Page 101 of Paradox
It’s not easy with all that I’m carrying, and the fact we’re both wearing snow shoes, but I manage to shuffle us so Jin’s back is facing the oncoming track.
“I’m gonna need you to walk backwards.”
He looks at me dubiously. “Why?”
“Because I don’t trust you to keep your eyes closed.”
“I’ve seen the lake before.”
“You’ve seen it with a grey sky, and under less…happycircumstances.”
“And whose fault is that?” He pops his hip out like a sassy little bitch.
“Hence why I’m trying to make it better this time round.”
“Fine. But if I trip over it’s your fault.”
“A small price to pay,” I tell him as I step to his side and take his gloved hand.
Jin quickly shoves his bare hand into the pocket of his brother’s jacket and lets me guide him.
It’s slow going, but I know it’ll be worth it.
“I’m sorry about leaving you here.”
“I’ve already forgiven you,” he says, diligently looking at every reversed step his feet take.
This might be the cutest he’s ever looked.
It’s almost impossible for him to hold my hand properly with the glove on, but I can still feel him reflexively tensing against mine each time he lifts another foot.
I’ve seen this lake frozen over many times before, but it never ceases to amaze. And on a sunny day like this, even my breath is stolen as it comes into view.
With the last of the trees still bookending the vista like a perfect frame, I stop, and smile to myself.
“Are you gonna close your eyes and let me turn you around?”
Jin shakes his head, and I let go of his hand. Then I watch as he steps on one of the snow shoes—stumbling slightly—before freezing. With his body half way around, his head slowly pans the rest of the way. “Holy shit.” His eyes widen as his words puff out in a cloud of vapour.
“I told you it looked different.”
“Yeah, but it’s like… a screen saver.”
“For fuck’s sake,” I snicker. “You are such a city boy.”
“We don’t live in the city,” he whispers, still awestruck.
“That makes it worse.”
I leave Jin there, and brace myself for the inevitable punch in the face that’s coming my way in about three seconds.
“Goddamnit,” I shiver when the windchill ratchets up the cold factor tenfold.
“Holy crap,” Jin says about fifteen seconds later when he too steps beyond the protection of the trees. “How can it look so pretty but be so freaking cold?”
“You tell me. You’re the smart one.”
He pulls a face like he’s pretending to laugh, and puts on the other glove I gave him.
