We lived down there, arriving once paper routes were done and after school chores completed. Skates slung over the girls' shoulders or hung from hockey sticks perched across the guys' shoulders. Big kids, little kids. Looking after each other, tormenting each other.
Hockey games were always on the far end of the dogleg—no boards, just piles of snow—and after the lights blinked signaling the end of the night, the boys skated the nets back to the warming house. Pom Pom Pullaway, Red Rover and Crack the Whip took place in the bend; and little kids and families stuck around the warming house. Speed skaters wearing long blades circled the perimeter bent in half to get more speed, and couples swayed together arm in arm with long, graceful strides and dreamy looks.
It was obvious the King was in love with me even then. He'd skate up to me fast, make a quick turn, put one foot behind the other and, quickly hitting the ice with the toe of his blade, he'd chip up a chunk that flew right into my face. You only do that to girls you like.
Only a pretender to true 50's fashion, I copied the big girls' slung back jacket and chiffon scarf tied on the chin and thought I was the coolest thing on two legs. Mom kept warning me, “You're gonna be sorry some day if you don't cover your ears and head. Don't come to me when you're suffering with sinus problems.” She was right about most of those you're-gonna-be-sorry-somedays. And later when I told her about sinus problems, she just stood there with her arms crossed and a wicked little smile on her face.Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Ephesians 6:1
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