Page 34 of Love on the Edge
The clink of silverware fills the silence. No chaotic sibling debates. No laughter. Just quiet, refined conversation. Controlled. Predictable.
Mom dabs at the corner of her mouth with her napkin. "How’s training?"
"Good. Nikolai is pushing me harder than ever," I say, cutting my next bite of chicken smaller than necessary. "But that’s nothing new."
Dad nods approvingly. "Discipline. That’s what keeps you ahead."
Mom watches me for a moment longer, her expression unreadable. "Are you still keeping up with yoga?"
"Every morning," I reply.
She nods, satisfied. "Good. Balance is just as important as strength."
Dad cuts another piece of his chicken, his movements precise, efficient. "You’ll be ready for Nationals." It’s not a question. It’s certainty.
I nod, setting my fork down. "I will be."
That’s the end of it. They don’t ask about anything else. They’ve always waiting for me to tell them more, it’s something I appreciate about them.
It’s not about how I feel. Not about exhaustion. Not about the toll of fifteen straight days on the ice. It’s about results. About expectations. And nothing else matters.
They move on. Another bite. Another sip of wine. As if nothing is wrong.
And maybe nothing is.
I arrive at therink, coffee in hand. Today was supposed to be my day off.
Joanne called me in because Harry is down with a cold and they needed someone to cover. I don’t mind. It’s not like I haven’t done this a hundred times before, but I won’t have to do it much longer.
The garage is picking up. Drew needs another person managing, and he’s given me that position. It’s good money. Stable. Something I can build on. I won’t need the rink job to make ends meet anymore.
Still, this place has been good to me. It gave me work when I needed it, made sure my family was taken care of, helped Nina when we couldn’t. Leaving is not as simple as just handing in my notice.
But it is time.
I push open the office door, stepping inside to find Joanne at her desk.
"Hey. Do you have a minute?"
She looks up, warm as ever. "Of course, honey. Have a seat.What’s going on?"
I shift the coffee cup between my hands. "Joanne, I wanted to tell you myself. I got a promotion at the garage, which means I’ll have to leave the rink. It wasn’t an easy decision, but with everything changing, it’s the right move for me.
She nods slowly, but I see the tension settle into her shoulders before she speaks. "I knew this was going to happen. When’s your last day?"
She’s nervous. They need someone to do my job. But, I’m not just going to abandon them. Not after everything they’ve done for my family.
My parents couldn’t afford the extra training Nina needed to get to the level she’s at now. She started late, almost fourteen when she laced up for the first time. Compared to the other skaters who’ve been on the ice since they were two, she’s only been skating for nine years. That is a disadvantage in this sport.
But the rink sponsors Nina. That has been a huge help to my parents. They still scrape together what they can for Nikolai’s coaching, but at least the rink covers the ice time, travel, and gear. It’s a weight lifted. They don’t talk about it, but I know they feel it.
"I don’t need to leave any time soon," I tell her. "Find someone to replace me first."
The relief on Joanne’s face is immediate. They don’t need to struggle.
My parents should be able to relax, but I know they won’t. Nationals is fast approaching and all three trainees are going. That means even more pressure, more sacrifices, more late nights spent figuring out how to make it all work.
I exhale a sigh of relief and head to the workshop, ready to set everything up before I cut the ice.
