe I can take you to Rockefeller. You can teach me and our son to ice skate. He’d love it at Christmas—all the lights and the music.”

I blinked free a few tears, wiping them away. Dominic willing to leave his comfort zone… It filled my heart with joy. Experiencing such a place with him and our boy… If only time travel existed, I would send us into the future right now. I laughed at the sudden thought of me teaching Dominic how to ice skate.

“What?” he inquired.

“Nothing. I just pictured you hanging onto the inside of the rink for dear life.”

The day it was just me and Dad, I particularly remembered another kid, an older girl, doing twirls on the ice. I desperately wanted to twirl in circles like her, but I only fell on my ass when I tried. Dad rushed to my aid, relieved that no bones were broken.

“Daddy! Daddy, look! She’s going in circles.”

I wanted to twirl like her. She was older and didn’t fall down a lot like me. Maybe I could twirl like her? Daddy would be proud of me if I twirled like her. I tugged on Daddy’s fuzzy coat.

“See, Daddy?” I pointed to the older girl. “I wanna twirl, too!”

“With a little practice, I know you can,” Daddy said.

I looked up at him. He was the best Daddy in the world. “Can we try right now?”

Daddy thought about it before giving me that look that I knew meant no. I hated that word. And then, he smiled.

“Sure, kiddo.” He held my hand and pulled me. I was still too scared to not hold onto the edge.

He held my arms and slowly turned me around and around in circles. I laughed, having a lot of fun. It was always fun when Daddy played with me. I just wished Mommy wasn’t sick today. I wanted her to see me twirl.

“I wanna do it myself!” I said, wanting to prove to Daddy I could do it.

“Okay.” He sounded scared to let me spin. He didn’t have to worry. I wouldn’t fall. “Just be careful. I’m right here.”

Daddy stayed close and watched me. I pushed with my right foot and held my arms out as I turned. I almost fell, so I did it again but faster, only to lose my balance and fall on my butt on the ice. Daddy ran to me, scared. I didn’t hurt myself, but I was mad at myself. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t twirl like that girl. She was better than me. Her Daddy must be proud of her. Now crying, I wanted Mommy.

Daddy picked me up and leaned against the edge.

“Are you hurt?” He checked me for any boo-boos. I wrapped my arms around his neck. He rubbed my back. “You’re okay, Lilly. You’re okay.”

“Daddy,” I cried. I wanted to tell him I was mad, but I didn’t know what to say. His and Mommy’s hugs always made me feel better.

“Let’s get home,” Daddy said. “Maybe we can stop somewhere for ice cream.”

I nodded, happy Daddy would buy me ice cream. I loved strawberry ice cream. Mommy called me her little strawberry because I loved strawberries so much. They were delicious, especially when Mommy made her strawberry bars for me or put them on her cakes.

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