Page 36 of Tis the Season for Tentacles
He grumbles but lets me drag him with me. It’s a good thing I keep him close because the rink is a happening place and there are already quite a few folks enjoying themselves on the ice.
It takes me a moment or two to adjust to the differences of these ice gliders to traditional skates. They balance my body in a way that reminds me more of four-wheeled roller skates from my youth. Keeping that in mind helps me reposition myself a little as I move.
“Let me take a quick loop or two of the rink and once I’m confident I’ve got the hang of these gliders, I’ll come and teach you,” I tell Najar as I lead him over to a low wall where he can hold on for support.
I do a couple of laps around the rink, smiling the whole way as my body remembers the old movements and easily adapts to the new footwear. It’s been years since I last did this. But I know why. Once I started grad school, I was swamped with so much work that I had no time for extracurricular activities. Then, after Nana and Gramps died, I stayed away because it brought up too many painful nostalgic memories.
But right now, I feel freer and more lighthearted than I have in far longer than I care to remember.
The fact that it took aliens abducting me and taking me to another planet to rekindle my love for ice skating seems to perfectly fit the weirdness that characterizes my life at this moment.
Sasha pulls up next to me, arm in arm with his husband, who appears to be finally getting the hang of things. Khephren beams, his face downright incandescent.
“Isn’t this so much fun? I love it!”
Sasha gazes at him with a smitten look. “So glad we found a new activity that we both like and can do together, babe.”
Khephren leans over and kisses his cheek before whispering to me, “Please go and help Najar. He’s stubborn, I know, but I think he would have fun if he just loosened up a little bit.”
I nod and head over to the glowering man who’s holding on to the wall so tightly I’m afraid he might leave permanent indentations from his grip.
“Okay, I’ve got the hang of these gliders now. Let me teach you some basics,” I offer.
The look he gives me is distinctly wary.
I roll my eyes. “Come on, big guy. I’ll help you. It’ll be fun.”
“I do not believe I enjoy this… ice skating.”
I laugh. “You haven’t even tried yet. Come on.”
He lets out a disgruntled huff and holds out his hands.
I take them in mine and carefully skate backward as I pull him along with me. “Take it slow and get a feel for the way you need to move your feet. Go with the forward glide, don’t fight it.”
Shakily, Najar manages to stay mostly upright as I pull him along.
“Try not to look at your feet the whole time,” I urge.
His mesmerizing eyes lock with mine and we almost skate into someone ahead of me.
Focus, Felix!
We successfully make it around the rink once.
“You did it! Pretty fun, huh?”
“Thank you for helping me.” His tone is gruff but sincere.
Aww. The guy’s definitely awkward when it comes to social niceties, but he’s not a bad person.
“My pleasure. Shall we do another lap?”
He studies me for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
Finally, he nods. “One more.”
I grin and decide to shift positions, moving to his side and looping my right arm with his left. “Let’s try it like this.”
